The International Bureau of Aviation Group has completed a close study of the developing opportunities arising from the exponential growth and profit reported within the African aviation industry.

Africa represents 20, 2% of earths land and, with a population set to double by 2036, aircraft manufacturers have highlighted Africa as a key growth market, thanks to deregulation in the aviation industry, economic and demographic growth.

Although aviation is now forming an essential part of the continents development, the IBA Group (IBA) insists careful consideration must be given to its fundamental infrastructure.

Phil Seymour, IBAs president and COO comments: “The investment opportunities and anticipated growth expected from African aviation must not overlook imperative infrastructure improvements which need to take place. Airports, air traffic control and the regulatory authorities of existing and developing airlines will need to improve to international standards in order to compete successfully”.

IBA has pointed out, too, that the prospects for air transport to drive economic and social development in Africa will need to strike a fine balance between available opportunities and their associated challenges. Recent developing ventures have struggled to overcome a range of impediments allied with the complex legal and political issues which plaque much of the continent.

Seymour added: “Virgin Nigeria and Fast jets African plans have both faltered due to the intricate and widespread governmental disputes. Africa has the potential to emerge as a global economic power, but will need to harness the opportunities in order to capitalize on this.”

The IBA study shows that the high-cost operating environment means the continents airlines are prevented from forging the important role aviation connectivity and economic growth could play throughout Africa. Fuel costs are frequently 20% more expensive in Africa than the global average, while taxation charges make connecting travel onerous to the consumer.

According to IBAs database ,there are currently 1014 Western built commercial aircraft currently in operation in Africa among 187 operators .Boeing has forecast that Africa will require 900 new aircraft over the next 20 years .Using these aircraft ,aviation will enable global connectivity ,in turn integrating the 54 national economies of Africa to the rest of the world.

Fundamental to the growth of African aviation is the commitment of governments to actively solve corruption on a national scale, combined with effective harnessing of investment opportunities, allowing airlines to follow the solid reputation of South Africa Airways, Ethiopian Airlines and Kenya Airways.

Seymour added: “Until more Africa countries embrace the ICAO airworthiness standards and invest in the best quality ad visors, the growth forecasts will not be met. While new aircraft are efficient, they also tie up hard to find capital, reducing profit required for growth.

“Africa needs investment in the simple things, such as experienced pilots and technicians, as well as the structural and more expensive investments in airport and air traffic control systems,” he concluded.

Agenda for Cooperation between Airlines and Airports

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has called for a unified agenda between airlines and airports to address the mutual challenges of growth and sustainability.

“Airports are airlines’ closest partners. Neither of us could exist without the other,” said Tony Tyler, IATA Director General and CEO.

Speaking at the Airports Council International s (ACI) annual congress in Istanbul, Turkey, Tyler noted that major investments in infrastructure would be needed to meet the global demand for air connectivity which, he said, was growing at about 5% annually.

Meeting these requirements efficiently would require close cooperation.

Over the long term, airline profit margins had been insufficient to cover their cost of capital and this also had been the case for some airports, he said, adding: “Neither partner can afford poorly-thought out and overly expensive infrastructure development.

“To avoid this, we must work together in a collaborative process based upon the basic principles laid down by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) which include consultation with airport users, transparency, on-discrimination ,cost-based charges, and strict safeguards on pre-financing of future infrastructure.”

Tyler also cautioned that “decades of practical experience and longstanding and credible economic theory have shown that most airports have substantial market power.

“Strong independent regulation is required to provide the cost discipline that otherwise would be imposed by the free market.

“The ICAO principles offer sufficient flexibility for regulators to apply various levels of economic oversight where market forces do exist.”

Tyler proposed a unified agenda and partnership between airlines and airports based on a mutual understanding that long-term sustainability was an issue for both airlines and airports; recognition that the solution to common challenges was not to take each other in an “Anaconda-like grip” to squeeze out every last penny from one another; working together to help airports find mutually beneficial efficiencies; seeking opportunities for cooperation to enable process improvements and new value added commercial opportunities such as through providing universal access to Wi-Fi ,and scoping out potential for joint business development.

“An agenda of cooperation does not mean that we will agree in every specific instance. But it does mean that we recognize we will achieve far more together than each could on our own,” said Tyler.

Anthony A Juma is the Editor and Director Commercial & Flights Operations at Wings Over Africa Aviation Limited. This is an Air Charter Company that specializes on Air News The Growth of African Aviation. The website has guided thousands of travelers to achieve their dream holiday. For more information and guidance, visit the site at http://www.wingsoverafrica-aviation.com/index.php/flight-news.html

Anthony A Juma is the Editor and Director Commercial & Flights Operations at Wings Over Africa Aviation Limited. This is an Air Charter Company that specializes on Air News The Growth of African Aviation. The website has guided thousands of travelers to achieve their dream holiday. For more information and guidance, visit the site at http://www.wingsoverafrica-aviation.com/index.php/flight-news.html

Author Bio: Anthony A Juma is the Editor and Director Commercial & Flights Operations at Wings Over Africa Aviation Limited. This is an Air Charter Company that specializes on Air News The Growth of African Aviation. The website has guided thousands of travelers to achieve their dream holiday. For more information and guidance, visit the site at http://www.wingsoverafrica-aviation.com/index.php/flight-news.html

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