Liberalisation: COMESA’s bold initiative

The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) is about to introduce perhaps the most liberal regional air transport regime ever attempted in Africa. This bold initiative has profound implications for existing airlines in the 21 member states of COMESA.

In addition, if successfully implemented, the liberalised air transport industry within COMESA will provide new investment opportunities for aviation entrepreneurs in Africa and elsewhere. 

From October this year the grouping – which includes Egypt, but excludes South Africa – will permit the free movement within the COMESA region of air cargo and non-scheduled passenger services; the free movement within COMESA of scheduled passenger services, with a ceiling of two daily frequencies between any city pairs; the adoption of double designation, and the elimination of capacity restrictions. 

Phase Two of the COMESA blueprint for air transport liberalisation goes an important step further. From October, 2000, an unrestricted free movement of air services within COMESA, including Fifth Freedom traffic rights, will be permitted. Some countries may find this hard to swallow, as they see their own airlines losing business to stronger or more aggressive competitors from other COMESA members. 

However, COMESA offers some reassurances by saying that it will establish a mechanism to deal with any predatory and anti-competition practices and will formulate and enforce an effective common legal framework for consumer protection. Safety, too, will be a top priority.