Once they are adopted and ratified by the Partner States, the air transport market in the EAC will be fully liberalised, and partner states be able to negotiate their Regional Air Transport Bilateral arrangements under the Multilateral Air Services Agreements.
Heads of civil aviation and airport authorities in meeting with Deputy Secretary General Ariik
The East African Community (EAC) has concluded the first step towards liberalizing the region's civil aviation industry, with the conclusion of the necessary regulations.
The Regulations for Liberalization of the Air Transport Market in the EAC Region will naw be submitted to the 19th Meeting of EAC Sectoral Council on Transport, Communication and Meteorology (SC-TCM) for anticipated adoption.
Once adopted by the SC-TCM and thereafter signed and ratified by the Partner States, the air transport market in the EAC will be fully liberalized, adding that Partner States will subsequently negotiate their Regional Air Transport Bilateral arrangements under the Multilateral Air Services Agreement, according to Andrea Aguer Ariik, the Deputy Secretary General for Infrastructure, Productive, Social and Political Sectors.
Ariik was addressing at the just-concluded 19th Meeting of Directors General of Civil Aviation and Airports Authorities, from EAC Partner States.
The liberalization of the air transport market is expected to lower the cost of air fares, stimulate demand for air traffic, connectivity, increase operation efficiency, reduce the flying time and support the expansion of air transport capacities and the regional economy.
While the EAC is hailed as one of the most integrated regions, it has one of the most expensive air travel Industry with each national aviation company operating in isolation.
The Deputy Secretary General said that liberalization of air transport within the EAC would not only facilitate easier movement of people and goods but also boost tourism and trade among member states.
“An integrated air transport market is essential for the development of our region. By removing barriers to air travel, we can enhance competitiveness and attract investment in the region,” said Ariik.
He urged them to consider the possibility of harmonizing the current regulatory fee and charges in the region under the spirit of the EAC Common Market Protocol.
He also recommended designating the EAC Air Transport Market as domestic for EAC national registered air operators operating within EAC territory, and apply charges applicable to domestic parties.
This, according to him, would eventually lower passenger tariffs, in response the public outcry that needs to be addressed.
There are, however, other solutions that can be invoked in the meantime to address some concerns about the industry.
Ariik urged the industry heads to implement the agreed programmes and projects within their domain including the ratification of model regulations to foster the development and integration of the Civil Aviation and Air Transport industry in the EAC Region.
On the modalities for reducing regional air fares, he revealed that the EAC Secretariat in collaboration with Partner States has developed strategies and possible mechanisms that can be considered to lower the cost of air fares including the proposal to formulate national consultative committees by Partner States to guide national consultation exercise as directed by the 17th TCM.
Burundi and Rwanda have submitted their reports after their national consultations to the EAC Secretariat.
The DSG, called upon the other Partner States to do the same and prioritise the establishment of conducive environments for airlines to operate and expand their services regionally.
“We cannot afford to lag behind in an era where the aviation industry is rapidly evolving,” said the Deputy Secretary General.
The 19th Meeting of the Heads of Civil Aviation and Airports Authorities is a follow up on the implementation of directives and recommendations of the 18th Meeting held in January 2023.