Iyabo Sosina, former Secretary-General of the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), said the single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), also known as the African version of Africa's Open Sky policy, helped to increase the continent's capabilities and flight services.
Describing it as a win-win in many African countries that have adopted air transport policies, Socina said:
Over the weekend, I speak to Aviation Metric, who is the bystander of Kenya Airways' media briefing. Kenya Airways, Total Aerogistics and General Sales Agent (GSA) from Kenya Airways, Total Aerogistics and General Sales Agent (GSA) said that Nigerian neighbor Togo is enjoying the benefits of “Open Sky” through Aspy Airlines.
“All we need to do is check the passenger numbers. It's actually growing significantly, and we know that even countries that don't have airlines but are open. At least when I was there, I was able to explain to them that it's an advantage for both sides, as it's not just airlines that beat them, and airports aren't making advances in terms of revenue.”
She says the continent has made great strides at SAATM compared to years ago, highlighting the huge success SAATM has brought to the region and what everyone needs to do to achieve great success with airlines, airports and aviation fuel marketers.
She wondered why some countries are preventing them from signing SAATM. He emphasized that the continent will continue to retreat until Africans start business in Africa.
“We won't go anywhere because Africa often gives a lot to the world and Africa's interest to pass it to other African countries to other African countries. Keep your wealth. That's what they did in Europe, America, and the rest of the Middle East world. They grow first. We must overcome this disparity caused by the same people as you, as we begin to pull out what you have and deal with our brothers who are as black as you.”
SAATM is the flagship project of the African Union Agenda 2063, and is the African Union initiative to create a single unified air transport market for Africa, the liberalization of civil aviation in Africa, and the continent's economic integration agenda.
SAATM or single African skies are the fundamental means of catalyzing economic transformation of the continent and will increase the impact of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) “no remaining state” programme, which aims to promote aviation sustainability and benefits in all world regions, including Africa. This is in line with the United Nations (UN) Vision 2030, which is particularly targeted to improve livelihoods worldwide.
Stakeholders believe that the liberalised air transport market will bring great benefits to Africa and its airlines.
These benefits include reduced travel times, more options for travelers, reduced fares, greater options for intra-African partnerships to strengthen intra-African aviation, increasing passengers for African Airlines, increasing trade and tourism, and aviation and economic growth.
“Every time you liberalize, travel increases, and airlines carry more passengers, more cargo, which opens up a route in Africa and you can operate in a wider area and make the most of it. But for the airline to make a profit, they have to strengthen their business,” says Dr. Olmuiwa Benad Aliu, former president of the ICAO Council.
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