UAE initials “Open Sky” air services agreement with Panama
17-Nov-2010 The United Arab Emirates represented by the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has initialed an “open” Air Services Agreement (ASA) and has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Republic of Panama, on November 15th 2010 in Panama City.
The agreement was signed by H.E Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General of the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and Lic. Rafael Bárcenas, Director General of Panama Civil Aviation Authority. Representatives from Abu Dhabi Department of Transport, Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Emirates Airline attended the negotiations.
The two delegations agreed that any number of designated airlines of both parties will have the right to perform scheduled air services. The UAE Delegation designated Emirates Airline, Etihad Airways, RAK Airways, Air Arabia and FlyDubai as UAE national airlines under the Agreement. The Republic of Panama designated Compania Panamena de Aviacion S.A. (Copa Airlines), Parsa S.A. (Air Panama), Aerolineas Pacifico Atlantico S.A. (Aeroperlas) and DHL Aeroexpreso S.A.
The agreement allows unrestricted frequencies, capacity and types of aircraft, whether owned, interchanged or leased, to be operated by the Designated Airlines of each country in any type of service (passenger or cargo) on the route between Republic of Panama and the UAE.
The agreement also includes, in addition to the third and fourth freedoms, the practice of full fifth and sixth freedom traffic rights on all points of their choice without any restriction while operating any type of services (passenger and/or cargo, separately or in combination).
In addition, both Parties agreed to allow unrestricted non-scheduled operations between the two countries and to recommend to their authorities to conclude an agreement for the avoidance of double taxation on revenues arising from their airlines' activities and income earned by their employees when stationed in the territory of the other party. The Designated Airline(s) of both Contracting Parties may, either as a marketing carrier or as an operating carrier, freely enter into cooperative marketing arrangements including but not limited to blocked space and/or code share arrangements (including third country code share arrangements), with any other airline or airlines.