I cannot help but notice a trend in A/S that has become more common place - the misapplication or the wrong Implementation of Yamoussoukro Decision by A/S. I hope it will be looked into and corrected very soon.
Yamoussoukro Decision is the bilateral Air traffic agreement reached and signed by 44 African nations and its details are as follows;
However, what I see happening and the way it is implemented in A/S is to give a free exercise of the 8th and 9th freedom rights which are not included and covered by the Yamoussoukro Decision! For reference, the 8th and 9th freedom rights are referred to below;
The 8th right essentially is what is called 'Cabotage' and it is not referred to or allowed under the Yamoussoukro Decision. A Kenyan or Ethiopian airline should not have the right to operate a 'local' or 'domestic' flight within South Africa or Nigeria under the clauses of Yamoussoukro Decision. Even if such an Airline were to be continuing to service to its own country, it should not be able to engage in any 'Cabotage' within the host country. The Yamoussoukro Decision does NOT make any provision for either the 8th or 9th Freedom Right. A/S officials should please implement this correctly.