INTRA-AFRICAN liberalisation of air transport is unlikely to happen in the way originally envisaged by the Yamoussoukro Decision (YD). A more likely scenario is that groupings of like-minded states will come together and liberalise their bilateral air service agreements to achieve a measure of liberalisation consistent with trade relations between them, says Aasa ceo, John Morrison.

A recent African Union Ministers of Transport meeting in Addis Ababa appointed the African Civil Aviation Commission (Afcac) as the executing agency for implementing YD throughout the continent. But Morrison believes Afcac's implementation track record is poor due to a systemic lack of financial and human resources. Meanwhile though, regional economic communities in West and East Africa are implemented YD principles in their regions, he says. His views are shared by African Airlines Association (Afraa) secretary-general, Christian Folly-Kossi, who has called for a “club of ready and willing” African states to implement intra-continental open skies to counter competition from powerful foreign carriers. He says this would counteract the gradual collapse of almost all African flag carriers since globalisation began 30 years ago. The implementation of YD and a single air space policy for Africa would result in consolidation among the continent's carriers and increased competitiveness. Weaker African airlines would then be able to compete with their stronger international counterparts on a more equal footing. He also called for more constructive partnerships between European and African carriers aimed at mutual development and prosperity, such as KLM and Kenya Airways.