Airfares in Africa 50% higher than rest of world
15 Thu, May 2014Airfares in Africa are 50% higher than anywhere else in the world, and this needs to change. This is according to Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk, who was speaking at the dialogue of African ministers at the Tourism Indaba in Durban this weekend.
According to van Schalkwyk, African countries need to increase transparency when it comes to airfares, taxes and fuel surcharges. He said: “Many governments actually add taxes on that the public doesn’t even know about because of the un-transparent nature of how prices of aviation fuel are being set. As African countries democratise, it is much more difficult for governments to continue with un-transparent systems.”
Alain St Ange, Seychelles’ Minister of Tourism, agreed and suggested African airlines should have preferential airfares for African citizens. He said: “To increase business, let’s look at our taxes. Recently, at an Indian Ocean commission, a resolution was passed to have preferential tickets for the inhabitants of the islands of the Indian Oceans. That is maybe something that we need to do with Africa.”
From SA Travel New Online
Links to aviation partners:
www.eptaviation.com
www.cranfield.co.za
www.aeroservices.co.za
www.webb-elgin.com
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