BASSETERRE, St Kitts, Monday September 6, 2010 – The Government of St Kitts and Nevis has given the green light for the twin-island Federation to begin negotiations with the United States of America for an Open Skies Agreement.
Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Richard Skerritt, in taking the matter before the Cabinet, explained that the aim of the agreement is to derive mutual benefit for the two countries, particularly during this period of global economic downturn.
“A successful agreement, if reached, would help establish rules to facilitate growth of an efficient, market-based aviation system, enhancing potential for business, investment, exports and tourism; and the strengthening of bilateral ties with the USA,” a government statement said.
Source: Caribbean360
Open skies is an international policy concept which promotes the liberalization of rules and regulations for the international aviation industry, particularly commercial aviation, thereby opening up a free market for the airline industry. An Open Skies policy gives effect to the Convention on International Civil Aviation signed in Chicago in 1944.
Three US carriers – American Airlines, US Airways and Delta Airlines – operate scheduled service into St Kitts’ Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport. American Eagle also operates scheduled daily service to the Vance Amory International Airport in Nevis and the Bradshaw Airport in S. Kitts. Other US-based carriers, including Miami Air, also operate charter services to S. Kitts.