It should spell boom times for airlines but as things now stand few are benefiting, says Comair CEO Erik Venter.

“Comair would fly all over Africa if it were possible,” he says. “There is 20%- 30% under capacity on most routes.” But with few exceptions Africa’s skies are closed to competition, he says .

To obtain the right to fly between countries requires bilateral agreements at government level and this is easier said than done. “Protectionism is rife and the general policy in Africa is to protect domestic carriers to keep fares high,” Venter says.

The picture is different for foreign airlines flying international routes. “Few African airlines fly internationally so this is not seen as competing against domestic carriers,” says Venter.

Dubai-based airline Emirates is among the international airlines enjoying success in Africa. “Including SA, we fly to 22 cities in 18 African countries,” says Emirates Southern Africa regional manager Fouad Caunhye.

On Emirates’ SA routes alone passenger numbers have grown from 500000 to almost 1m over the past five years, says Caunhye, adding that its Cape Town service has greatly contributed to this. “We entered the Cape Town market three years ago and it is now one of our top-10 international tourist destinations.”

Emirates is also enjoying solid growth in other African countries, says Caunhye. Angola in particular stands out. “Last year our passenger numbers were 120% up,” he says.

Venter agrees Angola is an attractive market. “But it would be virtually impossible for us to get landing rights there,” he says . The major obstacle is state-owned domestic airline TAAG Air Angola.

When Africa’s airspace will be opened is hard to tell. Efforts so far have proved futile, including the African Union’s 1999 Yamoussoukro agreement. “Africa made a great start with the Yamoussoukro idea,” says International Air Transport Association CEO Giovanni Bisignani. “But it did not move from idea to reality.”

Source: www.fm.co.za