Page 59 - World Airnews Magazine January 2020 Edition

AFRICA AFRICA

AIR TRANSPORT IN AFRICA these reservations deserve to be heard It should be remembered that aviation is ment for the development of

and taken into account, SAATM is a con-
aviati on

tinuous process. The Executing Agency the first global industry to have voluntarily • To develop the human capital

committed to stabilizing its CO2 emissions

African Airlines Association secretary general Abderahmane which is AFCAC has been working to move from 2020 and to reduce by half by 2050 required to support the growth of
SAATM process forward in the best possi-
civil aviation

despite growth forecasts for the sector.
Berthé provided this overview of air transport in Africa ble conditions and expeditiously. There are several ways to contain avia- • To promote cooperation between

Furthermore, we believe that African tion environmental impact: the African airlines: to undertake the

aviation needs both "small" and "large" • Renewal of fleets with fuel-efficient implementation of joint initiatives

airlines. Africa is a vast continent and to aircraft , aimed at reducing operating costs for

he African continent is home to effectively serve it, African airlines must • Use of biofuels airlines, increase revenue and market

work together. Mergers and consolidations

T17% of the global populati on but will certainly be needed. • Use of new propulsion methods share: Joint purchase programs, Afri-

its air traffic accounts for less than 3% of SAATM will allow a harmonious develop- • Use of shorter air routes can Alliance.

global traffic. ment of air transport and result in better At AFRAA, we support industry efforts • To strengthen data intelligence

African airlines lose an average of (US) profitability for Africa airlines. (aircraft manufacturers, ICAO, IATA, …) to through:

$1.54 per passenger carried while globally reduce aviation environmental footprint. We • market surveys and statistical

airlines earn (US) $6.12 per passenger carried. TAXES focus on awareness raising and training of our studies
Today, in several parts of the world you Aviation is often considered by some member airlines on environmental issues. • consultancy services

can fly for 1.5 hours for less than $100 governments as a potential source for We want an air transport where African

while in Africa total taxes on the ticket are raising funds. Unlike the other modes of ROLE OF AFRAA airlines will be economically successful with

often higher than $100. transport, it is highly taxed which increases AFRAA membership currently stands at 43 enhanced connectivity and contribute to the

Passenger traffic between Africa and the air fares out of the reach of passengers African airlines carrying more than 85% of economic integration of the African continent.

rest of the world is dominated by non-Afri- especially in Africa. intra-African traffic. The Association was THE FUTURE OF AFRICAN AIR TRANS-

can carriers often charging exorbitant fares. Whereas in Europe you can travel for less created in 1968 and is based in Nairobi, Kenya. PORT

Out of 55 African states, only 8 have than $100, in Africa only taxes range from It focuses on promoting a sustainable, in-

direct flights to more than 20 other African $50 to $100 depending on the country. terconnected and affordable Air Transport Africa is a continent with great develop-

states. Quite often, the passenger is obliged The role of air transport in economic de- industry in Africa where African Airlines ment potential. To harness this potential,

to transit through one or several stopovers. velopment should be better understood by become key players and drivers to African all stakeholders will have to play their role

and promote an efficient and sustainable

This data should challenge all stake- governments and they should place it at the economic development.”
holders to commit to creating a conducive core of their national development policies. It serves African airlines and champions air transport system.

Considering the vast area of the African

environment for the development of air Africa’s aviation industry. continent, the absence of adequate ground

traffic in Africa. COST OF FUEL PRIORITIES FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS infrastructure, the high growth rate of Af-

MAIN CHALLENGES FOR AFRICAN On average fuel accounts for 25% of airline • To maintain a good level of safety and rican economies and population, air trans-

operating costs worldwide. In Africa this av-
AIRLINES erage is higher at 35%. In several stations, security. port will play a key role in the development

The air transport industry is facing a host of the evolution of fuel prices is not in tandem • To increase African airlines market of the continent.

challenges: with oil price trends on international share in the global air transport. According to experts, air traffic in Africa

• High operating costs due to high markets. This is due to lack of transparency • To achieve a sustainable air transport: is expected to double every 15 years. We
taxes on ground and in air around pricing by local suppliers. • To lobby stakeholders and policy must be prepared to

• Inadequate infrastructure In addition, some States are taxing fuel makers for a conducive environ- absorb this growth. Q
• High price of fuel compared to the and therefore do not comply with the Chi-

rest of the world cago convention recommendations.

• High level of taxes on airlines and AFRAA and IATA (International Air Trans-

passengers port Association) are working together

• Restrictions on traffic rights to raise the awareness of States and fuel
suppliers in order to address this issue.
• Restrictions on visas to passengers The high economic growth rate, the The objective of SAATM is to remove all

Fleet financing is also a critical challenge young African population and the emer- restrictions on traffic rights, frequencies, NEED FOR COOPERATION

for African airlines which encounter difficul- gence of a middle class are all great oppor- capacity and tariffs. African airlines must enhance their

ties in accessing funding due to perceived tunities to be grasped. Expected and confirmed benefits in sev- cooperation to drive down their costs

risk by international financial institutions. eral other regions of the world are: better and increase revenue. AFRAA encourages

African development banks should address MARKET ACCESS connectivity, decrease of travel time and regional initiatives in this regard.

this problem by putting in place adequate The Single African Air Transport Market reduction of air fares to make air transport Cooperation can be of several types: cap-

funding mechanisms for African airlines. (SAATM) project was launched in January affordable for as many Africans as possible. ital, commercial, technical and operational,

Nevertheless, alongside the challenges 2018 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Since then, Some Member States are still reticent etc. "Lager" airlines could help "smaller" ones

there are opportunities and all the stake- a total of 28 States have signed the solemn and have not yet signed SAATM mainly for to grow through enhanced cooperation.

holders should work towards harnessing commitment. These signatory States two (2) reasons: At AFRAA we have recently launched several

them for African aviation to prosper: represent 51% of AU member states, 61% • The fear for their national airlines to initiatives aimed at raising the level of cooper-

• The Single African Air Transport Mar- of the population and 65% of the gross be driven out of business by the com- ation among our member airlines in different

ket (SAATM) to improve connectivity domestic product (GDP). petition from larger African carriers areas including training, flight schedule coordi-

• The African Continental Free Trade 10 of the 28 signatory States have already led some States to protecting their nation, technical and operations etc.

Area (AfCFTA) to boost intra African fully implemented the immediate measures national flag carriers.

trade recommended by AFCAC (African Civil Avi- • The regulatory framework of which ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

• The Free movement protocol for ation Commission) in order to achieve the a key component is the mechanism Public opinion is increasingly sensitive to

people, goods, capital and services to realization of SAATM. for settlement of disputes having environmental issues. The environmental

facilitate investment 18 States have also signed a Memorandum not been finalized, some States are impact of air transport is particularly about

These various projects initiated by the Af- of implementation (MoI) with a view to har- skeptical about SAATM immediate air pollution, noise pollution and global

rican Union should contribute to improving monizing their bilateral agreements with the operational capability. warming. Aviation accounts for about 2% of
the fortunes of airlines. provisions of Yamoussoukro Decision. At AFRAA, we believe that although global emissions.
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