Regulations and Government
AFRAA Demands Progress On African Open Skies Liberalization
The African Airlines Association says that states willing to embrace air transport liberalization must press ahead without the support of those who do not.
Ethiopian Airlines is one of the most successful in Africa, but generally carriers across the continent are being held back by restricted market access and other issues. (Photo: Bill Carey)
Ethiopian Airlines is one of the most successful in Africa, but generally carriers across the continent are being held back by restricted market access and other issues. (Photo: Bill Carey)

It is fast approaching 20 years since a November 1999 conference held in Ivory Coast at which 44 African states adopted the Yamoussoukro Decision (YD), which called for an open skies air transport policy across the continent. But at the recent Aviation Africa conference held in the Rwandan capital Kigali delegates heard that implementation is still far from complete and that Africa is failing to fully reap the benefits of liberalizing access to air routes.