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葡文版本

第61/2001號行政長官公告

澳門特別行政區政府與捷克共和國政府航班協定

行政長官根據澳門特別行政區第3/1999號法律第三條（六） 項和第六條第一款的規定，命令公佈《澳門特別行政區政府和捷克共和國政府航班協定》。

二零零一年十月二十三日發佈。

行政長官 何厚鏵

———

中華人民共和國澳門特別行政區政府和捷克共和國政府航班協定

經中華人民共和國中央人民政府授權簽訂本協定的澳門特別行政區政府（澳門特別行政區）和捷克共和國政府，以下稱為締約雙方，意欲締結一項協定，以發展澳門特別行政區和捷克共和國之間及以遠的航班服務；

達成協議如下：

第一條

定義

一、除非文中另有說明，本協定中：

（一）“航空當局”一詞在澳門特別行政區方面指民航局；在捷克共和國方面則指交通部，或對雙方而言，指獲合法授權執行上述航空當局行使的職能的其他機構；

（二）“指定空運企業”一詞指根據本協定第三條，由締約一方書面向締約另一方指定並得到授權，以便按照本協定第二條第一款經營規定航線上的協議航班的各航空企業；

（三）“地區”一詞在澳門特別行政區方面包括澳門半島、氹仔島和路環島；在捷克共和國方面，則採納一九四四年十二月七日在芝加哥開放簽字的國際民航公約第二條中“領土”的含意，並包括根據該公約第九十條通過的任何附件，以及根據（公約）第九十條和第九十四條對公約或其附件的任何修改；

（四）“航班”、“國際航班”、“空運企業”和“非運輸業務性經停”用詞，分別採納上述公約內第九十六條所載的含意；

（五）“運力”一詞，就飛機而言，指該飛機在一條航線或一條航線的航段上的業載；就協議航班而言，指一特定期限內在一條航線或一條航線的航段上，該航班上所用飛機的可利用座位數乘以該飛機經營的班次；

（六）“附件”一詞，指本協定之附件，或根據本協定第十九條的規定而隨時進行的修改。附件構成本協定的一部份，在提及本協定時應包括附件，除非另有明確協議。

第二條

業務權

一、締約一方給予締約另一方本協定所規定的權利，以便一家或多家指定空運企業建立和經營本協定附件內有關部分中規定航線的國際航班。此種航班和航線以下分別稱之為“協議航班”和“規定航線”。

二、根據本協定的規定，締約一方的一家或多家指定空運企業在規定航線上經營協議航班時享有以下權利：

（一）飛越締約另一方地區而不降停；

（二）在另一方地區內作非運輸業務性經停；

（三） 在附件所規定的締約另一方地區內地點，以分開或混合的方式上下前往和來自締約一方地區內地點的旅客、行李和貨物，包括郵件；以及

（四） 在附件所規定的任何第三方地區內地點，以分開或混合的方式上下前往和來自締約另一方地區內地點的旅客、行李和貨物，包括郵件。

三、各締約方的不屬于根據本協定第三條所指定的航空企業，也享有本條第二款第（一）、（二）分款所規定的權利。

四、本條第二款不應被視為給予締約一方空運企業為了取酬或出租，在締約另一方地區內載運旅客、行李和貨物，包括郵件前往該締約另一方地區內另一地點的權利。

第三條

指定和經營許可

一、締約一方有權指定一家或多家該締約方的空運企業在規定航線上經營協議航班，並且有權撤銷任何空運企業的指定或以另一家空運企業替代先前指定的一家空運企業。此種指定應由締約雙方航空當局之間以書面方式進行。除非締約雙方航空當局另外明確同意，否則在每一條航線上締約各方應指定不超過一家空運企業。

二、締約另一方在收到上述指定后，在不違反本條第三款和第四款規定的情況下，應毫不延誤地向締約另一方指定空運企業授予必要的經營許可。

三、締約一方航空當局可以要求締約另一方所指定的空運企業向其証實，該空運企業具備資格履行該當局按照公約規定的應用於經營國際航班的法律和規定所定的條件。

四、（一）捷克共和國政府如果對該空運企業在澳門特別行政區註冊和以澳門特別行政區為主要經營地有疑義，則有權拒絕接受對該空運企業的指定和拒絕授予本條第二款所述的經營許可，或對該指定空運企業行使本協定第二條中所規定的權利附加它認為必要的條件。

（二）澳門特別行政區政府如果對該空運企業的主要所有權和有效控制權屬于捷克共和國或其國民有疑義，則有權拒絕接受對該空運企業的指定和拒絕授予本條第二款所述的經營許可，或對該指定空運企業行使本協定第二條中所規定的權利附加它認為必要的條件。

五、一家空運企業根據本條的規定一經指定和授權，即可開始經營其所指定的全部或部份協議航班，條件是按照本協定第十二條和第十五條確定的該航班的運價和航班時刻已經生效。

第四條

撤銷和暫停經營許可

一、締約一方航空當局有權撤銷或暫停某經營許可，或暫停締約另一方指定空運企業行使本協定第二條所規定的權利，或對行使此等權利規定其認為必要的臨時或永久性條件：

（一）（1）如果捷克共和國政府對該空運企業在澳門特別行政區註冊和以澳門特別行政區為主要經營地有疑義；或

（2）如果澳門特別行政區政府對該空運企業的主要所有權和有效控制權屬於捷克共和國或其國民有疑義；或

（二）該空運企業未能遵守授予此等權利的締約一方的法律和規定；或

（三）該空運企業未能按照本協定所規定的條件經營。

二、除非本條第一款所述的撤銷或暫停經營許可，或暫停行使權利或規定條件必須立即執行，以防止進一步違反上述法律和規定，否則本條第一款所列舉的權利只能在與締約另一方航空當局協商后方可行使。除非航空當局之間另行商定，締約雙方航空當局之間的此種協商應在一方航空當局提出要求之後六十天內進行。

第五條

法律規定和程序的適用

一、締約一方關於從事國際飛行的飛機進出其地區的法律和規定，或關于該等飛機在其地區內運行和航行的法律和規定，均適用於締約另一方指定的一家或多家空運企業轄下的任何國籍的飛機，該等飛機進出或停留於該締約一方的地區時，均須遵守該締約方的此等法律和規定。

二、締約一方關於飛機上的旅客、機組、行李和包括郵件在內的貨物進出其地區的法律、規定和程序，例如關於入境、出境、移民、護照、海關、貨幣、檢疫及健康衛生措施的法律規定和程序，應適用於締約另一方指定空運企業承運入境和出境該締約方地區或在該地區停留的旅客、機組、行李、貨物和郵件。

