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Megatrends and air transport : legal, ethical and economic issues
Abeyratne R., Springer International Publishing, New York, NY, 2017. 253 pp. Type: Book (978-3-319611-23-5)
Date Reviewed: Jul 26 2018

The author works in megatrends for a Montreal consulting firm, Aviation Strategies International. Additionally, he has written extensively on the economics and law of air transportation. Hence, he is uniquely qualified to address future directions of a number of topics, including what he terms the “global code” and the “global tribe,” Generation Y values directly impacting transportation and so much more. Thus, a 250-page book that at first glance (from the title) appears limited to supply chain issues and logistics has broad implications in numerous fields.

The book consists of eight chapters: “Megatrends and Air Transport: An Overview,” “Global Balance of Power and Aviation,” “E-Trends and Air Transport,” “Effect of Megatrends on Airports,” “Artificial Intelligence and Air Transport,” “Millennials and Disruptive Innovation,” “The Internet of Everything,” and “Conclusion.”

Some of the megatrends identified by the author include an increased need for international order in an interconnected world, climate change, a growing global middle class, increased global mobility of skilled workers coupled with movements back to homelands, emerging markets other than Europe and North America, technologies, and special needs individualized services, all of which require new forms of strategic thinking. All businesses need to appreciate these developments.

Passenger empowerment, human-robotic interfaces, amendments to international air travel conventions, biometric identification, risk management, liability and legal responsibility for both human and artificial intelligence (AI) failures in national litigation and treaty law, and the broad interconnectivity of devices are a few of the numerous topics discussed. Case studies that illustrate these points are included. Could conventions and technology override pilots that engage in careless, dangerous, or suicidal behaviors? Will competing interests and treaties be unified in a way that provides security, safety, and environmental protection for all? Considerable attention and detail is devoted to United Nations (UN) conventions, international civil aviation organizations, and conferences that move in these directions.

Each chapter contains extensive footnotes and a list of references. A table of court cases is included, as well as a comprehensive index. Chapters are divided into easily identified subparts for quick reference. This study is worthy of attention by anyone thinking about the future of law, technology, and human wants and needs. It is much more than the movement of people and products from point A to point B.

Reviewer:  Brad Reid Review #: CR146172 (1810-0537)
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