Dominican Republic expands global air connectivity; signs 11 agreements
The Dominican Republic obtained historic participation during the celebration of the 12th Conference of Air Transport Services Negotiations of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAN / 2019), held from December 2 to 6, 2019 in the city of Aqaba, Kingdom Hashemite from Jordan, under the sponsorship of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
This successful participation achieved the conclusion of eleven (11) Air Service Agreements and their corresponding Memorandum of Understanding, which makes it possible for the airlines of the Parties to be able to immediately operate between their territories.
This was stated by Luis Ernesto Camilo, President of the Civil Aviation Board (JAC), and Head of the Dominican delegation during a meeting with the specialized press of the sector.
During the development of ICAN2019, the Dominican delegation obtained the final signatures of the Air Services Agreements with, the Republic of Seychelles, the Republic of Rwanda and the State of Kuwait, allowing these agreements, operating direct flights or, through third countries, as well as operating under the modality of shared codes, lease agreements, and charter flights.
Open to the world
Under the open skies approach, the Dominican Republic also established aero-commercial relations with Malaysia, the Kingdom of Belgium, and the Republic of Poland.
In the case of the Republic of Guatemala, whose air agreement corresponds to a full liberalization approach, both delegations established their final signature once the elected president of Guatemala, Alejandro Giammattei, who visited the Civil Aviation Board took office last November, is the first time an elected president visited the institution.
Air service agreements were also signed with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, in which their authorities took the opportunity to designate the airlines of that country, Royal Jordan Airlines, and Jordan Aviation, being able to designate other airlines in the future, the signature was also agreed final of the aforementioned agreement for ICAN 2020.
While with the Kingdom of Spain, the country achieved the Air Transport Agreement (ATA), and a Technical Agreement adjusted to the new Spanish regulations, which will replace the 1968 Agreement.
Other air connections
Other agreements signed by the Civil Aviation Board under an open skies approach were with the Government of the Sultanate of Oman and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the latter country with the largest economy in the Middle East, which has the Saudia airline, based in Jeddah, which operates over 70 destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America.
In addition, the Dominican delegation held two consultation meetings with the Democratic Republic of the Congo and with the United States of America.
With the heading of these agreements, a historical figure of the participation of the Dominican Republic in ICAN 2019 is reached, an event in which delegates from 70 ICAO member countries, observers, and representatives of international organizations linked to the activity attended.
The Dominican delegation was also integrated by Dr. Alejandro Herrera Rodríguez, General Director of the Dominican Institute of Civil Aviation (IDAC), Brigadier General Aracenis Castillo, General Director of the Specialized Corps of Airport Security and Civil Aviation (CESAC), Ambassador Carlos Veras, Permanent Representative to ICAO, and Eng. Antonio Yapor, Private Sector Representative; so also by Dr. Bernarda Franco, manager of the Department of Air Transport and María Luisa Hernández, International Agreements Analyst of the Civil Aviation Board.
It is the fourth time that Mr. Camilo leads the Dominican representation, signing during his three-year management at the head of the JAC, 47 bilateral air transport agreements.