Sky's the limit as Africa makes major move towards aviation single market

Updated 1815 GMT (0215 HKT) January 31, 2018

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Most of Africa's air travel is conducted by airlines from outside of Africa. However the new initiative launched this year -- <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2018/01/31/africa/african-union-single-air-airline/index.html" target="_blank">the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM)</a> -- by the African Union which aims to open up Africa's skies could pave the way for increased African air travel. Ethiopian Airlines is the country's state-owned carrier and leading carrier by number passengers. It serves over 120 passenger destinations. It's one of Africa's largest airlines and could be set to gain from the initiative.

Photos: Africa's top airlines

Ethiopian Airlines – Most of Africa's air travel is conducted by airlines from outside of Africa. However the new initiative launched this year -- the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) -- by the African Union which aims to open up Africa's skies could pave the way for increased African air travel. Ethiopian Airlines is the country's state-owned carrier and leading carrier by number passengers. It serves over 120 passenger destinations. It's one of Africa's largest airlines and could be set to gain from the initiative.

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With a fleet of 37, Kenya Airways flies over three million passengers to 64 destinations worldwide every year. It was the first airline in Africa to be successfully privatized and is now a private-public partnership.

Photos: Africa's top airlines

Kenya Airways – With a fleet of 37, Kenya Airways flies over three million passengers to 64 destinations worldwide every year. It was the first airline in Africa to be successfully privatized and is now a private-public partnership.

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The largest African carrier by number of flights, it has a fleet of 52 aircraft serve 43 destinations worldwide. On 1 February 2014, the airline celebrated its 80th Anniversary -- making it one of the oldest airlines in the world.

Photos: Africa's top airlines

South African Airways – The largest African carrier by number of flights, it has a fleet of 52 aircraft serve 43 destinations worldwide. On 1 February 2014, the airline celebrated its 80th Anniversary -- making it one of the oldest airlines in the world.

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Photos: Africa's top airlines

Egypt Air – It was established in 1932 and was the seventh carrier in the world. It's based in Cairo and is a member of the Star Alliance.

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Photos: Africa's top airlines

FastJet – The airline operates out of Tanzania and is backed by the founder of EasyJet. It was launched in late 2012.

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Photos: Africa's top airlines

Kulula – It's a low-cost airline based in South Africa and was established in 2001.

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South African Airways GIANLUIGI GUERCIA AFP Getty Images

Story highlights

23 nations have signed the initiative
It's part of the Africa 2063 project to encourage integration

(CNN)Back in 1999, under what is known as the Yamoussoukro Decision, African countries planned to free their skies for air travel.

Last Sunday the African Union (AU) took its first big step towards this goal, launching the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM).

The landmark announcement unveiled by Rwandan President Paul Kagame, the new chair of the AU, aims to transform intra-African air travel, lower prices and increase connectivity.

The initiative has 23 signatories. There are 32 AU members still to come on board.

Take off for African aviation

Opening up the continent's skies could be a huge coup for African airlines, which would work under a common regulatory framework.

It could also benefit intra-continental travelers who are often bound to illogical and time-consuming routes via Europe and the Middle East when flying between African countries.

The agreement will also hope to increase the continent's global share of the aviation in