JEDDAH: Sulaiman bin Abdullah Alhamdan, president of GACA, received in his office the Somalia’s Transport Minister Ali Ahmed Jama and his accompanying delegation.

The meeting discussed ways and prospects of improving bilateral cooperation between the two countries in the field of air transport.

The General Authority of Civil Aviation also signed a memorandum of understanding and initialed a bilateral agreement with the Federal Republic of Somalia.

The signing of the memorandum came about after a round of negotiations between the two sides resulted in the notation initialed the bilateral agreement.

The memorandum of understanding was singed on behalf of GACA by Capt. Abdul-Hakeem Albdur, assistant to the president for safety, security and air transport. Capt. Abdulwahid Ahmed signed the MoU on behalf of Somalia.

The memorandum of understanding states that air operations between the two countries, “from” and “to” 4 international destinations to be determined at a later time by the two authorities.

The respected carriers on each side have the right to operate 4 regular flights and seven 7 air cargo flights a week, while restricting transport right under the Fifth Freedom Rights for air cargo.

The memorandum of understanding also stated the principle of multiple appointments of the national carriers on each side, as well as an agreement on the mode of transport, including code sharing and sudden and additional operation.

They also agreed to allow their respective carriers to operate leased crafts as well as the right to link carriers without having transport rights.

The signing of the memorandum, came as part of the government of Saudi Arabia efforts in providing the utmost comfort to those performing Haj and Umrah, making their movement by air a lot easier.

All along strengthening the bilateral ties between the two countries.