African air trade set to double as liberalisation nears

The hunt for silver linings continues – Arabian Supply Chain reports on talks to create a single air space for Africa, optimistically expected to be concluded by the beginning of next year and usher in a new air cargo era for the continent. The African Airlines Association is pushing countries to ratify the 1999 Yamoussoukro Agreement, which would do away with the complex web of bilateral aviation restrictions across the continent and establish a single air market in Africa. “The final hurdle will be to convince those nations with poorly performing airlines to stop the common practice of imposing highly restrictive tariffs on foreign carriers to protect their assets.”