Verdrag tussen het Koninkrijk der Nederlanden en het Verenigd Koninkrijk van Groot-Brittannië en Noord-Ierland inzake luchtdiensten tussen en via de Britse overzeese gebieden Anguilla, de Bermuda-eilanden, de Britse Maagdeneilanden, de Caymaneilanden, Montserrat en de Turks- en Caicoseilanden, enerzijds, en de Nederlandse Antillen, anderzijds

1

Each Contracting Party grants to the other Contracting Party the following rights in respect of its international air services:

• a)

  the right to fly across its territory without landing;

• b)

  the right to make stops in its territory for non-traffic purposes.

2

Each Contracting Party grants to the other Contracting Party the rights hereinafter specified in this Agreement for the purpose of operating international air services on the routes specified in the appropriate Section of the Schedule annexed to this Agreement. Such services and routes are hereinafter called “the agreed services" and “the specified routes" respectively. While operating an agreed service on a specified route the airline or airlines designated by each Contracting Party shall enjoy in addition to the rights specified in paragraph 1 of this Article the right to make stops in the territory of the other Contracting Party at the points specified for that route in the Schedule to this Agreement for the purpose of taking on board and discharging passengers and cargo, including mail.

3

Nothing in paragraph 2 of this Article shall be deemed to confer on the designated airline or airlines of one Contracting Party the right to take on board, in the territory of the other Contracting Party, passengers and cargo, including mail, carried for hire or reward and destined for another point in the territory of the other Contracting Party.

4

If because of armed conflict, political disturbances or developments, or special and unusual circumstances, a designated airline of one Contracting Party is unable to operate a service on its normal routeing, the other Contracting Party shall use its best efforts to facilitate the continued operation of such service through appropriate temporary rearrangements of routes.

1

Each Contracting Party may designate in writing to the other Contracting Party one or more airlines for the purpose of operating the agreed services on the specified routes and to withdraw or alter such designations.

2

On receipt of such a designation the other Contracting Party shall, subject to the provisions of paragraphs 3 and 4 of this Article, without delay grant to the airline or airlines designated the appropriate operating authorisations.

3

The aeronautical authority of one Contracting Party may require an airline designated by the other Contracting Party to satisfy that authority that it is qualified to fulfil the conditions prescribed under the laws and regulations normally and reasonably applied to the operation of international air services by that authority in conformity with the provisions of the Chicago Convention.

4

Each Contracting Party may refuse to grant the operating authorisations referred to in paragraph 2 of this Article, or impose such conditions as it may deem necessary on the exercise by a designated airline of the rights specified in Article 3, paragraph 2, of this Agreement, in any case where the said Contracting Party is not satisfied that substantial ownership and effective control of that airline are vested in the Contracting Party designating the airline or in its nationals.

5

When an airline has been so designated and authorised it may begin to operate the agreed services, provided that the airline complies with the applicable provisions of this Agreement.

1

Each Contracting Party may revoke an operating authorisation or suspend the exercise of the rights specified in Article 3, paragraph 2, of this Agreement by an airline designated by the other Contracting Party, or impose such conditions as it may deem necessary on the exercise of those rights:

• a)

  in any case where it is not satisfied that substantial ownership and effective control of that airline are vested in the Contracting Party designating the airline or in nationals of such Contracting Party; or

• b)

  in the case of failure by that airline to comply with the laws or regulations normally and reasonably applied by the Contracting Party granting those rights; or

• c)

  if the airline otherwise fails to operate in accordance with the conditions prescribed under this Agreement.

2

Unless immediate revocation, suspension or imposition of the conditions mentioned in paragraph 1 of this Article is essential to prevent further infringements of laws or regulations, such right shall be exercised only after consultation with the other Contracting Party.

1

There shall be fair and equal opportunity for the designated airlines of both Contracting Parties to operate the agreed services on the specified routes between their respective territories.

2

In operating the agreed services the designated airline or airlines of each Contracting Party shall take into account the interests of the designated airline or airlines of the other Contracting Party so as not to affect unduly the services which the latter provide on the whole or part of the same routes.

