The Chief Executive Officer of Airlines Association of Southern Africa (AASA), Mr. Aaron Munetsi has articulated measures to improve the aviation sector in Africa. At the Annual General Assembly of AASA hosted by Proflight Zambia in Lusaka, Zambia. Munetsi said “airlines, airports, air navigation services, regulators and equipment suppliers all had a part to play in rewriting Africa’s aviation negative narrative and demonstrating that African carriers can hold their own globally.” He noted that “African aviation’s success depends on collaboration and shared responsibility. It’s time to stop talking and start improving. Only by working together can we ensure Africa’s aviation sector finally takes off and becomes far more than a two-percent player in the global market”
He stated further that “For too long, African aviation has been underestimated — especially by ourselves. Africa is home to 1.4 billion people, the world’s youngest population and a growing middle class but with just 2.2% of global air transport market share, we are still idling on the runway.”
Munetsi identified five key areas of focus for the African Aviation Industry including Safety and Standards, Supply Chain, Financial Sustainability, Environmental Sustainability and People and Skills.
On Safety and Standards, Munetsi called on Africa to “harmonise oversight and recognise mutual licensing and certification — as the EU did in the 1990s — to support SAATM implementation and improve efficiency.” Munetsi bemoaned that “global shortage of aircraft and parts has severely affected African airlines” and warned that “Manufacturers quote up to six-year delivery lead-times, which requires older, less efficient aircraft to be kept in service for longer. Africa’s carriers face more than US$220 million in additional supply chain-related costs this year alone.”
Munetsi called on African state-owned airlines to be “run with accountability, cost discipline, innovation and partnerships to drive better financial performance.” While noting Africa’s low contribution to global aviation emission at 2%, the AASA CEO urged African governments to facilitate “investments in locally produced sustainable aviation fuel while their aviation infrastructure services should be improving operational procedures to help airlines reduce fuel burn and carbon emissions.” He identified that empowerment of Africa’s youth, women, and innovators is key and requires investments in training, mentorship and inclusion.
Munetsi argued that “Aviation is not a luxury — it is an economic lifeline,” noting that “If governments genuinely want to democratise air transport they should remove excessive statutory charges and taxes that have driven up costs, made ticket prices higher and pushed air transport beyond the reach of most Africans. Economically restricting access to air transport in this way undermines countries’ competitiveness.” He also called on states to remove “archaic protectionist practices and processes that restrict growth”
Once again, Airlines Association of Southern Africa (AASA) has articulated the need for “a bold, collective effort to democratise and liberate the continent’s aviation sector through a series of interventions including harmonising regulations, opening markets to competition, stabilising the industry supply chain, financial discipline, governance as well as fixing critical aviation infrastructure and related services.”
This is the time to walk the talk.