Imagine a future where traveling between African countries is as easy and affordable as it is hopping from city to city in Europe. This vision may be closer than we might think, thanks to SAATM.
The Single African Air Travel Market (SAATM) agreement is a flagship initiative of the African Union Transformation Agenda 2063(The Africa We Want). It was launched in 2018 by African heads of state and governments to create a unified air transport market and ensure the liberalization of civil aviation in Africa.
What is air travel liberalization?
Simply put, liberalization of air travel is the process of reducing restrictions on air travel and allowing for greater commercial freedom.
In this article, Kendirita Tours will share the impact of SAATM on African nations if fully implemented, and what our travelers stand to gain from it.
Air travel statistics:
One of the traditional indicators of a region’s importance in international aviation has been population size, with the United States being the largest air travel market in the world.
The 2019 passenger data indicated that the African market flew 100 million passengers. In the same year, the E.U. flew over 1.1 billion passengers, Latin America 350 million, and the Middle East flew 228 million travelers despite these regions being smaller in size than Africa.
That said, a survey done by AITA suggests that if just 12 African countries opened their air markets, an extra 155,000 jobs would be created in aviation and aviation-enabled tourism, and about 1.3 billion USD added to those countries’ GDPs.
To date, 34 African countries including Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa, Senegal, and Zimbabwe have already signed up to SAATM. They represent 80% of the existing aviation market in Africa. The remaining African nations are encouraged and expected to sign.
What does SAATM mean for Travelers?
With SAATM, countries will open their skies to each other, promoting direct flights between African cities and allowing airlines to expand their routes more freely.
Our travelers stand to benefit in the following ways:
- Affordable Flights
If you’ve flown within Africa, you may have noticed that flights between African countries can be unexpectedly expensive, sometimes even more so than flights to Europe or the Middle East. By eliminating restrictive policies and allowing airlines to operate more freely, SAATM aims to reduce ticket prices by encouraging healthy competition.
- Reduced Travel Time
SAATM aims to enable airlines to establish more direct routes, meaning travelers can avoid the hassle of multiple layovers or traveling via Europe to get from one African country to another. Imagine traveling directly from Accra to Kigali without needing to detour through Dubai or Istanbul!
For both business and leisure travelers, this can significantly cut down on travel time, making intra-African trips faster and more convenient.
- More Flight Options
SAATM will allow African airlines to expand their route networks, which will translate to more choices for travelers. No longer limited to a handful of options, travelers can pick flights that suit their schedules and budgets. This competition can improve not only the quantity but also the quality of airline services across the continent.
In closing:
With SAATM’s full implementation, Africa could unlock unprecedented travel and economic opportunities for both travelers and the tourism industry. As Kendirita Tours, we are excited about the possibilities this new era of air travel brings to our clients. Here is to hoping it comes to pass… for you and for Africa!
Writer: Winnie Wekesa