US, Ghana reach agreement on open skies

Ghana and the United States have agreed on an open skies policy that will in six years eliminate all restrictions on air travel between the two countries, the US State Department’s Office of International Information Programs said, quoting the Department of Transport. “Ghana, having become a champion of aviation safety and security, is now joining with us to develop new and stronger links between our nations. Today’s agreement will bring benefits to the entire West African region as well as strengthen our economic and cultural ties,” Rodney Slater, the US transportation secretary, said. Under the deal signed on 16 March, air cargo services have been liberalised and passenger services will be phased in between now and March 2006. Airlines are now able to set fares without government interference. “Direct services with a US airline’s own aircraft will be limited to seven weekly flights beginning in April 2001 and will increase to 21 through March 2006, after which all restrictions will be lifted.” Ghana Airways flies between Accra and New York, while Northwest Airlines serves Ghana from US cities via Amsterdam in conjunction with its partner, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. The US already has open skies agreements with Tanzania, Namibia and Burkina Faso and plans to conclude similar ones with Senegal, Kenya and Rwanda.