The aviation authorities in Qatar and the UAE have agreed on a framework to regulate the provision of air transport services between the two countries.

The framework provides for the designated carriers to operate an unlimited number of trips between Doha and Dubai, 42 trips between Doha and Abu Dhabi, 21 trips between Doha and Sharjah and seven trips between Doha and Ras Al-Khaimah every week, according to the Qatar News Agency (QNA).

The flight caps contained in the new air transport deal appear to be higher or equal to current service levels, according to a Qatar-based media report. The agreement is likely to curb further growth rather than force airlines from the two states to reduce flights, the report said.

According to UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) Director General Saif Mohammed al-Suwaidi, the agreement will help promote bilateral relations between the two states as well as support the joint action by the GCC members to develop the sector “in the region and beyond.”

Qatar Airways, Dubai-based Emirates Airline and Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways are the region’s largest airlines. All three airlines have set out aggressive expansion strategies each with hundreds of aircraft on order from both Boeing and Airbus.

All three are seeking to expand their access to the lucrative US market and are involved in an Open Skies dispute arising from accusations made by their US counterparts that they have received a total of $42bn in subsidies from their governments over a 10-year period.

The three Gulf airlines have each strongly denied the accusation and presented their counter arguments with the US Transport Department, which is currently reviewing the documents.