prosperity while connecting the African
continent. Every open air service arrange-
ment has boosted traffic, lifted economies
and created jobs. And we expect no less
in Africa on the back of the SAATM agree-
ment. An IATA survey suggests that if just
12 key African countries opened their
markets and increased connectivity, an
extra 155,000 jobs and US$1.3 billion in
annual GDP would be created in those
countries,” said Rapahel Kuuchi, IATA’s
Vice President for Africa.
“We commend the 23 states that have
signed up to SAATM. It is an important
step forward. But the benefits of a con-
nected continent will only be realised
through effective implementation of
SAATM—firstly by the countries already
committed and also by the remaining 32
AU member nations still to come on
board,”
On the surface, surely all bodes well if the
trade association of the world’s airlines
controlling body (IATA) conveys its well
wishes – but there are still some key is-
sues that remain to be addressed.
South African based airline Airlink’s CEO
Rodger Foster guarded against the many
pitfalls that need to be navigated through
to achieve effective implementation of
SAATM: “The SAATM will facilitate im-
proved air access between South Africa
and key destinations within other African
states. However, the net beneficiaries of
the SAATM will be those airlines predis-
posed to a geographic advantage in
terms of being able to access global mar-
kets whilst gaining access to economically
buoyant markets within Southern Africa
that without SAATM they would not have
access to.”
“The net losers will be the airlines operat-
ing within Southern Africa. Although
SAATM is intended to create fair and
equal access to all markets by all African
airlines, the situation is far from fair and
equal. Access to markets is not equally re-
ciprocal for a myriad of considerations,
ranging from the process and cost of se-
curing foreign operators permits, to in-
equalities in competition, especially where
privately owned airlines are in contest
against state subsidy.”
In addition, says Foster, there is still amyriad of issues that need clarity and at-
tention: “Aeropolitical - a clear under-
standing of air traffic freedoms and their
applicability, e.g. under what conditions
do fifth freedom traffic rights apply, and
how and under what circumstances li-
censes and designations are granted.”
“There is inconsistency with regard to
when a State Civil Aviation Authority and
the safety oversight of that authority are
recognised by another State Civil Aviation
Authority and when not. There is no com -
mon set or Civil Aviation Regulations and
Technical Standards. There isn't a com-
mon antitrust legislation.”
Aviation is not for the faint hearted, it isIssue 11 | ...Celebrating the world’s richest continent | http://www.nomadafricamag.com | 71“The SAATM has the potential for remarkable
transformation that will build prosperity while
connecting the African continent. Every open
air service arrangement has boosted traffic,
lifted economies and created jobs. And we ex-
pect no less in Africa on the back of the
SAATM agreement. An IATA survey suggests
that if just 12 key African countries opened
their markets and increased connectivity, an
extra 155,000 jobs and US$1.3 billion in annual
GDP would be created in those countries.”- Rapahel Kuuchi, Vice President, IATA Africa.