By Monday Ukoha

A Different Approach

The African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) adopted a different approach for the Single African Air Transport Market Project Implementation (SAATM-PIP) Airshow in Freetown, Sierra Leone by leveraging the bloc strength of Banjul Accord Group (BAG) to push for further acceleration of SAATM implementation within the bloc. According to the Secretary General of AFCAC, Ms Adefunke Adeyemi: "This particular airshow is very unique to us in the sense that we have all the member States of the Banjul Accord Group (BAG) present here with us."

Working through the BAG which was formed in 2004 to primarily "accelerate the implementation of the Yamoussoukro Decision (YD)" makes it easier to push for the implementation within the bloc of seven states. As Ms Adeyemi noted "BAG-MASA already provides for unlimited market access up to Fifth Freedom Rights and other air transport liberalization elements that are fully compatible with the provisions and obligations of the YD."

Therefore, for AFCAC, its main objective in Freetown "is to engage with your Authorities on how best we can use air transport" to promote and increase tourism and trade between your countries.

Next Steps

In addition, the meeting was also to nudge the BAG states towards the next steps including the creation of a single intra-BAG Market (Domesticate the market), adoption of a common policy on air transport fees, charges and taxes, and the promotion of intra Africa routes traffic and secondary gateway. Other steps for BAG states as articulated by the Secretary General include improving economic oversight capabilities and implementing the AFCAC template on economic regulation, harmonizing the YD texts and granting 7th Freedom rights to members states' airlines to improve cargo movement.

SAATM Update

Against the backdrop of continued push for implementation of SAATM in Africa, the industry continues to see growth, serving as a precursor to what would be if Africa opens up completely to one another. According to AFCAC, the African aviation industry is projected to see 135 million passengers in 2027 up from 102 million in 2023. By the same 2027, fifth freedom traffic passengers will account for 5.3 million seats from less than 3 million seats in 2022. The industry has opened over 60 new intra Africa routes since 2022 and 15 of these are fifth freedom routes. Furthermore, fifth freedom traffic capacity in Africa has increased from 15% in 2018, to 19% in 2023, according to AFCAC. Other achievements of AFCAC include the Operationalization of the Secretariat of the Dispute Settlement Mechanism (DSM) and the secretariat's involvement in resolving "different market access, authorization and designation challenges amongst States".

Sierra Leone Is Open For Business

At the SAATM-PIP, the government of the Republic of Sierra Leone left no one in doubt that it is open for business and is willing to lead the way for air transport liberalization and development in the continent. From the new ultra-modern Freetown International Airport, to the hosting of the SAATM-PIP, and the decision of the country to usher in a very liberal air traffic rights regime, there are palpable evidences that the state has recognised air transport not just as a key plank of the government's Agenda 2038 but an enabler of other economic sectors.

The Minister of Transport and Aviation of Sierra Leone, Ambassador Alhaji Fanday Turay said: "this is in line with the government's commitment to diversify the economy. We believe that aviation, if given the requisite attention and investment, can serve as a major enhancement for trade facilitation, job creation and general economic growth"

Leading By Example

According to Minister Turay the "Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority has the blessing of the Ministry of Transport and Aviation to also grant Fifth Freedom rights to all African airlines upon application".

The country also signed an MoU with the Gambia to turn the international flights between the two countries to a domestic for the full operationalization of SAATM. Furthermore, the Chief Minister Dr. David Moinina Sengeh noting the difficulties in travelling within Africa added that going forward the implementation of SAATM becomes part of the performance contract of the Ministry of Transport And Aviation.

Results Are Coming, But

For the country, results are coming: passenger traffic has moved from 140,000 in 2017 to 220,000 with the indefatigable Director General of Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority Mrs. Musayeroh Barrie projecting traffic to reach 1 million in a few years. Many international airlines are already operating in the country including Brussels Airlines, Turkish etc. Ethiopian Airlines is expected shortly while two other African airlines indicated interest to start operations in the country soon as part of the achievements of the Airshow.

For the country, it was commendation all the way. The AFCAC Secretary General says the country has already attained 80% of SAATM concrete measures, and is working with AFCAC Secretariat to close out any gaps. But if the sentiments, as the SAATM Ambassador for West, Capt. Edward Boyo noted is to make Sierra Leone the Dubai of Africa, then the country is off to a great start but no efforts should be spared to reduce cost of travelling to the country including removing any noxious charges.

Continuity

Sierra Leone needs a critical mass to sustain the industry in view of the anticipated growth and recognizing this, Minister Turay said "capacity building and training are vital for the sustainability of our aviation sector". Mrs Barrie said "we have been bringing a lot of training to Sierra Leone in the fields of AVSEC, in the fields of cargo, in the fields of general operations so that more Sierra Leoneans, more CAA staff, but also the wider ecosystem can benefit from these trainings to enhance our industry.”

Boosting Air Travel

At the panel sessions, the interdependence of ministries in Sierra Leone was in full display. There was no doubt that each ministry including trade, tourism, finance and national security understood their roles in pushing for a fully developed economy in Sierra Leone under the 3Ts, Transport, Trade and Tourism. It was also glaring that one way to stimulate air travel in Africa was to improve the disposable incomes of people on the continent as well as removing taxes and charges which make air travel expensive. In 2022, average air fare as a share of per capita GDP was highest in Africa at 13% compared to 2.3% in the Middle East and Latin America respectively, according to IATA figures.

To drive traffic to the Freetown International Airport, the airport management company, the ground handling company and the profiling company and the immigration undertook to work together to offer seamless services to airport users without which the goal of growing air passenger numbers to hit the million mark will not be attainable.

Final Line

SAATM-PIP in Sierra Leone produced very tangible results for the country and for the continent by showing that what is required to implement SAATM/YD is political will. The Banjul Accord Group can continue leading the charge by accelerating its movement into a domestic market.

For Sierra Leone, the message of the Secretary general of AFCAC was apt in encouraging the country to "continue to improve in your safety and security records, invest in infrastructure to ensure efficient, sustainable and competitive operational environments that promote easy connectivity, business growth and job creation."