newstodate.aero

Mar 05, 2019 (newstodate): EU has now signed an aviation agreement with Qatar, the first such agreement between the EU and a partner from the Gulf region. The agreement will upgrade the rules and standards for flights between Qatar and the EU, and will set a new global benchmark by committing to strong, fair competition mechanisms, and including provisions not normally covered by bilateral air transport agreements, such as social or environmental matters. The EU-Qatar agreement will provide a single set of rules and standards, and a platform for future cooperation on a wide range of aviation issues, such as safety, security or air traffic management. Under the new agreement, Qatar Airways will be able to establish new routes into EU destinations with the benefits of the carrier's low operational costs. The agreement points to a gradual market opening over a period of five years to those EU Member States which have not yet fully liberalised direct connections for passengers: Belgium, Germany, France, Italy and the Netherlands.