3

The agreed services provided by the designated airlines of the Contracting Parties shall bear a close relationship to the requirements of the public for transportation on the specified routes and shall have as their primary objective the provision at a reasonable load factor of capacity adequate to carry the current and reasonably anticipated requirements for the carriage of passengers and cargo, including mail, coming from or destined for the territory of the Contracting Party which has designated the airline. Provision for the carriage of passengers and cargo, including mail, both taken on board and discharged at points on the specified routes in the territories of States other than that designating the airline shall be made in accordance with the general principles that capacity shall be related to:

• a)

  traffic requirements to and from the territory of the Contracting Party which has designated the airline;

• b)

  traffic requirements of the area through which the agreed service passes, after taking account of other transport services established by airlines of the States comprising the area; and

• c)

  the requirements of through airline operation.

1

• a)

  The term “tariff" means:

  • (i)

    the price to be charged for the carriage of passengers, baggage or cargo (excluding mail);

  • (ii)

    the additional goods, services or other benefits to be furnished or made available in conjunction with such carriage or as a matter which is incidental thereto or consequential thereon; and

  • (iii)

    the prices to be charged for such additional goods, services or benefits;

    and includes the conditions that are to govern the applicability of any such price and the furnishing or availability of any such goods, services or benefits.

  • (iv)

    the rate of commission paid by an airline to an agent in respect of tickets sold or air waybills completed by that agent for carriage on scheduled air services.

• b)

  Where fares or rates differ according to the season, day of the week or time of the day on which a flight is operated, the direction of travel or according to some other factor, each different fare or rate shall be regarded as a separate tariff whether or not it has been filed separately with the related conditions with the relevant authorities.

2

The tariffs to be charged by the designated airlines of the Contracting Parties for carriage between their territories shall be those approved by the aeronautical authorities of both Contracting Parties and shall be established at reasonable levels, due regard being paid to all relevant factors, including the cost of operating the agreed services, the interests of users, reasonable profit and market considerations.

3

The aeronautical authorities of both Contracting Parties shall not require their airlines to consult other airlines before filing for approval tariffs for services covered by the following provisions.

4

Each proposed tariff for carriage between the territories of the Contracting Parties shall be filed by the designated airline seeking approval for it with the aeronautical authorities of both Contracting Parties in such form as the aeronautical authority of each Contracting Party may require to disclose the particulars referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article. It shall be filed not less than 30 days (or such shorter period as the aeronautical authorities of both Contracting Parties may agree) before the proposed effective date. Each proposed tariff shall be treated as having been filed with a Contracting Party on the date on which it is received by the aeronautical authority of that Contracting Party.

5

• a)

  Each proposed tariff may be approved by the aeronautical authority of either Contracting Party at any time. In the absence of such approval and provided it has been filed in accordance with paragraph 4 of this Article, it will be treated as having been approved by the aeronautical authority of a Contracting Party 21 days after the date of filing unless within 20 days after the date of filing the aeronautical authority of that Contracting Party has served on the aeronautical authority of the other Contracting Party written notice of disapproval of the proposed tariff.

• b)

  Each proposed tariff which has been filed in the form required by paragraph 4 of this Article, but not in conformity with the minimum filing period therein specified, shall nevertheless be treated as having been approved by the aeronautical authority of a Contracting Party 21 days after the date of filing unless the aeronautical authority of that Contracting Party has either:

  • (i)

    notified the airline filing the proposed tariff within 15 days after the date of filing that the proposed tariff must be refiled in conformity with the minimum filing period, or

  • (ii)

    served on the aeronautical authority of the other Contracting Party within 20 days after the date of filing written notice of disapproval of the proposed tariff.

6

In approving each tariff the aeronautical authority of a Contracting Party may attach to its approval such expiry date as it considers appropriate.

7

If a notice of disapproval is given in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 5 of this Article, the aeronautical authorities of the two Contracting Parties may determine the tariff by mutual agreement. Either Contracting Party may, within 30 days of the service of a notice of disapproval, request consultations which shall be held within 30 days of the request.

8

If a tariff has been disapproved by one of the aeronautical authorities in accordance with paragraph 5 of this Article, and the aeronautical authorities have been unable to determine the tariff by agreement in accordance with paragraph 7 of this Article, the dispute may be settled in accordance with the provisions of Article 15 of this Agreement.

9

Subject to paragraph 10 of this Article a tariff established in accordance with the provisions of this Article shall remain in force unless withdrawn by the designated airline concerned or until a replacement tariff has been established.

