U.S. Signs Open Skies Aviation Agreement with Kuwait

This agreement significantly modernizes U.S.-Kuwait aviation relations by allowing airlines to make commercial decisions with minimal government intervention. It provides for open routes, capacity, frequencies, designations, and pricing, as well as opportunities for cooperative marketing arrangements, including code-sharing. It also includes all-cargo seventh freedom rights, allowing airlines to perform international cargo operations with no connection to their homeland.

Establishing Open Skies as the basis of U.S.-Kuwait aviation relations is an important step toward spurring trade, investment, tourism, and cultural exchanges between the two nations. With this signing, Kuwait becomes the 78th U.S. Open Skies partner.

In line with the growing transport links, United Airlines plans to add the first nonstop flight from Washington Dulles to Kuwait City beginning in October 2006.

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