(TAN): The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is launching “Focus Africa” to strengthen aviation’s contribution to Africa’s economic and social development and improve connectivity, safety and reliability for passengers and shippers, IATA said.
“Africa accounts for 18% of the global population, but just 2.1% of air transport activities (combined cargo and passenger). Closing that gap, so that Africa can benefit from the connectivity, jobs and growth that aviation enables, is what Focus Africa is all about,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s director general.
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Infrastructure constraints, high costs, lack of connectivity, regulatory impediments, slow adoption of global standards and skills shortages affect the customer experience and are all contributory factors to African airlines’ viability and sustainability. The continent’s carriers suffered cumulative losses of USD 3.5 billion for 2020-2022. Moreover, IATA estimates further losses of USD 213 million in 2023.
The new initiative will align private and public stakeholders to deliver measurable progress in six areas — safety, infrastructure, connectivity, finance and distribution, sustainability, and future skills.
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