APA-Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) Ethiopia and South Sudan Tuesday signed an air transport service agreement to further enhance their bilateral relations in the aviation sector.
According to the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority (ECAA), the agreement offers a comprehensive legal framework to govern the air transport services between Ethiopia and South Sudan based on international aviation standards and principles.
Authorities believe the signing of the deal would provide an impetus to the continent-wide push to create a Single Africa Air Transport Market (SAATM).
As a flagship project of African Union Agenda 2063 – SAATM aims to make it easier for airlines to connect African countries to one another, through the liberalization of civil aviation in the continent.
The Authority in a statement said that the air transport services agreement with South Sudan has a great importance for Ethiopian Airlines in its bid to enhance connectivity within Africa and beyond.
The national carrier currently operates twice a day flight services to Juba, capital of South Sudan.
Ethiopian and South Sudan civil Aviation Authorities also signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to jointly work on a search and rescue mission.
MG/abj/.APA