The Airlines Association of Southern Africa is calling on governments, regulators and industry stakeholders to move beyond aviation strategies and implement measures to improve connectivity, reduce costs and expand air transport across Africa.
Africa must move from ambition to execution if aviation is to fulfil its potential to support intra-African trade, tourism and economic growth, Airlines Association of Southern Africa (AASA) CEO Aaron Munetsi told delegates at the organisation’s 56th Annual General Assembly in Mauritius.
Munetsi said Africa’s young and expanding population presented a significant opportunity for aviation and wider economic development, but the industry continued to operate below its potential. World Bank and OECD studies predict that Africa’s growing middle class will reach around 300 million people 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.
Five priorities for aviation growth
Munetsi said the sector could no longer afford the gap between strategies and implementation.
“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 Mr Munetsi.
AASA identified five priorities for governments, regulators and industry stakeholders to support sustainable growth in passenger and air cargo transport:
• Prioritise safety: Invest in resources, effective oversight and training, with zero tolerance for shortcuts.
• Contain aviation costs: Rein in aviation-related taxes, fees and charges and avoid introducing new ones.
• Improve infrastructure: Modernise and maintain airports and other aviation infrastructure, while applying affordable user charges.
• Open market access: Remove anti-competitive and protectionist restrictions and implement the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), moving beyond declarations to practical liberalisation.
• Harmonise regulation: Standardise regulations, recognise licences and align procedures across borders.
Connectivity supports wider economy
Munetsi stressed that aviation’s economic contribution extended beyond airlines, supporting trade, passenger movement and tourism across the continent.
“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.
