The European Union and the State of Qatar have entered into and signed a comprehensive air transport agreement, upgrading rules and standards for flights between Qatar and the EU. EU in a statement said: “The agreement sets a new global benchmark by committing both sides to fair competition, and by including social and environmental protection. The signing means new opportunities for consumers, airlines, and airports in Qatar and the EU.”
According to the EU, “Qatar is an increasingly important aviation partner for the EU. It was the 15th largest extra-EU market in 2019 with 6.3 million passengers traveling between the EU and Qatar. Ensuring open and fair competition for air services between both is therefore crucial, also for routes between the EU and Asia.”
Adina Vălean, Commissioner for mobility and transport, said: “This agreement, the first one between the EU and the Gulf region, is a global benchmark for forward-looking aviation agreements. It is testimony to our shared commitment to economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable aviation, based on a modern framework covering fair competition and closer cooperation on social and environmental matters. This agreement will bring new opportunities, more choice, and higher standards for passengers, industry, and aviation workers.”
The reciprocity in the agreement is clearly stated. “Today’s agreement creates a level playing field that is expected to result in new air transport opportunities and economic benefits for both sides: All EU airlines will be able to operate direct flights from any airport in the EU to Qatar and vice versa for Qatari airlines.
EU airports in Germany, France, Italy, Belgium, and the Netherlands will be subject to a gradual build-up of capacity until 2024.
Strong provisions on open and fair competition will guarantee a level playing field.
The parties recognized the importance of social matters, agreed to cooperate on these and to improve their respective social and labor laws and policies as per their international commitments.
The agreement will facilitate people-to-people contacts and expand commercial opportunities and trade. Going beyond traffic rights, the EU-Qatar agreement will provide a single set of rules, high standards and a platform for future cooperation on a wide range of aviation issues.
The background of the agreement: “Qatar is a close aviation partner for the European Union; more than 6 million passengers traveled between the EU and Qatar per year under the existing 26 bilateral air transport agreements with the EU Member States prior to the pandemic. While direct flights between most EU Member States and Qatar have already been liberalized by those bilateral agreements, none of them include provisions on fair competition, or social and environmental issues, which the Commission considers essential for a modern aviation agreement.
“In 2016, the European Commission obtained authorization from the Council to negotiate an EU-level aviation agreement with Qatar, which started on 4 March 2019. While the agreement still needs to be ratified by the parties before formally entering into force, it will start being applied from today’s signature.
“Similar EU comprehensive air transport agreements have been signed with other partner countries, namely the United States, Canada, the Western Balkans, Morocco, Georgia, Jordan, Moldova, Israel, and Ukraine. Further air transport agreements with Armenia and Tunisia are expected to be signed in the coming weeks.”
Market Access
EU explained: “Following the signature of the aviation agreement, both parties will immediately be able to exercise, so-called third and fourth freedom traffic rights between any airport in the EU and Qatar and vice versa. While these traffic rights are already unlimited for most Member States today, the market opening will be gradual for Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, and the Netherlands for both passenger and cargo flights.
“This means that EU and Qatari airlines will be able to provide the following passenger services from the start of the IATA winter season 2021/22:
Belgium: 24 weekly services between Qatar and Belgium.
France: 27 weekly services between Qatar and Paris, 14 weekly services between Qatar and Nice, 14 weekly services between Qatar and Lyon, and 14 weekly services between Qatar and each of all other points in France.
Germany: 21 weekly services between Qatar and Frankfurt, 21 weekly services between Qatar and Munich, and 14 weekly services between Qatar and each of all other points in Germany.
Italy: 84 weekly services between Qatar and Italy.
The Netherlands: 14 weekly services between Qatar and Amsterdam, and 14 weekly services between Qatar and each of all other points in The Netherlands.
The agreement does not provide any fifth freedom rights for passenger services to Qatari airlines, such as for example the option to fly from Doha to Brussels and from Brussels to the US.
For air cargo, the following rights will be granted to EU and Qatari airlines:
Belgium: 42 weekly services between Qatar and Belgium.
France: 14 weekly services between Qatar and France.
Germany: 14 weekly services between Qatar and Germany.
Italy: 21 weekly services between Qatar and Italy.
The Netherlands: 14 weekly services between Qatar and The Netherlands.
In addition, EU and Qatari airlines will be entitled to operate limited fifth freedom traffic rights for all-cargo services between the EU Member States and Qatar.
Source: Original Article at AviationAges.com