Saudi Arabia and the US sign Open Skies agreement

The US and Saudi Arabia have signed an open skies agreement, which the US State Department says will expand air service and encourage vigorous price competition by airlines while safeguarding aviation safety and security.

The two countries initialed the agreement on Monday in Washington, easing air transit red tape between the two nations, the US government said.

''This agreement strengthens and expands our already strong trade and tourism links with Saudi Arabia, and will benefit American and Saudi Arabian businesses and travellers,'' a statement from the State Department said.
''It will expand air service and encourage vigorous price competition by airlines, while safeguarding aviation safety and security.''

Saudi Arabian Airlines serves John F Kennedy International airport from Riyadh twice per week and from Jeddah once per week.It also offers flights to Washington from both major Saudi cities.

The airline joined the Delta Airlines led SkyTeam alliance at the end of last year.