What do the Yamoussoukro Declaration (circa 1988) and the African Joint Air Services (AJAS) project (circa 1989) have in common? The answer: Both are laudable schemes aimed at enhancing African airline co-operation and they have both been delayed in their implementation by the lack of resources or commitment (or both).
Fortunately, new initiatives are underway which may bring the Yamoussoukro Declaration and the AJAS venture nearer to fruition. A meeting of African Civil Aviation Ministers is due to take place in Mauritius this September to evaluate, inter alia, the level of implementation of the 1988 Yamoussoukro Declaration.
Perhaps the Yamoussoukro Declaration was too ambitious in scope and time-frame? If so, the ‘Mauritius Declaration’ may well advocate the implementation of objectives which are more modest, but still very beneficial.
As for AJAS, is South African Airways the knight in shining armour rushing to the rescue of a damsel in distress? It remains to be seen. The fact is that it appears unlikely that Air Tanzania and Uganda Airlines could implement AJAS by themselves at present. Hence, SAA may, indeed, provide the key.