The United States, Uganda Sign Open-Skies Air Services Agreement

On Tuesday, October 27, in Atlanta, at the U.S. Trade and Development Agency’s Conference on African Aviation, the United States and Uganda signed an Open-Skies air services agreement.   

Uganda’s Minister of Transport, the Honorable John Nasasira, and Susan Kurland, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs, signed for their respective governments. 

The Agreement, which entered into force upon signature, reflects the close and growing cooperation in developing economic ties between the United States and Uganda. 

The United States has concluded over 90 Open Skies accords with economies around the world, including 20 such agreements on the continent of Africa.

With accelerating passenger numbers and increasing cargo volume, sub-Saharan Africa faces major challenges to its aviation infrastructure, Ministers from seven African nations and senior civil aviation and airport company officials who met at the U.S. – Sub-Saharan Africa Partners in Aviation Summit, acknowledged.  

The summit was sponsored by U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA).

Meeting with USTDA, U.S. Department of Transportation, the Federal Aviation Administration and the U.S. business community, participants strengthened strategic and commercial relationships that support aviation infrastructure development, project financing, and air traffic safety and security.

With investment from individual African governments and bilateral and multilateral investors, the region is poised to improve its aviation infrastructure offering significant opportunities for U.S. aviation firms.

“A healthy aviation sector is good for economic development,” said James A. Wilderotter, USTDA’s General Counsel who spoke today. “Without exaggeration, aviation is a catalyst for growth and prosperity in Africa and around the world.”

“Although the benefits of aviation transcend national boundaries, the strength of the sector depends in large part on decisions that are made on the national level.”

Citing examples of projects in Africa where efforts are underway to improve aviation safety, Wilderotter said that USTDA has collaborated closely with local partners to develop public-private partnerships that are working toward modernizing and upgrading airport infrastructure.

“The conference profiled 90 upcoming aviation projects in 25 countries in Africa,” Wilderotter said. “Holding this event in Atlanta gives U.S. companies the opportunity to demonstrate the value of their products and services to potential clients in emerging markets across Africa.”

In the summit meeting, Ministers from Burkina Faso, Ghana, Kenya, Mali, Namibia Tanzania, and Uganda discussed strategies for a safe and secure aviation infrastructure development and how it can help attract investment in industries that generate significant local employment opportunities, raise incomes, and help elevate people out of poverty.