Coinciding with the Gulf Cooperation Council's 30th summit for the head's of GCC states held in Kuwait on Monday and Tuesday, Jazeera Airways called for the creation of a single aviation market across the GCC where GCC carriers are enabled to operated freely between cities and without any commercial restrictions, including restrictions on routes, the number of flights, and the setting of fares; essentially calling for an end to an era of archaic bilateral agreements between GCC countries and establishing a single, more progressive GCC sky. Jazeera Airways Chairman Marwan Boodai said: “GCC skies today are governed by constraining agreements that restrict the freedom of airlines, and consequently limit the choice of customers.” “Some might say this is the only way to govern skies. We say there is another way, a more progressive way through the creation of a single travel market that brings more freedom to customers across the GCC. Under a single market, all commercial restrictions for GCC carriers flying within the GCC, such as restrictions on routes, the number of flights and the setting of fares, will be removed to allow the aviation industry to reach its potential,” he pointed out. The creation of a GCC single market will transform the air transport industry by creating conditions for competitiveness and ensuring both quality of service and the highest level of safety. Customers, airlines, airports and employees will all benefit from new routes and airports, greater choice, lower prices, and a better overall quality of service. Boodai added: “When the GCC Founders established the Council, they essentially laid the framework for future generations of a common past to work together on shaping a common future. It is in that spirit, we bring the ‘GCC One Sky' initiative to the table. And we invite GCC airlines to join us in our call for the creation of a single market across the GCC.”
