Zimpapers Logo

Minister Mpofu and Ambassador Tripathi sign the agreement while permanent secretary in the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Mr Munesu Munodawafa and other officials look on (Pic by Lloyd Gumbo)

Clara Mawere Harare Bureau
INDIAN Airlines may start flights to Zimbabwe following the signing of an air service agreement between government and India in the capital, Harare yesterday.
The agreement will also allow airlines, including cargo, from Zimbabwe to fly to India. According to the agreement signed between Transport and infrastructural Development Minister Obert Mpofu and India’s ambassador to Zimbabwe Jeitendra Kumar Tripathi, the designated airlines of each country shall be entitled to operate between the two countries.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Minister Mpofu said the agreement sought to achieve the promotion of an international aviation system based on competition among airlines.

“It started with the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement on 20 May of 2010 in New Dehli, India. Today, the signing ceremony marks yet another milestone as we regularise the operation of air transport services between the two countries.

“We want to ensure the highest degree of safety and security in international air services,” he said.
Ambassador Tripathi said the signing of the agreement would strengthen relationship between the two countries.

“This is an agreement signed between both countries in 15 years. The last was bilateral production and investment agreement but that is yet to be rectified. This one has been signed and it can be the milestone or benchmark to define the relationship between the two countries,” he said.