The Airlines Association of Southern Africa (AASA) welcomes the appointment of South Africa’s new air services councils, calling on them to move swiftly to clear the 12 months backlog of license applications and enable South Africa’s airlines to better connect the country with its markets.
AASA, which represents most of the airlines in the Southern African Development Community, reveals that it has been working behind the scenes to encourage South Africa’s government to expedite the appointment of the new councils, both of which had become defunct in April 2021 when the terms of the previous councilors ended.
Aaron Munetsi, AASA CEO, states:”While we congratulate Cabinet on confirming the appointments of the new councillors, there is much work to be done and no time to rest. The absence of functioning councils for almost a year held back South Africa’s airlines and prevented them from providing the economic and social benefits that air connectivity provides by facilitating trade, tourism and travel. The councils’ resumption will be a great relief for South Africa’s travel and tourism sector as it seeks to rebuild following the COVID-19 pandemic and associated restrictions.”
Under South African legislation, the International Air Services Council and its domestic counterpart, the Air Services Licensing Council, are required to consider applications and award or withdraw licences granted to South African-based airlines and operators of other commercial aviation services.