African Open Skies Assessment Underway

30 October 2013

The ICA and the European Investment Bank (EIB) recruited a consultant to undertake the study ‘to assist in the opening up of Aviation Services in Africa’. The overall objective of the study is to address the barriers to the expansion of effective aviation services across Africa - through analysis and targeted interventions in support of relevant PIDA – PAP projects.

PIDA - PAP includes three major aviation programmes: namely Yamoussoukro Decision implementation, West Africa Air Transport and Central Africa Air Transport Hubs. While there is support for liberalisation of market access through the Yamoussoukro Decision, in practice only partial implementation has been achieved to date across the continent; and, market access for airlines is often restricted to promoting national carriers, resulting in inefficient services and seat utilisation.

With this in mind, the main objective of the ICA study (which commenced in September, 2013) is to  review and assess the African Open Skies/ Yamoussoukro Decision and further refine the recommendations on the West and Central African Air Transport Hubs.

This proposed study will benefit all the relevant stakeholders and  will conclude in June 2014. A workshop to discuss and agree implementation of the study findings will be held thereafter.

Category: Transport