This article aims at explaining the role of the Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) in the World Trade Organization (WTO) in the aircraft industry, especially in the recent case brought to the WTO on Bombardier alleged subsidies. The first part of this article will give a brief overview of the WTO and General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) system and the Bombardier case. This case is currently before the WTO, and a panel has been established recently. The second part of this article will analyse from a theoretical level how the DSB in the WTO is related to resolving aircraft disputes. There are eleven cases brought to the WTO forum out of general WTO agreements relating to aircraft. The third part will review cases under the tags of aircraft and commercial aircraft that have been brought to the WTO in history. The fourth part will dissect the Bombardier case from both substantive and procedural levels. The conclusion will discuss whether a more significant role of WTO can be expected in the aviation industry in the future.
Air and Space Law