rights.
otherwise to an ASA with Hong Kong to secure overflight
Should such agreements not be in place by 1 July
1997 when the relevant UK agreements cease to apply, Hong Kong airlines will no longer enjoy the right to overfly the
countries concerned and services between Hong Kong and its
aviation partners could be considerably disrupted. There
are currently 16 such countries, as set out in the list
Most are former members of Soviet Union, whose
ASA with the UK previously provided for rights to overfly and make technical stops in Soviet territory.
attached.
6.
These bilateral
In order to secure the necessary overflying rights
from these 16 countries, the British side propose to
authorize Hong Kong to commence negotiations of bilateral
agreements over the
agreements will be similar in content to the model ASA
text, and will provide in particular for the right for the
one Contracting Party to overfly (First
airlines
of
next two years.
freedom) and to make stops for non-traffic purposes (Second
freedom) in the area of the other Contracting Party. plan any specific exchange of commercial (third or fourth freedom) traffic rights with such partners this stage, it is possible that some may wish to suggest
at
this.
7.
The British side look forward to a positive response from the Chinese side on the above proposals.
4