1998 had seen further efforts by the European Commission to reduce the number of natural monopolies in the air transport market. The Council of the EU discussed a Directive aimed at regulating airport practices by limiting the level of charges, putting an end to unfair practices and improving transparency for users. At the same time, the Commission set conditions on airline alliances after having carried out investigations into several alliances between EU and US carriers.

Another significant issue in 1998 has been the review of conditions of carriage and tickets in consultation with the Commission and with consumer organisations, as well as the proposal for a revision of Regulation No. 895/91 regarding denied boarding compensation.

Also in high profile during 1998 has been the proposal for a multilateral treaty between the EU and Eastern European countries regarding the adoption of the air law regime of the EU and EU competition law, which would create a common European aviation area.

These various developments have provided the principal topics for discussion at the Association's annual conference for 1998.

Opening Address Professor P.D. Dagtoglou, Welcome Address Caspar Einem, Remarks on the Current State of International Rulemaking in Civil Aviation Dr. Gerhard Stadler, Airline Alliances and Competition Regulations Dr. Kurt Stockmann, Extension of EU Air Transport Competition Rules to Air Transport to and from the EU Humbert Drabbe, Extension of EU Air Transport Competition Rules to Air Transport to and from the EU -Some Question Marks Helmut w.R. Kreis, Extended Power of the Commission in the Field of Competition Rules for Air Transport to and from the EU: Advantages and Disadvantages Alain Berlezar, European Airline Alliances - Extraterritorial of U.S. Antitrust Laws Sundy Murdock, Recent Developments Concerning Ailines' Conditions of Carriage John Balfour, EU Legislation on Denied Boarding Compensation Sefik B. Yiiksel, Disruptive Passengers lain Jack, Airline Conditions of Carriage-Passenger Perspective Philip Martin, Introductory Remarks to the Afternoon Session Professor Carl Otto Lenz, Airports and Abuse of a Dominant Position Application of Articles 86 and 90 of the EC Treaty to Airports and Airport Systems Trevor Soames and Geert Goeteyn, Airports and Abuse of a Dominant Position Application of Articles 86 and 90 of the EC Treaty to Airports and Airport Systems Herbert Bammer, Airports and Abuse of a Dominant Position Application of Articles 86 and 90 of the EC Treaty to Airports and Airport Systems Heinz Dillmann, Application of Articles 86 and 90 of the EC Treaty to Airports and Airport Systems Dr. Horst Bittlinger, Regulating Aviation Safety in Europe Claude Probst, European Commission Aviation Area and Poland Zbigniew P. Kiszczak, Air Transport Relations - EU – Switzerland Urs Haldimank