What are air rights?

Air rights refer specifically to the rights granted by a property owner to another party, allowing them to use the space above a property for various purposes, such as development or construction. This concept is especially important in urban areas where vertical space is at a premium. Property owners can sell or lease these rights to developers or other entities who may wish to build structures that extend into the airspace above the property, enabling them to enhance land usage and potentially increase property value.

This is distinct from other considerations of air usage or regulation. For example, air pollution control pertains to environmental regulations and does not imply a transfer of rights or ownership of space. Similarly, while ownership of airspace for commercial flights exists, it is governed by specific aviation laws and international agreements, rather than the private rights associated with air rights.