Page 31 - World Airnews Magazine December 2020

AFRAA

A STRUCTURED AND

CO-ORDINATED

COVID-19 RESPONSE

During the virtual AFRAA 50th AGA, Tefera Mekonnen,
secretary general of AFCAC (African Civil Aviation Com-
mission) called on African airlines to implement Covid-19
protocols in a structured and co-ordinated fashion. Here
is a shortened version of his keynote address.

African’s aviation sector’s response to the nancial resources to support African aviation

impact of COVID-19 followed a structured not only to support the restart and recovery
he COVID-19 pandemic has had and co-ordinated approach for a successful but to put the African air transport industry
Tan unprecedented impact on our restart and sustainable recovery. on a renewed path towards sustainability.
industry. Massive losses in revenues and The HLTF not only adopted the ICAO During the COVID-19 pandemic re-

jobs are being witnessed by airlines, civil CART key principles and measures as part strictions, AFCAC has also continued to

aviation authorities, air navigation service of its framework but also developed 15 undertake work towards putting in place

providers and airports. African specific recommendations grouped a mechanism to assist all eligible African

“The ripple effect has spread to other as financial, technical, sustainability of air Airlines to achieve IOSA/ISSA certification.

strategic institutions and pillars that drive transport, communication, policy harmon- To this effect we will be signing agree-

air transport’s contributions to the African isation and co-operation and quality data ments with AFRAA and IATA as part of

economy. and capacity building recommendations. the AfDB institutional support project to

“Despite the impact of the pandemic, In co-ordination with the respective implement the SAATM.

we believe that the aviation industry has African civil aviation authorities, AFCAC The challenges that threaten the benefits

been put in a situation where it must focus has been championing the harmonisation promised by aviation in Africa, must be ad-

on every opportunity to recover, build and co-ordination in the implementation of dressed in order to increase Africa’s share

resilience and become sustainable through COVID-19 protocols to effectively support in global air transport.

rethinking its strategies and collaboration our African airlines in their resumption of There is no better time than now. We

in ways that will truly redefine air transport international travel. have seen how innovation has become the

for a new era. With regards to the issue of financial aid, new normal. We must equally be innova-

“AFCAC in recognition of the impor- AFCAC continues to work with the AUC, the tive in aviation.

tance of the African aviation industry, at World Bank, Afrexim Bank and African De- Existing African continental initiatives
the onset of the pandemic, embarked on velopment Bank to mobilise the required fi- such as the SAATM, AfCFTA and other

activities aimed at supporting Agenda 2063 flagship projects

and reducing further damage provide a good basis for the
caused by COVID-19. growth of intra African air
AFCAC co-ordinated the Af- travel ready to be exploited by
rican immediate relief and re- African airlines.
covery measures with various In concluding, he issued a call

stakeholders including AFRAA to action for African airlines to,
on development of immediate amongst others, operate under

relief measures for the African the SAATM and fly without
aviation sector for the consid- hindrance based on their own

eration of ministerial sub-com- economic considerations and

mittee of STC transport. subject to safety and secu-

Following this action, some rity concerns of the aviation

important resolutions were authorities. Any challenges

taken as result to support the encountered to be brought to

African aviation sector. the attention of AFCAC, the

AFCAC, through the leader- executing agency.

ship of the African Union and While the COVID-19 has affect-

with the support from ICAO ed African aviation industry, it

regional offices co-ordinated has presented all of us with an

and mobilised industry part- opportunity to collaborate, look

ners across the aviation supply inwards and unleash the full Afri-

chain to establish a high level can potential and grow together
task force or (HLTF). into the Africa we want. Q

The objectives of this body
are amongst others to ensure *Speech shortened in places.
World Airnews | December 2020
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