Tanzania set to join single African air transport market

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania is considering joining the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), which will enable the country’s airlines operate anywhere without restrictions.

Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) Director General, Hamza Johari, said on March 25 that stakeholders in the aviation sector are currently in the primary stages of collecting information on whether to join Single African Air Transport Market.

The single air transport market is a flagship project of the African Union Agenda 2063, an initiative that seeks to advance the liberalisation of civil aviation in Africa and act as an impetus to the continent’s economic integration agenda.

SAATM will ensure aviation plays a major role in connecting Africa, promoting its social, economic, and political integration, and boosting intra-Africa trade and tourism as a result.

"For 10 years, we could not enter some parts of the African aviation market due to restrictions that only allow airlines to operate in countries they have an aviation pact with," he said.

However, Tanzania is currently deliberating about joining SAATM, and after consultations, proposals will be forwarded to the government for further consideration.

Read: Tanzania five years away from joining open skies

He noted that the market will bring a lot of advantages to Air Tanzania Ltd (ATCL), which currently has 14 airplanes in its fleet that can operate anywhere in the African market.

"While we will be able to operate anywhere in the African market, other companies will also fly to Tanzania and therefore strengthen business in the sector.

He noted that they were also aiming for a harmonised regulatory framework.

IATA fully supports this initiative, which will open up Africa’s skies and promote the value of aviation throughout the continent. Open-air arrangements.

"The market will drive economies and create jobs," he said.

So far, at least 34 countries have signed up for the SAATM. They including Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Cote d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ethiopia, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and Gambia.

On his part, the trainer at the National Institute of Transport, Juma FIMBO, said the initiative was started in 2018 so as to have one market.

He said initially, a country had to enter into an agreement with a certain country before they could operate in that country.

"SAATM increase business and the scope of airline operations," he noted. He, however, added that companies will have to be competitive with quality service to be able to survive on the market.

On his part, TCCA director of Economic Regulations, Daniel Malanga, said SAATM will ensure aviation plays a major role in connecting Africa and promoting its social, economic, and political integration.

According to him, improvements in the air transport infrastructure would help to lower transport costs, support more rapid economic growth, and increase personal mobility.

"Liberation of the aviation service will increase the number of operators and ultimately increase competition that allows passengers to decide which airline to travel with depending on affordable prices," he said. 

He stressed that the liberalisation of air services between Tanzania and other African countries will increase air travel demand; as a result, fares will decrease due to competition and enhanced service quality.