The International Aviation Law Institute welcomed John R. Byerly, the State Department's longest-serving deputy assistant secretary for transportation affairs, as its scholar-in-residence earlier this month. Byerly served as guest lecturer for the Public International Aviation Law class, and led a lively student discussion about the making of national aviation policy and the application and interpretation of air services agreements.
Following the lecture, Byerly engaged with students and shared his views on international aviation, diplomacy and his long career at the State Department. From 2001 until his retirement from government service, Byerly was the lead U.S. negotiator for air transport agreements, including the landmark U.S.-EU Open Skies agreement and the U.S.-Japan air transport agreement.