The UAE, represented by the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) recently initialed an “open” air services agreement (ASA) with the Portuguese Republic in Dubai.

The agreement replaces an old agreement initialed on May 2, 2005 in Lisbon, and included new articles on safety, aviation security, designation and tariffs clauses which meet the European Union requirements.

The agreement allows unrestricted frequencies, capacity and types of aircraft, whether owned or leased, to be operated by the designated airlines of each country in any type of service (passenger or cargo).

The UAE delegation designated Etihad Airways, Emirates Airline, RAK Airways, Air Arabia and FlyDubai as UAE national airlines under the agreement to operate the agreed services between the two countries.

The agreement also includes, in addition to the third and fourth freedoms, the exercise of full fifth freedom traffic rights on all European points without any restriction, a statement said. – TradeArabia News Service