Bahrain - US sign aviation agreement

Bahrain and the United States yesterday signed an "Open Skies aviation agreement."

A statement by US State Department spokesman James Rubin said the agreement will "permit unrestricted service by the airlines of both sides between and beyond the other's territory, without restriction on how often carriers fly, the kind of aircraft they use, and the prices they may charge."

It will take effect 30 days after the exchange of notes between the two countries confirming the completion of constitutional preparations for the agreement, the statement said.

The agreement was signed by Bahraini Undersecretary for Civil Aviation Ibrahim Abdulla al-Hamer and U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Transportation Affairs David Marchick.