UAE signs Open Skies agreement with government of Finland

The agreement was signed by H.E Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, director general of UAE General Civil Aviation Authority, and H.E Ilkka-Pekka Similä, Ambassador of the Republic of Finland to UAE.

The two delegations agreed that any number of designated airlines of both parties will have the right to perform scheduled air services between the two countries. The UAE delegation designated Emirates Airline, Etihad Airways, Air Arabia, RAK Airways and FlyDubai as UAE national airlines under the Agreement. The Delegation of Finland designated its national airlines.

The MoU allows full flexibility on the routes, capacity, number of frequencies and types of aircraft, in any type of service (passenger or cargo). The signed memorandum 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.

H.E Said Al Suwaidi, director general, GCAA, stressed the importance of open sky agreements like the one signed with Finland, which will contribute to boost the trade, tourism and investment between UAE and Finland, taking into account that now the Designated Carriers of the UAE and Finland can operate direct services between the two countries.

Laila Ali Bin Hareb Al Muhairi, Executive Director of Strategy and International Affair, said that UAE ranks 2^nd internationally on term of Open Skies agreements. “United Arab Emirates is driven more than ever to continue its international collaboration in air transport and shall continue its far-reaching and sound advances toward opening and liberating skies with countries of the world,” she added.