African governments and industry stakeholders have been urged to collaborate to address the additional problems posed by the coronavirus pandemic to the aviation industry and vigorously stimulate the quick recovery of the industry.
This was the submission by the Former President, International Civil Aviation Organization, ICAO, Dr. Olumuyiwa Bernard Aliu at a High level Ministerial meeting held virtually on Wednesday 18th March, 2021 with the theme: “Enhancing Air Transport Connectivity and Growth in West Africa”.
He said this was beneficial to Africa’s economic recovery from the pandemic, adding that Africa aviation should not plan for a return to the precarious pre-COVID past but rather chart a course to a profitable and a sustainable future.
Dr. Aliu said, the pandemic has presented an opportunity for the Africa aviation industry to reassess the role and contribution of civil aviation to Africa’s economic growth, social progress and integration and overall sustainable development.
“ECOWAS and its member states have all the necessary social, geographical and economic potential to turn this region into a leading aviation market and to take full advantage of air transport as a major contributor to trade, tourism and GDP, and what is required is political determination to turn COVID-19 crisis into opportunity”.
In his presentation, the Secretary General, Africa Civil Aviation Commission, AFCAC, Tefera Mekonnen says, the West Africa sub-region has everything needed to grow and the develop the industry namely, the population and size, adding that given Africa’s under-developed road and rail with infrastructure, air transport still remains an important means of transport for the way forward.
He however stressed the need for the free movement of people within the region like in Europe.
“The fact that travel within Europe is unrestricted for Europeans and non-europeans with SHEGEN visas has been key to promoting the fortunes of carriers this is however not the case in Africa”.
Former Secretary General, ICAO, Raymond Benjamin noted that some achievements have been made by ECOWAS States in strengthening safety and security oversight systems, trade and 14 states have committed to the Single Africa Transport Market, SAATM.
Permanent Secretary Ministry of Aviation, Nigeria, Engr. Hassan Musa said, aviation is a key enabler in achieving economic growth and development, provides jobs, supports tourism and contributes to the GDP.
He maintained that, despite the impact of the pandemic in the past one year, aviation has continued to play its vital roles of delivering of essentials, medical and air cargo services.
He added, “the sector which has over the years grown more than other means of transport is still facing regulatory problems, operational constraints….”
In his address of welcome, Director General, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, Capt. Musa Nuhu said, in spite of the challenges, the region has the potential of rediscovering and reawakening, adding that the determination is needed to change the narrative the past by creating a more productive and conducive environment for the airlines and other service providers to ensure sustained and profitable operations.
“Unfortunately, the Covid-19 pandemic has worsen the operations of the sector resulting in airport closure, flight suspension and cancellations due to border closure/restrictions, these have resulted in increased debt profile of airlines, airports, job loss and untold negative impact on aviation and tourism”.
For the Representative of CANSO in the area of enhancing infrastructure, there should be an increased coordination, collaboration and support to the whole industry especially with the users and regulator and put in place a COVID-19 recovery plan initiative.
Other speakers emphasized engagement with the political leaders to be championed by AFCAC and ECOWAS and for States across the continent to embark on deliberate conscious and determined planning process, encourage private sector participation, remove national boundaries in aviation as much as possible, promote open skies and total liberalization and implement SAATM.
On the side of airlines, speakers suggested among others the need for government to stop protectionism, reduce charges, taxes, enhance security, upgrade and modernization of airport infrastructure.
Dr. Pierre Coutu in his presentation entitled: Global Megatrends and Aviation: “The path to Future-Wise Organizations” said, “the future will not be like the past, therefore, Aviation is entering a phase where new Business Models are needed because currently all strategic plans and infrastructure plans are obsolete”.
“All new plans must be scenario-based and consider several plausible alternative future”.
Adding that, “To be future-wise, countries and aviation organizations must develop competency-building master plans because the competencies of the future are vastly different from the traditional ones”.
