By Gabriel Agbeja
The main objective of the African Union (AU) leaders in air transport is to improve the continent`s connectivity and integration through the liberation.
African leaders also consider the removal of restrictions on traffic rights, capacity, frequency and tariffs among African city-pairs for all African airlines a necessity.
The Yamoussoukro Decision (YD) and Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) are some of the critical tools for the African region to achieve the ambition.
The inauguration of the SAATM as the first flagship project of AU`s Agenda 2063 in January became a watershed as it is expected to usher the full liberation of Africa air transport.
Experts and the aviation industry observers are optimistic that the success of SAATM as they hope it w will bring a new vista to the continent’s air transportation.
Ms Adefunke Adeyemi, the Secretary-General of African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), therefore, encourages governments and stakeholder in Africa to contribute to the implementation of SAATM.
Based in Dakar, Senegal, AFCAC is the agency of the African Union responsible for regulation civil aviation in the continent.
Adeyemi gave the advice during her welcome address at the 24th Yamoussoukro Decision (YD) Week held in Abuja. The theme of the event was: “Africa wants to fly. “
“I am thrilled that more States are embracing the SAATM for its huge benefits. Africa must remain committed and fast track its efforts to achieve the noble objectives of the SAATM, “
“ (AFCAC) works to create a safe, secure, efficient and sustainable civil aviation industry across Africa that propelled development through furthering connectivity.
“Our mission is to facilitate civil aviation matters for African states with an ultimate goal of developing a more integrated and sustainable air transport so that together, we can support a thriving Africa.
“AFCA is also the Executing Agency of the Yamoussoukro Decision of 1999.
“It was designed to establish a liberalised air transport market for a better-connected Africa in accordance with the AU objectives for ensuring an integrated, prosperous and united Africa’’, she said.
Mr Festus Keyamo, Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, said at the event that the Federal Government was ready to strengthen policies and programmes that would advance its aviation sector.
According to him, the new five points agenda of the ministry are formed to achieve the feat.
“This administration of President Bola Tinubu would support policies and programmes that will enhance the growth and development of the Aviation Industry in Nigeria.
“The commitment encapsulated in a five-point agenda include ensuring strict compliance with national laws, safety regulations and international obligations; improvement and development of infrastructure for passenger convenience; support for growth and sustenance of local airline businesses.
“Also included are human capacity development and optimisation of revenue generation,’’ the minister said.
According to the minster, “Africa Wants to Fly” is not just a theme, but a reflection of a profound desire deeply rooted in the hearts of countless Africans.
He said to fly symbolised the relentless pursuit of the nation`s dreams and the firm belief that the sky was not the limit but the beginning of an exciting journey.
“The need to speed up full implementation of the Yamoussoukro Decision with regard to the liberalisation of access to air transport markets in Africa, cannot be over emphasised.
“It is crucial to the achievement of the long-term vision of the African Union. Throughout history, Africa has been home to diverse cultures and peoples who have looked to the skies with awe and reverence.
“Africa is the continent with the largest number of developing countries and air transport is an essential component of the global transportation system and a strategic driver of economic growth and development.
“Presently, intra Africa trade stands low at just 14.4 per cent of total African exports.
“Though African airlines have recorded a 34.7 per cent surge in passenger traffic over the past year, the continent global passenger market share remains modest at 2.1 per cent,’’ he said.
Keyamo said SAATM was a no-brainer in giving impetus to not just intra Africa trade, tourism, but to reduce the continent’s trade deficit by 51 per cent.
He also said that statistics from the AFCAC showed 37 member States had so far subscribed to unconditionally implement the YD and SAATM, with 23 States signed the Memorandum of Implementation (MoI) for its operationalisation.
“Records also show that these 37 States account for more than 88 per cent of intra-African traffic and more than 800 million people in Africa.
“It is a common knowledge that the success of the SAATM initiative depends on not just the commitment of individual countries, but also on collaborative efforts at the regional and continental levels.
“As we all know, SAATM is being implemented in phases with the first successful launch of the SAATM Pilot Implementation Project (PIP) Cluster 1 Coalition Roadshow in Abuja, Nigeria in April 2023,’’ he said.
International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO considers the sector strategic for inclusive economic growth and integration in Africa.
The ICAO Director, West and Central Africa, Mr. Prosper Minto’o, was recently quoted by the media as saying that safe, efficient, cost-effective and eco-friendly air transportation was critical to realisation of SDGs.
“While Air transport has become an indispensable means of transport, providing a worldwide transportation network, creating jobs and facilitating trade and tourism, it is however noted that the aviation sector is still facing regulatory barriers.
“It is also facing constraints, uncertainty and/or economic fragmentation, which impede efficiency, generate frictions and hinder air connectivity improvement“, he said.
According to him, in pursuant to a recommendation from the Sixth Air Transport Conference (ATConf/6), ICAO has adopted the long-term vision for international air transport liberalisation.
“African has adopted a regional liberalisation framework through the Yamoussoukro Decision concerning the liberalisation of access to air transport markets in Africa of 1999 and the Decision on the establishment of a Single Africa Air Transport Market (SAATM) of 2015“, he said.
Meanwhile, Musa Nuhu, of Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), said Nigeria was committed to the liberalisation of air transportation through the instrumentality of YD/ SAATM.
“The country is in the process of setting up a National Implementation Committee that will include various relevant stakeholders to enable further discussion that will facilitate the full implementation of YD/SAATM in Nigeria” he said.
Another key stakeholder, the African Airlines Association (AFRAA) has thrown its weight behind the liberalisation moves.
“The AFRAA and its partners and stakeholders continue to encourage African airlines to implement the YD in line with SAATM’’, the association said in a report.
As the stakeholders embrace the SAATM libralisation plan there are concerns about how to steer the arrangement given the gap in the development of aviation sector in various African nations.
While some such as Ethiopia, Kenya and South Africa are advanced others are largely underdeveloped. Carrying the weak along will ensure that the success of the plan would be felt across the continent.
