The Monitor (Kampala)
Martin Luther Oketch
3 May 2004
Kampala — The Democratic Republic of Congo has re-opened its air space to commercial flights from Uganda. These flights will however be limited to Kinshasa, Goma and Bunia. Flights begin in a few weeks time.
The move follows a three-day consultative meeting held at the Sheraton Kampala Hotel from April 28 to 30. A memorandum of understanding between Congolese civil aviation officials and Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) formalised the resumption of commercial air services between the two neighbouring countries.
Mr Ambrose Akandonda (R), and Mr Mbula Kele-Kele, exchange documents after signing a Memorandum of Understanding for the resumption of commercial air services between the two countries. The ceremony took place at the Sheraton Kampala Hotel on April 30 (Courtesy photo).
It is hoped that commercial air links between the two countries will open up access to markets and stimulate trade and commerce. CAA Managing Director, Mr Ambrose Akandonda, said that under the new agreement, there would be four flights per week from the either country.
They will include be charter and non-scheduled flights. Formal flights from Uganda to DRC were banned in 1998 at the height of the civil that latter developed into a multi-dimensional war in which Uganda was involved.
He hailed the move as a major step towards the development and exploration of new business opportunities, which exist between the countries.
"The resumption of the commercial air services to the Democratic Republic of Congo will kick start air transport services between Uganda and the DRC and it will usher in free movement of people and goods from both sides, which in turn will lead to exploration of new business opportunities," Akandonda said.
The advisor to the DRC's minister of Regional Cooperation, Mr Mbula Kele-Kele, said that the new development would give Congolese more accesses to Ugandan products. The memorandum of understanding that came into force on the day of signing is precursor to the Bilateral Air Agreement currently under review, CAA said.
It is expected that more flights, including scheduled ones will be allowed to operate. He said Entebbe International Airport was being rehabilitated to handle increasing traffic.
"Following the ever increasing number of flights jetting in and out of Entebbe International Airport, CAA management without any government subsidies is beginning to rehabilitate the terminals at the old airport so that all the light air crafts will be shifted to the old airport," he added.
Akandonda however, cautioned that both states should ensure that aviation security is given the highest attention in compliance with the International Civil Aviation Authority Organization standards.
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