Cape Town Pushes Open Skies and AfCFTA Implementation to Drive Trade and Tourism
City of Cape Town Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth Alderman James Vos has called for urgent action on aviation liberalisation and AfCFTA implementation, telling delegates at the 4th Southern Africa Conference on the AfCFTA that trade agreements alone are insufficient without the connectivity to make them work. Addressing the conference, Vos argued that an Open Skies policy is an economic imperative, pointing to Cape Town Air Access as a model for how improved connectivity supports broader economic growth. The Western Cape's export base already reflects this momentum, with provincial exports reaching R219.7 billion in 2025, up from R160.9 billion in 2021.
Vos cited the latest IATA data showing African airlines recorded 6.7% year-on-year passenger demand growth in June 2026, against a global decline of 1.7%, while Africa still accounts for just 2.2% of global passenger air travel - underscoring the scale of untapped potential. He also highlighted Cape Town's recently approved Manufacturing Support Policy as an example of how local government can align with AfCFTA ambitions by strengthening production capacity and supply chains. For the tourism sector, the call for better air connectivity carries direct relevance, with improved access widely regarded as one of the most effective levers for growing visitor arrivals and intra-African travel across the continent.
Source: Cape Business News
