UAE expands its operations in Global Air Transport Services

The agreement, signed by UAE GCAA Director General, Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, and ECCAA director general, Donald McPhail, is the fourth such regional MoU under which the GCAA provides training, including internships, which are beneficial for the global air transport industry.

The GCAA has also signed an Open Skies agreement with the Governments of Antigua and Barbuda, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The agreements that were signed allow full flexibility on the routes, capacity, number of frequencies and types of aircraft, in any type of service (passenger or cargo). It also includes the exercise of fifth freedom traffic rights. In addition, both parties agreed to allow unrestricted non-scheduled/charter operations between the two countries.

Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, said: “In every world economy, the air transport sector is a major contributor to economic growth, and the nature of the governance of this sector determines its success. Consequently, the UAE has taken vital steps to ensure that the governance of air transport facilitates, both the operations of UAE airlines and the airlines of its bilateral partners, and hence the growth and development of air transport services.”

In this regard, the UAE made significant progress in 2015, undertaking the final signature of 16 Air Services Agreements (ASAs), convening 48 bilateral ASA consultations and signing 27 MoUs and two Records of Discussion.

The UAE has also concluded agreements with 171 countries paving the way for both its airlines and the airlines of its bilateral partners to expand their operations. Significantly, the UAE has 135 ‘open sky’ or fully liberal agreements in place, which are designed to liberalise the flow of air traffic to and from partner countries and beyond. Thus, the UAE has maintained its position as the second country in the world with the largest number of open skies agreements, the first country being the USA.

Laila Ali Bin Hareb Al Muhairi, GCAA assistant director general of strategy and international affairs, said: “The UAE GCAA continues to take vital steps to ensure cooperation, growth and development of air transport services worldwide through liberal agreements. The result will be enhancement in tourism, trade, investment and strengthened business ties.” 

Laila Ali Bin Hareb Al Muhairi