BAHRAIN is set to ratify an international agreement that will oblige plane passengers to pay an additional tax when they travel.
The extra money will go into a compensation fund that will provide damages to victims on the ground in the event of a plane incident caused by “unlawful interference”.
However, the agreement will only come into effect when 35 countries have ratified it – and when at least 750 million passengers depart from those countries in a year.
It is known as the International Convention on Compensation for Damage to Third Parties, Resulting from acts of Unlawful Interference Involving Aircraft.
The convention was approved by the Shura Council yesterday, despite opposition from some members who claimed it was a trick to cheat the public out of money. So far only 17 countries have ratified the agreement, meaning Bahrain is set to become the 18th.
“Insurance firms already cover all of this and there is no need for the convention, or else why would only 17 countries agree to join?” asked Shura Council member Shaikh Adel Al Ma’awada.
“International organisations should stop cheating the public.
“The problem with Bahrain is that it wants to be the first in everything, but this is wrong as payments will come from passengers’ pockets.”
The council also approved the International Convention for Damage Caused by Foreign Aircraft to Third Parties on the Surface and the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Seizure of Aircraft presented by the International Civil Aviation Organisation through the Transportation and Telecommunications Ministry.
All three agreements will now be referred to His Majesty King Hamad for ratification.
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