10

Except with the agreement of the aeronautical authorities of both Contracting Parties, and for such period as they may agree, a tariff shall not be prolonged by virtue of paragraph (9) of this Article:

• a)

  where a tariff has an expiry date, for more than 12 months after that date;

• b)

  where a tariff has no expiry date, for more than 12 months after the date on which the designated airline or airlines of one Contracting Party or both, file a replacement tariff with the aeronautical authorities of the Contracting Parties.

11

Notwithstanding paragraphs 4–10 above, the aeronautical authority of the United Kingdom does not require the filing for its approval of tariffs for the carriage of cargo between points in the territories of the two Contracting Parties. In such cases, references in paragraphs 4–10 above to receipt of filings shall be deemed to refer to the receipt of such filings by the Netherlands Antilles Government.

12

• a)

  The tariffs to be charged by a designated airline of one Contracting Party for carriage between the territory of the other Contracting Party and a third State shall be filed for the approval of the aeronautical authority of the other Contracting Party. Each tariff filed shall be given approval if it is identical in level, conditions and date of expiry to a tariff currently approved by that aeronautical authority and applied by a designated airline of that other Contracting Party for carriage between its territory and that of the third State, provided that the aeronautical authority may withdraw its approval if the tariff being matched is discontinued for any reason, or may vary the terms of the approval to correspond to any approved variation in the tariff being matched.

• b)

  Notwithstanding sub-paragraph a) above, the aeronautical authority of the United Kingdom does not require the filing for its approval of tariffs to be charged by the designated airline or airlines of the Netherlands Antilles for the carriage of cargo between the territory of the United Kingdom and the third State.

1

Fuel, lubricating oils and spare parts introduced into or taken on board aircraft in the territory of one Contracting Party by, or on behalf of, the airlines designated by the other Contracting Party and intended solely for use by the aircraft of such designated airlines shall be accorded, with respect to customs duties, inspection fees or other charges imposed by the former Contracting Party, treatment not less favourable than that granted to its own designated airlines.

2

Aircraft operated on the agreed services and supplies of fuel, lubricating oils, spare parts, regular equipment and aircraft stores retained on board aircraft of the designated airline or airlines of one Contracting Party shall be exempt in the territory of the other Contracting Party from customs duties, inspection fees or similar duties or charges, even though such supplies be used by such aircraft on flights in that territory. Goods so exempted may only be unloaded with the approval of the customs authorities of the other Contracting Party. These goods, which are to be re-exported, shall be kept until re-exportation under customs supervision.

1

The assurance of safety for civil aircraft, their passengers and crew being a fundamental pre-condition for the operation of international air services, the Contracting Parties reaffirm that their obligations to each other to provide for the security of civil aviation against acts of unlawful interference (and in particular their obligations under the Chicago Convention, the Convention on Offences and Certain Other Acts Committed on Board Aircraft, signed at Tokyo on 14 September 1963, the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Seizure of Aircraft, signed at The Hague on 16 December 1970, the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Civil Aviation, signed at Montreal on 23 September 1971 and the Protocol for Suppressions of Unlawful Acts of Violence at Airports Serving International Civil Aviation, signed at Montreal on 24 February 1988) form an integral part of this Agreement.

2

The Contracting Parties shall provide upon request all necessary assistance to each other to prevent acts of unlawful seizure of civil aircraft and other unlawful acts against the safety of such aircraft, their passengers and crew, airports and air navigation facilities, and any other threat to the security of civil aviation.

3

The Contracting Parties shall, in their mutual relations, act in conformity with the aviation security Standards and, so far as they are applied by them, the Recommended Practices established by the International Civil Aviation Organisation and designated as Annexes to the Chicago Convention; and shall require that operators of aircraft of their registry, operators who have their principal place of business or permanent residence in their territory, and the operators of airports in their territory, act in conformity with such aviation security provisions. In this paragraph the reference to aviation security Standards includes any difference notified by the Contracting Party concerned. Each Contracting Party shall give advance information to the other of its intention to notify any difference.

