Bahrain, Saudi in air transport deal

Bahrain and Saudi Arabia yesterday signed a memorandum of agreement to organise air transportation between the two countries.

The move allows the two countries to run an average of 107 flights per week between international airports and removes any and all restrictions on aircraft models and their seating capacity, as well as derestricts airfreight
services.

The signing came on the sidelines of the Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation’s participation in the 2016 Bahrain International
Airshow.

The agreement also included the usage of all modes of transportation, including the sharing of call signs and the participation of third parties, additional and non-chartered flights, as well as the right to charter aircraft and interconnect some carriers domestically in accordance  with the laws and regulations of each party.

Sulaiman Al Hamdan, the Authority’s President, and Kamal Ahmed, Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications signed the deal.

The deal comes as part of the two countries’ efforts to enhance air traffic to meet the growing demand for flights between them, and strengthen economic exchange.

The memorandum also included an agreement to upgrade the existing mutual air services agreement.