三、締約一方在實施其海關、檢疫及類似規定方面，不得給予本身的空運企業或任何其它空運企業優於締約另一方經營類似國際航班的空運企業的待遇。

第六條

航空保安

一、締約雙方重申彼此之間對保障民航安全免受非法行為干擾的責任構成本協定不可缺少的一個部分。

二、締約雙方應特別遵守一九六三年九月十四日在東京簽訂的關於在航空器內犯罪和犯有某些其它行為的公約、一九七零年十二月十六日在海牙簽訂的關於制止非法劫持航空器的公約，以及一九七一年九月二十三日在蒙特利爾簽訂的關於制止危害民用航空安全的非法行為的公約的規定。

三、締約雙方應根據請求相互提供一切必要的協助，以防止非法劫持民用飛機和其它危及該等飛機、其旅客和機組、機場和導航設施安全的非法行為，以及危及民航安全的任何其它威脅。

四、締約雙方在其相互關係中，應遵守國際民航組織所制定和指定為國際民航公約附件的對締約雙方適用的航空保安規定。締約雙方須要求在締約各方註冊的飛機經營人或以締約各方地區為主要經營地或永久駐地的飛機經營人，以及締約各方地區的機場經營人遵守該等航空保安規定。

五、締約各方同意，該等飛機經營人在進出或留在締約另一方的地區時，需要遵守締約另一方要求的本條上述第四款所述的航空保安的規定。

六、締約一方須確保在其地區內有效地實施足夠的措施，以保護飛機，並在旅客登機及裝載貨物之前及登機或裝貨時，檢查旅客、機組、手提物品、行李、貨物和機上供應品。

七、締約一方對締約另一方為對付某項特定的威脅要求採取合理的保安措施，亦應給予同情的考慮。

八、倘若發生非法劫持民用飛機的事件或威脅，或其它針對民用飛機，其旅客和機組、機場及航空導航設施安全的非法行為，締約雙方須互相協助，以便盡速使用通訊聯絡及其它適當措施，迅速及安全地終止上述事件或其威脅。

九、如果締約一方有合理的理由確信締約另一方偏離了本條航空保安規定，締約一方航空當局可以要求立即與締約另一方航空當局協商。如在提出此要求後的一個月內未能達成圓滿協議，將有理由實施本協定第四條。在十分緊急的情況下，任何締約一方都可在一個月期滿之前採取臨時行動。

第七條

航空安全

一、為了經營本協定的協議航班，締約一方頒發或核准並仍在有效期內的適航證、資格證和執照，締約另一方應承認其有效，條件是此種證件或執照至少等同或高於根據公約制定的最低標準。

二、但是，締約一方對為在其地區上空飛行，由締約另一方或任何第三方發給或核准的，對澳門特別行政區而言其自己居民，和對捷克共和國而言其自己國民的資格證和執照的有效性，保留拒絕承認的權利。

三、締約一方可以就關於締約另一方在空勤機組、飛機或經營方面的安全標準問題隨時要求協商。此協商應在提出要求之後三十天內進行。

四、如果此種協商之後，締約一方發現締約另一方在上述任何方面未能有效地保持和實施至少等同或高于當時根據公約制定的最低的安全標準，締約一方應將此發現以及認為達到最低標準所必要的步驟通知締約另一方，締約另一方應採取適當的步驟予以糾正。如締約另一方未能在十五天內或可能同意的更長時期內採取適當行動，將有理由實施本協定第四條規定。

五、儘管有公約第三十三條提及的義務，雙方同意締約一方空運企業經營的來往於締約另一方地區的飛機，或代為該空運企業經營的租賃飛機，在締約另一方地區內時，須服從締約另一方授權代表登機及對飛機周圍的檢查，對飛機及機組人員證件的有效期以及飛機及其設備的表面狀況的檢查（本條中稱為“停機坪檢查”），只要此種檢查不造成不合理的延誤。

六、如果任何上述停機坪檢查或一系列的停機坪檢查結果：

（一） 使對某架飛機或某架飛機的飛行不符合根據公約屆時所制定的最低標準產生嚴重關切，或

（二） 使對缺少有效的根據公約屆時所制定的最低維修和安全管理標準產生嚴重關切，

為貫徹公約第三十三條，執行檢查的締約方可自行作出結論，即對該架飛機的證照或該架飛機機組人員的證照的頒發或核准有效的要求，或對該架飛機飛行的要求，沒有達到或高於根據公約制定的最低標準。

七、如果根據上述第五款對締約一方經營，或代為經營的某架飛機實行停機坪檢查而遭到該空運企業拒絕，締約另一方可自行推論，即存在上述第六款提及的嚴重關切，並作出該款提及的結論。

八、如果締約一方不論由於停機坪檢查，或一系列停機坪檢查，或一次拒絕停機坪檢查，或協商或其它而得出結論，即為某空運企業的飛行安全必須採取緊急行動，締約各方保留立即暫停或改變某一空運企業或多家空運企業的經營授權。

九、締約一方根據上述第四款或第八款所採取的行動的條件一旦不再存在，則應停止任何行動。

第八條

關稅

一、締約任何一方指定空運企業經營協議航班的飛機、燃料、潤滑油、消耗性技術供應品、包括發動機在內的零備件、機上正常設備、機上供應品和食品（包括酒、煙草、飲料及在僅供飛行中限量出售給乘客的其它物品），以及其它僅與該締約方指定空運企業經營協議航班有關的物品，以及印制的客票、貨運單、任何印有該公司標誌的印刷品和該空運企業免費散發的普通宣傳品，締約另一方應免除所有進口限制、關稅、間接稅、檢查費和任何其它稅費。

二、本條各項免除的給予應適用於本條第一款所指的物品：

（一） 當該物品由締約一方指定空運企業運進或代表其運進締約另一方地區；

（二） 締約一方指定空運企業飛機抵達後留置在飛機上的物品直至離開締約另一方地區；及

（三） 締約一方指定空運企業在締約另一方地區內裝上飛機專供經營協議航班使用的物品，此種物品無論是在給予免除的締約另一方全部或部份地區內使用，條件是在該締約方的地區內不轉讓該物品。

三、締約一方指定空運企業飛機上的機上正常設備以及通常機上使用的各類材料、機上供應品，只有在締約另一方海關當局同意之后，方可在締約另一方地區內卸下。在此情況下，該物品可由該當局監管，直至該等物品重新運出或按照海關的規定另行處理。

四、締約任何一方指定的空運企業已與另一家空運企業就在締約另一方地區租用或轉讓消耗性技術供應品，包括發動機在內的零備件及機上正常設備作出安排的情況下，本條規定的免除辦法亦將適用，但該另一家空運企業須同樣獲得該締約另一方的此項免除。此類租用及轉讓須由空運企業通知相關的海關當局。

