Two EU/China aviation agreements
The European Union and China, two trade partners whose air traffic volumes have risen swiftly in recent years, have signed two agreements to strengthen their aviation cooperation. They follow up on the EU-China summit on 9 April and will serve to boost the competitiveness of the EU's aeronautical sector.
The main objective of the bilateral civil aviation safety agreement is to support worldwide trade in aircraft and related products.
The so-called horizontal aviation agreement marks China's recognition of the principle of EU designation, whereby all EU airlines will be able to fly to China from any EU member state.
It is estimated that during the first eight years of the agreements the economic benefits for both the EU and China will be up to EUR 3.5 billion and 11,000 jobs will be created. (ah)