Washington D.C (TDI): On October 22, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Transportation Affairs Heidi Gómez and Saudi Executive Vice President of Air Transport and International Cooperation Ali bin Mohammed Rajab formalized their discussions on strengthening Civil Aviation Partnership.
Both leadership signed a record that concludes negotiations on a Protocol of Amendment aimed at enhancing the U.S.-Saudi Arabia Air Transport Agreement established in 2013.
The signing occurred at the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Air Services Negotiation Event (ICAN2024) held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Upon signature and subsequent entry into force, the Amendment will enhance the bilateral Air Transport Agreement by incorporating seventh-freedom traffic rights specifically for all-cargo operations.
Read More: Campbell met with Saudi NSA Al-Aiban and Minister Al-Swaha
The inclusion of these additional rights in the Amendment is poised to enhance the global movement of goods, offering air carriers increased flexibility to more effectively address the needs of their cargo and express delivery customers.
The Amendment will enable U.S. airlines to transport cargo between Saudi Arabia and third countries without the necessity of a stop in the United States, which is a significant advantage for cargo hub operations.
Through this amendment carriers from Saudi Arabia will be afforded the same opportunities to operate within the United States.
The Amendment will enhance United States and Saudi Arabia’s robust economic and commercial collaboration as well as strengthening civil aviation partnership.
){kind=link}