South Sudan, Rwanda and Uganda have signed an airspace deal in Kampala to harmonize airspace control between East African countries.

According to the Rwandan New Times website, the three countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding yesterday, establishing a legal framework, which paves way for negotiations that will see local airlines attain fifth freedom along Juba-Nairobi-Juba routes.

Fifth freedom means an airline has the right to carry passengers from one country to another and from that country to a third destination.

The three countries will negotiate with Kenya on an airspace agreement, which would subsequently be signed by ministers in charge of infrastructure.

The signing follows a directive by Heads of State during the recently concluded Northern Corridor Integration Projects summit in Nairobi.

The summit had resolved to fast-track the harmonization of airspace control within the region.