Aviation Contributes to Development of Africa

Aviation potential is limited by infrastructure constraints, high costs, lack of connectivity, regulatory impediments, skills shortages

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that the Focus Africa Conference will delve into six priorities under IATA’s Focus Africa initiative to strengthen aviation’s contribution to the continent’s economic and social development and improve connectivity, safety and reliability for passengers and shippers. Focus Africa is taking place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on 20-21 June 2023, with Ethiopian Airlines as the host airline.

“Over the next 15 years, Africa’s passenger traffic is expected to double. The continent stands out as the region with the greatest potential and opportunity for aviation. But this potential is limited by infrastructure constraints, high costs, lack of connectivity, regulatory impediments, slow adoption of global standards and skills shortages, among other factors. The Focus Africa Conference will bring together the continent’s key stakeholders to address these challenges,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.

Mesfin Tasew, Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, will deliver an Opening Keynote Address. “We are delighted to host IATA’s Focus Africa Conference and welcome the aviation industry to our home, Addis Ababa. Advancing the air transport industry is critical for Africa’s economic growth. The conference will allow industry leaders to join forces and drive the Focus Africa initiative,” said Tasew.

Speakers & Sessions

Walsh, Tasew, and Kamil Alawadhi, IATA’s Regional Vice-President for Africa and Middle East will be speaking at the event along with:

• Yvonne Makolo, CEO RwandAir and Chair of the IATA Board of Governors (2023-2024)
• Adefunke Adeyemi, Secretary General, African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC)
• Abdulrahman Berthe, Secretary General, African Airlines Association (AFRAA)
• Aaron Munetsi, CEO, Airlines Association of Southern Africa (AASA)
• Rodger Foster, CEO Airlink
• Poppy Khoza, Director General Civil Aviation, South African Civil. Aviation Authority (SACAA)
• Bradley Mims, Deputy Administrator, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

Session tracks will address:

• Safety
• Aeronautical information management
• Intra-African connectivity
• Airport infrastructure
• Biometrics and security
• Modern airline retailing
• Sustainability
• Skilled workforce

The International Air Transport Association is a trade association of the world’s airlines founded in 1945. IATA has been described as a cartel since, in addition to setting technical standards for airlines, IATA also organized tariff conferences that served as a forum for price fixing.

Consisting in 2023 of 300 airlines, primarily major carriers, representing 117 countries, the IATA’s member airlines account for carrying approximately 83% of total available seat miles air traffic. IATA supports airline activity and helps formulate industry policy and standards. It is headquartered in Montreal, Canada with executive offices in Geneva, Switzerland.