After seven years of negotiations, Tunisia and the European Union finally agreed on the issue of the Open Skies agreement.
This agreement applies to all Tunisian airports that will open to international traffic, except that of Tunis-Carthage which will not be affected for 5 years to protect the national airline Tunisair. Fearing competition, the President Director General of Tunisair seems to be more worried about this agreement which, according to him, "will cause serious harm" and "constitutes a danger for Tunisair".
According to Selma Elloumi Rekik, Minister of Tourism and Handicrafts in Tunisia, the Open Skies signature will help boost tourist arrivals in Tunisia. It also facilitates market access for airlines and especially offers passengers more choices and cheaper rates.
According to the EU delegation in Tunisia, the Open Skies agreement is expected to result in 800,000 additional passengers over 5 years between the continent and Tunisia, an increase of 13% per year.
