INFRASTRUCTURE AND ENERGY DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE No 03/2011/IED

SIGNATURE OF THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION AND THE AFRICAN AIRLINES ASSOCIATION.

Addis Ababa, 21 January 2011 – The African Union Commission (AUC) will organize a Signing Ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation with the African Airlines Association (AFRAA), on Tuesday, 25 January 2011 at 12:00 AM, in the Office of the Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy located in the Main building of the African Union Headquarters, in Addis-Ababa, Ethiopia.

During the Ceremony the AUC will be represented by H.E. Dr. Elham Ibrahim and AFRAA by Dr. Elijah Chingosho, Secretary General and Mr. Tewodros Tamrat, Director of Government, Corporate and Industry Affairs.

The African Union Commission and AFRAA have concluded the process of negotiation of the Memorandum of Understanding which started last year.

The AU recognize AFRAA as the Pan African organization of the African airlines with which it shall establish a special cooperation mechanism on advisory basis as stipulated in the Treaty establishing the African Economic Community on matters related to airlines industry.

This MOU will describe the framework of collaboration and cooperation between AUC and AFRAA on matters of common interest. It will also define and establish the mechanism necessary for such collaboration and co-operation.

Established in 1968 in Ghana under the auspices of the OAU, AFRAA’s main objectives are among others, the promotion of a safe economical and reliable air transport services and promotion of technical and commercial co-operation among African carriers, which are essential for acceleration of the economic and political development and integration at the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and Continental levels.

AFRAA has always been cooperating with AU on advisory basis as the institution performs mainly advocacy activities for its member Airlines.

AFRAA role is paramount both for ensuring compliance of African airlines with worldwide best practices which do not cause harm to their survival particularly on matters of safety, security and protection of the environment and for providing the necessary guidance in technical, commercial and legal matters.