The Swiss Hub for Air and Space Law and Economics, based at the World Trade Institute (WTI) at the University of Bern, serves as an interdisciplinary platform for research, policy dialogue, and education at the intersection of aviation, space activities, international law, and economic governance. This hub is managed by Prof. Dr. Regula Dettling-Ott and Dr. Raphael Widmer-Kaufmann. 

SHALE

The Hub brings together scholars, policymakers, industry stakeholders, and international organizations to address emerging legal and economic challenges in the rapidly evolving aerospace sector. SHALE's work focuses on issues such as international aviation regulation, space governance, sustainability of air and space activities, trade implications of aerospace technologies, and the economic frameworks shaping global aerospace markets.

Drawing on the World Trade Institute’s expertise in international law, economics, and policy, the SHALE promotes evidence-based research and fosters dialogue on regulatory developments affecting aviation and space activities. It aims to support informed policymaking, contribute to international legal debates, and strengthen Switzerland’s role as a center of excellence in aerospace governance.

Through research projects, events, and collaboration with public and private partners, the Hub provides a forum for advancing knowledge and developing practical solutions for the future of air and space activities.

Publications

Putting a Price on Space: The Economic Value of Space-Based Communications and the Cost of Terrestrial Redundancy

The trajectory of space-based communications has evolved rapidly, from a state monopolized strategic asset to a dynamic commercial marketplace, fundamentally altering the economics of global information exchange.

We focus on the value of space-based communications infrastructure. We estimate the approximate cost of replacing space-based data flow infrastructure with land-based infrastructure. This includes an increased mix of land-based radio transmission systems and land and sub-ocean cables. There are other dimensions outside this assessment, including communications for navigation and linkages for remote areas.

The Political Economy of Subsidizing Space Commerce

Much like the exploitation of global trade by the first multinationals, early space commerce has the potential to lead to significant conflict as privateers seek to use force to capture resources from others. Governments currently subsidize research
increasing such disruptive capabilities despite the fact that international law makes governments – not firms – liable for damages. We show that this can be explained in a political economy setting where the potential possibility of conflict affects the terms of an agreement outlawing them.

In essence, by increasing the conflict capabilities of one’s own firms, this enables a government to push for a more favourable treaty. We demonstrate that under plausible assumptions, this works to the benefit of technologically-advanced nations. Thus, subsidizing current space activities is likely to cement current international income inequality.

Swiss Hub for Air and Space Law and Economics courses

Team

Prof. Dr. Regula Dettling-Ott

Prof. Dr. iur. Regula Dettling-Ott is a lawyer specializing in air law and aviation policy. From 2017 until 2023 she was the chair of the Performance Review Body of the Single European Sky (PRB), an expert body of the European Commission.

Dr. Raphael Widmer-Kaufmann

Dr. iur. Raphael Widmer-Kaufmann is WTI Fellow and lecturer in aviation law at the University of Bern. He also teaches aviation and space law in CAS/DAS-programs at the University of St. Gallen and at other institutions. In addition, he is a lawyer and public notary with a specialisation in air law.

PD Dr. Rodrigo Polanco

PD Dr. Rodrigo Polanco is a Legal Adviser for Spanish and Portuguese-speaking jurisdictions at the Swiss Institute of Comparative Law, a Senior Lecturer, Researcher, and Academic Coordinator of Master’s Programmes at the World Trade Institute (WTI), University of Bern, and a visiting professor at the University of Chile. 

Prof. Dr. Joseph Francois

Joseph Francois is professor of economics and director at the World Trade Institute. His current research interests include: cross-border production chains and employment; globalisation and inequality; trade in services; open economy competition policy and the regulation of firm behaviour; financial market integration; open economy growth and development among others. 

SHALE in the media

EU stellt sich quer gegen Skyguide-Gebühren - SRF

Die Flugsicherung Skyguide finanziert sich über Gebühreneinnahmen von Fluggesellschaften. Seit 2019 hat Skyguide diese um rund 50 Prozent erhöht. Jetzt stellt sich die EU quer – der Streit könnte millionenschwere Rückforderungen der Airlines auslösen.

Autor: Pascal Schumacher

Die Entschädigung der Opfer muss rasch erfolgen - NZZ

Für die Brandkatastrophe von Crans-Montana lässt sich aus Flugzeugabstürzen lernen: In der Luftfahrt ist bekannt, wie man
bei solchen Tragödien und Verlusten reagieren muss. 

Gastkommentar von Regula Dettling-Ott

Skyguide und die Schweiz haben ein Problem - NZZ

Die Flugsicherung hierzulande ist im Vergleich zu umliegenden Ländern zu teuer. IT-Projekte, die nur schleppend
vorankommen, machen Skyguide zu schaffen. Zudem wäre die Flugsicherung in der Schweiz an einem einzigen Standort
möglich.

Gastkommentar von Regula Dettling-Ott