EU/USA, Iceland and Norway Agreement: Time Limitations on Arrangements for the Provision of Aircraft with Crew

PURPOSE: to conclude, on behalf of the European Union, the Agreement with Respect to Time Limitations on Arrangements for the Provision of Aircraft with Crew between the European Union, the United States of America, Iceland, and the Kingdom of Norway.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Council may adopt the act only if Parliament has given its consent to the act.

BACKGROUND: the Agreement with Respect to Time Limitations on Arrangements for the Provision of Aircraft with Crew between the European Union, the United States of America, Iceland, and the Kingdom of Norway was signed on 27 August 2019, subject to its conclusion at a later date.

The Agreement has been applied on a provisional basis since the date of signature. It should now be approved.

CONTENT: the Council draft aims to approve, on behalf of the EU, the Agreement with Respect to Time Limitations on Arrangements for the Provision of Aircraft with Crew between the European Union, the United States of America, Iceland, and the Kingdom of Norway, of which the Joint Declaration forms an integral part.

This Agreement is based on the Air Transport Agreement (ATA) between the EU and the United States signed on 25 and 30 April 2007. The ATA provides for an open wet lease regime between the parties.

The Agreement clarifies the relevant provisions of the ATA and abolishes the time limitations applicable to wet lease contracts between EU, Iceland, Norway and US air carriers. It confirms the establishment of clear and non-restrictive wet lease agreements between the airlines of the Parties and provides legal certainty for future contracts involving EU, Iceland, Norway and US airlines.

The Agreement, which has been signed in its English language version, has also been drawn up in other official EU languages and these additional language versions have to be authenticated by an exchange of letters between the parties.