U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary E. Peters today announced that the United States and Kenya have negotiated an Open-Skies agreement between the two countries. The agreement, the first aviation accord between the two countries, was reached after two days of negotiations in Washington.

The agreement, whose terms will be observed immediately, is the 20th U.S. Open-Skies agreement with an African nation, and Kenya is the 92nd U.S. Open-Skies partner worldwide.

"This agreement with Kenya is part of our continuing effort to improve transportation and trade ties with nations around the world," said Secretary Peters. "Today's agreement lays the groundwork for future air service between the United States and Kenya that will provide new options for travelers as well as economic benefits to both countries."

Under the new agreement, airlines from both countries will be allowed to select routes and destinations based on consumer demand, without limitations on the number of U.S. or Kenyan carriers that can fly between the two countries or the number of flights they can operate. The agreement also contains no restrictions on capacity and pricing, and provides opportunities for cooperative marketing arrangements. After three years, U.S. carriers also will be able to fly beyond Kenya to any other African country.