第九條

使用機場及航空設施

一、締約任何一方向締約另一方一家指定空運企業收取的機場、航行和其它設施使用費，不得高于向其自己的經營同類國際航班的空運企業的同類型飛機所收取的使用費。

二、締約任何一方不得在其管轄的機場、航路、空中交通服務及有關設施的使用方面給予其自己的或任何其它的空運企業優於締約另一方經營類似國際航線的空運企業的權利。

三、締約一方應鼓勵其主管收費當局和使用有關服務與設施的空運企業之間，在可行的情況下通過空運企業代表機構進行協商。對于任何更改空運企業使用費的建議，應在合理的時間內通知使用者，以便它們在更改之前表達意見。締約各方還應鼓勵其主管收費當局與上述用戶就此類使用費交換有關的信息。

第十條

過境

對直接過境締約一方地區而不離開機場為此而設的區域的旅客，應採取非常簡化的控制措施，除非涉及本協定第六條的保安規定和防止偷運麻醉毒品及精神藥物。對過境的行李和貨物應免除關稅和其它收費。

第十一條

航班銷售和資金匯出

一、在向締約一方航空當局申請及符合締約一方根據相關的法律規定的商業註冊的情況下，締約另一方的指定空運企業有權在締約一方地區內自行或通過其代理銷售其航空運輸服務，任何人均可以當地貨幣或任何在該地區外匯規定所許可的可自由兌換貨幣購買此種運輸。

二、締約雙方指定空運企業有權將在締約另一方地區取得的收入，在去除當地開支後的餘額兌換成可兌換貨幣匯回本地區。在辦理兌換和匯回時，應不加限制地以匯款當日的有效市場外匯兌換率辦理。如尚未建立有效的外匯市場兌換率制度，兌換及匯款應無限制地按匯款當日的官方匯率辦理。實際匯款不應受到延誤並且除銀行對此類業務收取的服務費之外不應收取任何費用。

三、如締約雙方間的償付有專門的協議，則按該協議辦理。

第十二條

運價

一 、本文以下提到的“運價”一詞指運輸旅客、行李和貨物所收取的價格或費用（不包括運輸郵件的價格和條件）和採取此種價格和費用的條件，包括代理服務的手續費、費用以及為空運企業服務提供輔助服務的條件，並且包括任何與該運輸有關的重要的好處。

二、締約一方空運企業在本協定包括的航班上所採取用的運價應在合理的水平上制定，適當注意所有有關因素，包括用戶的利益、經營成本、航班特點（如速度和服務的標準），手續費率、合理利潤、其它空運企業的運價和市場的其它商業考慮。

三、雙方航空當局應當對不能接受的運價，如不合理歧視性運價、因濫用其支配地位而過高或過嚴格的運價、或因直接或間接的補貼或支持的運價，或導致價格傾銷的運價加以斟酌。

四、締約雙方航空當局不要求其空運企業在申報批准運價之前與其它空運企業進行協商，但也不阻止此種協商。

五、運價須由空運企業在其建議實施之日至少三十天之前向雙方航空當局提交申請。航空當局可批准或不批准締約雙方地區間始發於本地區的單程或來回程的運價。

當締約一方某空運企業已向締約另一方航空當局提出從該地區始發的運價申請，除非在收到申請後十四天內締約另一方航空當局發給申請空運企業不批准通知，否則該運價應視為已獲批准。

締約一方航空當局在批准運價時可附加他們認為合適的失效期。附有失效期的運價在失效之日以前一直有效，除非有關的一家或多家空運企業撤回，或申請的新運價在該失效日之前獲得批准。

六、任何航空當局不得採取單方面行動以阻止締約雙方地區之間始發自締約另一方地區運輸的建議運價的實施或有效運價的繼續實施。

七、如有要求，締約一方指定空運企業應通知締約另一方航空當局自該締約另一方地區始發至第三方的規定航線的運輸運價。

八、儘管有上述第六款，即締約任何一方航空當局認為至其地區的運輸運價屬于上述第三款所述類別，他們應盡快，或至少在他們收到申請的十四天以內將其不予批准通知締約另一方航空當局及其指定空運企業。

九、締約雙方航空當局不應要求申請批准締約雙方地點之間的貨運運價，但為本條第三款及第八款的評估目的，指定空運企業應至少在它們建議實施日期十四天之前向締約雙方航空當局進行登記。除非有關指定空運企業在登記後的八天之內收到貨運始發地區的締約一方航空當局的不批准通知，否則此登記的貨運價將按標明的實施日期生效。

十、締約任何一方航空當局可隨時要求與締約另一方航空當局就實施本條的規定進行協商。此協商應在收到要求之後三十天內進行。如未能達成協議，應以運輸始發地區的締約方航空當局的決定為準。

十一、指定空運企業有權提出與任何空運企業在附件規定的航線相同城市對地點之間已批准的運價，包括與包機價格相稱的運價。根據本款，此相稱運價應在不晚於其實施之日向始發地區締約一方航空當局提出，以供備案。

十二、締約各方航空當局應有權調查任何空運企業、客貨代理、旅遊組織人或貨物發運人其違反運價及承諾的銷售條件情況。

第十三條

運力

一、締約雙方指定空運企業應享有公平均等的機會在本協定附件的任何規定航線上經營協議航班。

二、在經營協議航班方面，締約一方指定空運企業應考慮到締約另一方指定空運企業的利益，以免不適當地影響該空運企業在相同航線的全部或部份航段上所提供的航班。

三、締約雙方指定空運企業提供的協議航班，應與公眾對規定航線的運輸需求保持密切關係。其主要目的是以合理載運比例提供足夠的運力，以滿足當前和合理預期到的前往或來自指定空運企業的締約一方地區的旅客和/或貨物，包括郵件的需求。為在指定空運企業的締約一方地區地點以外的規定航線上地點上下客/或貨，包括郵件提供的運輸的規定，應根據運力需與下列各點相聯係的總原則制定：

（一） 前往和來自指定空運企業的締約一方地區的運輸需要；

（二） 在考慮到組成該區域國家的空運企業建立的其它運輸航班之後，協議航班途經該區域的運輸需要；及

（三）聯程航班經營的需要。

第十四條

代號共享

一、在經營或暫未經營規定航線的協議航班方面，締約一方的任何指定空運企業可與以下空運企業進行包座位和代號共享安排：

（一）締約任何一方的一家或多家空運企業；

（二）第三方的一家或多家空運企業。如該第三方不授權與或不允許締約另一方空運企業和其它空運企業在來往和經過（此第三方）的航班上進行類似的安排，締約雙方有權不接受此種安排。

