U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood announced that the United States and Zambia have signed an Open-Skies aviation agreement, liberalizing U.S.-Zambia air services for the carriers of both countries. The agreement, the first aviation accord between the two countries, was reached after discussions between the U.S. Embassy in Lusaka and the Zambian government. Zambia becomes the 96th U.S. Open-Skies partner and the 20th on the African continent. The agreement takes effect immediately.

“This agreement paves the way for future growth in travel and trade between the United States and Zambia,” Secretary LaHood said. “We welcome Zambia as an Open-Skies partner.”

Under the new agreement, airlines from both countries will be allowed to select routes and destinations based on consumer demand for both passenger and cargo services, without limitations on the number of U.S. or Zambian carriers that can fly between the two countries or the number of flights they can operate.  It removes restrictions on capacity and pricing, and provides unlimited opportunities for cooperative marketing arrangements, including code-sharing, between U.S. and Zambian carriers.

The agreement also allows U.S. and Zambian carriers to operate all-cargo flights between the other country and third countries without a stop in their home countries.