The Nigerian government has revealed plans have been concluded to review the bilateral air service agreements with 37 African Countries that were signatories to the Yamoussoukro Decision (YD) and the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM).
The YD and SAATM are implemented to liberalize air transportation in Africa and foster intra-African trade.
The disclosure was made by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo (SAN) while speaking at the recently concluded 24th anniversary of the YD Day event in Abuja. He restated the commitment of Nigeria to the implementation of SAATM to open up the air transport market in Nigeria and Africa at large.
Keyamo underscored the import of the YD and SAATM and noted that air transport liberalization is important in boosting intra-Africa trade which stands currently at 14.4% of total African exports.
He said: “Though African airlines have recorded a 34.7% surge in passenger traffic over the past year, the continent’s global passenger market share remains modest at 2.1%. 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%.”
The Minister stated that Nigeria has made a commitment to the full implementation of SAATM through the SAATM-Project Implementation Pilot (SAATM-PIP).
He said: “I have also directed that our Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) with African Countries that are signatory to SAATM be reviewed in line with the provisions of Yamoussoukro Decision and the principles of reciprocity.”
