Dr Engineer Elijah Chingosho
Director General – Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe
The 29th Assembly of the Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU) designated 14th of November of every year as the Yamoussoukro Decision Day (YD Day) to be celebrated at National, Regional and Continental levels. Against this backdrop, the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development and the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ) celebrate today, the Yamoussoukro Decision (YD) which entered into force in 2000 following its endorsement by Heads of State and
Government of the African Union for the liberalization of scheduled and non-scheduled air transport services within Africa and with an overall aim of removing restrictions on traffic rights, capacity and frequency between city pairs.
This Statement therefore aims at informing valued aviation stakeholders, customers, the whole of our beautiful nation, Zimbabwe and the world about celebration of YD Day and critical elements of YD. The Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Honorable Felix T Mhona, as the Champion Ambassador for the full implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), on the 4th of
October 2022 at the side-lines of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) 41st Assembly, signed the Memorandum of Implementation towards full implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM). This was in fulfilment of the Declaration of the Solemn Commitment made during the African Union Assembly of January 2015, where the former Head of State of the Republic of
Zimbabwe, the late Cde Robert Gabriel Mugabe signed towards this Open Skies Policy.
The African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), as the Executing Agency of the African Union towards full implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), exhorted SAATM Member States to regularly advocate for the Open Skies Policy. Coincidentally, this is in tandem with the pronouncements by His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Cde Dr E. D. Mnangagwa that “ZIMBABWE IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS” and his Mantra of Engagement and Re-Engagement. In line with these two laudable quests, indeed “Zimbabwe Skies are Open for Airlines”.
Benefits of Open Skies?
Air connectivity is a measure of economic potential and opportunity. The better connected a country is by air, the greater its ability to unlock the economic, political, cultural and social benefits that air transport can deliver. Currently, air connectivity in Africa is focused on international routes, most especially from Europe and the Middle East whilst intra-Africa connectivity is much more limited. The SAATM through the full implementation of the Yamoussoukro Decision will contribute to the socio-economic benefits in the African Continent and will also foster the actualization of the continent’s integration as espoused by the African Union Agenda 2063. Air Transport liberalization will result in; increased routes, reduced costs of travel to the African citizenry, increased trade, tourism, increase in direct employment and investments
thereby resulting in economic growth (GDP) for the African States and the continent. So far, 35 Member States have subscribed to the Solemn Commitment to implement the SAATM.
The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development and the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe wish to take this opportunity of celebrating YD Day to encourage all stakeholders including; Airlines, Charter Operators, Airport Authorities, Handling Companies, Freight Forwarding Companies and Agents, the Tourism Industry, Aircraft Maintenance Organizations, investors and the entire travelling public to take
full advantage of this policy thrust and position ourselves to benefit from the above anticipated benefits of Open Skies Policy.
No one should be left behind when the Skies are opened
Happy YD Day to you all!!