Page 72 - World Airnews Magazine May 2020 Edition

NEWS DIGITAL

ETHIOPIAN FINALISES

DISTRIBUTION OF SECOND JACK

MA DONATION TO AFRICA

By Özgür Töre

“As a truly and indigenous Pan African integration in line with the AU Vision
airline which has been serving Africa by 2063. It is a role model for what Africa
Ethiopian Airlines has completed the Africans, there is nothing more pleasing for can achieve in its quest for continental
the 17,000 strong work force at Ethiopian
flight and delivery of the second round Airlines than coming to the rescue of integration. We are also happy to see the
shipments of life saving medical supplies to our African people specially in delivering fruits of our multi-million dollar investment
fight COVID-19 donated by Jack Ma to all lifesaving COVID-19 medical supplies,” the into cargo infrastructure now coming to
African countries. statement read. save Africa from COVID-19.”
The airline has released a statement Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines Tewolde The capacity of Ethiopian cargo and
stating its appreciation to the Jack Ma GebreMariam said “It is a special honour logistics services in terms of dedicated
Foundation, the Ethiopian Prime Minister for the entire Ethiopian Airlines family staff, state-of-the art facilities and young
Abiy Ahmed, WFP and the African CDC for to be selected as logistics partner and fleet, has designated Addis Ababa as a
the opportunity to serve Africa, during this distribution hub for Africa. This project humanitarian air hub by the WFP and the
unprecedented global health and economic which is completing its second round of WHO to dispatch critical supplies across
crisis. shipment delivery showed the true African Africa. Q

NEWS DIGITAL

EABC ROOTS FOR RESCUE OF

REGIONAL AIRLINES

By Daniel Sabiiti

African airlines and the international aviation community, including
air cargo and express service providers to ensure the supply and
The East Africa Business Council (EABC) has requested fair distribution of scarce and essential goods,” the council said.
member states to start rethinking sustainable ways of supporting To achieve this cooperation, EABC said for instance, since most
the regional aviation business that will inevitably suffer the passenger airplanes have been grounded due to high costs of
operation and covid-19 lockdown, they should be put to good use
COVID-19 crisis. as demand for export for fresh produce is anticipated to continue.
In a statement released on April 20th, the council recognised
In Kenya, for example, the volume of fresh produce at Jomo
the fact that East Africa Community member states have been Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) has reduced from a weekly
supporting the private sector at large through direct financing, 5,000 tonnes to 1,300 tonnes, a 75% decline with similar trends
loan guarantees, corporate bonds and tax reliefs. reported across the region.
However, these measures alone, even if extended to EAC airlines Costs, however, continue to ease with more scheduled capacity
will not sufficiently address the current crisis, according to the provided by KLM, Qatar and Ethiopian Airlines.
statement.
On this issue, EABC said that while the rest of the world has For instance EABC said partner states should facilitate the use
adopted new measures to facilitate air transport, the EAC Partner of passenger aircraft for cargo-only operations, including the
re-positioning of air cargo flight crews; reduce operating costs
State airlines are still in the process of adapting and many of their by waiving landing fees, excise duty on aviation fuel, navigation,
aircrafts remain underutilized. landing, parking and COVID-19 related fees.
For example EABC said that even with the return of Rwandair Moreover, the council requests member states to provide
and Kenya’s Airways to the skies being a relief for exporters; it subsidies for the aviation industry in the form of direct financial
will soon become increasingly difficult for them to compete with support; loan guarantees, corporate bonds and tax reliefs.
airlines that are receiving government subsidies.
As immediate terms, the council asked EAC to copy the example If this is done by all member states, EABC projects that EAC
of European Union (EU) of greater cooperation between East airlines will increase Inter-regional Air Transport traffic and
frequencies by 41% and reduce flight time, air transport cost
African airlines and the international aviation community. (Passenger and cargo) by 10%, and creates an additional 46,320
“Like the EU, it demands greater cooperation between East jobs and makes $ 202.1million per annum in GDP. Q

World Airnews | May Extra 2020
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