Uganda has showed interest in signing on to joining the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) by forming a committee involving players from different sectors deliberated to after a successful meeting organized by the Civil Aviation Authority.
The committee will include the Ministry of Finance, Works and Transports, the Uganda Tourism Board, and private sector stakeholders.
During the meeting, the importance of the Single African Air Transport Market was discussed, citing the benefits an enhanced aviation market would bring to various sectors in the country. Pitching the idea to the nation, UCAA Deputy Director General Olive Birungi Lumonya said;
“Flying is efficient, quicker, and safer but is not utilized much as the other forms of travel. If this agreement is signed by Uganda, we will be joining the rest of Africa in reducing the cost of travel and increasing air traffic and business.”
In East Africa, Uganda and Tanzania are the only major aviation countries that have not signed on to the project. Before the pandemic, Ugandan authorities were focused on various domestic projects, which stopped them from signing onto SAATM.
Despite having about 18% of the world’s population, Africa contributes about 2% of global air travel. This is because many states restrict their air service markets to protect their national carriers, and for that reason, many countries have not signed on to the open skies initiative.
To date, 34 out of 54 African nations have come onboard to open up Africa’s skies and promote the value of aviation throughout the continent. The 34 nations represent over 80% of the existing market in Africa.
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