Air transport organizations and
partners in the industry in Africa says there is urgent need for
improved political support to air transport development in Africa.
This was the core of their submissions at the just-concluded 17th
Aviation & Allied Business Leadership Conference held at the
Hyatt Regency Hotel - The Kilimanjaro, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
The Secretary General of the African Airlines Association
(AFRAA), Dr. Elijah 
Chingosho,
calls on African States to intervene in the challenges facing
African airlines from external aviation blocs, including the
blacklisting of African airlines by the European Union, poaching of
aviation experts by Middle East carriers, among others. He stresses
that aviation needs government support and not aid, considering the
enormity of challenges facing the industry today. He says Africa's
aviation market is over-taxed, while airlines are challenged by
competition from large foreign carriers, as he calls on States to
open their markets to African airlines to give them strength to
compete favourably. Dr. Chingosho says AFRAA will continue to
support the Aviation & Allied Business in the efforts to
develop air transport in Africa. Capt. Edward Boyo, Publisher
of the Aviation & Allied Business Journal, expresses optimism
over the commitment of air transport partners in developing the
industry in Africa. He calls on governments and the private sector
to re-align their strategies keeping in mind the emerging
challenges in the industry, and making collaboration the
cornerstone of air transport development in Africa.
The President of African Civil
Aviation Commission (AFCAC), Mr. Ceubah Guelpina, says team work is
very important for aviation development in Africa. He urges other
aviation partners including AFRAA, ICAO and the African Union to
work with AFCAC to strengthen aviation training and leadership in
Africa. He charges States Ministries of Transport to regularly take
stock of how their States have fared in implementing key policy
decisions in the industry especially those bordering on safety and
security. The Director of Civil Aviation Safety Oversight
Organization of the East Africa, Mr. Maugo Mtesigwa, notes that
States should pay greater attention in funding States and regional
safety oversight initiatives to ensure that they contribute
effectively to aviation safety and development in Africa. Delegates
were optimistic on the liberalization of the air transport market
in Africa even in the shorter-term especially starting from the
regions. The conference was attended by over 200 delegates, and
also featured the presentation of gifts and awards.