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Dec 29
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LIABILITY OF AIR CARRIER FOR THE ACTS OF GROUND HANDLING AND AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL PERSONNEL

Svetislav Janković

10.55836/PiP_25403A
ABSTRACT /

In the article, the author considers the potential liability of various subjects for the acts of ground personnel included those involved in ground handling and air traffic control personnel (ATC). Basically, the author researches the liability of the air carrier for its servants, determining the personnel of ground handling and ATC as servants. But, having in mind that these servants are, as a rule, independent from the carrier (not only as independent contractors, but in an ordinary way, from its control), it is necessary to determine who is legally responsible (in the civil law legal framework) for the mistakes of ground personnel. There can be many solutions – from the exclusive and separate liability of the air carrier (or some of the ground personnel) to the joint liability of the carrier, state and, ATC as a subordinated subject. The author proposes a two-step liability solution for these situations. In the first step, the carrier should be exclusively and only liable, but this liability should be limited. In the second step, for any remaining damages not covered in the fi rst step, the state or ATC should be liable, either separately or jointly, depending on which party had crucial control over the process.

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