U.S.-Israel open skies agreement enters into force

[News_Editor]

U.S.-Israel open skies agreement enters into force

2011-03-31 03:20:14 GMT+7 (ICT)

WASHINGTON D.C. (BNO NEWS) -- The U.S. Department of State and U.S. Department of Transportation on Wednesday announced that the U.S.-Israel Open Skies Agreement entered into force on Tuesday.

The agreement entered into force immediately after the U.S. and Israel completed an exchange of diplomatic notes. The Open Skies agreement was signed on December 1, 2010.

The U.S.-Israel agreement will liberalize bilateral aviation relations as well as strengthening and expanding trade and tourism links which will benefit American and Israeli businesses and travelers.

In addition, the pact will expand air service and encourage price competition by airlines, while safeguarding aviation safety and security. Open Skies agreements eliminate government interference in the commercial decisions of air carriers and freeing carriers about routes, capacity, and pricing.

The objectives of the U.S. Open Skies policy are to provide more affordable, convenient, and efficient air service for consumers; promoting increased travel and trade; enhancing productivity; and spurring high-quality job opportunities and economic growth.

The United States has signed Open Skies agreements with over 100 partners from every region of the world and at every level of economic development, as well as two multilateral Open Skies accords.

In 2001 the U.S. achieved the Multilateral Agreement on the Liberalization of International Air Transportation (MALIAT) with New Zealand, Singapore, Brunei, and Chile, later joined by Samoa, Tonga, and Mongolia; and in 2007, the Air Transport Agreement with the European Community and its 27 Member States.

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