I Am an eternal optimist, even on African affairs, and am thus inspired by World Air news Addis Ababa correspondent, Kaleyesus Beles report on the call by Kenya Airways for a merger between itself, Ethiopian Airlines and South Africa Airways.

For all who love Africa, and who realize the desperate need for improved air links across the continent, a sentiment like this is an inspiring glimpse of someone with a vision of the future.

Looking deeper into the issue, one, one is struck by the sad impracticality of the idea as suggested by Kenya\’s Titus Naikuni.It is almost the same as saying well put a man on the moon before China does .On a continent where governments are unable to agree on more pressing issues such as basic economic development, it is perhaps only a dream to expect them to put all their pet airlines into one pot and then watch someone else make a living from the result.

On the other hand, sooner or later someone has to do it. For Africa’s sake. And in this scenario both Kenyan and Ethiopian airlines are light years ahead of carriers such as SAA when it comes to running a profitable airline, which is the only basis on which a Pan African outfit should ever be attempted.

Kenya Airways is over 70% privately owned and, apart from red figures in 2009, has made a profit ever since privatization in 2003. It is the fourth largest airline in Africa and one of the few profitable ones, so Titus Naikuni knows his business and is quite within his rights to talk about a Pan African conglomerate.

Ethiopian Airlines, founded by Emperor Haile Selasie in 1945, is still 100% government -owned and makes a profit with monotonous regularity, which goes to show that government can also get things right if it allows profitability to interfere with the running of its airline.

Talks about privatization continue, but in the meantime it is the second biggest airline in Africa and continues to grow and expand by linking up across the continent with smaller local airlines, as Kaleyesus Bekele explains in his report on Ethiopia’s bid for a stake in Air Malawi .A Pan African Airlines in the making already, by the looks of it, and Tewolde Gebremaraim clearly also knows his business.

These are two light-at -the -end -of -runway airlines. Made in Africa. The Collective continent should embrace them and find inspiration to follow, or even join, the lead set by these two. And South Africa should be pleased to be considered as the third country at the party.

Yes, Titus Naikuni is right in saying that such merger, in order to have a fair chance of success, should have another chance of success, should have another large, dependable partner from the south of the continent .The fact that he would consider SAA, though, shows that even he has not yet shed the fixation with state support for business to succeed.

A newly formed tripartite of African airlines ,fighting for elbow room among the existing dominance of foreign airlines in Africa ,will need to know exactly what they are up against ,and what it will take to succeed. They need as partner another Made-in-Africa, Making-Profit, Making-Sense airline like themselves to strengthen their advance.

With SAAs sorry achievement of dozing on its government laurels, building up an Everest of debt while running down the last of its assets, simply should not feature in such a tripartite equation. With privatization a rejected option, this airlines only future is eventual collapse. Taking such baggage on board should be an unthinkable option for the likes of Mr Naikuni.

It is now time of Africa\’s business to look beyond Africa’s governments if they want to succeed. Kenyan and Ethiopian, if they ever would look south for a partner ,should cast their eyes beyond the stereotype of SAA ,to probably the only airline in Southern Africa, and one of a handful in Africa, that fits the above parameters.

Whether Comair (Made in Africa, established in 1943 by four pilots and today listed on the JSE) would be interested in such a deal only they can tell, but it will be defeatist for a Pan African venture to ignore this airline with its proud and lifelong record of success and profitability, in spite of the might of the Everest of debt it has to compete with.

Fighting for elbow room is something with which the carrier is rather familiar .Furthermore; Comair is as experienced as any airline in expanding its routes into the continent, already operating to a number of destinations to the north, east and operating to number destinations to the north, east and west of the subcontinent.

Perhaps all this will even make the rest of Africa blink its eyes and pull up its socks, getting its airlines to do what airlines should.

Yes, it’s a dream. But so was the man on the moon. And when reasonable men dream together -with common sense, common goals, and clean agendas-and together take one small step at a time, Africa can have its own man on the moon.

Or at least have an airline that reaches as far as its people want to go, while still leaving some money in the bank as well.

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 on African Airlines. 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 on African Airlines. 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 on African Airlines. 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

Category: Travel
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