Global airlines chief urges continental carriers to exploit Africa's growth potential
Cairo, Egypt (PANA) - African airlines should take advantage of the existence of a massive population within the continent to grow the aviation footprint, a senior global aviation executive said on Monday.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) Director-General, Willie Walsh, told the African Airlines executives at a meeting in Cairo that the continent was home to 18% of the global population but accounted for just 3% of the worldwide Gross Domestic Product which allowed room for growth.
“As Africa’s airline leaders, I know that you are ready to take advantage of this potential to grow your airlines and connect the continent. I also understand the enormous challenges you face—among these, high costs and taxes, including the highest into-wing jet fuel prices in the world, low adoption of global safety standards, and airport infrastructure in need of investment,” Welsh said in a statement delivered at the African Airlines Association (AFRAA) General Assembly in Cairo.
Yehia Zakaria, Chairman and CEO of Egyptair and President of AFRAA and Abderahmane Berthe, Secretary General of AFRAA, are hosting the AGM to take stock of aviation developments in Africa.
Welsh said Africa has enormous potential for growth as it accounted for an even smaller share of global air transport—at 2%.
“I did not come here with any magic solutions, but as your global association I want to assure you that we work closely with AFRAA, we are focused on your needs, and we are looking at how we can support our members’ success even more effectively,” Welsh said.
The AITA chief addressed pressing aviation issues, including aviation safety. He said safety—remained a top priority.
Africa has made significant improvements in safety. There were no hull losses or fatal accidents between 2020- and 2023.
However, the African airlines took a step backwards from this in 2024.
And even in 2023 the African turboprop hull loss rate was the highest in the world.
This tells us that there is still work to do on safety. Part of that work is safety culture.
The IATA Safety Leadership Charter provides eight principles aimed to standardise a global approach for safety culture in each airline.
An increased willingness to share data is an important outcome of an effective safety culture.
The more data brought together, the more powerful the insights can be drawn from it.
AITA also called on governments to adopt and effectively implement global safety standards.
The global aviation chief also regretted that final reports from 38 accidents in Africa were still unknown.
On the difficulties facing airlines in their efforts to repatriate funds from ticket sales, the global aviation industry executive said these effected the ability of airlines to provide services effectively.
Airlines deliver huge social and economic benefits, but we are not charities.
“You have every right to count on the repatriation of funds for tickets sold across your global networks,” Welsh said.
Globally, AITA reports shows US$1.662 billion of airline money is blocked from repatriation—US$950 million of which is in African countries.
Working with your teams, progress has been made.
But every success seems to be balanced by an increase somewhere else—the problem is persistent.
AITA argued that if airlines cannot repatriate their revenues, they cannot be expected to provide service. Economies will suffer if connectivity collapses.
-0- PANA AO/MA 19Nov2024
