Nigerian airlines reject open African skies
Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has rejected the proposed Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), urging the Federal Government not to sign any treaty that will negatively impact on the future of Nigeria.
Chairman of AON, Capt. Nogie Megisson, said the country needed to put in place a policy to help local carriers before discussing about open skies.
He spoke at the sensitisation workshop on the implementation of SAATM organised by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) with the theme: “Implementation of SAATM: Its Impact on the Nigerian Aviation Industry and National Economy”.
The Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, pledged the commitment of government to the implementation of SAATM which 23 African countries, including Nigeria, have already signed. The implementation is to start February.
SAATM which brainchild of is the African Union Heads of State and Government is a follow up to the full implementation of the 1999 Yamoussoukro Declaration liberalising air transport in Africa.
Sirika who was represented by the Managing Director of the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Capt. Fola Akinkuotu, said SAATM would enhance traffic connectivity and significant growth in passenger volume over the next few years.
“We must all, therefore, strive to commit to the full implementation and operationalisation of SAATM. We need to leap forward so as to become an effective global competitor in aviation,” he said.
He also disclosed that Nigeria had constituted a national implementation committee to review all the subsisting Bilateral Air Services Agreements (BASAs) to be in consonance with the YD, while the process of domesticating the decision was currently at an advanced stage.
However, the AON chairman said local carriers were against the open sky agreement until all issues affecting the growth of Nigerian airlines, like multiple charges, were addressed.
He said airlines were not carried along in the agreement, saying the treaty did not provide a level playing field for airlines.
He said: “We are happy that we are looking at an open skies policy. But I believe the genuineness must be shown. I think we need to pause and take a look at it.
“America and Europe do not have an open skies policy. Why are we rushing for an open skies policy? We must think as Nigerians and put Nigeria first. If we open the sky, what advantage are we bringing to Nigeria?”
The African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) argued that the successful implementation of SAATM would give African airlines more commercial freedom and reduce operation cost.
Secretary General of AFCAC, Iyabo Sosina, said the full implementation of SAATM would be of benefit to all African states, including those without airlines.