Page 28 - World Airnews Magazine December 2020

AFRAA AFRAA

GOVERNMENT MUST TAKE AIR TRANSPORT INDUSTRY IN

ACTION AFRICA

IATA director general CEO Alexandre de Juniac

rallying call for airlines to take
four African carriers have ceased oper- Aspecifi c measures to build resil-
ations and two are in administration.

he International Air Transport Without financial relief, many others ience and emerge stronger after the crisis

TAssociati on (IATA) Director General will follow. was issued by the African Airlines Associa-

and CEO Alexandre de Juniac shared his "Over (US) $31-billion in financial sup- tion (AFRAA) at the end of its 52nd Annual

concerns about the state of flying in Africa port has been pledged by African govern- General Assembly.
The Assembly further called for a
at the 52nd AFRAA AGA this week. ments, international finance bodies multi-sectorial and pragmatic approach by

He revealed that aviation numbers in and other institutions, including the governments and stakeholders to support
Africa were “staggering”. He said traffic is African Development Bank, the African the recovery of air transport industry and

down 89%, and revenue loses had expected Union and the International Monetary interrelated sectors such as tourism.
to reach (US) $6-billion. He urged govern- Fund. Unfortunately, pledges do not

ments on the continent to take action to pay the bills. And little of this funding The AGA, hosted by TAAG Angola Airlines,

improve the situation. has materialised. was held in virtual format under the theme:

“Redefining Air Transport for a New Era”.
"The consequences of the breakdown "And let me emphasise that, while we

in connectivity are severe. Five million are calling for relief for aviation, this is The Assembly brought together top Afri-

African livelihoods are at risk, and avia- an investment in the future of the conti- can airline CEOs, industry partners, leaders
of international and regional air transport

tion-supported GDP could fall by as much nent. It will need financially viable airlines associations including the African union,

as $37-billion. That’s a 58% fall. to support the economic recovery from IATA, ICAO, AFCAC, TIACA and more than access to market-leading services to African emphasized the importance of co-ordinat-
“We have a health crisis. And it is evolv- Covid-19," he said. 400 delegates from 76 nationalities across airlines, and developed a recovery plan re- ed efforts and a collaborative approach as a

ing into a jobs and economic disaster. Fixing The second priority, he revealed, is the the globe. volving around nine pillars of interest to the way to secure business continuity.

it is beyond the scope of what the industry safe reopening of borders using testing and sector and a comprehensive strategic plan An appeal was made to governments and

can do by itself. We need governments to not implementing any quarantines. are still subject to a mandatory 14-day Speaking as chief guest, Transport that is geared towards helping the industry development financial institutions to con-

act. And act fast to prevent a calamity," "People have not lost their desire to quarantine. Who would travel under such minister of the Republic of Angola Ricardo meet its aspirations.” tinue supporting the industry as a means to

he urged. travel. Border closures and travel re- conditions? de Abreu said, “We are conscious of the Berthe said, “We are all committed to secure the continent’s social and economic

enabling role that aviation plays in facili-

He believed that governments in Africa strictions make it effectively impossible. "Systematic testing before departure pro- tating trade and growing our economies. overcoming the unprecedented challenges recovery given the sector’s strategic contri-

needed to address two priorities. He Forty-four countries in Africa have opened vides a safe alternative to quarantine and As we collectively navigate these times, raised by the COVID19 pandemic, impacting bution to national GDP.

said they should unblock committed finan- their borders to regional and international a solution to stop the economic and social we will seek to emerge from this pandemic our industry. During these difficult times, I TAAG Angola chief executive officer Rui

cial relief. air travel. devastation being caused by Covid-19," he more resilient, organized and determined wish to express AFRAA solidarity with the Carreira said, “Our strategic deliberations

"Airlines will go bust without it. Already "In 20 of these countries, passengers explained. "We will rise again," he said. Q to succeed.” aviation industry's supply chain. at this 52nd AGA have set the foundation

In a comprehensive analysis of the indus- “As an aviation community, the COVID19 for the recovery and successful restart of

TRAVEL try’s outlook for 2021 and beyond present- had been the occasion to work closely our industry. Although we foresee a slow

ed in AFRAA’s annual report it was stated together to find solutions and determine ac- recovery, we are currently implementing

that recovery of traffic in Africa is expected tions for restart and recovery of the aviation key measures that will restore passenger

COMAIR OPENS FOR to start with domestic markets. sector. We need to keep alive the on-going confidence and optimize our operations for

efforts to support the resumption and foster

a more affordable and successful industry.”
Intra-African routes are projected to

follow suit, while international traffic is ex- a resilient Air Transport system in Africa. This year’s summit saw two new mem-

“It provides an opportunity to rethink our
BOOKINGS pected to take more time to reach pre-cri- industry and develop a winning perspective bers join namely Overland Airways Limited

and Syphax Airways. This brought the asso-
sis levels due to a challenging operating

ciation’s membership to 47 African airlines.

for the airline industry, which is instru-
environment.
AFRAA secretary general Abdérahmane mental for the economic development and Similarly, De Havilland Canada, PRODIGY

of our airline brands and a greater range it signed a franchise agreement with the Berthé said, “This is a pivotal moment in integration of the African continent. Avia Solutions Limited and South African

of competitive fares, they now also have UK’s largest carrier. It has been British our history as we aim to repo- During the Assembly, key stakeholders Tourism joined the associations’ partnership

outh African low cost airline the option of booking in business class,” Airways’ most successful franchise. sition the African air transport programme which serves as a fo-

SComair has opened bookings for says Glenn Orsmond, representing the “British Airways’ ongoing support is a market towards recovery and rum for industry-related organisa-

domestic British Airways’ (operated by Comair Rescue Consortium. huge vote of confidence in the future of sustainability. Now more than tions to support the development

Comair) flights. The re-introduction of British Airways’ Comair,” says Orsmond. ever, operational challeng- of air transport in Africa.

From 9 December, the airline plans to (operated by Comair) flights will also He said that Comair will initially es faced by African Airlines Rui Carreira was re-elected

begin serving all the domestic British see the re-opening of the popular, operate a fleet of 15 aircraft across both have to be prioritised and president of the Association

Airways’ routes it previously operated. award-winning SLOW lounges. Initially airline brands gradually increasing as the addressed, especially the high for the year 2021. Desire Bantu

Regional services will be re-introduced the domestic lounges at King Shaka remainder of the fleet returns to service taxes and charges that hinder Balazire, chief executive of Congo

as it ramps up to full operations over the International, Cape Town International over the next few months. the growth and recovery of Airways was elected chairman

next few months. and OR Tambo International will open. For more detail about the reopening carriers on the continent”. of the executive committee.

“With reservations for the British The other lounges will re-open as the of bookings, flight schedules, unused “For our part as AFRAA, we Yvonne Makolo chief executive

Airways’ flights open we’re now able flight schedule expands. reservations and what to expect when tackled the crisis by resolutely of RwandAir was elected first

to offer bookings on a considerably ex- Comair introduced the British Airways’ flight operations recommence visit pivoting our strategic and vice chairperson of the executive

panded schedule. As well as giving cus- brand to domestic and regional routes in (https://www.comair.co.za/taking-to- tactical resources to support committee while Amal Mint Mao-

tomers the choice of booking on either South and Southern Africa in 1996 when the-skies-again). Q recovery efforts. We have uloud, CEO of Mauritania Airlines

launched an interactive capac- was elected second vice chairper-
ity sharing portal to provide son for the year 2021. Q
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