二、但上述規定的條件是所有進行此類安排的空運企業：

（一） 享有基本的業務權並且符合本協定的原則，及

（二）符合締約雙方航空當局對此類安排的要求。

三、代號共享的空運企業須在其建議實施日的四十五天之前將代號共享及包座位安排的建議向締約雙方航空當局提出。此代號共享及包座位安排須得到締約雙方航空當局的批准。

第十五條

航班時刻

一、締約一方指定空運企業應至少在四十五天之前將其計劃飛行航班的時刻表提交締約另一方航空當局批准，列明班次、機型、時刻、座位佈局及向公眾開放的座位數和時刻表的有效期。對航班時刻的修改也照此辦理。

二、如果某指定空運企業希望經營時刻表以外的加班飛行，須向締約另一方航空當局申請許可。此種飛行的申請一般應至少提前兩個工作日提出。

第十六條

空運企業代表處

一、締約一方指定空運企業允許在對等基礎上，向締約另一方地區內派駐和保留其代表以及經營協議航班合理所需的商務、技術和其他專業人員。

二、該代表及人員須遵守締約另一方地區的有效法律和規定。

三、根據有關地區有效的法律和規定，締約雙方指定空運企業應有權在締約另一方地區內建立一間或多間辦事處以促進航空運輸和航空運輸服務的銷售。

第十七條

提供信息

根據要求，締約一方航空當局應，或促使其指定空運企業，向締約另一方航空當局提供合理需要的在本協定規定航線上運輸業務的定期統計或其它類似資料，以審查協議航班的經營狀況。

第十八條

協商

一、締約雙方航空當局將以密切合作的精神隨時通過會談或以信函進行聯係，以確保在涉及實施本協定的所有問題上的緊密合作。

二、締約任何一方可隨時就本協定有關的任何問題要求協商。除非締約雙方另有協議，此協商至遲應在締約另一方發出要求之日起六十天內進行。

第十九條

修改

一、如果締約一方認為需要修改本協定的任何規定，並且締約雙方之間已經同意此項修改，該項修改即可自交換信函確認後生效。交換信函的日期為該兩信函的後者發出之日。

二、本協定附件的修改可在締約雙方航空當局之間直接商定。此修改自該當局間達成協議之日起臨時適用並自交換信函確認後生效。

第二十條

爭議的解決

一、如果對本協定的解釋或實施產生任何爭議，締約雙方航空當局首先應設法通過談判解決爭議。

二、如果締約雙方航空當局未能達成協議，則由締約雙方通過談判解決爭議。

三、如果締約雙方未能通過談判解決爭議，它們可以將該項爭議交由雙方同意的人士或機構徵求參考意見，或經締約雙方同意作出有約束力的決定，或在締約任何一方的要求下，提交一個由三名仲裁員組成的仲裁庭決定。

四、此仲裁庭的組成方式如下：締約各方應各指定一名成員，這兩名成員再協商指定第三名成員為他們的主席。上述成員和主席應分別在締約一方通知締約另一方其將爭議提交仲裁庭之日的兩個月之內和三個月之內指定。

五、若未能遵守上述第四款規定的期限，締約任何一方可以在沒有任何其它有關安排的情況下，要求國際民航組織（ICAO）理事會主席作出必要的指定。若該主席認為由于他是某一國家的國民，而此國家在爭議中不能被視為中立，或因其它情況使他無法脫離現職，其副主席應作出必要的指定。

六、仲裁庭應以多數票來作出決定。此決定對締約雙方均有約束力。締約各方應承擔自己成員及其在仲裁過程中其代理的費用；主席的費用及其它費用應由締約雙方平均分攤。在所有其它方面，仲裁庭應確定其自己的程序。

第二十一條

登記

本協定以及以後對本協定所作的任何修改須向國際民航組織登記。

第二十二條

終止

締約任何一方可以隨時以書面通過適當途徑通知締約另一方其終止本協定的決定。此項通知應同時發給國際民航組織。在此情況下，本協定自締約另一方發出終止通知之日起十二個月後終止，除非在期限到期之前締約雙方協議撤銷終止通知。如締約另一方未確認收到發出的此通知，則應在向國際民航組織發出此通知的十四天之後被認為已經收到。

第二十三條

生效

一、締約雙方應以信函相互通知已經完成批准本協定的所有必要的法律程序。本協定自該兩個通知的後者發出之日起生效。

二、本協定自簽字之日起臨時適用。

本協定于二零零一年九月二十五日在布拉格用中文、葡萄牙文、捷克文和英文寫成，共兩份，每種文本同等作準。在解釋出現分歧時，以英文文本為準。

———

附 件

第一部份

捷克共和國指定的一家或多家空運企業經營的航線：

捷克共和國境內地點——中間點——澳門特別行政區——以遠點

第二部份

澳門特別行政區指定的一家或多家空運企業經營的航線：

澳門特別行政區——中間點——捷克共和國境內地點——以遠點

注：

一、航線均可雙向經營。

二、指定空運企業可以在任何或全部航線上不降停上述航線任何地點，條件是這些航線上的協議航班在指定該空運企業締約方的地區內地點始發。

三、中國內地、台灣和香港不得作為中間點或以遠點經營。

———

AIR SERVICES AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE MACAO SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC

The Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China ("the Macao Special Administrative Region") and the Government of the Czech Republic, the former having been duly authorized to conclude this Agreement by the Central People's Government of the People's Republic of China, hereinafter referred to as the Contracting Parties;

Desiring to conclude an agreement for the purpose of developing air services between the Macao Special Administrative Region and the Czech Republic and beyond,

Have agreed as follows:

ARTICLE 1

Definitions

For the purpose of this Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires:

(a) the term "aeronautical authorities" means in the case of the Macao Special Administrative Region, the Civil Aviation Authority and, in the case of the Czech Republic, the Ministry of Transport and Communications, or, in both cases, any other authority legally empowered to perform the functions exercised by the said aeronautical authorities;

(b) the term "designated airline" means each airline that one Contracting Party has designated in writing to the other Contracting Party and which has been authorized in accordance with Article 3 of this Agreement to operate the agreed services on the routes specified in conformity with paragraph 1. of Article 2 of this Agreement;

(c) the term "area" in relation to the Macao Special Administrative Region includes the Macao Peninsula and the Taipa and Coloane Islands and in relation to the Czech Republic has the meaning assigned to "Territory" in Article 2 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation, opened for signature at Chicago on 7 December 1944, and includes any Annex adopted under Article 90 of that Convention and any amendment of the Annexes or of the Convention under Article 90 and 94 (the "Convention");

(d) the terms "air service", "international air service", "airline" and "stop for nontraffic purposes" have the meaning respectively assigned to them in Article 96 of the Convention;

(e) the term "capacity" in relation to an aircraft, the payload of that aircraft available on a route or section of a route; and in relation to agreed services means the available seat capacity of the aircraft used on such services, multiplied by the frequency operated by such aircraft over a given period on a route or section of a route;

(f) the term "Annex" means the Annex to this Agreement or as amended in accordance with the provisions of Article 19 of this Agreement. The Annex forms an integral part of this Agreement and all references to the Agreement shall include the Annex except where explicitly agreed otherwise.

