The participation of the Dominican Republic in the 15th Air Transport Services Negotiations Event of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAN/2023), finalized agreements with more than 10 countries including: Poland, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Iceland, Malaysia, Qatar and Switzerland, thus strengthening the connectivity achieved in the Dominican territory, informed the president of the Civil Aviation Board, Dr. José Ernesto Marte Piantini.
During the activity, the country signed new agreements, memorandum of understanding, protocol of amendment and minutes of meeting that will increase connectivity and enable Dominican airlines to immediately implement air services and also operate under the modality of code-sharing, cooperation agreements and charter flights, said the president of the agency.
He specified that one of the priorities of the current administration is the signing and review of agreements with non-traditional destinations, “air transport is a key player for the national economy that guarantees economic growth. With these new agreements we will open new routes to non-traditional destinations, to further boost Dominican civil aviation, and fulfill the promise of the President of the Republic, Luis Abinader, of a country connected to the world,” he said.
He added that, with the entry into the market of new alternatives, air transport users will be able to enjoy greater service offers, especially Dominican passengers, thus establishing better options for travelers, “one of the most significant results of the Dominican Government is the strengthening of the air commercial activity; the President of the Republic, Luis Abinader has made every effort to increase the country’s air connectivity,” said Marte Piantini.
The participation of the Dominican delegation during the Air Transport Services Negotiations Event of the International Civil Aviation Organization held a meeting with the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Transportation Affairs of the Department of State (DOT) of the United States and the Negotiator of International Air Agreements, in which they pointed out solutions to issues that will benefit both countries in terms of air transport.
He also informed that in the first 10 months (January-October) of the year 2023, the passenger flow from Poland is 40,265 passengers, transported in 150 flights, highlighting the interest to increase this figure with the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the two countries.
Balance of the negotiations
The Dominican delegation headed by José Marte Piantini, signed the minutes of the meeting between the Dominican Republic and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, establishing for both parties, 7th freedom traffic rights on cargo flights only. Likewise, the Protocol of Amendment to the Air Services Agreement between the Dominican Republic and the Seychelles was signed to update the agreement between the two countries.
Likewise, the Air Services Agreement between the Dominican Republic and Iceland was signed, a document that establishes the usual formula for this type of bilateral agreements on air services and includes administrative clauses recommended by the International Civil Aviation Organization.
He also signed the Memorandum of Understanding between the Dominican Republic and Poland, establishing a legal framework governing air commercial relations between the two States.
Continuing with the negotiations, the Swiss delegation together with the Dominican delegation updated the Air Services agreement between both countries, concluding with a Memorandum of Understanding, after a productive negotiation meeting.
In this regard, within the framework of ICAN/2023, the Dominican delegation concluded the negotiations of the agreement between the Dominican Republic and Malaysia, achieving greater connectivity to the Dominican territory. Likewise, together with the General Authority of Civil Aviation of Qatar, the Dominican delegation agreed to sign a Memorandum of Understanding for training in air transport facilitation.
Finally, the Dominican delegation was able to obtain reciprocity for the benefit of national airlines with respect to their peers in the United Kingdom, achieving an equitable participation in the Caribbean market.
The 15th Air Services Negotiating Event (ICAN/2023) of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) was held from December 3 to 7 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and is the main platform for countries to negotiate air transport agreements, this time with the participation of 97 countries, 713 delegations and 579 negotiation meetings.
Source: Presidencia.gob.do
