U.S.-Saudi Arabia sign bilateral air service agreement

   The United States and Saudi Arabia on Tuesday signed an Open Skies air transport agreement that will expand commercial service for shippers and travelers, following a transition period, the U.S. State Department said.
  The agreement will permit unrestricted air service by the airlines of both countries between and beyond the other’s territory. It will also eliminate restrictions on how often carriers fly, the kind of aircraft they use and the prices they charge. 
   The United States has more than 100 Open Skies agreements with countries around the world at various levels of development. Deregulating international aviation is designed to increase service and price competition among carriers, while preserving safety and security standards. – Eric Kulish