Luanda, Oct. 9, 2024 (Lusa) - Angola's National Civil Aviation Authority (ANAC) on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding with its Rwandan counterpart to eliminate air barriers and boost the frequency of passenger and cargo flights.

The memorandum to make the Air Services Agreement (ASA) viable allows airlines from both countries to operate unlimited weekly passenger and cargo services in each direction on their respective routes with any type of aircraft.

In a statement, ANAC said that the parties recognise the importance of the air transport sector and its contribution to the economic and social development of both countries, and may also exercise fifth freedom traffic rights - the right to transport passengers and cargo between the territory of the other contracting state and the territory of a third state - at intra-African points without any restrictions.

The memorandum, signed by the chair of ANAC's board of directors, Amélia Kuvíngua, and the Rwandan ambassador in Luanda, Charles Rudakabana, comes into force immediately and the signatories have also agreed that airlines can operate non-scheduled air services between their respective territories.

Angolan and Rwandan airlines can also enter into commercial co-operation agreements, such as code sharing or other commercial agreements, the statement said.

DAS/AYLS // AYLS

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