The Economic Policy, Industry and Entrepreneurship Committee of the Milli Majlis (National Assembly) discussed the Agreement on Air Services between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of Mongolia at its meeting today.
Operative Information Center-OMM reported that the document was signed in Leipzig on May 6 this year.
The agreement establishes the legal framework for launching international air services between the two countries, organizing passenger, baggage, cargo and mail transportation on agreed routes, and regulating the activities of airlines designated by the parties.
Under the agreement, each party grants the other the right to fly across its territory without landing, make stops in that territory for non-commercial purposes and operate services along the routes listed in the annex. Each party may designate one or more airlines to operate the agreed services, change the designation or cancel it.
Designated airlines will be provided with fair and equal opportunities to operate the agreed services. The agreement also provides for setting tariffs at reasonable levels and submitting transportation schedules for prior approval.
The agreement provides for exemptions from customs duties and taxes for aircraft used in international air services, their regular equipment, fuel, lubricants, supplies and certain other goods. It also allows designated airlines to transfer, in freely convertible currency, the portion of income earned in the territory where sales are made that remains after expenses have been deducted.
The parties reaffirm their international obligations to prevent acts of unlawful interference with civil aviation security and undertake to provide mutual assistance in the event of such threats. The agreement also regulates the mutual recognition of certificates and licenses, security consultations and ramp inspections of aircraft.
According to the annex, the points designated for airlines from Azerbaijan are Baku, Ganja, Nakhchivan, Lankaran, Gabala and Zagatala in Azerbaijan, and Ulaanbaatar, Khovd and Choibalsan in Mongolia. Intermediate and beyond points will be determined later. Designated airlines will be permitted to conclude blocked-space or codeshare agreements.
Disputes concerning the interpretation or application of the agreement will first be resolved through negotiations. If the parties fail to settle a dispute through negotiations, they may agree to refer it to an appropriate person or body. If no such agreement is reached, the dispute will be submitted to an arbitration court.
Air services agreements typically provide the legal and operational framework needed for airlines to establish routes between countries. They address matters such as traffic rights, airline designation, aviation safety, customs procedures and the commercial operation of international flights.
