The United States and the Bahamas signed a bilateral air-transport agreement Monday in Nassau consistent with the U.S. Open Skies international aviation policy.
The agreement supports the U.S.-Caribbean 2020 strategy by establishing a modern civil aviation relationship between the two nations. It commits both governments to high standards for aviation safety and security.
The agreement also outlines open route rights, open code-sharing opportunities, unrestricted capacity and frequency of services, and a liberal charter regime.
It will allow air carriers to provide more affordable, convenient, and efficient air services to travelers and shippers, and will expand the nation’s economic and commercial partnership and create new opportunities, the U.S. State Department said.
The agreement went into effect once it was signed by Manisha Singh, U.S. State Department assistant secretary for economic and business affairs, and Dionisio D’Aguilar, Bahamian minister of tourism and aviation.
“U.S. carriers – both passenger and cargo — are excited to strengthen our relationship with the Bahamas and to join in celebrating the natural beauty the islands have to offer,” Airlines for America said after the agreement’s signing.
Last year, the Bahamas were devastated by Hurricane Dorian, and Bahamians have been working to rebuild. Their efforts resulted in record-breaking visitor arrivals.