https://www.engineeringnews.co.za

African airlines body believes air traffic liberalisation inevitable

21st October 2016

By: Keith Campbell

Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor

  

Font size: - +

The liberalisation of the African air transport market seems certain to happen, and will benefit those of the continent’s airlines able to take advantage of it. Thus affirmed African Airlines Association (AFRAA) CEO and secretary-general Dr Elijah Chingosho at the recent Aviation Industry Growth Conference, organised by the South African Civil Aviation Authority. “The single African aviation market is certainly achievable, perhaps not exactly as scheduled for January 2017, but the momentum is unstoppable.

“There is a growing momentum for the full liberalisation of African skies,” he affirmed. “This is enhancing the connectivity within the continent, which is facilitating trade, tourism, travel and, thus, the economic and social development of the continent.”

He pointed out that, in 2015, the heads of State of the African Union (AU) member countries had made a “solemn commitment” to full open African skies by January next year. Eleven African States rapidly agreed to open their aviation markets by 2017. They were Benin, Cape Verde, the Republic of Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa and Zimbabwe. They were subsequently joined by three more. The list includes, he pointed out, all the leading aviation countries in Africa.

He highlighted that South Africa was taking a leading role in this process. “South Africa, being the largest aviation market on the continent, is rightfully taking the leadership role in spearheading the full liberalisation of African skies.”

Liberalising the continent’s air traffic markets will bring great benefits to Africa, he said, citing a study by InterVISTAS on behalf of the International Air Transport Association. This study found that the current lack of liberalisation meant that as many as five-million Africans were denied the chance of flying within the continent. The liberalisation of air transport between just 12 African countries would cause air fares between them to fall by between 25% and 37%. Further, within two to three years, the air traffic between these countries would increase by 81%.

Chingosho pointed out that the AU heads of State had, in January 2012, agreed to set up a Continental Free Trade Area by 2017, with the aim of increasing intra-African trade by at least 25% over ten years. Currently, intra-African trade accounts for just 12% to 15% of total continental trade. In contrast, intracontinental trade comes to 60% of European trade and 40% of North American trade, while intrabloc trade accounts for 30% of total Association of South East Asian Nations (better known as ASEAN) trade.

Aviation could play a key role in fulfilling the AU’s trade ambitions. “Air transport is a critical facilitator for the movement of passengers and goods in our vast continent,” he stressed. “Allied to the opening of African skies is the need for the efficient movement of people and goods and the efficient utilisation of infrastructure.” For example, Africans should either have easier access to visas for other African countries, or not need visas at all. An increasing number of African countries were allowing this. Further, African aviation was hampered by heavy taxes and levies, especially on fuel, and airport charges, imposed by many African countries.

“A single aviation market can only be a reality if safety standards are up to global standards,” he cautioned. Fortunately, African aviation safety standards were improving and the aviation accident rate in Africa last year was the lowest it had been in a long time.

Nevertheless, leading African airlines are registering significant successes. They are increasing their market share. For example, from August 2015 to August this year, the market share of African airlines on the Africa/Middle East routes rose from 37.12% to 47.25%. “We are witnessing the rapid growth and development of some competitive airlines in Africa.” He cited as examples Ethiopian Airlines, Togo-based ASKY Airlines, RwandAir and Central African- based ECAir.

Edited by Martin Zhuwakinyu
Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor

Comments

Showroom

GreaseMax
GreaseMax

GreaseMax is a chemically operated automatic lubricator.

VISIT SHOWROOM 
Immersive Technologies
Immersive Technologies

Immersive Technologies is the world's largest, proven and tested supplier of simulator training solutions to the global resources industry.

VISIT SHOWROOM 

Latest Multimedia

sponsored by

Option 1 (equivalent of R125 a month):

Receive a weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine
(print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
Receive daily email newsletters
Access to full search results
Access archive of magazine back copies
Access to Projects in Progress
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format

Option 2 (equivalent of R375 a month):

All benefits from Option 1
PLUS
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports, in PDF format, on various industrial and mining sectors including Electricity; Water; Energy Transition; Hydrogen; Roads, Rail and Ports; Coal; Gold; Platinum; Battery Metals; etc.

Already a subscriber?

Forgotten your password?

MAGAZINE & ONLINE

SUBSCRIBE

RESEARCH CHANNEL AFRICA

SUBSCRIBE

CORPORATE PACKAGES

CLICK FOR A QUOTATION







sq:0.231 0.289s - 174pq - 2rq
Subscribe Now