AFRAA: African growth constrained warns Air Uganda CEO.

Africa is stunting its own growth by not allowing business to develop as it would in other parts of its world, the African airlines annual assembly was told today.

Air Uganda chief executive Cornwell Muleya said there were too many examples where airlines would want to increase frequency of flights from one African country to another but were held back because of restrictions.
Examples from the floor included Kenya Airways which currently flies twice weekly to Angola – but would ideally offer a daily service.
“We a stopped by a bilateral agreement system,” the company said.
Muleya said airlines need to use its influence to open up markets or access.
“We talk about new markets but if you look at the 25 largest airports today, they are the same as 10 years ago. We always want to go to the same places yet sometimes they are the most closed markets.”
The Air Uganda CEO said his “small airline” would be looking at developing some small niche routes. “We see places like Somalia. There are good opportunities for puttign in a good service.”