The African Union Commission (AU), the secretariat for a union group consisting of 54 countries in Africa, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to expand and develop safe, efficient and sustainable air transport in Africa.
The MoU focuses on the exchange of information, expertise and capabilities in a number of areas including enhancing security through intelligence-driven, risk-based measures; enhancing general safety; reducing accident rates in line with global levels of performance; promoting connectivity; facilitating collaborative decision making in air traffic management; and improving the passenger experience through the deployment of IATA’s Fast Travel Program, a suite of projects designed to give passengers more control over their journey through a range of self-service options.
The MoU was signed by Tony Tyler, director general and CEO of IATA, and Dr Elham Mahmoud Ahmed Ibrahim, commissioner for infrastructure and energy, AU.
Tyler, said, “Africa is set to be one of the fastest-growing aviation regions with 5% annual growth forecast over the next 20 years. Achieving this potential will not happen by chance; strong partnerships are key.
“This MoU will help ensure that global standards and best practices form the backbone of Africa’s growth as well as position the continent’s 54 nations to promote economic and social development by unleashing the full power of aviation.
“I congratulate Dr Ibrahim for her leadership, vision and foresight in driving aviation development in Africa.”
Dr Ibrahim said, “IATA is a strategic partner in the growth of African aviation. This MoU will commit our two organizations to even closer cooperation on the priorities for African aviation. In particular, we count on IATA to partner with us by providing the requisite technical support in the establishment of the Single African Air Transport Market as part of our long-term vision in the context of the AU Agenda 2063. We are, indeed, dedicated to global best practice as a fundamental for sustained growth in aviation in Africa.”
The MoU paves the way for further development in African aviation, which already supports 6.8 million jobs and generates US$72.5bn of economic activity on the continent.