South Africa leads initiative to oppose European taxes on aviation

On 11 March 2011 at ITB in Berlin the South African Minister of Tourism released a Communique supported by his country, Australia, Kenya, New Zealand, the Seychelles, Singapore and the Caribbean Tourism Organisation criticising the impact that "unilateral, discriminatory" European aviation taxes are having on long-haul destinations. The Communique received little media coverage but points to concern from a wide range of Commonwealth countries.

This follows taxation changes made by the United Kingdom (see previous post), Germany (see previous post) and Austria (see previous post).

There are very few disputes between the United Kingdom and Australasia but this seems to be one of them. The UK's 2011 Budget due to be released on 23 March 2011 may be worth watching for any movement on this issue.

New air services arrangements signed by Kenya and Congo

On 1 August 2008 it was reported from Brazzaville that Congo and Kenya had signed a new air services agreement.

Australia negotiates new air services arrangements with Kenya and South Africa

A 28 June 2008 statement by the Australian Minister for Infrastructure, Hon Anthony Albanese, has announced that Australia has negotiated its first air services agreement with Kenya and substantially expanded the route and capacity rights in its air services arrangements with South Africa (see recent post).

Kenya and the USA initial "open skies" agreement

On 30 May 2008 the US State Department announced that Kenya and the United States had initialled an "open skies" air transportation agreement, to be phased in over three years.

This will be the 91st such relationship for the United States.