UAE, Israel sign air transport services agreement

The UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has signed an air transport services agreement with the Civil Aviation Authority of Israel.

Flights between the countries are expected to start in a matter of weeks and the new deal will promote tourism and trade links.

Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the GCAA, and Israel Katz, Minister of Transport of Israel, signed the pact during a meeting at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv on Tuesday.

Both sides discussed various topics of mutual interest in the field of civil aviation and other sectors.

"Under the agreement, Emirati airlines will be able to operate 28 passenger flights to Tel Aviv and unlimited flights to Eilat every week, in addition to cargo flights. As for unscheduled flights, we have agreed to not place any restrictions," said Al Marri.

"The agreement is an important step towards creating positive and beneficial relations between the two countries, following the signing of the Abrahamic Peace Accord that aims to establish the foundations of peace, achieve development and create opportunities for economic and social development in the region," he added.