UAE signs Air Services Agreement 'open sky policy' with Senegal

The agreement was signed by Mohammed Ghanim Al Ghaith, Director General of the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) in the UAE and Mathiaco Bessane Director General of Senegal Civil Aviation Agency.

Both parties agreed to designate all UAE airlines (Emirates, Etihad, Air Arabia, RAK Airways) as designated Airline of UAE, and Air Senegal as the designated airline of the republic of Senegal.

The agreement includes unlimited capacities, numbers of frequencies and routes, as well as any types of aircraft whether owned or leased that are operated by designated airlines of both countries for passenger and cargo services. The agreement also includes, in addition to the third and fourth freedoms, the practice of the fifth freedom on all points without specifying or providing any type of air traffic services. It is known that international air transport is governed by the principle of national sovereignty, and this places legal restrictions on air traffic. To remove these restrictions, liberalization involves establishing a number of 'freedoms' as defined in international agreements.

Mohammed Ghanem Al Ghaith, Director General of the GCAA, said the agreement with the Senegal government was part of agreements and MoUs that will be signed with a number of African governments. He added: 'The growth and fast expansion of our national carriers necessitate that we open new routes that meet the current and future requirements of our market. That will encourage the tourism sector and investments between the UAE and African countries'.