SA Airways to fly to Mali
10 November 2004
South Africa and Mali have signed a letter of intent opening the way for South African Airways (SAA) to start flying to Mali from the beginning of 2005.
Minerals and Energy Minister Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka led a South African business delegation to Mali last week. Mlambo-Ngcuka and Ousmane Thiam, Mali's minister of investments, signed the agreement in Mali on Saturday, committing both governments to:
- Review the bilateral air services agreements in order to increase the number of air frequencies permissible between the two countries;
- Allow SAA to transport cargo between the two countries;
- Initiate air service by SAA as soon as possible; and
- Strengthen relations between the two countries.
Speaking after the signing ceremony, Mlambo-Ngcuka said the agreement was part of the implementation of the joint commission set up to improve trade relations between the two countries.
"South Africa believes that this is a
giant step towards making business possible between the two countries", she said.
Vice-president for communication and government liaison for SAA, Onkgopotse JJ Tabane, who formed part of the SAA delegation to Mali, confirmed that the air service could start as early as January 2005, and would be offered three times a week.
He said the flight will be tagged on to the current SAA flight to Abidjan, where a technical stop would be made as part of the eight-hour flight to Bamako. He also said SAA would work with the Malian authorities to structure an appropriate cargo service.
"SAA is ready to take full advantage of the cooperation between the two countries and be a catalyst for the growth of trade that is critical for the economic development of the two countries", Tabane said.
"Opening the skyways between the two countries can only be a fitting crowning of our successful interaction with the mining industry and the government of Mali", Mlambo-Ngcuka said.
"The business traffic will certainly increase as a result of the strengthening of business ties through initiatives like this visit."
Source: Department of Minerals and Energy
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