Botswana, USA sign air flight deal

Keikantse Lesemela | Monday May 26, 2014 14:49

A bilateral air transport agreement is an agreement which two nations sign to allow international commercial air transport services between their territories.

The BASA’s signing allows air transport operators such as Air Botswana to study the feasibility of commercial air traffic and commence flights.

The two countries began negotiating the BASA in Mumbai three years ago, during the International Civil Aviation Negotiating conference.

They subsequently met in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in 2012 before concluding talks last December in Durban.

Speaking at the signing ceremony on Friday, Transport and Communications minister, Nonofo Molefhi said the BASA reaffirms the need for the two countries to deepen the international relations. 

“The BASA will provide for the elimination of non-tariff barriers to trade and provide an integrated, seamless and effective air transport network that offers the best choices of connectivity at affordable fares for both passengers and cargo,” he said.

He said the agreement would impact on Botswana’s economic growth through the enhancement of trade and tourism and by bringing Botswana’s aviation infrastructure to the required International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards.

“Recognising that USA cooperation is indispensable to the realisation of national and international objectives of the civil aviation sector, Botswana as a contracting state is committed to ensuring compliance with ICAO standards,” said Molefhi.

Botswana is currently developing three major airports, Sir Seretse Khama, Maun and Kasane airports, into modern international assets with all the required facilities.

Runway extensions and airside works for these three airports have been completed.

“Botswana is also currently liberalising its domestic air transport sector which is a step in the right direction as we know that competition propels institutions to continue improving on services rendered,” the Transport Minister said.

For his part, US Embassy Chargé d’affaires, Michael Murphy, said the BASA would improve Botswana’s tourism activities, as 70 percent of the country’s foreign arrivals are from the USA.

“Globally, USA travellers are the largest spenders in tourism and this agreement will go a long way in growing the tourism sector here in Botswana,” said Murphy.

Over the past years, Botswana has negotiated and signed air services arrangements with 28 countries.