Saturday, July 20, 2024
reading time: 2 minutes
The recently concluded Africa and Indian Ocean Aviation Week in Libreville, Gabon, has produced a promising plan to improve air travel across Africa.
Below is a breakdown of the key takeaways, including information from relevant official websites:
Focus on safety and infrastructure development:
The conference, organised by the United Nations International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), brought together 350 representatives from 180 countries.
The primary focus was on enhancing aviation safety in Africa and the Indian Ocean region, taking into account potential threats such as climate change and terrorism.
Countries such as Gabon, Rwanda, Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria have pledged to improve safety through measures such as fleet expansion, airport modernization and infrastructure repair.
Liberalization and the Single African Air Transport Market:
The main topic was the adoption of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) initiative.
The plan, endorsed by ICAO Council President Salvatore Sciacchitano, aims to liberalise civil aviation across Africa by removing restrictions on African airlines’ air traffic rights.
Increased competition and open skies are expected to boost connectivity, trade and job creation within Africa, Schiachetano stressed.
Safety record and search and rescue efforts:
Encouragingly, participants reported no fatalities in commercial aviation accidents in Africa during 2023.
To further enhance safety, Gabon, Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea have agreed to a cooperative search and rescue plan in their shared Atlantic Ocean area.
Increasing Profitability for African Airlines:
Despite ongoing challenges, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) expects a positive outlook for African airlines.
Airlines across the continent are expected to see profits rise to at least $100 million in 2024, up from $90 million in 2023.
This conference represents an important step towards a more connected and prosperous African aviation sector.
By prioritizing safety, infrastructure development and market liberalization, African countries have the potential to usher in a new era of air travel growth on the continent.
