Singapore Strengthens Cooperation in the Areas of Mobility, Innovation and Air Transport with Saudi Arabia

1.     Singapore and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Cooperation in the Future of Mobility and Innovation and an agreement to upgrade the bilateral Air Services Agreement (ASA) on 22 November 2022.  

2.      Under the MOU, Singapore and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will strengthen cooperation to support the adoption and proliferation of the latest transport technology.  Both countries will share information and exchange experiences in areas such as cleaner energy vehicles, and autonomous vehicles.  

3.     The upgraded ASA allows air carriers from both countries to operate to four additional intermediate and beyond points for passenger and cargo services exercising 5^th freedom traffic rights^[1].  The upgrade to the ASA will take effect immediately. The ASA between Singapore and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was first signed in 1990.  This is the fourth upgrade to the ASA since its signing. Currently, the agreement allows for 28 weekly passenger services exercising 3^rd and 4^th freedom traffic rights^[2], and 14 weekly exercising 5^th freedom traffic rights.  For cargo services, the agreement allows for unlimited 3^rd and 4^th freedom traffic rights and seven weekly services exercising 5^th freedom traffic rights. 

4.     The MOU and agreement to upgrade the ASA were jointly signed in Singapore by Mr S Iswaran, Minister for Transport and Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations, Singapore, and Eng Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, Minister of Transport and Logistic Services of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

5.     “Singapore and Saudi Arabia share strong and long-standing bilateral ties. The signing of this Memorandum of Understanding and the upgrade of our bilateral Air Services Agreement signal our commitment to deepen collaboration with Saudi Arabia, which is also timely as we mark 45 years of diplomatic relations.  The MOU will spur an exchange of ideas and best practices in mobility and innovation, while the upgraded ASA will improve air connectivity between Singapore and Saudi Arabia providing our carriers greater market opportunities.” said Mr S Iswaran, Minister for Transport and Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations, Singapore.

MOU Signing on Cooperation in the Future of Mobility and Innovation

Mr S Iswaran, Minister for Transport and Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations, Singapore (Right), and Eng Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, Minister of Transport and Logistic Services of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Left) signing the MOU on Cooperation in the Future of Mobility and Innovation and an agreement to upgrade the bilateral ASA

MOU Signing on Cooperation in the Future of Mobility and Innovation

MOU Signing on Cooperation in the Future of Mobility and Innovation

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_{^[1] 5^th freedom traffic rights allow an air carrier to operate between and beyond the two countries.}

_{^[2] 3^rd and 4^th freedom traffic rights allow an air carrier to operate between the two countries.}