The UAE has signed an Air Services Agreement with Spain enabling airlines to operate unlimited passenger frequencies and capacity in each direction with any type of aircraft.

Under the agreement all cargo services will be operated with full traffic rights including fifth freedom traffic right without any restrictions.

The move comes as part of UAE efforts to support the national aviation sector, according to the country’s minister of development for government sector, Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansoori.

"This agreement is the first ASA signed between UAE and a European country that refers to the European Horizontal Agreement, initialed between UAE and the European Community in Brussels on 24 January 2007," Al Mansouri said in a statement.

"With the vast growth and fast expansion of our national carriers, we came to play a major role in opening new routes that meet the current and future requirements of our market. On the other hand, this will also encourage the tourism sector and investments between UAE and European countries," he added.