Tourism Update readers have identified government protectionism of airspace as the single biggest roadblock standing in the way of implementing the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM). In response to our latest poll, 41% of readers selected this as the biggest obstacle to open skies.
This was followed by exorbitant costs for airlines (31%), visa restrictions (14%) and the complexity of current regulations (14%).
Tourism and trade experts have long touted the potential value of the SAATM, which stems from the 1999 Yamoussoukro Decision. The 34 ratifying member states have agreed to lift market access restrictions and ownership, extend fifth freedom air traffic rights, and liberalise flight frequencies and capacities.
Will you book SAA?
South Africa’s national carrier is back in business as a regional airline, and the Department of Public Enterprises has said that the Takatso Consortium – a special-purpose vehicle established to acquire a 51% shareholding in SAA – will be able to raise the capital needed to grow the airline.
We want to gauge the tourism industry’s sentiments about SAA becoming a fully functional national carrier.
Our poll question this week is:
