Ghana, Rwanda sign bilateral air service agreement
Cecilia Abena Dapaah, minister for aviation on behalf of the Republic of Ghana has signed a bilateral air service agreement (BASA) with the Republicof Rwanda in Kigali.
June 08, 2018: Cecilia Abena Dapaah, minister for aviation on behalf of the Republic of Ghana has signed a bilateral air service agreement (BASA) with the Republicof Rwanda in Kigali.
The agreement will enable designated airlines of the two contracting states to operate international commercial passenger and cargo flights between both the states. Under the liberalised regime, there are no restrictions on aircraft capacity and frequency of flights.
Speaking at the event, Dapaah said air travel is essential to Africa as it enhances connectivity and trade, increases job creation, drives tourism and economic growth. She further stated, “Although the African air transport industry currently supports nearly seven million jobs and US$80 billion in GDP, it faces numerous challenges that hinder the potential growth of the industry.”
The agreement which is in line with the provisions of the Yamoussoukro decision and the single African air transport market (SAATM) on air transport liberalization, seeks to ensure that eligible airlines of both states enjoy full traffic rights including 5th freedom traffic rights within Africa.
Rwanda’s minister of state in charge of transport, Eng. Jean De Dieu Uwihanganye, who signed the agreement explained that this signature marks the first and very important step towards the fulfillment of constitutional formalities to give full legal effect to the BASA. He said the move will not only boost ties between the two countries but also provide more reliable and predictable air services, between and beyond the territories of both States.
