Mozambican authorities signed air services agreements on Thursday, 29 October, with São Tomé and Príncipe and Guinea-Bissau, aimed at facilitating connectivity between the three countries and laying the groundwork for future air links, with potential benefits for tourism, investment and the movement of people.

Speaking to Lusa, Emanuel José Chaves, president of Mozambique's Civil Aviation Authority, explained that the instruments establish the legal framework necessary for air operations to take place, but do not imply the immediate launch of direct flights.

"The agreements create the legal environment for these operations to occur," he said, adding that it will be up to airlines to assess demand and the commercial viability of the routes, including the possibility of establishing partnerships with other carriers.

Currently, Mozambique has no direct air links to São Tomé and Príncipe or Guinea-Bissau, with travellers generally required to make stopovers in cities such as Lisbon or Luanda when travelling between these destinations.

According to Emanuel José Chaves, the agreements define the general conditions of operation, including authorised destinations and applicable rules, while memoranda of understanding establish procedures between the civil aviation authorities of the countries involved.

He said that strengthening connectivity could reduce travel costs and journey times, facilitate the movement of people and goods, and create opportunities for tourism and investment.

The signing of the agreements forms part of broader cooperation efforts among Portuguese-speaking countries to bring their respective markets closer together and strengthen ties between member states of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP). Mozambique is also negotiating similar instruments with other countries.

The agreements were signed on the sidelines of a seminar on Civil Aviation Development in Lusophone Countries, being held in Maputo, which brings together representatives and sector experts from several CPLP member states, including Brazil, Portugal, Cabo Verde, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Guinea-Bissau.