From Al Arabiya.

Africa is the world’s most under-served region for aviation due to barriers placed on outside commercial airlines by its countries’ governments, the head of Qatar Airlines says.

In light of the infusion of aid pouring into Africa, its countries need to re-examine their policies and regulations governing outside airlines doing business on the continent in a move towards sustainability, said Akbar al-Baker, the Gulf carrier’s CEO.

“I think it is very important that the authorities revisit this” closed door policy, Baker told a media briefing at the International Air Transport Association’s annual meeting in Cape Town, according to a report in Al Arabiya.

He suggested that aviation is a sector that African governments had to “review in order for them to benefit with the kind of help” received from the World Bank and International Monetary Fund.

“With all this aid coming, you also need to have a sustainable project and that is to allow airlines to come,” he said.

Many African governments have denied access to African airline competitors over fears of dominance while giving limited rights to non-African airlines, according to IATA, the report says.

Read more at Al Arabiya.