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Walter Muchinguri in Victoria Falls

African states have been encouraged to expedite the implementation of the much-delayed Yamoussoukro Decision (YD), an initiative to establish a single air transport market by avoiding restrictive bilateral air service agreements. Speaking during a meeting to mark the International Air Transport Association here yesterday, IATA vice president for Africa Mr Raphael Kuuchi said liberalisation of the African skies was essential in promoting air traffic connectivity and achieving the growth of aviation on the continent.

Mr Kuuchi said research by IATA has shown that if 12 African states liberalise their airspace, 155 000 jobs will be created while $1,3 billion will be added to the countries’ GDP.

“Our studies have shown that in addition to increasing connectivity, liberation will increase flight frequencies leading to time saving, reduction in fares,” he said.

“In terms of Southern Africa, which will be of interest to you we discovered that if South Africa, Namibia, and Angola are to open up their skies, flight frequency will increase 54 percent for South Africa, 92 percent Namibia and 153 percent for Angola, while fares will reduce by 33, 25 and 50 percent respectively,” he said.

He said it was unfortunate that inter-Africa flights remain expensive compared to international flights out of Africa.

He said it was high time that African Governments attend to issues affecting inter-Africa air travel connectivity, which is key to job creation, economic development and integration of the continent.

Transport and Infrastructure Development Minister Dr Jorum Gumbo who opened the meeting said that Zimbabwe was fully committed to the implementation of the Yamoussoukro Decision.

“To this end, Zimbabwe together with other African states has made a solemn commitment to the full implementation of the Yamoussoukro Decision.

“We view this instrument as an important enabler towards enhance trade and regional integration amongst African states and the world at large. We look forward to working closely with our sister African states and other industry stakeholders in order to fully implement the decision for full connectivity across Africa,” he said.

In addition he said the Government has also made investments in the aviation industry to make the country accessible.

“The Victoria Falls International Airport bears testimony to this. On completion the airport will have a second 4 000m runway, a 20 000 square metre international terminal building which is already there, inside road networks, car parks and a control tower,” he said.

He added that Government in partnership with the private sector Government had also refurbished Buffalo Range Airport and was also mobilising resources to upgrade Kariba Airport to International standards.

African Airlines Association president and acting Air Zimbabwe chief executive Mr Edmund Makona called on African Government to support airlines on the continents.

He expressed concern that while everyone in value chain continues to profit airlines’ margin continue to average roughly 3 percent.

“We should not kill the goose that lays the golden egg,” he said.

He said while airlines on the continent were facing a number of challenges they remained a critical to the integration of the continent as well as being a driver of economic growth and job creation.

The IATA day is being celebrated under the theme “The value and benefit of Intra-Africa connectivity”.