The International Aviation Law Institute once again welcomed John R. Byerly, the State Department's longest-serving deputy assistant secretary for transportation affairs, as its scholar-in-residence in April. Byerly served as guest lecturer for the Public International Aviation Law and Policy course, and led a lively student discussion about the application and interpretation of air services agreements.
Over the course of 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. Each spring, he visits the institute and teaches a class as scholar-in-residence.