WASHINGTON, DC - March 17, 2010
-- U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood today announced that the
United States and Zambia have signed an Open-Skies aviation agreement,
liberalizing U.S.-Zambia air services for the carriers of both
countries. The agreement, the first aviation accord between the two
countries, was reached after discussions between the U.S. Embassy in
Lusaka and the Zambian government.
Zambia becomes the 96th U.S. Open-Skies partner and the 20th on the African continent. The agreement takes effect immediately.
"This
agreement paves the way for future growth in travel and trade between
the United States and Zambia," Secretary LaHood said. "We welcome
Zambia as an Open-Skies partner."
Under the new agreement,
airlines from both countries will be allowed to select routes and
destinations based on consumer demand for both passenger and cargo
services, without limitations on the number of U.S. or Zambian carriers
that can fly between the two countries or the number of flights they
can operate. It removes restrictions on capacity and pricing, and
provides unlimited opportunities for cooperative marketing
arrangements, including code-sharing, between U.S. and Zambian
carriers.
The agreement also allows U.S. and Zambian carriers
to operate all-cargo flights between the other country and third
countries without a stop in their home countries.