ARTICLE 2

Traffic Rights

1. Each Contracting Party grants to the other Contracting Party the rights specified in this Agreement for the purpose of establishing and operating international air services by a designated airline or airlines over the routes specified in the appropriate section of the Annex. Such services and routes are hereinafter called "agreed services" and "specified routes" respectively.

2. Subject to the provisions of this Agreement the designated airline or airlines of each Contracting Party shall enjoy, while operating the agreed services on the specified routes, the following rights:

(a) to fly without landing across the area of the other Contracting Party;

(b) to make stops in the area of the other Contracting Party for non-traffic purposes;

(c) to embark and disembark in the area of the other Contracting Party at points specified in the Annex passengers, baggage and cargo including mail, separately or in combination, destined for or coming from point(s) in the area of the first Contracting Party; and

(d) to embark and disembark at the points in the areas of any other Third Party specified in the Annex passengers, baggage and cargo including mail, separately or in combination, destined for or coming from points in the area of the other Contracting Party, specified in the Annex.

3. The airlines of each Contracting Party, other than those designated under Article 3 of this Agreement, shall also enjoy the rights specified in paragraph 2. (a) and (b) of this Article.

4. Nothing in paragraph 2. of this Article shall be deemed to confer on the designated airline(s) of one Contracting Party the right of taking on, in the area of the other Contracting Party, passengers, baggage and cargo including mail carried for remuneration or hire and destined for another point in the area of that other Contracting Party.

ARTICLE 3

Designation and Operating Authorization

1. Each Contracting Party shall have the right to designate one or more airlines for the purpose of operating the agreed services for such Contracting Party and to withdraw the designation of any airline or to substitute another airline for one previously designated. Such designation shall be effected by virtue of written notification between the aeronautical authorities of both Contracting Parties. Unless explicitly agreed otherwise between the aeronautical authorities of both Contracting Parties, there shall be no more than one designated airline from each Contracting Party for each individual route.

2. The aeronautical authorities which have received the notification of designation shall, subject to the provisions of paragraphs 3. and 4. of this Article, grant without delay to the designated airline of the other Contracting Party the necessary operating authorizations.

3. The aeronautical authorities of one Contracting Party may require the airline designated by the other Contracting Party to prove that it is qualified to fulfill the conditions prescribed under the laws and regulations applied to the operation of international air services by the said authorities in conformity with the provisions of the Convention.

4. (a) The Government of the Czech Republic shall have the right to refuse to accept the designation of an airline and to refuse to grant the operating authorizations referred to in paragraph 2. of this Article or to impose such conditions as it may deem necessary on the exercise by a designated airline of the right specified in Article 2 of this Agreement, in any case where it is not satisfied that that airline is incorporated and has its principal place of business in the Macao Special Administrative Region;

(b) The Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall have the right to refuse to accept the designation of an airline and to refuse to grant the operating authorizations referred to in paragraph 2. of this Article, or to impose such conditions as it may deem necessary on the exercise by a designated airline of the rights specified in Article 2 of this Agreement, in any case where it is not satisfied that substantial ownership and effective control of that airline are vested in the Czech Republic or its nationals.

5. When an airline has been designated and authorized in accordance with this Article, it may operate in whole or in part the agreed services for which it is designated, provided that tariffs and timetables established in accordance with the provisions of Articles 12 and 15 of this Agreement are in force in respect of these services.

ARTICLE 4

Revocation and Suspension of Operating Authorization

1. The aeronautical authorities of each Contracting Party shall have the right to revoke an operating authorization or to suspend the exercise of the rights specified in Article 2 of this Agreement of the designated airline of the other Contracting Party or to impose such conditions, temporary or permanent, as it may deem necessary on the exercise of such rights:

(a.a) In the case of the Government of the Czech Republic, in any case where it is not satisfied that that airline is incorporated and has its principal place of business in the Macao Special Administrative Region; or

(a.b) In the case of the Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region, in any case where it is not satisfied that the substantial ownership and effective control of that airline are vested in the Czech Republic or its nationals; or

(b) In case of failure by that airline to comply with the laws and regulations of the Contracting Party granting those rights; or

(c) If that airline otherwise fails to operate in accordance with the conditions prescribed under this Agreement.

2. Unless immediate action is essential to prevent further infringement of the laws and regulations referred to above, the rights enumerated in paragraph 1. of this Article shall be exercised only after consultations with the aeronautical authorities of the other Contracting Party. Unless otherwise agreed by the aeronautical authorities, such consultations between the aeronautical authorities of both Contracting Parties shall begin within a period of sixty (60) days from the date of request made by either aeronautical authorities.

ARTICLE 5

Application of Laws, Regulations and Procedures

1. The laws and regulations of one Contracting Party relating to the admission to or departure from its area of aircraft engaged in international air services, or to the operation and navigation of such aircraft while within this area shall be applied to the aircraft of the airline or airlines designated by the other Contracting Party without distinction as to nationality, and shall be compiled with by such aircraft upon entry into, departure from or while within, the area of the first Contracting Party.

2. The laws, regulations and procedures of one Contracting Party relating to admission to, stay in, transit through, or departure from its area of passengers, crews, baggage, and cargo including mail, such as laws, regulations and procedures relating to entry, exit, immigration, passports, customs, currency, quarantine, health or sanitary measures, shall apply to passengers, crew, baggage, cargo and rnail carried by the aircraft of the designated airline of the other Contracting Party upon entry into or departure from or while within the area of the said Contracting Party.

3. In the application of its customs, quarantine and similar regulations, neither Contracting Party shall give preference to its own or any other airline over an airline of the other Contracting Party engaged in similar international air services.

ARTICLE 6

Aviation Security

1. The Contracting Parties reaffirm that their obligation to each other to protect the security of civil aviation against acts of unlawful interference forms an integral part of this Agreement.

2. The Contracting Parties shall in particular act in conformity with the provisions of the Convention on Offences and Certain Other Acts Committed on Board Aircraft, signed at Tokyo on September 14, 1963, the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Seizure of Aircraft, signed at The Hague on December 16, 1970, the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against the Safety of Civil Aviation, signed at Montreal on September 23, 1971.

3. 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.

4. The Contracting Parties shall, in their mutual relations, act in conformity with the aviation security provisions established by the International Civil Aviation Organization and designated as annexes to the Convention to the extent that such security provisions are applicable to the Contracting Parties; they shall require that operators of aircraft of their registry or operators of aircraft who have their principal place of business or permanent residence in their area and the operators of airports in their area act in conformity with such aviation security provisions.

