U.S. Signs Open Skies Aviation Agreement with Mali

The United States is pleased to announce the signing of an Open Skies air transport agreement with Mali.

Under Secretary of State for Economic, Business and Agricultural Affairs Josette Sheeran Shiner and Malian Ambassador Abdoulaye Diop signed the agreement on October 17 in Washington, D.C.

This is the first air services agreement between the United States and Mali. It allows airlines to make commercial decisions with minimal government intervention. This agreement provides for open routes, capacity, frequencies, designations, and pricing, as well as opportunities for cooperative marketing arrangements, including codesharing. It also includes all-cargo seventh freedom rights, allowing airlines to perform international cargo operations without connecting to their homeland.

Establishing Open Skies as the basis of U.S.-Malian aviation relations is an important step toward spurring trade, investment, tourism, and cultural exchange between the two nations.

With this signing, Mali is the 72nd country with which the United States has negotiated an Open Skies agreement, and the 15th such country in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Inquiries about this agreement may be directed to Ms. Caron DeMars in the Office of Aviation Negotiations, (202) 647-7670.

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