US and Saudi Arabia initial Open Skies agreement

US and Saudi Arabia signed (18-Apr-2011) an US-Saudi Arabia Open Skies agreement on 18-Apr-2011. The agreement, which will be applied on the basis of comity and reciprocity pending its entry into force, will liberalise the bilateral aviation relationship between the two nations. According to the US State Department, "the agreement strengthens and expands the already strong trade and tourism links with Saudi Arabia, and will benefit American and Saudi Arabian businesses and travelers. It will expand air service and encourage vigorous price competition by airlines, while safeguarding aviation safety and security". [more]