Latest news with #SingleAfricanAirTransportMarket
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
West African Countries Unite To Break Aviation Barriers With Launch Of The Single African Air Market
Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea-Conakry, Cape Verde, and Gambia have come together to break barriers in the aviation sector with the launch of the groundbreaking Single African Air Market. The newly announced Single African Air Market (SAAM) is set to dismantle long-standing barriers in Africa's aviation sector with a focus on elevating the continent's role on the global aviation stage, Travel and Tour World reports. Driven by the strong leadership of Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea-Conakry, Cape Verde, and Gambia, this ambitious initiative seeks to create a more connected, competitive, and streamlined air travel network across Africa. The 18th plenary session of the Banjul Accord Group (BAG) concluded in Abuja on May 22, as West African nations came together with a unified goal of improving the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM). With momentum building, the rollout of SAAM is poised to transform the future of air travel across the continent. Africa's air travel sector faces major challenges, including high costs and limited connectivity, with only 19% of the continent's 1,431 country pairs having direct air service. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), improved connectivity among just 12 key countries could create 155,000 jobs and add over $1.3 billion to GDP. Additionally, the African Union Commission (AUC) suggests that full SAATM adoption by the East African Community could generate 2.8 million more passengers, $267 million in fare savings, and contribute $590.9 million to GDP annually. That's where SAAM steps in to close the gaps. This transformative initiative is set to lower travel costs, boost connectivity, and enable smoother air travel across Africa. Over the three-day session in Abuja, aviation leaders reaffirmed their commitment to aligning national policies with SAATM's updated framework, working to embed its principles into regulatory systems and usher in a new era of accessible and efficient air travel across the continent. As part of the African Union's broader Agenda 2063 vision for a fully integrated and self-sustaining Africa, SAATM aims to break down travel barriers and offer airlines greater freedom to operate across borders, serving as a catalyst for sustainable economic growth. RELATED CONTENT: 1st Black Woman To Fly In U.S. Air Force Retires As A United Airlines Pilot
Zawya
08-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Nigeria's aviation industry: A struggle for growth
Recently, one of Nigeria's fledgling airlines, ValueJet, announced that it would open a Lagos to Banjul, route, come May 15, 2025. This proposed launch, expected to kick off a week from now, has however, raised concerns about the viability of this venture, given the challenges faced by Nigerian carriers on local routes. The airline's decision to embark on the route despite the apparent passenger drought raises questions about its sustainability. One major issue plaguing the aviation industry in Africa is protectionism, with many governments viewing aviation as a significant revenue source rather than a means to open their countries to larger markets. African countries need to shift their perspective and recognise that more people travelling in and out of their countries can boost local economies. Instead of seeing airlines from other African countries as threats, they should strive to create a more favourable environment for air transport growth. The Yamoussoukro Decision and the Single African Air Transport Market initiative aim to liberalise air transport services in Africa, but their effectiveness is hindered by protectionist policies in many countries. Nigerian airlines face significant challenges, including high operating costs, taxes, and charges, which ultimately affect passengers. The cost of aviation fuel, coupled with high taxes and the devaluation of the naira, make it difficult for airlines to maintain competitive pricing. Nigeria, in particular, seems to favour foreign airlines while imposing high charges and taxes on local carriers. This disparity discourages growth and makes it difficult for Nigerian airlines to compete. Inadequate infrastructure at airports, outdated facilities, poor maintenance, and limited capacity at major airports often lead to flight delays and cancellations, which negatively impact customer satisfaction and the overall efficiency of the sector. For instance, bird strikes have become a disturbing phenomenon at our airports in recent times. The result is a colossal debt burden which the affected airlines must bear alone. A case of an airline recording three of such bird strikes in a spate of 24 hours is worrisome. The burden of such attacks is that the ill-fated aircraft would be grounded for a period of time for checks by the affected airline, thus scaling down operational efficiency, with the attendant negative effects on hapless air passengers who will have to go through unavoidable delays and at times, cancellations. To ensure the long-term sustainability of airlines like ValueJet, the Nigerian aviation industry needs to address these broader issues. This can be achieved through a combination of measures, including reducing protectionism, investing in infrastructure, streamlining regulations, and promoting competition among airlines. By adopting a more collaborative approach and reducing protectionism, African countries can promote air transport growth and economic development. Upgrading airport infrastructure and investing in modern facilities can also improve passenger experience and increase the efficiency of air travel. Streamlining regulatory processes and reducing bureaucratic hurdles can help airlines operate more efficiently and reduce costs while encouraging competition among airlines can lead to better services and lower prices, ultimately benefiting passengers. The success of ValueJet's new route will depend on various factors, including passenger demand, competition from existing carriers like Overland, and the airline's ability to manage costs and provide reliable services. By working together, African countries can unlock the full potential of air transport and promote economic growth and development across the continent. The Nigerian aviation industry's struggles highlight the need for a more supportive environment for air transport growth, and addressing these challenges can help ensure the long-term sustainability of airlines like ValueJet. Copyright © 2022 Nigerian Tribune Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
