Qatar concludes new air services arrangements with Ecuador, Georgia, Germany, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria and Uruguay

From the Civil Aviation Authority of Qatar and various media, announcements of new air services agreements between Qatar and:

• Ecuador - signed 21 March 2011
• Georgia - signed 15 February 2011
• Sudan - reported in February 2011 to have been signed
• Uruguay - negotiating mandate granted by Qatari Cabinet in February 2011

Qatar has also announced enhanced air services arrangements with:

• Germany - negotiations were held 6-7 July 2010 
• Sri Lanka - negotiations were held 8-10 August 2010 
• Syria - reported in October 2010

"Open skies" policy debated in Sri Lanka

On 18 April 2010 the Sunday Times from Columbo reported comments by the Sri Lankan President on the impact the previous government's "open skies" policy was having on Sri Lankan airlines, SriLankan and Mihan Air. The article suggests that there is a need to balance the interests of the airline industry with those of the tourism industry.

On 31 March 2010 the Daily Mirror reported on problems in the Sri Lanka-Qatar air services relationship while on 25 October 2009 the Sunday Times reported on problems in the Sri Lanka-Oman relationship.

New Zealand's recent treaty negotiations

Just about hidden away on the web site of the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade is the International Treaties List, a publication produced every six months that gives some details of all the treaties that the New Zealand Government is negotiating, concluding, ratifying or amending. This includes air services agreements.

The 61-page July 2008 edition on pages 59-60 refers to New Zealand's air services relationships with Canada, the European Union, the Philippines, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Turkey and the United Kingdom. It gives the dates of recent negotiations and also lists me as the official contact for these.

Australia and Sri Lanka agree new air services arrangements

The Australian Minister of Transport and Regional Services, Mark Vaile, announced on 21 June 2007 new air services arrangements between Sri Lanka and Australia. A feature of the new arrangements is that there is no limit on cargo services.

China-Sri Lanka air services negotiations

In a report dated 13 March 2007 the Daily News previewed air services negotiations Sri Lanka was scheduled to have with China in Beijing on 14-15 March.