5. Each Contracting Party agrees that such operators of aircraft may be required to observe the aviation security provisions referred to in paragraph 4. above required by the other Contracting Party for entry into, departure from or while within the area of that other Contracting Party.

6. Each Contracting Party shall ensure that adequate measures are effectively applied within its area to protect the aircraft and to inspect passengers, crew, carry-on items, baggage, cargo and aircraft stores prior to and during boarding or loading.

7. Each Contracting Party shall also give a sympathetic consideration to any request from the other Contracting Party for reasonable security measures to meet a particular threat.

8. When an incident or threat of an incident of unlawful seizure of civil aircraft or their 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 rapidly and safely such incident or threat thereof.

9. When a Contracting Party has reasonable grounds to believe that the other Contracting Party has departed from the aviation security provisions of this Article, the aeronautical authorities of that Contracting Party may request immediate consultations with the aeronautical authorities of the other Contracting Party. Failure to reach a satisfactory agreement within one (1) month of the date of such request shall constitute grounds for application of Article 4 of this Agreement. If required by a serious emergency, either Contracting Party may take interim action prior to the expiry of a month period term.

ARTICLE 7

Aviation Safety

1. Certificates of airworthiness, certificate of competency and licenses, issued or rendered valid by one Contracting Party and still in force, shall be recognized as valid by the other Contracting Parry for the purpose of operating the agreed services, provided that such certificates and licenses are at least equal to or above the minimum standards which are established pursuant to the Convention.

2. Each Contracting Party reserves the right, however, to refuse to recognize as valid for the purpose of flights above its own area, certificates of competency and the licenses granted to its own nationals in the case of the Czech Republic and to its own residents in the case of the Macao Special Administrative Region by the other Contracting Party or by any other Third Party.

3. Each Contracting Party may request consultations at any time concerning safety standards in any area relating to aircrew, aircraft or their operation adopted by the other Contracting Party. Such consultations shall take place within thirty (30) days of that request.

4. If, following such consultations, one Contracting Party finds that the other Contracting Party does not effectively maintain and administer safety standards in any such area that are at least equal to the minimum standards established at that time pursuant to the Convention, the first Contracting Party shall notify the other Contracting Party of those findings and the steps considered necessary to conform with those minimum standards, and that other Contracting Party shall take appropriate corrective action. Failure by the other Contracting Party to take appropriate action within fifteen (15) days or such longer period as may be agreed, shall constitute the grounds for the application of Article 4 of this Agreement.

5. Notwithstanding the obligations mentioned in Article 33 of the Convention it is agreed that any aircraft operated by or, under the lease agreement, on behalf of the airline or airlines of one Contracting Party on services to or from the area of the other Contracting Party may, while within the area of the other Contracting Party, be made the subject of an examination by the authorized representatives of the other Contracting Party, on board and around the aircraft to check both the validity of the aircraft documents and those of its crew and the apparent condition of the aircraft and its equipment (in this Article called "ramp inspection"), provided this does not lead to unreasonable delay.

6. If any such ramp inspection or series of ramp inspections gives rise to:

(a) serious concerns that an aircraft or the operation of an aircraft does not comply with the minimum standards established at the time pursuant to the Convention, or

(b) serious concerns that there is a lack of effective maintenance and administration of safety standards established at that time pursuant the Convention,

the Contracting Party carrying out the inspection shall, for the purposes of Article 33 of the Convention, be free to conclude that the requirements under which the certificate or licences in respect of that aircraft or in respect of the crew of that aircraft had been issued or rendered valid, or that the requirements under which that aircraft is operated, are not equal to or above the minimum standards established pursuant to the Convention.

7. In the event that access for the purpose of undertaking a ramp inspection of an aircraft operated by, or, on behalf of the airline of one Contracting Party in accordance with paragraph 5. above is denied by the representative of that airline or airlines, the other Contracting Party shall be free to infer that serious concerns of the type referred to in paragraph 6. above arise and draw the conclusions referred to in that paragraph.

8. Each Contracting Party reserves the right to suspend or vary the operating authorization of an airline or airlines of the other Contracting Party immediately in the event the first Contracting Party concludes, whether as a result of a ramp inspection, a series of ramp inspections, a denial of access for ramp inspection, consultations or otherwise, that immediate action is essential to the safety of an airline operation.

9. Any action by one Contracting Party in accordance with paragraphs 4. or 8. above shall be discontinued once the basis for taking that action ceases to exist.

ARTICLE 8

Customs Provisions, Duties and Taxes

1. Each Contracting Party shall exempt the designated airline(s) of the other Contracting Party from import restrictions, customs duties, indirect taxes, inspection fees and any other duties and charges on aircraft, fuel, lubricants, consumable technical supplies, spare parts including engines, regular aircraft equipment, aircraft stores and food (including liquor, tobacco, beverages and other products destined for sale to passengers in limited quantities during the flight) and other items intended for use solely in connection with the operation or servicing of aircraft of the designated airline of such Contracting Party operating the agreed services, as well as printed tickets stock, air waybills, any printed material which bears the insignia of the company printed thereon and usual publicity material distributed free off charge by that designated airline.

2. The exemptions granted by this Article shall apply to the items referred to in paragraph 1. of this Article:

(a) introduced into the area of one Contracting Party by or on behalf of the designated airline of the other Contracting Party;

(b) retained on board aircraft of the designated airline of one Contracting Party upon arriving in and until leaving the area of the other Contracting Party; and

(c) taken on board aircraft of the designated airline of one Contracting Party in the area of the other Contracting Party and intended for use in operating the agreed services; whether or not such items are used or consumed wholly or partly within the area of the Contracting Party granting the exemption, provided such items are not alienated in the area of the said Contracting Party.

3. The regular airborne equipment, as well as the materials, supplies and stores normally retained on board the aircraft of a designated airline of either Contracting Party may be unloaded in the area of the other Contracting Party only with the approval of the customs authorities of that area. In such case, they may be placed under the supervision of the said authorities up to such time as they are re-exported or otherwise disposed of in accordance with customs regulations.

4. The exemptions provided for by this Article shall also apply in respect of consumable technical supplies, spare parts including engines and regular airborne equipment in situations where the designated airline of either Contracting Party has entered into arrangements with another airline for the loan or transfer in the area of the other Contracting Party provided such other airline similarly enjoy such exemptions from such Contracting Party. Such loans and transfer shall be announced by airline to a respective customs authorities.

ARTICLE 9

Use of Airports and Aviation Facilities

1. The charges imposed in the area of one Contracting Party on a designated airline of the other Contracting Party for the use of airports, air navigation and other facilities shall not be higher than those that would be paid by its own aircraft of the same class engaged in similar international air services.

