Singapore and Bahrain have signed an open skies agreement (OSA) that removes all restrictions on passenger and cargo flights by airlines of both countries. The agreement was signed in Singapore today by Bahrain`s Minister of Transportation, H.E Shaik Ali Bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, and Singapore`s Minister for Transport, Mr Yeo Cheow Tong.

Under the agreement, airlines of both countries are free to fly on any route between and beyond Bahrain and Singapore, with no limits on frequency of flights. In addition, airlines of both countries can use each others` airports as the base to launch cargo flights to third countries.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Minister Yeo said the OSA between Singapore and Bahrain not only demonstrates the two countries` commitment to achieve freer skies in the global aviation arena, but also builds on Singapore`s growing relationship with Bahrain.

The OSA will certainly complement and support economic collaboration efforts between Singapore and Bahrain. Like Changi Airport, Bahrain International Airport serves a much wider hinterland of air traffic, and there is potential for both airports to feed air traffic to each other, as well as to the Gulf and Southeast Asia hinterlands. As the OSA lifts all restrictions on flights between Singapore and Bahrain, via and beyond to any third country, Gulf Air will have the flexibility to expand its network in Asia and Australia, using Singapore as a gateway, said Minister Yeo.

Currently, Gulf Air operates 14 weekly passenger flights between Singapore and Bahrain. Air traffic between the two countries have been increasing steadily in the last five years. Between 2000 and 2004, passenger and cargo traffic between Singapore and Bahrain have grown 10% and 13% respectively on average every year.