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African transport ministers on Wednesday vowed to set up a single African air transport market by 2017.
The ministers, meeting in Pretoria, threw their weight behind a proposal by the African Union Commission (AUC) for the establishment of such a market.
The meeting, hosted by South African Minister of Transport Dipuo Peters, brought together members of the current Bureau of the Conference of the African Ministers of Transport (CAMT) and Ministers from a select total number of 15 states representing each region of the African Union with various aviation backgrounds.
Peters said the meeting acknowledged the activities implemented by the AUC to make the establishment of a single African air transport market a reality by 2017.
"Fostering the African aviation industry may be one of the driving forces of regional integration on the continent. Better connected African countries and regions, through a viable air transport industry, could be the catalyst that can boost intra- African business, trade, tourism as well as cultural exchanges," she said.
The demand for air transport in Africa has increased steadily over the few years, with passenger numbers and freight traffic growing by 45 percent and 80 percent respectively.
This trend is expected to continue in the coming years due to a number of factors such as robust economic growth, demographic boom, increasing urbanisation and the emergence of the middle class, according to Peters.
"The expansion in air transport also creates market opportunities for local entrepreneurs by creating regional and global economic centres," the official said.
Peters also acknowledged that the industry is being hampered by constraints such as a poor record of safety and security, lack of adequate resources and infrastructure, distance and limited connectivity, lack of regulation and government actions.
"African countries must first link with their own African neighbouring countries before they can forge links with other countries. The fear of competition amongst African counties undercuts national airlines' abilities to enhance their commercial viability," she said
The meeting was convened with the main objective of engaging the ministers and seeking their guidance on the implementation of this major continental initiative in the air transport industry.
Participants highlighted the benefits of full liberalisation and unification of air transport markets in Africa and expressed the readiness of their respective states to enter into an open skies agreement with other African countries, during the January 2015 AU Summit.