2. In the use of airports, airways, air traffic services and associated facilities under its control, neither Contracting Party shall give preference to its own or any other airline over an airline of the other Contracting Party engaged in similar international air services.

3. Each Contracting Party shall encourage consultations between its competent charging authorities and the airlines using the services and facilities provided by those charging authorities, where practicable through those airlines' representative organizations. Reasonable notice of any proposals for changes in such 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 such charges.

ARTICLE 10

Transit

Passengers in direct transit across the area of a Contracting Party, not leaving the area of the airport reserved for such purpose shall be subject, except in respect of security provisions referred to in Article 6 of this Agreement and prevention of trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, to no more than a simplified control. Baggage and freight in transit shall be exempt from customs duties and other charges.

ARTICLE 11

Sale of Services and Transfer of Funds

1. Upon filing with the aeronautical authorities of the first Contracting Party and subject to appropriate commercial registration in accordance with the respective laws and regulations of the first Contracting Party, the designated airline or airlines of the other Contracting Party shall have the right to sell freely its air transport services in the area of the first Contracting Party either directly or at its discretion through its agents, and any person shall be free to purchase such transportation in the local currency or in any freely convertible currency authorized by foreign exchange regulations in force in that area.

2. The designated airline of the Contracting Parties shall have the right to convert and to remit to their home area the excess of receipts over local expenditures earned in the area of the other Contracting Party in a freely convertible currency. Conversion and remittance shall be performed without restrictions at the prevailing foreign exchange market rate applicable for these transactions on the day the transfer is made. In the case that the prevailing foreign exchange market rate system is not established, the conversion and remittance shall be performed without restrictions on the basis of the official exchange rate applicable on the date the transfer is made. Actual transfer shall be executed without delay and shall not be subject to any charges except normal service charges collected by banks for such transactions.

3. In the event that payments between the Contracting Parties are governed by a special agreement, such an agreement shall apply.

ARTICLE 12

Tariffs

1. The term "tariff" referred hereinafter means the prices or charges to be paid for carriage of passengers, baggage and cargo (excluding remuneration and conditions for the carriage of mail) and the conditions under which those prices and charges apply, including commissions to be paid on the carriage for agency services, charges and conditions for any services ancillary to such carriage which are offered by airlines and also include any significant benefits provided in association with the carriage.

2. The tariffs to be applied by the designated airline of a Contracting Party for services covered by this Agreement shall be established at reasonable levels, due regard being paid to all relevant factors, including interests of users, cost of operation, characteristics of service (such as standards of speed and accommodation), commission rates, reasonable profit, tariffs of other airlines and other commercial consideration in the market place.

3. The aeronautical authorities of both Contracting Parties shall consider unacceptable tariffs that are unreasonably discriminatory, unduly high or restrictive because of the abuse of a dominant position, or artificially low because of direct or indirect subsidy or support, or are resulting in the price dumping.

4. Neither of the aeronautical authorities of both Contracting Parties will require their designated airlines to consult other airlines before filing tariffs for approval, nor they will prevent such consultation.

5. The tariffs shall be filed by a designated airline at least thirty (30) days before the proposed date of their introduction with aeronautical authorities of both Contracting Parties. The aeronautical authorities may approve or disapprove tariffs filed for one way or round trip carriage between the areas of the two Contracting Parties which commences in their own area.

When a designated airline of one Contracting Party has filed a tariff with the aeronautical authorities of the other Contracting Party from whose area the tariff is to be applied, such tariff will be treated as having been approved, unless within fourteen (14) days after the date of receipt of filing the aeronautical authorities of the latter Contracting Party have served a written notice of disapproval to the filing airline.

In approving tariffs, the aeronautical authorities of a Contracting Party may attach to their approval such expiry dates as they consider appropriate. Where a tariff has an expiry date, it shall remain in force until the due expiry date, unless withdrawn by the airline or airlines concerned, or unless a replacement tariff is filed and approved prior to the expiry date.

6. Neither of the aeronautical authorities shall take a unilateral action to prevent the inauguration of proposed tariffs or the continuation of effective tariffs for carriage between the areas of the two Contracting Parties commencing in the area of the other Contracting Party.

7. Upon request, the designated airline of one Contracting Party shall notify the aeronautical authorities of the other Contracting Party tariffs for carriage commencing in the area of this other Contracting Party over the specified routes to the third parties.

8. Notwithstanding paragraph 6. above, where the aeronautical authorities of either Contracting Party believe that a tariff for the carriage to its area falls within the categories described in paragraph 3. above, they shall give notice of disapproval to the aeronautical authorities and the designated airline of the other Contracting Party as soon as possible or at least within fourteen (14) days of the date of filing being received by them.

9. The aeronautical authorities of both Contracting Parties shall not require the filing for their approval of tariffs for carriage of cargo between points in the areas of the Contracting Parties, however the designated airlines shall register them at least fourteen (14) days before proposed date of introduction with aeronautical authorities of both Contracting Parties for the purpose of assessment pursuant to paragraphs 3. and 8. of this Article. Unless notice of disapproval with above mentioned cargo tariffs is received by the designated airline concerned from the aeronautical authorities of the Contracting Party in which area the cargo transportation commences within eight (8) days from registration, such registered cargo tariff will take effect on the indicated date of introduction.

10. The aeronautical authorities of either Contracting Party may, at any time, request consultations with the aeronautical authorities of the other Contracting Party on the application of the provisions of this Article. Such consultations shall be held not later than thirty (30) days after receipt of the request. If no agreement is reached, tile decision of the aeronautical authorities of a Contracting Party in whose area the carriage originates shall prevail.

11. The designated airlines shall have the right to match the approved tariffs of any airline, including charter prices, between the same city pair points on the routes specified in the Annex. A matching tariff in accordance with this paragraph shall be filed for information purposes not later than on its date of effectiveness with the aeronautical authorities of the Contracting Party from whose area the tariff is to be applied.

12. The aeronautical authorities of each Contracting Party shall have the right to investigate violations of tariffs and sales conditions committed by any airline, passenger or freight agent, tour organizer or freight forwarder.

ARTICLE 13

Capacity

1. There shall be fair and equal opportunity for the designated airlines of each Contracting Party to operate air services on any route specified in the Annex to this Agreement.

2. In operating the agreed services the designated airlines of each Contracting Party shall take into account the interests of the designated 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/or cargo, including mail, coming from or destined for the area of the Contracting Party designating the airline. Provision of the carriage of passengers and/or cargo, including mail, both taken on board and discharged at points on the specified routes other than points in the areas of the Contracting Parties shall be made in accordance with the general principles that capacity shall be related to:

(a) traffic requirements to and from the area 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.

