Runway cleared for unrestricted US-Saudi air services to take off

A new agreement signed in Jeddah yesterday is expected to pave the way for unrestricted air services by the airlines of Saudi Arabia and the US.
Faisal bin Hamad Al-Sugair, vice president of the General Authority of Civil Aviation, and US Ambassador James B. Smith signed the Open Skies air transport agreement in Jeddah.
“The agreement will promote international passenger and cargo traffic between US and Saudi Arabia by eliminating government involvement in commercial airline decisions about routes, capacity and the pricing,” said Oliver John, economic counselor at the US Embassy in Riyadh.
“It will allow enhanced code-sharing and it will help promote market-based commercial arrangements,” John told Arab News. He said the agreement would also allow carriers to provide more affordable and efficient air service. “The deal will encourage vigorous price competition by airlines, while preserving our commitments to aviation safety and security,” the State Department said.
It has been applied on the basis of comity and reciprocity since it was initialed on April 18, 2011. The US has over 100 Open Skies agreements with partners around the world.