Tunisia's Air Transport Agreements: A Path to Economic Growth?
Tunisia has concluded 79 bilateral agreements in the field of air transport with different regions of the world. However, a portion of these conventions has yet to come into effective operation. This raises the question of the country's ability to transform its air transport partnerships into genuine drivers of growth for tourism, economic exchanges, and investment.
Current State of Air Transport Agreements
During a session dedicated to examining two draft air agreements with Kuwait and the Sultanate of Oman, representatives of the Ministry of Transport presented the current state of Tunisia's air transport agreement network to the Commission on Strategic Planning, Sustainable Development, Transport, Infrastructure, and Land Use of the Assembly of People's Representatives (ARP). According to the data communicated to the deputies:
- Tunisia is linked by 32 agreements with European countries
- 18 agreements with Arab countries
- 20 agreements with African countries
- 9 agreements with Asian and American countries
However, the ministry specified that some of these agreements have already come into force, while others, although signed or ratified, remain non-operational for various reasons.
Challenges and Opportunities
This situation highlights a major challenge for the competitiveness of the Tunisian air transport sector: having an international legal network is not enough; it is also necessary to succeed in converting these agreements into concrete air links capable of generating economic benefits. In this context, the two new agreements examined with Oman and Kuwait aim to modernize the regulatory framework and adapt Tunisian air relations to the evolution of the global sector.
New Agreements with Kuwait and Oman
The agreement with Kuwait updates a 1975 convention, while the one with Oman replaces the 1985 agreement. The Ministry of Transport estimates that these new texts will strengthen air connectivity, particularly through the potential creation of new direct lines, while integrating international standards in terms of air safety and security.
Involvement of Tunisair and Future Prospects
The representatives of the ministry also indicated that Tunisair is associated with the various stages of preparation and negotiation of these agreements. According to them, the opening of new routes could offer new development opportunities for the national airline.
Need for Infrastructure Upgrades and Strategic Planning
However, the debates at the ARP also recalled that improving air connectivity must be accompanied by an upgrade of infrastructure and services. Several deputies raised the difficulties encountered by travelers in certain Tunisian airports, particularly at Tunis-Carthage, calling for a comprehensive strategy to modernize the sector.
The parliamentarians also emphasized the need to strengthen air connections with Africa, as agreements with African countries remain less numerous compared to European partnerships.
Conclusion
With these new agreements and the announced revision of the legislative framework for air transport, Tunisia is now seeking to shift from a logic of diplomatic openness to a logic of economic valorization of its international air network.
