Newspapers: ICAO Decision Enhancement of Qatar's Sovereignty over its Airspace, Victory of its Rights

Doha, July 14 (QNA) - In their editorials on Wednesday, the newspapers highlighted the approval of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council, on principal, on the establishment of Doha Flight Information Region (FIR) and Doha Search and Rescue Region (SRR) drawing on the State of Qatar's proposal, which would include Qatar's sovereign airspace, stressing that this decision will have significant positive effects on the development of the aviation and transport industry around the world, as it will enhance Qatar's constructive efforts to develop this sector and making it more professional and sustainable. The papers considered the decision of ICAO as a significant success for the Qatari diplomacy that believes in giving rights to their owners, based on Qatar's respect for the principle of state sovereignty and the non-infringement of its rights, explaining that the Qatari proposal, which has been approved, guarantees a sovereign right that cannot be waived, as it has received the approval of all, given that Qatar owns this right- which enhances the principle of Qatari sovereignty. Al-Sharq newspaper highlighted in its editorial the approval of ICAO Council on the establishment of Doha Flight Information Region (FIR) and Doha Search and Rescue Region drawing on the State of Qatar's proposal, which would include Qatar's sovereign airspace, to optimize safety and efficiency of the regional airspace, as well as other contiguous airspace over the high seas, adding that it reflects ICAO's commitment to the Chicago Convention's objectives, which include the development of international civil aviation in a safe and orderly manner and such that air transport services would be established on the basis of equality of opportunity, and operated soundly and economically. The paper also explained that the Council acknowledged the right of Qatar to request the establishment of a Doha FIR/SRR over its sovereign territory and contiguous airspace consistent with Article 1 of the Chicago Convention, after the Council affirmed that during the ICAO Air Navigation Commission's review of the technical aspects of the proposal, it was acknowledged that the State of Qatar possesses the capabilities and qualifications necessary to manage air traffic safely and effectively, and to provide leading services in the field of search and rescue. Al-Sharq pointed out that this certain acknowledgement of ICAO, is highly appreciated, emphasizing Qatar's gratitude for the efforts and stance of the Council Member States for continuing the sessions amid the extraordinary circumstances that the world is going through, in support of the global civil aviation. The paper concluded its editorial by emphasizing the approval of Qatar's proposal, affirming the State's sovereign right to establish Doha Flight Information Region (FIR) and Doha Search and Rescue Region (SRR), as it also reflects the huge investments that the State has made to develop its air navigation system, given that Qatar possesses the capabilities and qualifications necessary to manage air traffic safely and effectively, and to provide leading services in the field of search and rescue, stressing its promising significance for the future of civil aviation, not only in the Middle East region, but the entire world. For its part, Al-Raya newspaper confirmed in its editorial that the decision of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council to agree, in principal, on the establishment of Doha Flight Information Region (FIR) and Doha Search and Rescue Region (SRR), based on the proposal of the State of Qatar aims to support the development of safe and sustainable air transport operations in the region, and reinforces Qatar's commitments to the global aviation sector. The newspaper said that the decision, which includes Qatar's sovereign airspace will optimize safety and efficiency of the regional airspace, as well as other contiguous airspace over the high seas, indicating that this proposal which was agreed by all, relates to an inherent right that is absent from Qatar, and the time has come to restore this right that reinforces the principle of Qatari sovereignty. Al-Raya added that the Council acknowledgement of the right of Qatar to request the establishment of a Doha FIR/SRR over its sovereign territory and contiguous airspace confirms a success for Qatari diplomacy, which believes in giving rights to their owners based on Qatar's respect for the principle of states' sovereignty and non-infringement of their rights, in return Qatar wants to be dealt with within the framework of diplomacy based on this original principle. The paper pointed out that through this proposal the State of Qatar is mindful of the development and promotion of the aviation industry and safe and sustainable air transport, based on its explicit and clear commitment to the global aviation sector, which represents the spirit and future of sustainability, noting that Qatar has pledged and even demonstrated to the whole world its ability