South Africa Draft Comprehensive Civil Aviation Policy

 On 23 May 2025 the South African Government published a draft Comprehensive Civil Aviation Policy.

South Africa leads initiative to oppose European taxes on aviation

On 11 March 2011 at ITB in Berlin the South African Minister of Tourism released a Communique supported by his country, Australia, Kenya, New Zealand, the Seychelles, Singapore and the Caribbean Tourism Organisation criticising the impact that "unilateral, discriminatory" European aviation taxes are having on long-haul destinations. The Communique received little media coverage but points to concern from a wide range of Commonwealth countries.

This follows taxation changes made by the United Kingdom (see previous post), Germany (see previous post) and Austria (see previous post).

There are very few disputes between the United Kingdom and Australasia but this seems to be one of them. The UK's 2011 Budget due to be released on 23 March 2011 may be worth watching for any movement on this issue.

South Africa signs new MoU with Qatar boosting capacity for their airlines

On 28 October 2010 the Qatar News Agency announced that, following negotiations in Pretoria, South Africa and Qatar have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding quadrupling the flights available to the airlines of the two countries to 28 flights per week for each side.

Canada concludes "Blue Sky" air transport agreement with South Africa

On 5 August 2009 the Canadian Minister of Transport, John Baird, and Minister of International Trade, Stockwell Day, announced the conclusion of a "Blue Sky" air transport agreement between Canada and South Africa.

Air Canada and South African Airways are both members of the Star Alliance.

The ministerial statement also outlines the progress Canada has made in its air services agreement negotiations since January 2006 (see previous post).

New Zealand's recent treaty negotiations

Just about hidden away on the web site of the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade is the International Treaties List, a publication produced every six months that gives some details of all the treaties that the New Zealand Government is negotiating, concluding, ratifying or amending. This includes air services agreements.

The 61-page July 2008 edition on pages 59-60 refers to New Zealand's air services relationships with Canada, the European Union, the Philippines, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Turkey and the United Kingdom. It gives the dates of recent negotiations and also lists me as the official contact for these.

Airlines looking for government support in hard times

With the price of jet fuel having doubled in 12 months and a weakening global economy, the international airline industry is "battening down the hatches" by cutting services, laying off skilled staff and grounding older, less fuel-efficient aircraft.

It will not necessarily always be a case of "creative destruction" or "survival of the fittest." Past history would suggest that many "flag" carriers will again look to survive through government intervention. All around the world there are already signs of this happening:

In South America - on 17 July 2008 Reuters reported that the Argentine government is to takeover Aerolineas Argentinas from the Spanish travel group Marsans.

In Asia - on 10 July 2008 The Times reported that it understood Air India is seeking a "rescue finance package" from the Indian government of UK Pounds 270 million.

In Oceania - on 14 July 2008 Pacific Magazine reported on the latest developments with respect to the finances of Air Tahiti Nui. Note the reference to the airline's 16th recapitalisation being approved last year.

In Europe - on 15 July 2008 Reuters reported that the European Commission has received a reply to its concerns about the Euro 300 million loan from the Italian government to Alitalia.

In Africa - on 16 July 2008 SABC News reported that South African Airways says it needs another Rand 5.7 billion in government funding to reduce its debts.

In North America - the US Air Transportation Stabilization Board continues its existence and Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection provides a safeguard for US airlines.

Meanwhile in the Middle East some of the major Gulf airlines simply do not report their losses and their aircraft orders continue unabated. A 15 July 2008 Wall Street Journal article, with some more positive news from the global airline industry, suggests that Etihad Airways will miss its target of breaking even by 2010.

Finally, tongue in cheek, referring to this poster about a government funded air service means that I have all continents covered!

Australia negotiates new air services arrangements with Kenya and South Africa

A 28 June 2008 statement by the Australian Minister for Infrastructure, Hon Anthony Albanese, has announced that Australia has negotiated its first air services agreement with Kenya and substantially expanded the route and capacity rights in its air services arrangements with South Africa (see recent post).

South Africa making progress implementing 2006 Airlift Strategy

A 23 June 2008 story in Business Day reports on South Africa's good progress in implementing its Airlift Strategy 2006 (see previous post). South Africa is reported to have recently negotiated new air services arrangements with the United Kingdom (a substantial capacity increase), Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, South Korea, Gambia and New Zealand. South Africa is also reported to be in negotiations with Australia, India and the Netherlands.

South Africa and Gambia sign new air services agreement

The Daily Observer reported on 12 May 2008 that Gambia and South Africa have signed a new air services agreement.

New Zealand secured open air services arrangements with Switzerland

The Annual Report of the New Zealand Ministry of Transport for the year ended 30 June 2007 tabled in Parliament has on page 34 a brief report on New Zealand's progress in air services negotiations during the year.

During the year New Zealand "Secured open air services arrangements with Switzerland, finalised new arrangements with China and continued efforts to secure more open air services arrangements with other parties, including Canada, the European Union, Turkey, South Africa and the Philippines. Agreement was reached with Japan to permit the operation of B777 aircraft on routes to Japan."

This is the first time that news of the revised arrangements with Switzerland has been made public.

Separate public announcements have already been made on recent new air services arrangements with Canada, China and the Philippines.

Progress on implementing "open skies" in Africa

In a 5 June 2007 article Flight International reports on progress being made towards implementing "open skies" within Africa.

New South Africa-Switzerland Air Services Agreement

On 8 May 2007 South Africa and Switzerland signed a new Air Services Agreement replacing one signed in 1959. A press statement from the South African Department of Transport gives some details.

South Africa is pursuing a new "Airlift Strategy" that was given Cabinet approval on 26 July 2006 (see posting on 18 March 2007).

Government support for South African Airways

A 4 April 2007 article in Business Day, quoting Public Enterprises Minister Alec Erwin, reports that there are limits to the South African Government's support for its loss-making airline, South African Airways.

On 29 March 2007 Star Alliance member South African Airways announced that it is entering into a code-share arrangement with non-Star Malaysia Airlines.

South Africa's Airlift Strategy 2006

South Africa's Airlift Strategy 2006 prepared by the Department of Transport and approved by the South African Cabinet on 26 July 2006 is available on the web (now available here UPDATED). It gives an interesting insight into South African thinking with respect to air services arrangements.