Guyana, The Bahamas sign ‘Open Skies’ agreement

Last Updated on Tuesday, 26 November 2024, 20:01 by Writer

The way is now clear for airlines to ply the Guyana-Bahamas route, with the signing of an open skies Air Services Agreement between the two countries, the Public Works Ministry said Tuesday.

Under the agreement, which was signed on Monday, the aim is to also promote travel with other countries.

“At present, there are no direct flights between Guyana and the Bahamas. However, this Agreement puts in place the legal framework that opens market access for airlines to operate and enhance competitive air transport services, trade, and economic growth between the two countries,” the Public Works Ministry, which is responsible for Aviation said in a statement.

Signing the Agreement on behalf of The Bahamas was Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation, Isaac Chester Cooper, and for Guyana, Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill.

In addition to the standard articles of Grant of Rights; Designation and Authorisation; User Charges; Recognition of Certificates and Licenses; Pricing; Commercial Activities; Fair Competition, inter alia, Minister Edghill was quoted as saying in a statement that “this Agreement is promoting open market access for airlines to operate unimpeded in terms of capacity and frequency of flights between our two countries and third countries”.

He further noted that the agreement is in keeping with the Government’s commitment to connecting Guyana with the rest of the world and it is anticipated that Bahamas Air will soon add destination Guyana to its regional network.

Consistent with the government’s model of open skies agreements, the Agreement facilitates acceptance of the Principal Place of Business as a means of designating an airline in contrast to the traditional restrictive requirement of substantial ownership and effective control by nationals of either country. This means that the airlines could benefit from foreign share capital and investment once they establish their main economic and operating base in either The Bahamas or Guyana. The Principal Place of Business condition for airline designation is now a common inclusion in Air Services Agreements and creates a very advantageous position for small states with limited capital or financial resources.

The Bahamas-Guyana Open Skies Agreement complements the more than 50 Air Services Agreements Guyana has established with other ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) states to develop air connectivity.

Guyana and The Bahamas, both CARICOM members, established diplomatic relations on July 10, 1973.