Air sovereignty

The air superiority follows from the state sovereignty and describes the fundamental right of a state to use its air space to independently regulate ( Aviation Law Aviation Law = air = right ), in Germany for example, by the Aviation Act. Air police measures, such as surveillance flights are performed by Information held for these tasks fighters.

The airspace over the entire land and sea area of a State is part of the sovereign territory. The national airspace corresponds in extent, therefore, usually the boundary line. Parts of the airspace may be assigned to other States for use. The entering the airspace of a UN member state needs in civil aircraft no permit ( Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation ).

The upper limit of the airspace is not legally uniquely determined. The current limits ( about Kármán line) under international law not relevant to the determination of the air sovereignty underlying airspace between majestic open space. The legal gray area extends between 60 and 110 km above the earth's surface. Below 60 km can the airspace doubt as to the underlying territory belonging consider, from 110 km there is no doubt that state to free space.

From the international law concept of air superiority is the ( sometimes colloquially so confused ) war tactical concept of air supremacy delineate ( absolute air superiority ). For example, in an armed conflict, a state of its own airspace no longer perceive, if its territory another State has achieved air superiority.