FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, July 27, 2000
Contact: Bill Mosley
Tel.: (202) 366-5571
DOT 146-00
Secretary Slater Signs Open Skies Agreement With Burkina Faso
U.S. Transportation Secretary Rodney E. Slater and Alain B. Yoda, Minister of Transport and Tourism for Burkina Faso, today signed an Open Skies aviation agreement between their two countries.
The United States and Burkina Faso concluded negotiations on the agreement after two days of talks in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, in February. The United States has Open Skies agreements with 46 countries around the world, including five in Africa -- Tanzania, Namibia, Ghana and The Gambia, in addition to Burkina Faso.
"This agreement with Burkina Faso represents the continued commitment of President Clinton and Vice President Gore to promote U.S. business, tourism and cultural links with Africa," Secretary Slater said. "Efficient air transportation is essential to achieving economic growth and development on the continent, and I look forward to a continued expansion of our transportation and trade relations with the great nations of Africa."
The new agreement, which was signed in Washington, also represents an outgrowth of Secretary Slater’s ministerial gatherings with African officials in Africa, Atlanta and Chicago. Discussions toward new aviation agreements have been ongoing with a number of other African countries, including Ethiopia and Kenya.
Open Skies agreements permit unrestricted air service by the airlines of each country to, from and beyond the other’s territory, eliminating restrictions on how often carriers can fly, the kind of aircraft they can use, and the prices they can charge. The agreement covers both passenger and cargo services, as well as scheduled and charter operations.
Delta Air Lines currently serves Burkina Faso with code-share service via Paris with its alliance partner Air France.
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