eTNW reports from 69th Iata AGM (June 2-4)
The South African government is conscious of the difficult economic environment airlines are operating under and its air navigation service will implement measures that will reduce the cost of operating in the country, Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe, said yesterday (June 3) when opening the 69th Iata agm in Cape Town. The high cost of airline operations in Africa due to airport and air navigation infrastructure user charges has long been criticised by the association.
The deputy president said the SA government fully supported an Upper Airspace Control Centre, which would result in seamless operations for airlines in the SADC region. “Amongst these wide-ranging measures, they will be implementing improved safety protocols and installing advanced network communication tools, thus allowing for more effective communication and flight safety operations,” he added.
He said inter-connectivity in Africa was a key concern for the SA government and it was looking at options for unlocking the growth potential from developing new markets, which, he said, would drive down airfares on the back of increased competition and create new employment opportunities. “Indeed most of Africa’s growth and development is hinged on the ability to improve intra-Africa trade and Africa’s trade with the rest of the globe.” He said Africa offered the most viable growth potential for the aviation industry, as seven of the top 10 growing economies in the world were on the continent. However, to help achieve this, he said African states must collaborate more with airlines and improve their aviation policies by providing the necessary public infrastructure and support programmes for airlines.
Speaking at the same event, Public Enterprises Minister, Malusi Gigaba, suggested that it “may soon be necessary for Africa’s largest carriers – SAA, Ethiopian Airlines and Kenya Airways – to pursue collaborative efforts” to improve inter-connectivity on the continent. He urged more low-cost carriers to enter African aviation.
