Business
Jamaica approves air services deal with the United Arab Emirates
The agreement was negotiated within the context of a previously approved Open Skies Policy.
The Jamaican cabinet has approved the signing of an Air Services Agreement between the Governments of Jamaica and the United Arab Emirates.
Minister with responsibility for Information, Telecommunications and Special Projects, Daryl Vaz (pictured), said yesterday, after Cabinet met, that the deal was negotiated within the context of the Open Skies Policy which was previously approved.
“The agreement entitles the designated airline(s) of both countries the right to exercise in any type of service (passenger, cargo and mail separately or in combination), full fifth freedom traffic rights to or from any intermediate or beyond points without any restriction,” he explained.
Open skies liberalizes the movement of airlines between countries, creating a free market and competition. The agreement is meant specifically to remove limits on the number of carriers, the frequency per week, and the size of aircraft operating between the states that are party to these air services agreements.
In addition to commercial passenger and cargo services, the agreement seeks to facilitate code sharing among designated stakeholder airlines and to encourage fair play among all interests, while discouraging discrimination and abuse of dominant positions.
Open skies are expected to expand air linkages between Jamaica and other countries, facilitate investment and tourism flows and provide a framework within which designated commercial carriers can operate.
