Despite a global increase in tourists the potential of tourism in southern Africa has not been realised due to the poor performance of state-carriers in the region. This article focuses on factors negatively impacting on the performance of state airlines in southern Africa. The research involved an extensive literature search of the factors negatively impacting on the performance of state airlines in the region, followed by several interviews with key personnel in state carriers in southern

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... ca. From the study, it is clear that the performance of state carriers in the region is negatively impacted by inefficient management, political interference, high management turnover, an aged fleet and poor safety records something which stifles tourism development. To improve tourism development, it is recommended that SADC countries privatise state airlines. It makes no sense for southern African countries to pit private airlines against a competition that is so heavily subsidised and otherwise protected. The very notion of competitiveness itself is at risk.