African governments must open aviation markets and allow for more routes and more flights where regulatory impediments were blocking growth.
This was the call by the Airlines Association of Southern Africa (AASA) at the annual general assembly in Luanda, Angola recently.
Poor intra-Africa airline connectivity, inadequate infrastructure together with unclear policies, inconsistent regulations and rising aviation taxes and other statutory charges are depriving African economies from reaching their full potential.
AASA cautioned that without a clear co-ordinated strategy for the development, production and supply of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) and improvements to airspace management to streamline traffic flows, the region’s airline industry would fail to meet the global net-zero 2050 carbon emissions target.
Africa accounts for two percent of global passenger and air cargo traffic and will need access to at least 15 billion litres of SAF a year by 2050 if it is to continue serving the continent’s economic and social needs by enabling trade, business, tourism and personal travel.
“We have an embarrassingly low level of intra-African connectivity and it is depriving Africa, its people and its economies from rising to their full potential,” said AASA CEO, Aaron Munetsi.
He called on the SADC governments to remove the obstacles hindering industry expansion and connectivity. “By doing so, you will enable the economies and people you serve, to flourish. Never have you held in your grasp a golden opportunity to make inspired decisions with such meaningful positive consequences and impact! Do not squander it!”
Read his full address in the November edition of World Airnews. Out soon.