The United States and Sierra Leone Monday signed an Open Skies air services agreement, formalizing the liberalization of a bilateral aviation relationship, the State Department said. U.S. Under Secretary Robert Hormats and Sierra Leone's Minister of Aviation and Transportation, Vandi Chidi Minah, signed the agreement Monday, which was initialed in June 2012. Since then, "it has been applied via comity and reciprocity," the State Department said. It entered into force upon signature. "The Open Skies Agreement establishes a liberalized aviation relationship between the United States and Sierra Leone," the State Department said in a statement. "It creates opportunities for strengthening the economic partnership between the United States and Sierra Leone through closer links in transport and trade." The State Department said that Open Skies agreements eliminate restrictions on airlines of both countries, allowing unrestricted air service. "This agreement will allow for the strengthening and expansion of our strong trade and tourism links with Sierra Leone, benefitting U.S. and Sierra Leonean businesses and travelers by expanding opportunities for air services and encouraging vigorous price competition by airlines, while preserving our commitments to aviation safety and security," the statement said.
