CONTACTS: +254 726879488 (Mobile)
+254770 455 116 (Office)
African Airlines Association (AFRAA) has pleaded with African governments to unconditionally fast track the implementation of the Open Skies Policy in order to achieve the January 2017 target as it seeks to have fully liberalized skies to allow for level-playing field for all airlines flying in and out of Africa.
AFRAA secretary general Elijah Chingosho said Thursday that the move to have open skies is ‘irreversible’ saying African countries also need to end the interdepartmental standoff on visa regulations and other issues which are having negative effect on the industry.
“The journey to have African skies fully liberated is irreversible at this point and those countries that are yet to implement the policy should do so in earnest in order to meet the January 2017 target to have our skies fully opened,” he said, urging governments to fully remove many visa requirements which is hindering the industry’s growth and should instead adopt online travel visa applications.
He spoke while announcing the association’s attainment of ISO certification – which has seen it become the first airline lobby group in the world to attain the standardization mark.
He said African aviation industry need to end unprecedented levels of tension, frustration and animosity as well as conflicting government policies which he said are working against industry players.
He also blamed lack of corporation among African states and low passenger volumes and high cost per seat as other challenges facing the industry.
The industry accounts for just 3 per cent of global passenger traffic, despite having 15 per cent of the world’s population on 20 percent of the world’s land mass.
International carriers are carrying 82 percent of the traffic to and from Africa, while African airlines carry 18 percent.
Local carriers Kenya Airways and its subsidiary Jambo jet will be expected to feel the heat from international airlines particularly from Gulf Airlines once the skies are fully opened.