Jamaican Government going for direct flights from Africa
The Government of Jamaica is seeking to sign strategic air services agreements with at least five African countries, according to Transport and Mining Minister, Mike Henry.
Already talks are under way with Kenya and South Africa, Henry disclosed last week at the signing of an Open Skies Agreement with Canada in Kingston.
The minister said the air services agreements are intended to establish direct flights to Jamaica from the countries being targeted.
Henry said signing such agreements with African states will enable travelers from the Asian and African continents to fly directly to this part of the world without the need for an in-transit visa.
“The outreach that I have here relates to the open skies, by flying people from the Far East across the African continent into Jamaica, Jamaica being the centrally located hub that distributes them across the globe, both here and backwards, because… everyone who lives in those countries – India, Japan… all (now) need an in-transit visa to mobilise,” the minister said.
He added that it is important for Jamaica to sign air service agreements with countries that can “make that kind of linkage grow”.
