Hong Kong signs liberal air services deal with Bahrain

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and Bahrain concluded a set of very liberal air traffic rights arrangements Monday, according to the information office of the HKSAR government.

The arrangements provide for unlimited passenger and cargo capacity on services between Hong Kong and Bahrain, significantly expand fifth freedom rights as well as code-share arrangements.

The Memorandum of Understanding providing for new traffic arrangements was signed at a meeting between Minister of Transportation of Bahrain Shaik Ali Bin Khalifa Al Khalifa and Hong Kong's Secretary for Economic Development and Labor Stephen Ip.

"I am glad that what we have signed today will lead to a very liberal air services regime between Hong Kong and Bahrain. I am sure this will lead to closer ties between Hong Kong and Bahrain," Ip said at the signing ceremony.

"This is another step forward in the implementation of our policy of progressive liberalization of air services. I encourage airlines of Hong Kong and Bahrain to take advantage of the very liberal air services regime to increase services between the two places," Ip said.

At present, Cathay Pacific Airways and Gulf Air are operating 11 weekly passenger services between Hong Kong and Bahrain.

Source: Xinhua