31-01-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Driving Africa's Open Skies: Aircraft Manufacturers, Catalysts for Progress (By Henok Teferra Shawl)
By Henok Teferra Shawl, Boeing Africa Managing Director ( The liberalization of Africa's air transport market, as envisioned through the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), is not just an aspirational goal — it is an economic necessity. A unified African sky, underpinned by the Joint Prioritized Action Plan (JPAP), promises to reduce travel costs for passengers, enhance connectivity, and catalyze economic growth and cultural exchange across the continent. The success of this initiative hinges on the active support and collaboration of governments, airlines and aircraft manufacturers such as Boeing. The need for SAATM stems from longstanding challenges in Africa's aviation sector: limited intra-African connectivity, high travel costs, fragmented regulations, constrained aircraft financing, and underdeveloped aviation infrastructure. These barriers have confined trade, tourism, economic and social integration for decades. Aircraft manufacturers have a responsibility to help address these issues through policy engagement, partnerships, capacity building, and technology. We take pride in our role not just as fleet suppliers but critical enablers of the ecosystem and skills that Africa's aviation industry needs to thrive. Significant progress has already been achieved; 37 African countries, representing over 80% of the continent's aviation market, have joined the SAATM initiative. Key regulatory frameworks are in place, including those for fair competition and consumer protection. Capacity-building programs for aviation professionals and improvements in safety standards are now aligned with international benchmarks. However, to unlock SAATM's full potential, sustained efforts are needed to address lingering challenges such as high operational costs, infrastructure gaps, and protectionist policies. Boeing is committed to contribute meaningfully in this regard. Collaboration is a major lever. Aircraft manufacturers partner with governments and regional bodies to highlight the benefits of a liberalized air transport market. As an example, Boeing is an active participant in the African Aviation Industry Group. The group encourages more countries to commit to SAATM and work towards harmonizing regulatory standards, creating a more unified and efficient aviation ecosystem in Africa. Air safety is one more area of collaboration across the continent. Aircraft manufacturers including Boeing support African countries in achieving the international standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and help enhance regional air safety working closely with airlines and organizations like African Airlines Association (AFRAA). Fleet modernization is another key area where aircraft manufacturers can make a significant impact. Partnering with African airlines helps renew fleets with fuel-efficient and versatile aircraft designed to meet the continent's unique operational requirements. Modernized fleets reduce operational costs and emissions and make air travel more competitive, accessible, and sustainable, a critical factor for the success of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM). Capacity building is another essential contribution. Training programs for pilots, engineers, airline management, and other aviation professionals are vital to supporting the sector's rapid growth and elevating passenger experience. Aircraft manufacturers, with their expertise and resources, are well-positioned to deliver world-class training and share best practices – and we are spearheading these efforts. Additionally, community engagement programs for African youth provide systemic improvement in science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) education and economic empowerment, directly feeding the talent pipeline. All these initiatives equip Africa's aviation workforce with the skills needed to ensure a robust, safe and capable industry. Finally, infrastructure enhancement is another important building block to SAATM. By providing counsel and data-driven analytics, aircraft manufacturers can assist in modernizing airports and air traffic management systems. This ensures the infrastructure is prepared to handle the anticipated increase in air traffic, enhancing safety and facilitating smoother, more efficient operations across the continent. A fully realized SAATM will enable seamless travel and economic growth, fostering unity, and positioning Africa as a competitive player in the global aviation industry. The collaborative efforts of the African Union Commission and its implementing agency, the African Civil Aviation Commission, national governments, civil aviation authorities, the African Development Bank, African Airlines Association, airlines, and aircraft manufacturers through the Joint Prioritized Action Plan in support of SAATM are pivotal in achieving this vision. Working together, we can ensure Africa's aviation renaissance and the realization of the African Union vision, Agenda 2063: an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Boeing.
