Page 77 - World Airnews Magazine March 2020 Edition

NEWS DIGITAL

COMMERCIAL AVIATION HAS

OUTPERFORMED SA ECONOMY

Results show
that the commercial
aviation industry has
outperformed the
South African economy
over the past six years.
Presenting the latest
results of the composite
index of commercial
aviation activity for the
4th quarter of 2019, Dr
Roelof Botha revealed a
summary of key trends.
Botha, a renowned
economist and political
speaker, said the CAASA
aviation activity index
(CAAI) is based on 26
different indicators and
provides an objective
and balanced gauge of
economic activity in the
commercial aviation
industry.
He said it is also
apparent that the slump
in aviation activity
that lasted for eleven
quarters (until the 3rd quarter of 2018) has been reversed.
“Aviation remains a highly capital intensive sector and it has
been under some strain as a result of policy uncertainty, low
levels of business confidence, lethargic economic growth and
high interest rates,” told members of the Commercial Aviation
Association of Southern Africa.
He said the index value increased substantially from the 3rd
quarter to reach a level of 130.7, which in turn represented
a 31% increase in commercial aviation activity since the base
period (1st quarter of 2014).
But, he warned, this is, however, considerably lower than the
all-time record that was attained in the 4th quarter of 2018, of
204.
“One of the reasons for the sound recovery of both the index
value and the trend is related to the highly successful 2018
Africa Aerospace & Defence (AAD) exhibition, which was the
first AAD since the election of a new executive administration in CAASA CEO Leon Dillman with honorary
South Africa, committed to pragmatic policies aimed at encourag- treasurer Dr Roelof Botha
ing economic growth, whilst combating the scourge of corruption. but a noticeable slump has since set in.
Botha said, unfortunately, the recovery in the trend of activity “It is quite clear that the stringent visa regulations that were
since the 3rd quarter of 2018 had been accompanied by a higher introduced in 2015 by the department of Home Affairs under
level of volatility, with only ten of the 26 different indicators the former minister Malusi Gigaba have taken their toll on both
recording gains over the 4th quarter of 2014. the South African tourism industry and the commercial aviation
He said a particular point of concern is the poor performance industry,”.
of air traffic movements (ATMs) at most of the airports managed Referring to the value of aircraft spares imports, he said, in the
by the Airports Company of South Africa (ACSA). All nine of 4th quarter of 2019, the value had reached its second highest level
these airports recorded lower ATMs in the 4th quarter of 2019, on record, namely more than R1.1 billion.
compared to the 4th quarter of 2016. Total aircraft imports (unladen mass of under 15 tonnes) 18 Suni Avenue, Corporate Park South, Randjespark, Midrand
In contrast, the six non-ACSA airports included in the CAAI, amounted to R487 million in the 4th quarter, slightly lower than
recorded consistent growth in ATMs until the first quarter of 2019, the export figure of R554 million. Q Tel: +27 11 314 0152 | sales@simuflight.co.za
www.simuflight.co.za
World Airnews | March Extra 2020
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