U.S.-S. Africa Deal

<H1>U.S.-S. Africa Deal </H1><H3>by Barbara Cook</H3>Washington, D.C. - The United States and South Africa have negotiated a new aviation agreement, marking the first time the two countries have had a formal pact since the U.S. terminated an accord with South Africa in 1986 over that country's apartheid policy.

While service resumed informally between the two countries in 1991, it has been at modest levels. The new accord will allow American Airlines and South African Airways to expand their code-sharing agreement.

According to the Department of Transportation, the agreement will gradually expand service over a five-year period. The carriers of each country may operate 11 weekly passenger flights during the first year, increasing to 21 by the fifth year. Cargo operations are set at four weekly flights the first year, increasing to nine over the phase-in period. Currently, U.S. carriers may operate only seven weekly flights.

Airlines from each country may operate code-sharing arrangements with a third-country airline. No later than 18 months from now, the U.S. will be allowed to have two such alliances, increasing to four in the fourth year of the agreement.

Other provisions of the new bilateral include access for U.S. airlines to Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban plus code-sharing services to five other South African cities; access for South African carriers to New York, Miami and four other U.S. cities yet to be selected; and code-share services to 10 other cities, increasing to 25 cities on Nov. 1, 1998.