Aviation: Air Transport Agreement To Boost Trade

Parliament is examining a bill to authorise the President of the Republic to ratify the Air Transport Agreement signed between the United States of America and Cameroon.

According to an explanatory statement made available to the press, the agreement reflects the Head of State’s commitment to strengthen economic and trade cooperation between the US and Cameroon.

Arranged in 17 articles which spell out the conditions for designating and authorising airlines providing air transport services, the agreement liberalises the reciprocal operation of air transport services and lays down rules governing the operation of air route between Cameroon and the United States.

In addition, it enables both parties to familarise selves with civil aviation safety measures, particularly the validity of certificates of airworthiness, certificates of competency and licenses issued or validated by either parties.

Under the agreement, airlines of either of the parties shall have the right to set up offices in the territory of the other party and to bring in and maintain in the territory of the other party, managerial, sales, technical, operational and other specialist staff required for the provision of air transportation.

One of the sections which covers aviation safety specifies that both parties reaffirm their obligation to each to protect the security of civil av...