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