stakeholder’s convention with a call for enhanced collaboration in order
to accelerate the development of the sector in Africa.
Held from 12-14 May 2019 in Mauritius under the theme “Winning
together”, the convention brings together operators and service
providers with the view to foster dialogue, build sustainable networks
in supply chain management, create a competitive environment for
business and improve the aviation support base in the continent.
Speaking as Chief Guest at the Opening Ceremony of the event, Hon.
Honourable Ivan Collendavelloo, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of
Mauritius said: ”We must work together or we will fail together but of
course we want to win together. Therefore, the only solution is to work
together. We want to encourage the reduction of barriers between African
states using approaches that take into account the needs of each
country.”
Mr. Abderrahmane Berthé, AFRAA Secretary General said: “A successful and
viable African aviation industry is achievable, but this requires
rigorous efforts as well as close coordination and collaboration by all
stakeholders ranging from Governments, regulatory authorities, airports,
air navigation service providers, suppliers of the wide range of
aviation products and services and the customers. Together, we can
ensure an integrated, interconnected Africa that is competitive within
itself and globally.”
Mr. Berthé further reiterated that the purpose of this convention is to
establish lasting relationships and partnerships between aviation
stakeholders and airlines for the benefit of African Aviation.
Mr. Somas Appavou, Chief Executive Officer said: “Africa is a continent
of boundless opportunities. With a population of 1.2 billion, double
digit growth rates in many countries and a fast expanding middle class,
our continent has become the new promised land for the development of
air travel. Industry partners in Africa will have to take these emerging
opportunities and overcome challenges together. This is how we can
leverage each other’s strengths and leapfrog the many barriers that no
single player can overcome alone.”
Mr. Appavou pointed out that aviation is a lifeline for small island
developing states (SIDS) such as Mauritius and also highlighted the need
for strong partnerships to overcome the competitive and operational
hurdles faced by these islands. These include scale, remoteness from
source markets and access to resources and competencies.
Among other key messages from the convention, all stakeholders were
urged to intensify efforts to reduce the crippling high cost of doing
business in the Aviation sector in Africa. This includes a call to
African governments to reduce taxes, charges and fees imposed on
airlines and other key services, as well as continue to make efforts to
ensure that airlines are able to repatriate their earnings.
The 2019 edition of the Convention features masterclasses where cutting
edge ideas, technologies, industry best practices, new opportunities and
practical solutions will be presented and discussed by aviation leaders
with the aim of creating a platform for robust discourse.
Other key topics to be discussed include; The Single African Air
Transport Market, Matching Capacity & Demand – Improving Load Factors,
Yields, and Profitability, Addressing aviation skills gap in Africa for
economic growth, Mitigating Cybersecurity threat and building cyber
resilience just to name a few.
The Convention has been kindly sponsored by: the Economic Development
Board Mauritius (EDB), Bombardier, Rolls Royce, ABSA, Aeroport de
Pierrefonds, Afrasia Bank, Airports of Mauritius (AML), ATNS Air Traffic
and Navigation services, Embraer, Jackson Square Aviation, LLC,
Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority, Rogers Aviation, Airbus, Kenya
Civil Aviation Authority, Amadeus, Sabre, Omnicane, Air Lease
Corporation,