AIR transport is an industry that remains a vital engine of economic growth, trade facilitation, and regional integration.
By Ketra Kalunga
According to the 2023 International Air Transport Association (IATA) statistics, the sector supports an estimated $63 billion in economic activity in Africa including Zambia and over 7 million jobs.
In the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the aviation market has been identified as one of the key sectors that will support economic growth and regional integration.
COMESA is advocating for the elimination of high aviation charges and unjustified fees to enable countries to fully benefit from the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM).
Its efforts in regional integration in Africa’s aviation sector are aimed at enhancing connectivity, boosting economic growth, and providing opportunities for social well-being and job creation.
Stakeholders in the sector gathered in Lusaka for a Single African Air Transport Market Pilot Implementation Project (SAATM PIP) Zambia Airshow held under the theme “Acceleration of Air Transport Liberalisation in Africa to Improve Continental Connectivity and Integration”.
SAATM is a flagship project of the African Union (AU) Agenda 2063, an initiative of the AU to create a single unified air transport market in Africa in order to advance the liberalization of civil aviation in the region 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.
SAATM PIP launched in Dakar, Senegal, on November 14, 2022 to move the African liberalisation journey forward and full liberalisation is expected to increase intra-Africa air traffic by over 50 per cent and reduce fares by up to 26 per cent.
Zambia took a decisive step in November 2020 to sign and ratify SAATM and by doing so, the country joined other countries in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to an open, competitive, and truly African skies policy.
The countries include among others Botswana, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania, the DRC, and Zimbabwe out of the 37 in Africa.
African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) Secretary General Adefunke Adeyemi says SAATM is said to be Zambia’s gateway to economic growth as it represents a transformative opportunity for the country and promises economic growth, job creation and regional integration.
She states that being strategically located in SADC, SAATM positions Zambia as a connectivity centre or a regional hub as it borders about nine countries, making it an ideal transit hub.
Ms Adeyemi says Zambia has already shown the leadership and foresight necessary to position itself as a regional air transport hub, having been among the first eleven countries to sign the solemn commitment to SAATM.
She states that the decision to host the SAATM-PIP Airshow reaffirms Zambia’s commitment and readiness to take bold steps forward.
Zambia Civil Aviation Authority (CCA) Board Chairperson Patrick Nkhoma says Zambia’s inclusion in the pilot implementation project reflects the nation’s commitment to advancing the principles of open skies, fostering competitiveness, and ensuring that aviation remains a critical driver of trade, tourism and investment in Zambia and the region.
Dr Nkhoma says Zambia commenced implementation of the SAATM PIP in 2022 and has made notable achievements such as liberalised air service agreements.
He explains that Zambia has granted multiple fifth freedom rights to African carriers, facilitating increased connectivity between Lusaka and key African hubs and this has resulted in greater route diversity and frequency.
Dr Nkhoma sadds that another achievement is the increased airline participation that has seen several African carriers having commenced or expanded operations into Zambia, improving passenger choice and lowering airfares on selected routes.
He further states that tourism and trade boost is another achievement for Zambia as the country has enhanced connectivity which has directly benefited tourism arrivals and made it easier for Zambian businesses to access new African markets, thereby promoting regional integration.
“Zambia was recognised by AFCAC and honoured with an award for being the African country with the highest number of intra-African routes in 2024, a clear testament to our proactive stance in implementing SAATM provisions to make air travel in Africa more efficient, affordable and accessible” he adds.
COMESA has emphasised the importance of aviation infrastructure with assistant Secretary General Dev Haman stating that modern, safe, and efficient facilities from airport upgrades and cargo handling systems to improved safety oversight and digitalisation are key to unlocking Africa’s aviation potential.
Dr Haman explains that these investments will increase connectivity, competitiveness, and sustainability.
“Aviation is more than a mode of transport. It connects markets, enables mobility, creates jobs, and fosters inclusive development,” he states.
Dr Haman assures that COMESA remains committed to working with all partners to ensure aviation continues to serve as a bridge to regional integration and sustainable growth.
He reiterates COMESA’s readiness to collaborate with governments, development partners, and all stakeholders to fully implement SAATM, improve aviation safety, strengthen air navigation efficiency, and expand market access across Africa.
European Union (EU) Delegation to Zambia-Head of Infrastructure Massimo Bonannini says to date about 38 African countries, representing over 80 per cent of the continent’s aviation market, have committed to SAATM.
He noted that this is real progress, yet implementation remains uneven with only about 39 per cent of Bilateral Air Service Agreements (BASAs) are Yaw Damper (YD)-compliant, with challenges like protectionism, inadequate airport infrastructure, and regulatory inconsistencies hindering implementation.
Mr Bonannini says the SAATM-PIP therefore seeks to change this by testing liberalised market access among the 20 countries involved, showing tangible benefits and building momentum.
“Already, we see more routes, more fifth-freedom operations, and new agreements such as Zambia’s recent BASA with Angola, enhancing regional connectivity,” he says.
Zambia’s Transport and Logistics Minister Frank Tayali states that the country is strategically placed to anchor a tri-regional aviation network linking Southern, Central, and Eastern Africa.
He explains that Lusaka can serve as the central hub, Ndola as a mining and industrial air gateway, and Livingstone and Mfuwe as tourism and conference magnets.
Mr Tayali states that the benefits are clear and include over 20 new intra-African routes by 2028, 40 to 50 passenger growth and 35 per cent in 3 years’ lower fares across the region.
Other benefits are 30 to 35 per cent more air cargo exports from agriculture, mining, and manufacturing and thousands of new jobs in aviation, logistics, and tourism, he adds.
The two days SAATM PIP Zambia Airshow concluded with a strong call to transform potential into prosperity by ensuring immediate 6 to 12 months incentivised route launches, cargo hub activation and enhanced tourism marketing.
The stakeholders also proposed a medium term of 1 to 3 years’ infrastructure optimization, market domestication and fleet expansion as well as a long term of 3 to 5 years’ establishment of Zambia as a continental aviation hub and SAATM leader.
