It is called a horizontal agreement because it creates a solid legal basis for a number of aspects of civil aviation between the two parties, by replacing the traditional bilateral agreements with provisions for general and uniform implementation across the entire EU territory provided for in this agreement.
Seda nimetatakse horisontaalseks lepinguks, kuna loob poolte vahel kindla õigusliku aluse tsiviillennunduse mitme aspekti jaoks, asendades traditsioonilised kahepoolsed lepingud üldiste ja kogu ELi territooriumil ühetaoliselt rakendatavate sätetega, nagu on selles lepingus ette nähtud.