4

Each Contracting Party shall ensure that effective measures are taken within its territory to protect aircraft, to screen passengers and their carry-on items, and to carry out appropriate checks on crew, cargo (including hold baggage) and aircraft stores prior to and during boarding or loading and that those measures are adjusted to meet increases in the threat. Each Contracting Party agrees that their airlines may be required to observe the aviation security provisions referred to in paragraph 3 of this Article required by the other Contracting Party, for entrance into, departure from, or while within, the territory of that other Contracting Party. Each Contracting Party shall also act favourably upon any request from the other Contracting Party for reasonable special security measures to meet a particular threat.

5

When an incident or threat of an incident of unlawful seizure of civil aircraft or other unlawful acts against the safety of such aircraft, their passengers and crew, airports or air navigation facilities occurs, the Contracting Parties shall assist each other by facilitating communications and other appropriate measures intended to terminate as rapidly as possible commensurate with minimum risk to life such incident or threat.

1

The designated airline or airlines of one Contracting Party may, in accordance with the laws and regulations relating to entry, residence and employment of the other Contracting Party, bring in and maintain in the territory of the other Contracting Party those of their own managerial, technical, operational and other specialist staff who are required for the provision of air services.

2

The designated airline or airlines of each Contracting Party may engage in the sale of air transportation in the territory of the other Contracting Party, either directly or through agents appointed by the designated airline. The designated airline or airlines of each Contracting Party may sell, and any person shall be free to purchase, such transportation in local currency or in any freely convertible other currency.

1

Neither Contracting Party shall impose or permit to be imposed on the designated airline or airlines of the other Contracting Party user charges higher than those imposed on its own airlines operating similar international air services.

2

Each Contracting Party shall encourage consultation on user charges between their competent charging authorities and airlines using the services and facilities provided by those charging authorities, where practicable through those airlines' representative organisations. Reasonable notice of any proposals for changes in user charges should be given to such users to enable them to express their views before changes are made. Each Contracting Party shall further encourage its competent charging authorities and such users to exchange appropriate information concerning user charges.

1

If any dispute arises between the Contracting Parties relating to the interpretation or application of this Agreement, the Contracting Parties shall in the first place try to settle it by negotiation.

2

If the Contracting Parties fail to reach a settlement of the dispute by negotiation, it may be referred by them to such person or body as they may agree on or, at the request of either Contracting Party, shall be submitted for decision to a tribunal of three arbitrators which shall be constituted in the following manner:

• a)

  within 30 days after receipt of a request for arbitration each Contracting Party shall appoint one arbitrator. A national of a third State, who shall act as President of the tribunal, shall be appointed as the third arbitrator by agreement between the two arbitrators, within 60 days of the appointment of the second;

• b)

  if within the time limits specified above any appointment has not been made, either Contracting Party may request the President of the International Court of Justice to make the necessary appointment within 30 days. If the President has the nationality of one of the Contracting Parties, the Vice-President shall be requested to make the appointment. If the Vice-President has the nationality of one of the Contracting Parties, the Member of the International Court of Justice next in seniority who does not have the nationality of one of the Contracting Parties shall be requested to make the appointment.

3

Except as hereinafter provided in this Article or as otherwise agreed by the Contracting Parties, the tribunal shall determine the limits of its jurisdiction and establish its own procedure. At the direction of the tribunal, or at the request of either of the Contracting Parties, a conference to determine the precise issues to be arbitrated and the specific procedures to be followed shall be held not later than 30 days after the tribunal is fully constituted.

4

Except as otherwise agreed by the Contracting Parties or prescribed by the tribunal, each Contracting Party shall submit a memorandum within 45 days after the tribunal is fully constituted. Each Contracting Party may submit a reply within 60 days of submission of the other Contracting Party's memorandum. The tribunal shall hold a hearing at the request of either Contracting Party, or at its discretion, within 30 days after replies are due.

5

The tribunal shall attempt to give a written decision within 30 days after completion of the hearing or, if no hearing is held, 30 days after the date both replies are submitted. The decision shall be taken by a majority vote.

6

The Contracting Parties may submit requests for clarification of the decision within 15 days after it is received and such clarification shall be issued within 15 days of such request.

7

The decision of the tribunal shall be binding on the Contracting Parties.

8

Each Contracting Party shall bear the costs of the arbitrator appointed by it. The other costs of the tribunal shall be shared equally by the Contracting Parties including any expenses incurred by the President, Vice-President or Member of the International Court of Justice in implementing the procedures in paragraph 2b) of this Article.