"U.S. Ratifies International Air Pact"

Friday, September 5, 2003 

U.S. Ratifies International Air Pact
The Associated Press


MONTREAL (AP) - The United States became the 30th nation to ratify a new
international air accident liability agreement Friday, meaning the pact
takes effect on Nov. 4, the U.N. civil aviation agency said. 

Under the Montreal Convention agreed to in 1999, families of victims killed
in air accidents will be eligible for immediate compensation with no limits
on some liability claims against airlines at fault. 

It represents a major revamping of standards for compensation in
international air accidents, based on the 1929 Warsaw Convention, which
limited airline liability, according to the International Civil Aviation
Organization. 

Ratification by 30 signatories means the convention takes effect 60 days
later. With the United States and Cameroon bringing the total to 30 on
Friday, the date the convention comes into force is Nov. 4, according to an
ICAO statement. 

Compensation in international accidents often is tied up for years, though
more airlines in recent years have made some compensation available quickly.


The Montreal Convention requires immediate payments of up to $135,000 for
each victim killed or injured, regardless of whether the airline was
responsible for the accident. It also removes all caps on liability if the
carrier is ruled to be at fault. 

"Victims of international air accidents and their families will be better
protected and compensated," said Assad Kotaite, president of the U.N.
aviation agency that has 188 member states. 

He called the agreement "a delicate balance between the needs and interests
of all partners in international civil aviation."


 Do you have an opinion about this story?
Share it with other readers in our CAA Discussion Forums

http://www.californiaaviation.org/dc/dcboard.php

*****************************************