2006年-世界发展银行全球_Review_of_the_Air_Transport_Sector_in_Tajikistan_54页_4mb

Summary of the Air Transport Sector Review in Tajikistan

Core Content

This policy note provides an analysis of Tajikistan's air transport sector, highlighting its current challenges and the government's proposed reforms. The sector is characterized by high costs, limited competition, and inefficiencies that negatively impact both the traveling public and migrant workers, who constitute a significant portion of the country's GDP.

Main Issues in the Air Transport Sector

1. Restrictive Aviation Policy

• Tajikistan's aviation policy limits market access, restricts the number and types of routes that can be operated, and imposes control on air fares.
• The Dushanbe-Moscow route is limited to one carrier per side and a small number of weekly frequencies.
• Air fares are not purely market-driven and are subject to control by the Anti-Monopoly Agency, which may hinder competitive pricing.

2. Institutional Weaknesses

• The Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) is centralized, combining policy-making, technical regulation, and accident investigation, which creates conflicts of interest.
• The national airline, Tajik State Airlines (TSA), operates the airport and air traffic control services, leading to vertical integration and anti-competitive practices.
• TSA benefits from discriminatory fees and charges, which provide it with a de facto subsidy.

3. Poor Airport Infrastructure

• Airport facilities are outdated and lack proper equipment for aircraft, resulting in poor service quality.
• Airport fees and charges are among the highest in the region, increasing the financial burden on travelers.
• Ground handling and other services are not provided equally to all airlines, further disadvantaging competitors.

4. High Costs for Migrant Workers

• Over 80% of international air traffic is with Russia, mainly involving migrant workers.
• These workers spend up to 7% of their annual net income on air fares.
• During peak seasons, the lack of capacity forces them to buy tickets in parallel markets, increasing costs by an additional 15%.

5. Low Service Levels

• There are frequent flight cancellations, long waiting times, and baggage mishandling.
• Integration into global distribution systems (GDS) is limited, making it difficult for travelers to book flights efficiently.

Market Overview

International Market

• In 2006, the total number of international passengers was 646,759, a 7.4% decrease from 2004.
• TSA accounts for 54% of the international market share, with a significant decline from 73% in 2003.
• Russian carriers dominate the market, with 42% of the international market share in 2005, up from 25% in 2003.
• The Russian market represents 72% of TSA's international activity, with Moscow accounting for 76% of its international passengers in 2005.
• The Dushanbe-Moscow route is subject to a supplementary agreement limiting capacity to 14 weekly frequencies using TU-154M aircraft.

Domestic Market

• In 2005, the domestic market accounted for 164,500 passengers, or 20.3% of total passengers.
• TSA operates the majority of domestic flights, serving routes from Dushanbe and Khoujand to other domestic cities.
• The domestic market is less competitive and serves mainly migrant workers and a small portion of business travelers.

Fleet Composition and Aging

• TSA's fleet consists of 27 aircraft, including 4 helicopters, most of which are Russian-built and over 20 years old.
• The TU-154M and TU-154B aircraft are the mainstay of the fleet, with the latter being phased out in 2006 due to maintenance costs.
• The remaining fleet includes TU-134s, Yak42s, and a few Western-built aircraft (e.g., B737-800 and B757) operated by foreign carriers.

Government's Proposed Reforms

1. Liberalization of Air Traffic Rights

• The government plans to gradually liberalize the air transport sector to increase competition and reduce fares.
• This includes removing entry barriers for foreign carriers and allowing more market access.
• Air fares will be determined by market forces, with minimal interference from the Anti-Monopoly Agency, which will only regulate to prevent monopolistic behavior.

2. Institutional Reform

• A separation of functions is proposed to create independent entities for policy-making, technical regulation, and accident investigation.
• The current vertical integration of TSA into airport and air traffic control services will be broken.
• The goal is to promote competition and efficiency through an independent institutional structure, possibly under a corporate model.

3. Restructuring of TSA

• TSA will undergo a comprehensive financial audit and implement improved reporting and control mechanisms.
• It will adopt International Accounting Standards (IAS) and develop a sound business strategy to become competitive in a deregulated environment.
• The separation strategy will involve legal and organizational changes to ensure TSA operates independently from the airport and air traffic control services.

Key Recommendations and Next Steps

• Action Plan:

  • Policy Reform: Promote liberalization, tariff deregulation, and cross-border investment.
  • Institutional Reform: Establish independent regulatory bodies and break vertical integration.
  • TSA Reform: Implement financial and operational improvements, and move towards a more competitive airline model.

• Implementation Schedule:

  • A timeline for the reforms is outlined, focusing on gradual liberalization, institutional restructuring, and TSA modernization.

Conclusion

• The current air transport sector in Tajikistan is highly restrictive and inefficient, leading to high costs and limited access for both tourists and migrant workers.
• The proposed reforms aim to liberalize the sector, improve institutional structures, and enhance the competitiveness of TSA.
• These changes are expected to reduce airfares, improve service quality, and promote economic growth by facilitating trade and investment.