DOT 62-07
Contact: Bill Mosley,  Tel.: (202) 366-4570
Thursday, June 21, 2007

United States, Georgia Sign Open-Skies Aviation Agreement

The United States and Georgia today signed a full Open-Skies agreement that will permit the airlines of both countries to operate U.S.-Georgia air services without restriction, U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary E. Peters announced.

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Economic, Energy and Business Affairs Daniel S. Sullivan and Georgian Minister for Economic Development George Arveladze signed the agreement in Washington, DC.

“Nations across the globe are increasingly coming to understand that the best way to improve air service is through ending needless flight restrictions,” Secretary Peters said.

Open-Skies agreements permit unrestricted air service by the airlines of both sides between and beyond the other’s territory, without restrictions on how often the carriers can fly, the prices they charge, or the kind of aircraft they use. The accord also will allow all-cargo carriers to fly between the other country and third countries without directly connecting to their homeland. It also allows U.S. and Georgian airlines to sell services that include both air transportation between the two countries and a connection by rail or other surface mode to additional cities in the other country or third countries.

The United States now has Open-Skies relationships with 89 aviation partners, including the members of the European Union (EU). The United States and EU signed an Open-Skies agreement on April 30.

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