Africa must move decisively from ambition and talk to execution if aviation is to fulfil its potential as a catalyst for intra-African trade, tourism and economic growth, Airlines Association of Southern Africa (AASA) chief executive Aaron Munetsi told delegates at the organisation’s 56th Annual General Assembly in Mauritius on 9 October. Munetsi said Africa’s young, dynamic and rapidly expanding population represented an enormous opportunity for aviation as well as for broader economic growth and inclusion, while noting that the industry continued to operate well below its potential; World Bank and OECD studies predict that around 300 million people will make up Africa’s growing middle class by 2030, driving demand for air travel to, from and within the continent.

“We need to design aviation around reasonably priced flights that depart and arrive on time, with convenient business-oriented schedules, that can be purchased using frictionless digital payments compatible with mobile money, offering products suited to traders as well as tourists, using efficient airports and border processes,” he explained.

He warned that Africa could no longer afford the gap between strategy and implementation, and that the aviation sector must lead the charge against this pattern. “The industry and governments have spent decades discussing the challenges facing African aviation and commissioning consultants to provide expensive strategies only to leave them unimplemented. Strategies don’t move people. Now it is time to make the difficult decisions and execute them,” said Munetsi.

In calling on industry stakeholders, governments and regulators to move beyond discussion and deliver measurable action, AASA identified five action items to stimulate sustainable growth in Africa’s passenger and air cargo sectors: making safety non-negotiable through investment in resources, oversight, training and zero tolerance for shortcuts; containing costs by reining in aviation-related taxes, fees and charges and avoiding new ones; modernising and maintaining airports and other aviation infrastructure while applying affordable user charges; eliminating anti-competitive and protectionist restrictions on market access and implementing the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) in practice rather than only in declaration; and standardising regulations, recognising licences and harmonising procedures across borders.

Munetsi stressed that the value generated by aviation extends far beyond the airlines themselves. “Efficient air connectivity increases trade, passenger traffic and tourism while helping Africa trade more effectively with itself. Aviation does not just deliver passengers. We deliver the catalytic effect to economies,” he said.

Note: AASA, established in 1970, represents most of the airlines in the Southern African Development Community bloc, with 15 airline members and 42 associate members including aircraft and engine manufacturers, infrastructure service providers, ground handling companies and allied industry bodies; it is a regular participant in and contributor to ICAO and IATA initiatives in the region.