Ukrainian ratifies 'open skies' deal with US

The Ukrainian Parliament on Wednesday ratified an "open skies" deal with the United States to liberalise air travel between the two countries, the Ukrainian Infrastructure Ministry said.

The agreement, which was designed to eliminate air services restrictions between the two countries, was supported by 235 lawmakers out of 339 present in Parliament, the ministry said in a statement, Xinhua reported.

Under the accord signed on July 14, the two countries agreed to remove restrictions regarding routes, destinations and airlines, the statement said.

The ratification of the deal paves the way for Ukraine and the United States to promote their cooperation in such areas as air transport and tourism, enhance the productivity of their air carriers and increase market competitiveness, it said.

Ukrainian aviation experts estimate that some 180,000 trips are made by air between the two countries each year.

The overall passenger movements at Ukraine's airports last year fell by 28 percent to 10.9 million passengers.