The process of implementing the Qatar-European Union Comprehensive Air Transport Agreement is “moving ahead”, said Henrik Hololei, director general (mobility and transport) at the European Commission (EC).
“Like any other similar agreements, some procedures will have to be met, before they are actually implemented. We are going through that,” Hololei told Gulf Times on the sidelines of the recently concluded CAPA Qatar Aviation Aeropolitical & Regulatory Summit in Doha.
Signed in Brussels last year, the first of its kind ever between the EU and a Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) member state, the agreement allows for open airspace between Qatar and all the EU member states with “unlimited access to their respective territories, in addition to daily shipment flights” between the two sides.
The landmark agreement will offer a host of opportunities for airlines in Europe and Qatar to collaborate and co-operate, ensuring fair access to markets, competing for market share based on products and services that the customer wants and is willing to purchase.
The agreement provides a new level of competition for carriers in Europe and Qatar.
Both parties are expected to take bold steps through agreeing upon the terms and conditions relating to fair competition, the environment, consumer protection, social aspects and transparency, in addition to an item relating to doing business under which Qatar will no longer force European carriers to have a local sales agent to be able to operate flights to Doha.
Speaking at the CAPA Qatar summit, Hololei said, “Many Gulf countries ‘lack ambition’ vis-a-vis concluding an agreement with the European Union.
“The air service agreement between the European Union and Qatar concluded last year was a landmark deal,” Hololei said.
But, he said, this has not pushed others in the region to step up to the table. With the exception of Oman, with whom the European Union is currently negotiating an agreement, he says others in the region “lack ambition”.
Hololei also said the European Commission was confident about a “strong” EU-UK air transport agreement now that Brexit has occurred.
After years of talking, Brexit – the UK’s departure from the EU – has now taken place, but not much has changed due to a buffer period.
One major question mark remains over air accessibility, but Hololei says he is confident that a “strong and wide-ranging agreement” will be reached between the two sides.
“The negotiating mandate has not yet been finally adopted. It will very soon. We are ready to start negotiating,” he said.
“I’m convinced both parties will be keen to build a strong air transport agreement,” Hololei noted.