Switzerland and Laos sign bilateral air service agreement
Bern, 24.07.2024 - Switzerland and the Lao People's Democratic Republic signed a bilateral air service agreement on 26 July. This agreement modernises the one concluded between the two countries in 1999 and will replace it when it comes into force. It reflects the Federal Council's efforts to improve Switzerland's air connections by giving airlines greater flexibility in their operations.
The bilateral agreement on scheduled air services signed between Switzerland and Laos will give the airlines concerned the required operational flexibility on routes between the two countries. In particular, there is no restriction on the number of airlines flying between them, and codeshare flights are permitted. The parties confirmed that designated airlines are granted the right to operate direct flights with no limit in terms of frequency. This new arrangement will be of economic benefit to both Switzerland and Laos.
The agreement, previously approved by the Federal Council at its meeting of 22 November 2023, was signed by FDFA State Secretary Alexandre Fasel on 26 July in the Lao capital of Vientiane. The text will enter into force as soon as the parties have notified each other by exchange of diplomatic notes that the legal formalities relating to the conclusion and entry into force of international agreements have been completed.
In order to be able to serve foreign destinations, airlines based in Switzerland must be granted traffic rights. The countries involved set out these rights in bilateral air service agreements. Such agreements typically contain provisions relating to airline ownership and management and to market access. They allow countries to open up their markets to all the airlines concerned while reducing administrative barriers. Switzerland has signed agreements of this kind with over 150 countries.
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