Malawi and Democratic Republic of Congo on Tuesday completed the signing of the Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) at a ceremony, which took place in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Malawi’s Minister of Transport and Public Works Hon Jacob Hara MP signed the agreement on behalf of Malawi government while H.E Jean Pierre Bemba Gombo, DRC Vice-Premier Minister, Minister of Transport, Ways of Communication and Opening Up of the Democratic Republic of Congo signed on behalf of DRC.
The signing of the agreement by the two Ministers follows the signing of technical papers on the agreement by the Malawi’s Secretary for Transport and Public Works Eng. David Mzandu and Mr Kayembe Katubalondji Francois Director of Aviation Transport for Congo Civil Aviation Authority on 29th, August 2024 at B.I.C.C in Lilongwe.
Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) enable national airlines for the two countries to directly fly into each other’s country and operate air services within the agreed protocols.
Among other agreements in the BASA Malawian Airlines will be able to fly directly to DRC and operate between Kinshasa and Lubambashi and similar the Congo Airlines will be able to fly directly to Lilongwe and operate between Lilongwe and Blantyre.
Other benefits of the BASA include reduced travel time between the two countries and opening of new markets for respective national airlines.