Ministry of Housing, Transport, Water and Works
Transport Works Contact Us Support Frequently Asked Questions
 
MHTWW Home Page
Information About the Ministry of MHTWW
For all the Ministry's News Items
This link is unavailable
To Contact the Ministry
Links to Other Websites
For all the Ministry's Reports
For information on the Ministry's Agencies
Access To Information Page
Sitemap
Western Hemisphere Transport Initiative
Western Hemisphere Transport Initiative

AIR SERVICES AGREEMENT SIGNED BETWEEN BRAZIL AND JAMAICA

Minister Mike Henry (left) and Ambassador Ce'zar de Souza Amaral sign the Air Services Agreement.

An air services agreement was signed between Jamaica and Brazil on Friday, December 14, 2007 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade. Signing on behalf of Jamaica, was Minister of Transport and Works, Hon. Mike Henry and His Excellency Ce'zar de Souza Amaral for Brazil. Minister Henry signed on behalf of Foreign Affairs Minister, Dr. Ken Baugh who was away on official duties.

Noting that the signing of the agreement was a timely one, Ambassador de Souza Amaral said, "Jamaica is an important tourist destination and this agreement will make it more possible for tourists to get to Jamaica from Brazil." He added that Jamaica had a long and distinguished relationship with Brazil, one that resulted in initiatives concerning football, ethanol and now air services.

For his part, Minister Henry highlighted the fact that the Government fully recognised that the air transport sector was important for economic growth and development . "This must be complemented by a multi-modal approach to the movement of people, goods and services", he added.

"The airline industry in the Latin American and Caribbean region is often considered to be a less mature market than North America and Europe. We know, however, that the Latin American region offers options for our country's development goals and that has formed a link between North and South and eats and West", he continued.

In an effort to strengthen the relationship between the Caribbean and Latin America, in November, 2005, both governments of Jamaica and Brazil committed to the finalisation of an air services agreement. An agreed text was finalised on August 31, 2006 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The Agreement is expected to:

  • Bring arrangements between Jamaica and Brazil in line with international standards for air transport safety and security
  • Promote fair competition among the designated airlines of both countries, while avoiding discrimination and abuse of dominant positions
  • Contemplate free traffic rights for the designated airlines of each country on certain specified situations. This means that airlines of Jamaica may fly from points in Jamaica direct or via South America and the Caribbean, to points in the North or North Eastern region of Brazil and beyond; while Brazilian airlines can now fly from points in Brazil direct or via South America and the Caribbean, to Kingston or Montego Bay and beyond; and
  • Allow for designated airlines of each party to operate combination and/or all-cargo services on specified routes as stated in the Agreement.

Minister Henry also used the opportunity to bid farewell to Ambassador de Souza Amaral whose tour of duty ends soon.