The EU and Switzerland have signed a new aviation agreement granting mutual ninth-freedom traffic rights, allowing easier domestic operations for air carriers within each jurisdiction.
This agreement enhances the existing liberalisation of international traffic rights by including cabotage rights, which were previously absent.
The agreement aims to harmonize state aid rules in aviation between Switzerland and the EU, aligning Swiss regulations with EU standards.
Before implementation, the agreement requires approval from the European Union Council, the Swiss parliament, and consent from the European Parliament, highlighting its significance in bilateral relations.
Ninth Freedom of The Air is the right or privilege of transporting cabotage traffic of the granting State on a service performed entirely within the territory of the granting State, also known as a Ninth Freedom Right or “stand alone” cabotage, the right to carry passengers and cargo from one point in the other country directly to another point in the same country.
