Fifteen African countries have come together and formed a united front called the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) to unify their air transport market. The aim behind his initiative is to ease air travel within the continent by getting rid of travel restrictions leading to boosting of the African air economy.
The initiative was re-launched in November 2022 by the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) a little after Kenya and South Africa agreed to grant free access to their markets.
Based on a recent study by the African Union on the potential benefits of SAATM implementation, member states could potentially gain an additional $4.2 bn in GDP, 596,000 new jobs, and a 27% reduction in airfares. The initial stage of SAATM is set to be finalized by the end of the year.
The 15 signed states are set to reach a conclusion and align their respective air service agreements to the SAATM regime, during its next meeting to be held in Abuja on December 5, 2022, during the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Air Services Negotiation.