Zimbabwe’s Civil Aviation Authority (ZCAA) announced new air service agreements (ASAs) and the review of existing agreements to integrate the country into the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) and improve access from overseas markets.
The ZCAA signed four new ASAs negotiated with four SAATM member states: Benin, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, and Mali. The agreements have multiple airline designations, unrestricted frequencies and capacity for both passenger and cargo services, and unrestricted fifth freedom traffic rights. A new ASA with Finland was also signed, providing for multiple airline designations and unrestricted frequencies.
The country is also reviewing existing ASAs with India, the United Kingdom, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Kenya. Indian airlines have shown interest in including Victoria Falls as an entry point into southern Africa, and the UK review seeks to modernize the initial agreement.
The DRC review aims to allow Zimbabwean local airlines to commence services into the central African country, while the Kenya review addressed restrictions affecting operations between the two countries. The CZAA did not provide further details on the restrictions addressed. – Tourism Update
