2012 takes off with a mix of challenges and
expectations for the aviation industry. In the face of agitations
caused by the unilateral inclusion of external carriers in the EU
Emissions Trading Scheme beginning January 1, 2012 which runs
contrary to agreed international position on the management of
aviation emissions, we urge ICAO, IATA, AFRAA, ACI as well as
government and aviation policy makers in Africa and other regions
to commit to discussions and actions to ensure that the management
of aviation emissions by ICAO is not violated by any region. This
would help avoid negative counter-actions that can be detrimental
to international air travel.
Besides managing
external pressures such as the EU unilateral action on emissions,
2012 is the period the industry in Africa expects to consolidate on
on-going efforts in improvement of training frameworks, regional
safety and security enhancement programmes and importantly regional
integration. Efforts must be sustained on achieving strong
improvements in these are
as in Africa despite the presence of
uncertainties in parts of the global economy, including the
European financial crisis and high fuel price, which tend to cast a
gloom on various economic sectors including aviation.
Essentially, regional groupings in Africa must
continue to take leadership in driving the needed improvements in
air transport. Particularly, the industry expects a re-invigorated
African Civil Aviation Commission; thus, the recent changes in the
AFCAC Secretariat should bring new energy to drive the delivery of
the main tasks of the Commission within and outside the continent,
as well as coordinate increased political support at the level of
the African Union and Ministers responsible for air transport.
Managing airport
development in Africa is a key part of the current Aviation &
Allied Business Journal, besides other useful materials therein. As
we welcome you to the New Year, we assure you of our commitment to
serve you better. We count on your continued partnership to
collectively improve Africa's aviation industry in the current year
and beyond.
We sincerely wish
you a most successful business year in 2012.
Thank you.
CAPT. ED. BOYO
The economic recovery and growth of the
aviation industry which began last year 2010 following the
recession of 2008/2009 are expected to continue in 2011. And in
line with this trend, the harmonization and coordination of
aviation development systems are increasingly becoming a major goal
in Africa.
Last November, AFRAA's Annual Assembly in
Addis Ababa prescribed stronger cooperation among African airlines;
whereas ASECNA's meeting of ANSPs in Cotonou explored possibilities
of harmonizing meteorology and ATM infrastructure and know-how
pursuant to the actualization of a Single African Sky.
And to improve safety for aviation in Africa,
renewed efforts are currently being targeted at creating a pool of
airworthiness and flight operations inspectors under an
ICAO-supported Cooperative Inspectorate Scheme (CIS) which will be
managed by AFCAC, with technical support and training handled by
ICAO. AFCAC says the CIS would assist and complement the efforts of
States to resolve their safety oversight deficiencies,
certifi-cation and surveillance.
The CIS is another notable effort with safety
improvement targets similar to those of ICAO's recent efforts with
African States to establish regional safety oversight
organizations. Thus, in further-ance of aviation development drives
in 2011, States are expected essentially to support the CIS
initiative.
Under the aegis of ICAO also, ACIP and AFCAC
are leading efforts towards the harmonization of aviation training
in Africa. While the harmonized training framework would buttress
the pooling of resources, overall, collaborative initiatives in
Africa deserve wider support as they would foster the attainment of
continental objectives including the Single African Sky and Safe
Skies for Africa. Moreover, pooling of resources should strongly be
considered for aviation security currently beset by new and
emerging threats.
As we welcome you specially to a fruitful
business year in 2011, we also offer you a rebranded Aviation &
Allied Business Journal in the printed and online editions. We
invite you to optimize the business opportunities on our new
website. Our lead story for the current edition focuses on creating
sustainable operations for African airports; and we have provided
other materials you will find rewarding.
Thank you.
CAPT. ED. BOYO