Angola and Ethiopia have formalised a new Air Services Agreement, establishing the legal foundation for the creation, regulation, and operation of air links between the two countries. The agreement was signed in Luanda by Angola’s Minister of Transport, Ricardo D’Abreu, and Ethiopia’s Minister of Transport and Logistics, Alemu Sime, in the presence of Angola’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Téte António.
The agreement grants designated airlines from both nations rights of traffic and overflight, subject to compliance with each country’s national legislation. It also outlines provisions for equality and reciprocity, offering legal assurances for safe, regular, and efficient air operations in line with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards.
Clauses within the agreement address civil aviation safety as a priority and support the multiple designation of eligible carriers. Provisions also aim to foster a competitive and sustainable aviation environment. Additionally, the agreement includes terms on tax exemptions for gross revenues from international traffic, facilitation of profit repatriation, and the free determination of tariffs, creating a supportive framework for commercial operations.
The new António Agostinho Neto International Airport is referenced within the context of regional connectivity, with recognition of its potential as a strategic gateway to Sub-Saharan Africa. The agreement is also seen as aligning with broader continental objectives, particularly those of the Single African Air Transport Market, by expanding connectivity and fostering integration within the African aviation sector.
The agreement underscores the importance of deepening bilateral cooperation, not only in commercial and technical domains but also through a shared commitment to the development of stakeholders within the civil aviation ecosystem.
