Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications Signs Agreements for Cooperation in Aviation Services

Bilateral agreements and MoUs with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the Czech Republic, Republic of Georgia, Hungary and Pakistan signed at Bahrain International Airshow 2016.

His Excellency Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications Engineer Kamal bin Ahmed Mohammed stated that the Kingdom's leading position in the region’s aviation industry will be further strengthened following the signing of  several bilateral agreements and memoranda of understanding in the field of civil aviation that have taken place at the fourth edition of the Bahrain International Airshow 2016 which is being held under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of the Kingdom of Bahrain from January 21-23, 2016 at the  Sakhir Airbase.

His Excellency the Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications signed air services agreements and memoranda of understanding between the Kingdom of Bahrain and a number of countries on the sidelines of the Airshow including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the Czech Republic, the Republic of Georgia, Hungary, and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

“These latest bilateral agreements in the field of civil aviation signal Bahrain’s commitment to the development of cooperation with other countries in the aviation sector, and come in line with the wise policies of the Bahraini Government headed by His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the Prime Minister, with the support of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, First Deputy Prime Minister, to achieve further growth and development in the aviation sector in the Kingdom,” he said.

These agreements come as part of MTT Civil Aviation Affairs’ efforts to enhance cooperation with friendly countries.  The agreements covered the latest recommendations by the International Civil Aviation Organization, which regulates air services between the Kingdom and these States Parties, such as: air safety systems, aviation security, environmental protection, multiple air carriers designation, and the opportunity for national airlines to exercise activities and sell air transport products, and Computer Reservation systems.

A memorandum of understanding was signed between His Excellency Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications Engineer Kamal bin Ahmed Mohammed, and His Excellency Mr. Suleiman bin Abdullah Al Hamdan, President of the General Authority of Civil Aviation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. 

This important memorandum is yet another important milestone in the strong relations between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, following a successful round of bilateral negotiations held by the delegations of the two parties in the Kingdom of Bahrain on December 9^th 2015.

His Excellency signed an Air Services Agreement with the Czech Republic, as represented by the Czech Minister of Transportation, His Excellency Mr. Dan Ťok.

This was followed by His Excellency signing an Air Services Agreement with the Republic of Georgia, represented by His Excellency the Vice Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, Mr. David  Khutsishvili.

His Excellency also signed an Air Services Agreement with the Government of Hungary as represented by His Excellency Mr. Ferenc Saslag, Ambassador of Hungary to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

At separate signing ceremonies, His Excellency Acting Undersecretary of Civil Aviation Affairs at MTT Mr Ahmed Al-Nemah signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with His Excellency Captain Mahmoud Taha Zinati, Head of the Egyptian Civil Aviation Authority.

His Excellency Mr. Ahmed Al-Nemah also signed an MoU with Captain Asim Sulaiman, Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Pakistan.

His Excellency Engineer Kamal bin Ahmed Mohammed said that MTT continues to build its bilateral relations to further enhance the Kingdom’s position in regional civil aviation and confirmed its commitment to the development of cooperation with other countries to enhance the Kingdom’s aviation industry.

His Excellency added that these efforts come as a result of His Majesty the King’s vision in establishing Bahrain as a center for large-scale international events with the aim of increasing economic growth and building sustainable prosperity for the Kingdom.  He also said that the attendance by high-level officials from these countries is testament to the importance of Bahrain’s role in the aviation industry. 

These agreements are expected to have far-reaching benefits for the national carriers in each country, including providing air transport rights and governing the operational framework for airlines designated in accordance with these agreements, including provisions of the amplitude and the number of flights in accordance with the airlines’ current and future operational plans.  For the Kingdom of Bahrain, national carrier Gulf Air will benefit greatly from these advantages especially for its operations in these destinations.