to provide seamless aviation and transport services while ensuring the highest level of safety and quality, because the State of Qatar's relations with countries are based on the principle of good relations, cooperation and mutual respect. Al-Raya concluded its editorial by saying that the ICAO Council's decision is of a great importance for the future of civil aviation, not only in the Middle East region, but the entire world and is fully consistent with the objectives of the Chicago Convention, and the proposal represents one of the sovereign rights of the State of Qatar and demonstrates the huge investments made by Qatar to develop its air navigation system for the benefit of the region as a whole, by providing safe, efficient, and seamless air navigation services - thanks to the country's possessing of all the factors and capabilities necessary for managing air traffic, and the country's willingness to provide distinctive and efficient services in the field of search and rescue. In turn, Al-Watan said that the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council has agreed, in principal, on the establishment of Doha Flight Information Region (FIR) and Doha Search and Rescue Region drawing on the State of Qatar's proposal, which would include Qatar's sovereign airspace and, to optimize safety and efficiency of the regional airspace, as well as other contiguous airspace over the high seas. The decision was taken. During its meeting, the Council acknowledged the right of Qatar to request the establishment of a Doha FIR/SRR over its sovereign territory and contiguous airspace consistent with Article 1 of the Chicago Convention and in accordance with Assembly Resolution A40-4, Appendix G, the paper said. The paper underlined that the proposal by the State of Qatar to establish a Doha FIR/SRR is of a great importance for the future of civil aviation, not only in the Middle East region, but the entire world and is fully consistent with the objectives of the Chicago Convention. The paper pointed out that the proposal also represents one of the sovereign rights of the State of Qatar and demonstrates the huge investments made by Qatar to develop its air navigation system for the benefit of the region as a whole, by providing safe, efficient, and seamless air navigation services - thanks to the country's possessing of all the factors and capabilities necessary for managing air traffic, and the country's willingness to provide distinctive and efficient services in the field of search and rescue. The paper added that the State of Qatar, through its proposal, aims to support the development of safe and sustainable air transport operations in the region, and reinforces its commitments to the global aviation sector. In conclusion, Al-Watan said that during the ICAO Air Navigation Commission's review of the technical aspects of the proposal, it was acknowledged that the State of Qatar possesses the capabilities and qualifications necessary to manage air traffic safely and effectively, and to provide leading services in the field of search and rescue. In its editorial, The Peninsula newspaper said that Qatar added another feather in its hat yesterday as the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council has agreed, in principle, on the establishment of Doha Flight Information Region and Doha Search and Rescue Region (FIR/SRR) drawing on Qatars proposal which includes Qatars sovereign airspace and will optimize safety and efficiency of the regional airspace and the contiguous airspace over the high seas. The newspaper pointed out that the ICAO Council during its 223rd session which began on June 18, acknowledged the right of Qatar to request the establishment of Doha FIR/SRR over its sovereign territory and contiguous airspace consistent with the Chicago Convention and in accordance with the Assembly Resolution A40-4, Appendix G. The newspaper affirmed that once implemented, the proposal and resultant action will improve the safety and convenience of air travel over Qatar, which has become a busy region as the countrys flag carrier, Qatar Airways, has expanded its destinations and frequency of services with the establishment of the Hamad International Airport (HIA), which has become a regional hub of international air travel. During an ICAO Air Navigation Commissions review of the technical aspect of Qatars proposal, it was acknowledged that the country possesses the capabilities and qualifications to manage air traffic safely and effectively and to provide leading services in the field of search and rescue, the newspaper added. The Peninsula newspaper concluded its editorial by saying that Qatar can be proud of the ICAO Councils move as the countrys international airport is handling millions of passengers from every corner of the world, noting that at present, the HIA serves 142 destinations and caters to 33 airlines operating at the airport, and that even during the pandemic, the HIA remained a beehive of activities processing tens of thousands of travelers and handling essential cargoes such as medical equipment, vaccines and relief materials. (QNA)