African Airlines Association (AFRAA) has joined the Focus Africa initiative along with the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Focus Africa aims to maximize the contribution of aviation to development across the African Continent by better serving passengers and shippers. Under Focus Africa, private and public stakeholders are committed to delivering measurable improvements in six critical areas - safety, infrastructure, connectivity, finance & distribution, sustainability, and skills development.
"AFRAA strengthens the Focus Africa coalition as we work to increase aviation’s role in Africa’s development. This has enormous promise. The continent is home to the world’s most rapidly growing population but accounts for just 2% of air passenger and cargo transport activity. The road to realizing aviation’s potential will be long. But with the strong partnerships committed to Focus Africa, we can, and we will realize the needed change,” said Kamil Al Awadhi, regional vice president, Africa and the Middle East.
“AFRAA and IATA share a common vision,the development of a safe, secure and sustainable aviation industry in Africa that facilitates business, trade, and tourism and contributes positively to Africa's economic growth and development. AFRAA fully supports and encourages collaboration in tackling the challenges and threats to the sustainability of Africa’s air transport sector. By joining IATA and the other Focus Africa partners we can help propel this initiative which will deliver widespread social and economic benefits,” said Abderahmane Berthé, secretary general, AFRAA.
IATA and AFRAA together will promote regional air connectivity by working together with governments to support the implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), Aid in liberating airline funds blocked by governments from repatriation by advising governments on best practices to clear backlogs. Currently $1.5 billion in airline funds remain blocked across the continent, improving operational safety through a data-driven, collaborative program and help in achieving reasonable levels of taxes and charges by focusing governments on the long-term social and economic benefits of aviation.