Page 29 - World Airnews Magazine December 2020

AFRAA

AIR TRANSPORT INDUSTRY IN

AFRICA

rallying call for airlines to take
Aspecifi c measures to build resil-

ience and emerge stronger after the crisis
was issued by the African Airlines Associa-
tion (AFRAA) at the end of its 52nd Annual

General Assembly.
The Assembly further called for a

multi-sectorial and pragmatic approach by

governments and stakeholders to support
the recovery of air transport industry and
interrelated sectors such as tourism.
The AGA, hosted by TAAG Angola Airlines,
was held in virtual format under the theme:

“Redefining Air Transport for a New Era”.
The Assembly brought together top Afri-
can airline CEOs, industry partners, leaders

of international and regional air transport
associations including the African union,

IATA, ICAO, AFCAC, TIACA and more than access to market-leading services to African emphasized the importance of co-ordinat-

400 delegates from 76 nationalities across airlines, and developed a recovery plan re- ed efforts and a collaborative approach as a

the globe. volving around nine pillars of interest to the way to secure business continuity.
Speaking as chief guest, Transport sector and a comprehensive strategic plan An appeal was made to governments and

minister of the Republic of Angola Ricardo that is geared towards helping the industry development financial institutions to con-

de Abreu said, “We are conscious of the meet its aspirations.” tinue supporting the industry as a means to

enabling role that aviation plays in facili- Berthe said, “We are all committed to secure the continent’s social and economic

tating trade and growing our economies. overcoming the unprecedented challenges recovery given the sector’s strategic contri-

As we collectively navigate these times, raised by the COVID19 pandemic, impacting bution to national GDP.

we will seek to emerge from this pandemic our industry. During these difficult times, I TAAG Angola chief executive officer Rui

more resilient, organized and determined wish to express AFRAA solidarity with the Carreira said, “Our strategic deliberations

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
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

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

Intra-African routes are projected to efforts to support the resumption and foster a more affordable and successful industry.”

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

pected to take more time to reach pre-cri- “It provides an opportunity to rethink our bers join namely Overland Airways Limited

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

environment. for the airline industry, which is instru- ciation’s membership to 47 African airlines.
AFRAA secretary general Abdérahmane mental for the economic development and Similarly, De Havilland Canada, PRODIGY

Berthé said, “This is a pivotal moment in integration of the African continent. Avia Solutions Limited and South African

our history as we aim to repo- During the Assembly, key stakeholders Tourism joined the associations’ partnership
sition the African air transport programme which serves as a fo-

market towards recovery and rum for industry-related organisa-

sustainability. Now more than tions to support the development
ever, operational challeng- of air transport in Africa.

es faced by African Airlines Rui Carreira was re-elected

have to be prioritised and president of the Association

addressed, especially the high for the year 2021. Desire Bantu
taxes and charges that hinder Balazire, chief executive of Congo

the growth and recovery of Airways was elected chairman

carriers on the continent”. of the executive committee.

“For our part as AFRAA, we Yvonne Makolo chief executive

tackled the crisis by resolutely of RwandAir was elected first

pivoting our strategic and vice chairperson of the executive

tactical resources to support committee while Amal Mint Mao-
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
World Airnews | December 2020
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