IATA, AU partner to enhance air transport growth
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and The African Union Commission (AU) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to expand strategic cooperation on air transport in Africa.
Specifically, the partnership aims to further the continent’s economic and social development with the benefits of safe, efficient and sustainable air transport in the region.
The MoU was signed by the IATA’s Director General, Tony Tyler, and AU’s Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, Dr. Elham Mahmoud Ahmed Ibrahim.The agreement focuses on the exchange of information, expertise and capabilities in a number of areas including: enhancing security through intelligence-driven, risk-based measures and enhancing safety.
Other focuses are reducing accident rates in line with global levels of performance; promoting connectivity; facilitating collaborative decision making in air traffic management and improving the passenger experience through the deployment of IATA’s Fast Travel Programme – a suite of projects designed to give passengers more control over their journey through a range of self-service options.
Tyler said: “Africa is set to be one of the fastest-growing aviation regions with five per cent annual growth forecast over the next 20 years. Achieving this potential will not happen by chance; strong partnerships are key.
“This MoU will help ensure that global standards and best practices form the backbone of Africa’s growth as well as position the continent’s 54 nations to promote economic and social development by unleashing the full power of aviation. I congratulate Dr. Ibrahim for her leadership, vision and foresight in driving aviation development in Africa,” said Tyler.
Ibrahim, on his part said that IATA was a strategic partner in the growth of African aviation, adding that the MoU would commit the two organisations to even closer cooperation on the priorities for African aviation.
He said: “In particular, we count on IATA to partner with us by providing the requisite technical support in the establishment of the Single African Air Transport Market as part of our long-term vision in the context of the AU Agenda 2063. We are, indeed, dedicated to global best practice as a fundamental for sustained growth in aviation in Africa,” Ibrahim said.
The MoU paves the way for further development in African aviation. The industry already supports 6.8 million jobs and generates $72.5 billion of economic activity on the continent.
Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox every day of the week. Stay informed with the Guardian’s leading coverage of Nigerian and world news, business, technology and sports.
1 Comments
I am not impressed with, and do not believe, these nonsensical reports of ‘cooperation’ between NGO’s, international organizations and governments – regarding commercial aviation on the African continent.
Mr. Ibrahim does not have the operational acumen to operate an airline – and IATA is a regulatory advisory group – where are the airline people in this mix.
There will NEVER be a safe, profitable and sustainable airline industry ANYWHERE in Africa until that community understands three things: 1. There is no maintenance capability anywhere in Africa. 2. Government involvement is analogous to cancer. 3. Today – there is no man, anywhere in Africa, with the talent, vision, ethics and motivation to manage a safe, profitable airline.
The opportunity in Africa – and most of the nations there – is tremendous – worthy of interest and investment – BUT – not until professionalism, sanity and knowledge of the way the industry works is in place.
We will review and take appropriate action.