Growth of African airlines restricted by lack of unified regulatory system: Ethiopian Airlines CEO

Ethiopian Airlines CEO Tewolde GebreMariam, speaking at the CAPA World Aviation Summit, said (20-Nov-2014) the lack of a unified regulatory system in Africa is restricting the growth of airlines in the region. Mr GebreMariam said the failure to fully implement the Yamoussoukro Decision is a major problem and regional hubs are not developing as they should be due to restrictive intra-Africa rights. Mr GebreMariam described aviation as a critical public service, which requires more attention from African governments. Mr GebreMariam said he is hopeful of change through the African Airlines Association (AFRAA) and African Civil Aviation Commission and the possibility that heads of state will declare full implementation of the Yamoussoukro Decision at the African Union (AU) summit in Jan-2015.