By Desire Tshuma
HARARE – Zimbabwe is moving to open up African skies and align its aviation policy with the goals of the African Continental Free Trade Area.
The Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Hon. Adv. Felix Mhona, announced last week that government is reviewing all Bilateral Air Services Agreements with fellow Yamoussoukro Declaration member states. The review is aimed at expanding air freedoms, attracting more airlines, improving connectivity and boosting trade across the continent.
Minister Mhona made the remarks while officially opening the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) Pilot Implementation Project (PIP) Airshow and Workshop held in Harare.
“Government is reviewing Bilateral Air Services Agreements with Yamoussoukro Declaration Member States across Africa to expand air freedoms, attract more airlines, improve air connectivity, and boost trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA),” Mhona said.
The Yamoussoukro Decision commits signatories to liberalise air transport by removing restrictions on capacity, frequency, routes and tariffs. SAATM is the operational framework for that decision and seeks to create a single unified air transport market in Africa with lower fares and more competition.
Hosting the SAATM PIP workshop places Zimbabwe among the early pilot countries expected to demonstrate practical implementation. Government has in recent years invested in upgrading airport infrastructure, including the expansion of Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, as part of efforts to position the country as a regional aviation hub.
Minister Mhona said improved air connectivity is critical to unlocking economic opportunities and supporting AfCFTA. He noted that more airlines and direct routes will reduce the cost of moving people and cargo, making it easier for Zimbabwean businesses to access the continental market of 1.4 billion people.
The 3-day workshop brought together aviation regulators, airline executives and other stakeholders to discuss harmonisation of regulations, safety oversight and the opening of new routes. It is expected to produce a roadmap with timelines for additional air freedoms and mutual recognition of safety certificates.