African Union
Declaration of Yamoussoukro on a New African Air Transport Policy
- Published on 17 October 1988
- Commenced
- [This is the version of this document at 17 October 1988.]
Co-operation in air transport
A. Integration of airlines
We commit ourselves, individually and collectively, to make all the necessary efforts to achieve the integration of our airlines within a period of eight years. This integration should be done through the strengthening of existing co-operative structures and the creation of new entities either on a subregional basis, on the basis of economic groupings or on the basis of affinity. To this end, studies and consultations will be carried out immediately. The process towards the total integration of our airlines could be carried out in phases as indicated hereunder, it being understood that in certain cases it may not be necessary to go through all the phases.Our Governments agree:During Phase I
During Phase II
To commit their airlines to the joint operation of compatible and international routes and to carry out jointly certain aspects of airline operations particularly in the following areas:And during Phase III
To achieve the complete integration of airlines, especially according to the three schemes below:Phase I | 2 years |
Phase II | 3 years |
Phase III | 3 years |
B. Traffic rights
During the implementation of the programme for the integration of our airlines the need to exchange traffic rights will be gradually eliminated. During the period of transition, it is necessary to show more flexibility in the granting of the fifth freedom to African airlines.Groupings of countries co-operating in the establishment of joint multinational airlines will exchange traffic rights among themselves without restriction and shall formulate a common policy for the granting of traffic rights to carriers from outside Africa.C. Costs and Tariffs
Recognizing the relationship between tariffs and airline operating costs, African Civil Aviation Administrations and airlines undertake to increase their technical co-operation, especially in the fields of maintenance and overhaul of aircraft, fleet planning and joint purchase activities, the use of ground equipment and collective insurance so as to minimize operating costs and thereby reduce tariffs.Immediate action shall be taken by African States that have not yet done so to ratify the Convention on the African Air Tariff Conference (AFRATC), a forum for African airlines to study, discuss and agree on air tariffs to, from and within Africa.Improvement of management
The ultimate integration of our airlines should be based on the improvement of their financial situation. We undertake to improve the management of existing national airlines through a programme of intensive training aimed at making available to them manpower, who are qualified and skilled in this field, competence being the sole criterion for the appointment of all staff. Every effort would be made to retain specialist staffs who are hard to come by, within the airlines.We further undertake to intensify our efforts to accord priority to the use of existing training facilities within Africa.Financing of air transport activities
Within the framework of the integration of our airlines into larger units we shall seek to purchase equipment jointly in order to enhance our ability to acquire modern aircraft.We shall also work towards the establishment of an African aircraft leasing and financing company so as to facilitate the acquisition of equipment by African airlines.To this end, we call on African financing institutions, in particular ADB, and other multinational financing institutions to give high priority to activities for the implementation of the objectives set out in this Declaration. We also encourage African private capital to get involved in the financing of air transport activities.Product distribution system
We commit ourselves to combatting the invasion of our national markets by non-African distribution systems and, to that end, we shall as a matter of urgency:Aircraft noise
We agree to work out a common position regarding the adoption and application of measures concerning aircraft noise restrictions in accordance with our economic situation.We reaffirm our determination to take all the necessary steps to prevent the introduction into our countries of aircraft that are no longer in use elsewhere because of noise restrictions.We also agree not to impose restrictions on aircraft presently registered in Africa that do not comply with current noise standards.Mechanism for implementation and follow-up
We hereby decide to entrust the task of co-ordinating the implementation of the objectives set out in this Declaration to the Economic Commission for Africa. In this regard, we request the Economic Commission for Africa to liaise with the Organization of African Unity, the African Civil Aviation Commission, the African Airlines Association and other organizations concerned.We commit ourselves to take all the necessary steps to facilitate the implementation of this Declaration and to instruct the Ministers responsible for Civil Aviation of the following subregions to coordinate this implementation:North Africa: | Name of country to be communicated to ECA later |
East Africa: | United Republic of Tanzania |
West Africa: | Republic of Cote d'lvoire |
Cental Africa: | Republic of Gabon |
Southern Africa: | Name of country to be communicated to ECA later. |
History of this document
17 October 1988 this version
Consolidation