July 03, (THEWILL) – The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has emphasised the critical importance of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), an initiative aimed at liberalising the African aviation industry to enhance connectivity, improve safety standards, and boost economic growth.
He equally underscored the need for collaborative efforts among African nations to realise the goals of SAATM, highlighting the potential for increased trade, tourism, and investment opportunities that a unified air transport market could bring.
According to a statement issued by Tunde Moshood, Special Assistant, Media and Communications to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace, Keyamo stated this in his address at the International Air Transport Association (IATA) conference with the theme, “Wings of Change Focus Africa 2024”.
The conference, held in Johannesburg, South Africa, gathered key stakeholders in the aviation industry to discuss the future of air transport across the African continent.
In his remarks, the Minister outlined several key contributions necessary for achieving the SAATM objectives, including the need for the alignment of aviation policies and regulations across African countries to create a seamless and efficient air transport market and the need for significant investments in airport infrastructure and air navigation services to support increased air traffic and ensure safety and efficiency.
Others are the importance of training and development programmes for aviation professionals to build a skilled workforce capable of supporting a modern and competitive aviation industry and encouraging partnerships between governments and private sector stakeholders to leverage resources, expertise, and innovation for the growth and sustainability of the aviation sector.
The Minister also called for a concerted effort to address the challenges facing the African aviation industry, such as high operational costs, restrictive bilateral agreements, and limited access to financing. He stressed that overcoming these obstacles is essential to unlocking the full potential of SAATM and achieving broader economic benefits for the continent.
The “Wings of Change Focus Africa 2024” conference served as a vital platform for dialogue and collaboration among African aviation leaders, regulators, and industry experts. The Minister’s contributions were well-received, reinforcing Nigeria’s commitment to playing a pivotal role in advancing the African aviation industry.
About the Author
Anthony Awunor, is a business correspondent who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Linguistics (UNILAG). He is also an alumnus of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria Kaduna State. He lives in Lagos.
