Hadi Sirika, minister of aviation, says Africa has agreed to
implement a single air transport market (SAATM) to advance liberalisation.
Sirika said this at a five-day International Civil Aviation
Organisation (ICAO) air services negotiation event in Abuja on Friday.
The minister said SAATM, being a flagship project of the
African Union agenda 2063, would boost the continent’s economic integration
plans.
He said SAATM will ensure aviation plays a major role in connecting Africa, promoting its social, economic and political integration, and boosting intra-Africa trade and tourism.
Sirika noted that SAATM was created to expedite the full
implementation of the Yamoussoukro Decision.
The Yamoussoukro Decision is a treaty adopted by most
members of the African Union (AU) which establishes a framework for the
liberalisation of air transport services between African countries, as well as
fair competition between airlines.
“I am very excited for Nigeria to host this very important
event,” Sirika said.
“There are new developments that we derived from this, in
particular, our resolve to implement single air transport market in Africa
(SAATM).
“This is in the spirit of actualising agenda 2063 which will
unify and integrate Africa and connect its people, future and posture.
“It will also open the borders to connect the whole world
together.
“Aviation ought to play its role in connecting our markets,
places, friends, and families among others.”
Sirika further said the series of engagements and
negotiations during the event indicated that the “ICAAN 2022 was delivered
objectively”.
He also said the achievement in human and services,
improving some memorandum of understanding (MoUs) within the states during the
event, would eventually co-increase air connectivity in Africa and globally.
On his part, Anthony Derjacques, minister of transport for
the Republic of Seychelles, said SAATM would open up Africa’s skies and promote
the value of aviation throughout the continent.
Derjacques also said opening air arrangements would boost
traffic, drive economies and create jobs.
Meanwhile, Mohamed Rahma, director, air transport bureau,
International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), commended Nigeria and other
stakeholders for their contributions towards a successful ICAAN 2022 event in
Nigeria.
Rahma added that ICAO’s long-term vision for international
air transportation liberation was to improve social and economic needs, expand
markets and states collaboration across the world.
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