(eTN) – The Burundi government has formally signed a new air service agreement with Qatar Airways, allowing the two national airlines (Qatar Airways and Air Burundi) to fly up to seven times a week between Doha and Bujumbura. The agreement covers passengers and cargo services and allows for intermediate stops enroute from and to Bujumbura.

Burundi is currently the least-connected country in Eastern Africa, with regular air services only provided by Brussels Airlines from Europe; by Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, RwandAir, and Air Uganda from within the wider Eastern African region; and by South African Airways from within Southern Africa.

The formal enactment of the agreement now permits Qatar Airways – Air Burundi does not operate long-haul aircraft – to commence flights to Bujumbura, a prospect already warmly welcomed by the country’s nascent tourism industry.

The agreement was signed by Burundi’s Minister for Transport, Public Works and Equipment, Deogratias Rurumunzi, and the Chairman of Qatar Civil Aviation Authority, Abulaziz Mohamed Al-Nuaimi.