by Linda Straker
- Qatar and Grenada signed air service agreement in October 2023
- Air service agreement signed with Saudi Arabia on 14 April 2025
- Agreement is pivotal step to expand Grenada’s global aviation network and open new markets for tourism and business
18 months after signing the first Air Service Agreement with Qatar, a country in the Arabian Peninsula, Grenada signed a similar agreement with Saudi Arabia, another Arabian Peninsula country.
The countries on the Arabian Peninsula are Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Yemen. Saudi Arabia occupies the most significant portion of the peninsula.
The latest air service agreement with Saudi Arabia, signed on 14 April, is described by Grenada’s Government Information Service (GIS) as “marking a significant step in the strengthening of diplomatic ties between the two nations and expanding international connectivity.”
“This Air Service Agreement establishes a framework for international commercial air transport services, promoting greater connectivity, tourism, trade and investment. It aims to regulate administrative and operational provisions, traffic rights, tariffs, code sharing, and other aspects of air travel, such as safety and security, between the 2 signatory countries,” said a GIS news release.
The release said that Prime Minister Hon. Dickon Mitchell hailed the agreement as a pivotal step in Grenada’s efforts to expand its global aviation network and open new markets for tourism and business. “The agreement reflects Grenada’s commitment to diversifying our international partnerships while creating new opportunities for economic growth, cultural exchanges and tourism development,” the release quoted the Prime Minister.
The air service agreement supports the deepening of diplomatic relations between the 2 countries across multiple sectors and positions Grenada as a premier destination for travellers from that region seeking unique experiences.
Grenada Prime Minister and Minister for Civil Aviation Hon. Dickon Mitchell and His Excellency the President of the General Authority of Civil Aviation Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Duailej, signed the agreement during the International Civil Aviation Organisation Facilitation Conference 2025 which opened on 14 April 2025 in Doha, Qatar, following “discussions between His Excellency the Vice President of Air Transport and International Cooperation, the Director of the Bilateral Agreements Department and other members of the technical team from Grenada and Saudi Arabia.”
In October 2023, Qatar’s Minister for Transport H E Jassim Saif Ahmed Al-Sulaiti, and Prime Minister Mitchell engaged in dialogue to promote Grenada-Qatar relations, which focused on technical assistance and training in aviation and other areas that can further enhance transportation and ports of entry. The Qatar-Grenada service agreement highlighted that the national carriers of both countries could operate an unlimited number of passenger and cargo flights with full transportation rights. That agreement provided for 3 fully funded aviation scholarships to Grenadian students in any of 10 specialised fields, including Airport Operations, Meteorological Services, Air Traffic Control and Engineering.
