The Diplomat in Spain

The Diplomat

This past Tuesday, the Council of Ministers authorized the signing of the Air Transport Agreement between Spain and the Eastern Republic of Uruguay.

The text, which was signed in Madrid on October 2, 2018, develops and modifies the legal framework applicable to the operation of regular air services between both countries, adapting it to community regulations. Furthermore, it includes the usual formula of this type of bilateral agreements on air services and includes in its articles the administrative clauses that the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) recommends that its Member States include in agreements on air services.

As this is a mixed competence agreement between Spain and the European Union (EU), for its conclusion all the precepts of the Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council of April 29, 2004 on the negotiation and application of competition agreements must be met. air transport services between Member States and third countries, by including in its articles the standard principles and clauses established and required by the EU. The European Commission has given its consent for Spain to sign this agreement.

Last January, the Minister of Tourism of Uruguay, Tabaré Viera, highlighted in Madrid the importance of the direct flights that currently connect Montevideo and the capital of Spain through Iberia and Air Europa to trust in the takeoff of the sector. Likewise, he announced that the Uruguayan authorities aim for the new Montevideo airport to position itself as an interconnection hub with other South American destinations, so that travelers can take advantage of their stay to connect with other nearby countries.