South Africa on September 27 became the fifth country in Africa to sign a “sister airport” agreement with Hartsfield-Jackson, making the world’s busiest airport the latest addition to a growing sorority convening on the continent. became a member.
A month ago, the Atlanta airport signed a similar agreement with Namibia, pledging to share best practices in the areas of airport management, air service development and the process of attracting flights to each destination. An agreement with Kenya is being considered in the wake of the president’s visit to Georgia in May.
In addition to being the busiest and most efficient airport in the world, ATL offers direct flights to Africa thanks to Delta Air Lines’ direct service to both Lagos, Nigeria, Johannesburg and Cape Town. It is one of the premier airports in the United States. Ethiopian Airlines flights to South Africa and Addis Ababa started over a year ago.
South African Airports Corporation officials, led by CEO Mpumi Zamazwide Mpofu, signed the agreement after attending the Airports Council International Global Customer Experience Summit in Atlanta.
Mpofu said in a news release that the partnership is a “blueprint for a strategic partnership” focused on “growth, collaboration and excellence.”
He said the company will spend $330 million over the next eight years to develop a new cargo terminal at OR Tambo International Airport in Ekurhuleni, Johannesburg, with a particular focus on boosting air cargo growth. added. ACSA manages nine airports across the country.
“This strategic infrastructure does more than just move goods; it connects continents, facilitates trade and fosters economic growth,” Mpofu said.
Officials from Hartsfield-Jackson, South African Airports Corporation, the City of Atlanta, the U.S. government and other organizations gathered at the Atlanta Airport for a signing ceremony on September 27th.
This agreement comes at a high point in the relationship between Atlanta and South Africa, which has been prioritized by the U.S. Embassy there under the leadership of Ambassador Ruben Brigety.
Brigety brought a delegation to the city earlier this year to launch the Atlanta Fambili initiative. This is an effort to place the city at the center of the relationship between the United States and South Africa, and we believe the city can thrive commercially and culturally in our bilateral relationship. Addressing disagreements on foreign policy issues.
In this context, Leslie Marbury, USAID Mission Director for Southern Africa, and Cynthia Griffin, Counselor for Sub-Saharan Africa Commerce at the U.S. Department of Commerce, attended the signing of the agreement.
“This will increase the flow of people and goods between the two countries and deepen business, tourism, and cultural ties.This agreement is an agreement between the two countries that seeks to advance our partnership through economic, educational, and cultural exchanges. It reflects the spirit of the Fambili Initiative,” Griffin said in an ATL news release.
Atlanta officials added that the deal is an opportunity to showcase the city’s growing global influence and foster business and people-to-people connections.
“In this era of global connectivity, this partnership represents a great opportunity for growth and learning,” Jean Lennon, interim general manager of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, said in a news release.
Read the latest Atlanta Airport releases
Check out the release from Airports Company South Africa.
Learn about Atlanta Fambili from an interview with Ambassador Ruben Brigety.
