The Implications of the Treaty of Versailles on the Development of International Aviation Law

摘要

'War is the father and king of all'. Heraclitus' saying might as well go for the develop-ment of international aviation law after the First World War. During the war civil aviation was mostly prohibited. Nevertheless there was a considerable technical de-velopment and growth in the number of aircraft used for military purposes. The war in which aircraft had been used for bombing towns, aerial combat and dropping spies had shown the ugly potential of aviation. At the end of the hostilities the world was facing new challenges with regard to the safety of goods and persons in the air and on the ground. The increase in aircraft and the commencement of the regular Service of international air transport in 1919 provoked international attention. Therefore, aviation was already discussed at the Paris Peace Conference which on the 28 June 1919 led to the signature of the Treaty of Versailles that officially ended the State of war between Germany and the Allied Powers.