airhighways africa

Africa�s Transport and Infrastructure Show 2014 saw a large gathering of transport industry professionals flock to the Sandton Convention Centre on 1 and 2 July 2014. The Trade Show was organised by Terrapin.

COVER attended the Aviation Outlook for Africa on the first day.

Blue skies for Africa�s aviation

Sylvain Bosc, the newly appointed General Manager: Commercial of South Africa Airlines, said: �The future looks bright for aviation in Africa.� He supported his statement with the following compelling arguments.

He said: �Emerging African countries will capture their largest share ever of the world�s total economic growth.

�Intra-African trade will rise at double digit rate for the foreseeable future.�

Bosc said that foreign direct investments are increasingly directed towards Africa, boosting business traffic. He said the increasing urbanisation and emerging of African middle class will help boost the aviation sector. He argued that tourism, a key aviation driver, is yet underdeveloped and leaves enormous opportunities for growth in Africa.

Challenges to overcome

Bosc said there are two factors holding African airlines back.

The first is that African countries today do not offer the environment needed to base an airline. Requirements for a favourable environment are, among others, GDP size, domestic market size, political stability, total middle class population, diaspora abroad able to travel, tourism infrastructure, quality of public infrastructure, and international trade connection.

In the end, said Bosc, it is very expensive to operate an airline.

The second factor affecting Africa�s aviation industry is the ability of the Middle Eastern carriers to absorb much of the long haul growth

How can African aviation resist?

Bosc said it is imperative that governments and airlines work together to bring about change.

Airlines must avoid complacency by reducing the cost base to become or remain competitive. African airlines must build a stronghold that will become a desirable port of entry for long haul traffic. They must cooperate with other African airlines to build an interconnected continental network.

Governments can do their part by adopting an aviation policy. This whole of state policy can address issues like the coordination of state-controlled airports and airlines; visa requirements; asset financing facilitation; traffic rights; and promotion of tourism.

Governments can assist market forces in creating an open skies model; and creating an environment where privately-held airlines can feed long haul flights from foreign carriers.

For pictures of the opening event, visit our Facebook page and check out our Aviation Africa photo album.

South African Airways Service from New York to Johannesburg via Dakar
SAA service from JFK to Dakar to provide the only and much needed nonstop service between North America and Senegal, West Africa. These major schedule enhancements are complemented by a major service improvement &endash; one which I'm privileged to introduce to you tonight...the progress of air travel, South African Airways style. An environment where air travel feels more like a stay at a five-star hotel than a fifteen hour flight. An environment where people can experience the finest South African hospitality, comfortably and effortlessly. An environment where the most important investment is always in the comfort of our passengers.

Airline of the Year 2004 - Final Rankings

1st	Singapore Airlines
2nd	Emirates
3rd	Cathay Pacific
4th	Qantas Airways
5th	Thai Airways

Airport of the Year 2004 - Final Rankings

1st	Hong Kong Int'l Airport
2nd	Singapore Changi Airport
3rd	Amsterdam Schiphol Airport
4th	Seoul Incheon Airport
5th	Kuala Lumpur KLIA Airport

2004 Airline Excellence Awards

Asia	Asian Airlines
South America	TAM Brazilian
Regional- Europe	PGA Portugalia
Regional- Europe	SN Brussels Airlines
Pacific	Air Tahiti Nui
Asia	Bangkok Airways
Mid East / Africa	Qatar Airways
North America	JetBlue Airways
Improvement	Gulf Air

Precision Air Expands: Following the return of its sole B 737 to Kenya Airways last year and the subsequent halt of flights to Johannesburg due to lack of suitable aircraft, Precision Air is now once again looking into the future with hope. A new ATR 72 aircraft has joined the fleet and apparently orders for additional new aircraft to be delivered over the next two years have also been placed.The Precision Air head office has also been moved from Arusha to Dar es Salaam, from where it operates 5 flights a week to Mombasa via Zanzibar as well as 5 flights a week from Mombasa to Kilimanjaro / Arusha. Nairobi is served daily from Dar and the Kilimanjaro Nairobi route has 3 flights a week. The present fleet now stands at 8 aircraft including one ATR 72, three ATR 42, three LET 410 and one Cessna Grand Caravan. Precision Air is 49 percent owned by Kenya Airways, which also provides management support. (Prof. Wolfgang Thome)

"Open Skies for Africa Aviation Conference"
We salute the Africa/USA Aviation Summit in Washington, DC which featured the regulatory and commercial implications and opportunities of Open Skies. We built a magazine and web site around Open Skies in the USA and Canada, and are devoting an entire edition of Africa Travel Magazine that will include:

• Open Skies implications for Africa
• Airline competition and Cooperation,|
• Aviation regulations and air safety.
• Airports and ATC development.
• Finance strategies and sourcing funds.
• Aviation training and education.
• Maximizing Business Opportunities.

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