Routes blocked and monopolised by SAA
Protectionist behaviour is preventing South Africa’s privately owned airlines from starting up scheduled flights on routes previously operated by the state-owned airline.
Borders have reopened in most Southern African countries and businesses are back to work. Airlines have been given the go-ahead to resume scheduled flights between South Africa and many destinations in the region. South African Airways (SAA) and SA Express previously operated flights to several regional destinations where there is now longer any air service. Several of these were profitable and attracted good passenger volumes, making them key routes for the national carrier.
The absence of SAA and SA Express has left many commercial scheduled routes unserved for several months. This has forced some passengers who need to reach specific destinations to take several flights to reach their destination. Over the years there was talk of turning SAA into a boutique regional carrier, serving exclusively African routes in favour of its loss-making international routes. This would have helped SAA alleviate its financial situation and constant dependency on bailouts from taxpayers.
Bilateral agreements are agreements between states, regulating the number of flights and the number of airlines that may operate between countries.
The Air Services Licensing Council (ASLC), which falls under South Africa’s Department of Transport, is responsible for issuing permits to airlines that intend to operate flights on routes between destinations.
The ASLC is obligated under the International Air Services Act (1993) to assess the air traffic rights which it allocated. If these have been unused for more than three months, it must allow other airlines to apply for permits to operate flights on these routes.
“According to the International Air Services Act 60 of 1993, the ASLC is required to do an assessment in terms of air traffic rights that have been allocated, but remained dormant for more than three months,” Airlink CEO Rodger Foster said.
