The African aviation industry is throwing a challenge at African governments, urging them to play their role as the industry takes steps to turn its fortunes around. Despite the much-heralded potential of African aviation and expected strong demand growth, carriers in the continent still have a tiny share of the global passenger market.
The role of governments in the development of the African aviation industry often comes under scrutiny, with criticism that it is, at best, indifferent. Aging and inadequate infrastructure is an old problem in the continent. But some countries are taking steps to reverse this. The Zimbabwean government, for instance, has identified aviation as a key contributor to economic development and sees it as a catalyst for turning the economy of that country around. Hence the renovation of the Victoria Falls Airport, he said.
The move is expected to boost tourism. Chief executive of hospitality group Africa Albida Tourism says the upgrade is going to be a game changer not only for Zimbabwe but for the entire region as Victoria Falls is one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
Lack of connectivity among African countries has long been identified as the industry’s shortcoming in the continent. It is in this respect that African governments draw sharp criticism. A 2010 World Bank study on open skies said Africa countries were reluctant to liberalise because they wanted to protect the market share of their respective state-owned carriers.
Regional head of IATA Adefunke Adeyemi said by failing to improve connectivity among themselves, African countries were missing out on key economic benefits. “The aviation industry and government must work together. We do not want to (continue) talking to each other. We should take the message to the policy makers,” Adeyemi said.
Far from burying their heads in the sand, leaders in African aviation are frank about the challenges facing the industry and spend time looking for solutions. One view of continent’s industry is lack of will to see through the Yamoussoukro Declaration. Air Zimbabwe CEO Edmund Makona says there is lack of conviction regarding the benefits of the Declaration.
Investment in infrastructure in other parts of Africa is an opportunity for the Airports Company South Africa to offer key learnings to peers, drawing from its experience in the execution of multi-billion rand infrastructure projects. According to Airports Company South Africa Chief Operating Officer Tebogo Mekgoe, what has worked to Airports Company South Africa’s favour though is a progressive economic regulation of the industry which enables the ring-fencing of costs and reinvestment of funds back in capacity-building coupled with the country having a high GDP per capita when compared to other African countries.