Minister of aviation and aerospace development, Festus Keyamo, has said African airlines have recorded a 34.7 per cent surge in passenger traffic in one year.
The minister stated this at the 24th anniversary of the Yamoussoukro Decision (YD) day event in Abuja on Tuesday.
Keyamo said despite the 34.7 per cent surge in passenger traffic over the past year, the continent global passenger market share remains modest at 2.1 per cent, and noted that the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), is a no-brainer in giving impetus to not just intra Africa trade, tourism, but SAATM would also reduce the continent’s trade deficit by 51 per cent.
The minister further said “statistics from the Africa Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), shows that 37-member states have so far subscribed to unconditionally implement the YD and SAATM, with 23 states signing the Memorandum of Implementation (MoI), for its operationalisation.
According to him, “Presently, intra Africa trade stands low at just 14.4 per cent of total African exports. Though African airlines have recorded a 34.7 per cent surge in passenger traffic over the past year, the continent’s global passenger market share remains modest at 2.1per cent . Therefore, the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) is a no-brainer in giving impetus to not just intra Africa trade, tourism, but SAATM would also reduce the continent’s trade deficit by 51 per cent.
“Statistics from the Africa Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) shows that 37 member states have so far subscribed to unconditionally implement the YD and SAATM, with 23 States signing the Memorandum of Implementation (MoI), for its operationalization.
The records also show that these 37 states account for more than 88 per cent of intra-African traffic and more than 800 million people in Africa. It is common knowledge that the success of the SAATM initiative depends on not just the commitment of individual countries, but also on collaborative efforts at the regional and continental levels.”
Also speaking at the event, the secretary general of AFCAC, Adefunke Adeyemi stated that: “I encourage governments and all stakeholders at this year’s YD Week anniversary in Abuja to contribute to the implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market and its socio-economic benefits to states, African airlines, investors and air travellers.
“As the executing agency of the Yamoussoukro Decision and SAATM, which is the flagship project of Africa Union’s Agenda 2063, AFCAC is focused on achieving 30 per cent increased 5th Freedom connectivity in Africa by 2025. I am thrilled that more states are embracing the SAATM for its huge benefits. Africa must remain committed and fast track its efforts to achieve the noble objectives of the SAATM.”
The secretary general further said, “Achieving integration in Africa cannot be overstated as Africa’s unity, envisioned decades ago, is the bedrock of our continent’s economic transformation. The YD-Week in Abuja offers us the unique opportunity to fast-track the use of air transport to bring Africa’s regions, cultures and economies ever closer and more consolidated.”
The YD Week brought together AU Member States, African and global aviation institutions and partners, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), airlines, airports, air navigation services providers (ANSPs), technical and financial partners, industry associations and other aviation stakeholders to network and discuss the most effective way to fast-track SAATM implementation.
