The UAE and Thailand yesterday signed an accord at Dubai International Airport to expand air travel services between the two countries.
According to the agreement the national carriers of both countries have full traffic rights and can operate any type of aircraft or flight between the two countries and beyond under the Fifth Freedom Rights Act.
Currently, Thai Airways operates 11 flights weekly, while Emirates and Gulf Air have 14 and 11 flights respectively.
Mohammed Yahya Al Suweidi, Assistant Undersecretary for Civil Aviation, Ministry of Communications, UAE, and Dr Srisook Chandragsu, permanent secretary, Ministry of Transport, Thailand, signed the agreement.
Delegates from both countries were received by Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation and chairman of Emirates Group.
Al Suweidi said: "The first agreement with Thailand was signed way back in 1990. Over the years, traffic movement, trade and tourism have grown tremendously and the number of flights has been increased in accordance. Today we have formalised our agreement and we expect more growth in this sector."
Dr Chandragsu said: "Thailand is very keen on improving ties with the UAE especially in the aviation sector. This agreement will open new opportunities for both countries in terms of cargo, trade and tourism."
Over 105 airlines operate at Dubai, connecting 145 destinations. The open skies policy followed by Dubai has proved momentous for the emirate of Dubai and the Department of Civil Aviation. It has helped place Dubai as one of the most important civil aviation gateways in the world and contributed to the exceptional growth of the emirate.
More and more civil aviation authorities from around the globe have learnt from Dubai that it is essential to follow an open skies policy. It is vital to the growth of the authority, the airlines and the nation as a whole.
Our Abu Dhabi Bureau adds: A high-level delegation from Thailand led by its deputy prime minister visited Abu Dhabi's Zayed Port yesterday to seek more facilities for its export shipments.
Bhokin Bhalakula and his team of Thai government officials and businessmen met Sheikh Saeed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Ports Authority and member of the Emirate's Executive Council.
The talks covered cooperation between the ports in the UAE and Thailand, and Zayed Port's role in promoting Thai exports to the region by giving it more port facilities.
"The Thai delegation conveyed to Sheikh Saeed's Thailand's interest to promote trade ties with the UAE and get more access to Port Zayed to promote its exports to Western Asia, mainly the Gulf, where they are steadily increasing," a port statement said.
Thailand is already one of the biggest exporters to the Gulf and is a key importer of oil from the UAE and other regional producers.
Gulf News