ARTICLE 14

Code-sharing

1. In operating or holding out air services on the specified routes any designated airline of one Contracting Party may enter into blocked-space and code-sharing arrangement with:

(a) an airline or airlines of either Contracting Party;

(b) an airline or airlines of a third Party. Should such a third Party not authorize or allow comparable arrangements between the airlines of the other Contracting Party and other airlines on services to, from and via (such third Party), the Contracting Parties have the right not to accept such arrangements.

2. The above provisions are, however, subject to the conditions that all airlines in such arrangements:

(a) hold the underlying traffic rights and meet the principles of this Agreement, and

(b) meet the requirement applied to such arrangements by the aeronautical authorities of both Contracting Parties.

3. The code-sharing airlines are required to file a proposed code-sharing and blocked-space arrangements with the aeronautical authorities of both Contracting Parties at least forty-five (45) days before its proposed introduction. Such a code-sharing and blocked-space arrangements are subject to approval by the aeronautical authorities of both Contracting Parties.

ARTICLE 15

Timetables

1. An airline designated by one Contracting Party shall file to the aeronautical authorities of the other Contracting Party for approval at least forty-five (45) days in advance the timetable of its intended services, specifying the frequency, type of aircraft, times, configuration and number of seats to be made available to the public and period of timetable validity. The same procedure shall apply to any modification thereof.

2. If a designated airline wishes to operate supplementary flights besides those covered in the timetables, it shall request permission from the aeronautical authorities of the other Contracting Party. Such request shall usually be submitted at least two working days before operating such flights.

ARTICLE 16

Airline Representation

1. The designated airline of one Contracting Party shall be allowed, on the basis of reciprocity, to bring into and to maintain in the area of the other Contracting Party their representative and commercial, technical and other specialist staff reasonably required for the operation of the agreed services.

2. The representative and staff shall be subject to the laws and regulations in force in the area of the other Contracting Party.

3. Subject to the laws and regulations in force in the respective area, the designated airlines of both Contracting Parties shall have the right to establish in the area of the other Contracting Party an office or offices for promotion of air transportation and sale of the air transportation services.

ARTICLE 17

Provision of Information

The aeronautical authorities of each Contracting Party shall provide or shall cause their designated airline to provide the aeronautical authorities of the other Contracting Party, upon request, periodic statements of statistics or other similar information related to traffic carried by the designated airline on the routes specified in this Agreement as may be reasonably required for the purpose of reviewing the operation of agreed services.

ARTICLE 18

Consultations

1. In the spirit of close co-operation, the aeronautical authorities of the Contracting Parties shall have from time to time communication, which may be through discussion or by correspondence, to ensure close collaboration in all matters affecting the implementation of this Agreement.

2. Either Contracting Party may at any time request consultations on any problem related to this Agreement. Such consultations shall begin within a period of sixty (60) days from the date of the delivery of the request by the other Contracting Party, unless otherwise agreed by the Contracting Parties.

ARTICLE 19

Amendments

1. If either of the Contracting Parties considers it desirable to amend any provision of this Agreement, such amendment, if agreed between the Contracting Parties, shall come into force when confirmed by an exchange of correspondence. The date of exchange of correspondence will be the date of delivery of the latter of these two correspondence.

2. Amendments to the Annex of this Agreement may be agreed directly between the aeronautical authorities of the Contracting Parties. They shall be applied provisionally from the date they have been agreed upon by the said authorities and enter into force when confirmed by an exchange of correspondence.

ARTICLE 20

Settlement of Disputes

1. In case of dispute arising from the interpretation or application of this Agreement the aeronautical authorities of the Contracting Parties shall in the first place endeavour to settle it by negotiation.

2. If the aeronautical authorities fail to reach an agreement, the dispute shall be settled by negotiations between the Contracting Parties.

3. 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, for an advisory opinion or a binding decision as the Contracting Parties may agree, or, at the request of either Contracting Party, shall be submitted for decision to a tribunal of three arbitrators.

4. Such arbitral tribunal shall be constituted as follows: each Contracting Party shall appoint one member, and these two members shall agree upon and appoint a third member as their chairman. Such members shall be appointed within two months, and such chairman within three months of the date on which either Contracting Party has informed the other Contracting Party of its intention to submit the dispute to an arbitral tribunal.

5. If the periods specified in paragraph 4. above have not been observed, either Contracting Party may, in the absence of any other relevant arrangement, invite the President of the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to make the necessary appointments. If the President considers that he is a national of a State which cannot be regarded as neutral in relation to the dispute, or if he is otherwise prevented from discharging this function, the Vice-president deputizing for him should make the necessary appointments.

6. The arbitral tribunal shall reach its decisions by a majority of votes. Such decisions shall be binding on the Contracting Parties. Each Contracting Party shall bear the cost of its own member as well as of its representation in the arbitral proceedings, the cost of the chairman and any other costs shall be borne in equal parts by the Contracting Parties. In all other respects the arbitral tribunal shall determine its own procedure.

ARTICLE 21

Registration

This Agreement and any subsequent amendments thereto shall be registered with the International Civil Aviation Organization.

ARTICLE 22

Termination

Either Contracting Party may at any time give notice in writing through appropriate channels to the other Contracting Party of its decision to terminate this Agreement. Such notice shall be simultaneously communicated to the International Civil Aviation Organization. In such case this Agreement shall terminate twelve (12) months after the date of acknowledgement of the delivery of the notice by the other Contracting Party, unless the notice to terminate is withdrawn by agreement between the Contracting Parties before the expiry of this period. In absence of acknowledgement of delivery by the other Contracting Party, notice shall be deemed to have been received fourteen (14) days after the delivery of the notice to the International Civil Aviation Organization.

ARTICLE 23

Entry into force

1. Each Contracting Party shall notify the other Contracting Party by correspondence that the legal formalities required for approval of this Agreement have been compiled with. This Agreement shall enter into force on the date of delivery of the latter of these two notifications.

2. This Agreement shall be applied provisionally from the date of its signature.

Done at Prague on this 25th day of September 2001 in two originals in the Chinese, Portuguese, Czech and English languages, all texts being equally authentic. In case of any divergence of interpretation, the English text shall prevail.

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ANNEX

Section I

Routes to be operated by the designated airline or airlines of the Czech Republic:

Points in the Czech Republic - intermediate points - Macao Special Administrative Region - beyond points

Section II

Routes to be operated by the designated airline or airlines of the Macao Special Administrative Region:

Macao Special Administrative Region - intermediate points - points in the Czech Republic - beyond points

Notes:

1. The routes may be operated in either direction.

2. The designated airline may on any or all flights omit calling at any of the above mentioned points, provided that the agreed services on these routes begin at the point in the area of the Contracting Party designating the airline.

3. No points in inland of China, Taiwan and Hong Kong may be served either as intermediate points or beyond points.

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