Lagos – Some African aviation stakeholders says they have concluded plans to converge in Dubai, United Arab Emirate (UAE), to examine the potentials of the continent’s aviation industry estimated at about 80 billion dollars.
The two-day event, tagged “Aviation Africa 2015” and under the patronage of Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed al Maktoum, President of Dubai’s Department of Civil Aviation and Chairman of Emirates Airline, would hold between May 10 and 11.
According to a statement from the stakeholders, the event would assist African aviation experts and other global players’ opportunity to dialogue on the social, economic and political benefits from aggressive infrastructure development in Africa.
It said that aviation in Africa currently supports more than 6.9 million jobs and over $800 billion in GDP across African nations.
The release said that a developed African aviation industry has the capacity to annually support a further 155,000 jobs and 1.3 billion dollars in GDP.
It quoted an independent report published by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), as saying that the associated economic growth for the continent would be achieved through the effective liberalisation of just 12 key markets, including Ghana, Kenya and South Africa, among others.
“If you look at the sheer potential of just a handful of African airlines, routes and airports, you realise just how enormous an impact Africa can have on the future of aviation, and moreover you can clearly see just how beneficial a progressive aviation industry can be for the socio-economic future of the continent,” says Alan Peaford MBE, event organiser and summit Chairman.
“Geographically, it’s ideally located right next to well-established hubs in the Gulf, and is able to capitalise on the passenger and cargo traffic already streaming through the region.
“Aviation Africa 2015 will fill a void in the aviation calendar and give Africa a real chance to progress quickly, effectively and safely,” he said.
It also said that Africa’s prospective growth and the role the Middle East’s aviation industry can play in the creation of a burgeoning African market will be the focal point of the various case studies and panels at Aviation Africa 2015.
The Ghanian Transport Minister, Dzifa Aku Attivor, one of the top-level industry speakers, delegates and experts, expected to share ideas and experiences with their Middle Eastern counterparts will deliver the keynote address.
“There are many striking similarities between the Middle Eastern aviation market of 20 years ago and the African market of today,” says Alan Peaford.
“The many experiences Gulf carriers, airports and regulators underwent as they grew to become the centre-ground of the global aviation space are bound to be similar to the issues that will arise in Africa as the continent’s nations begin to put their efforts and resources behind their aviation industry.
“Africa would do well to discuss, listen and learn from their Middle Eastern counterparts,” Peaford adds.
The other speakers expected to discuss the role of the regulators at Aviation Africa 2015 are Laila Ali Hareb Al Muhairi, Assistant Director General for Strategy and International Affairs; UAE’s civil aviation authority, Dr Hamdi Chaouk; former director general for aviation in Lebanon; Abdulai Alhassan, director general, Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, and Mohamed Rahma, Undersecretary for International Affairs, Egypt.
Speakers from African and Middle East airlines include Girma Wake, Chairman, RwandAir (formerly CEO, Ethiopian Airlines), and Yves Naninque, CCO ECAir.
Many other CEOs and COOs are attending, including Africa’s leading cargo operator Astral Aviation, South African Airlines and Daallo Airlines.
Ed Winter, CEO of Fastjet, Tanzania’s low cost carrier and Air Arabia’s Group Chief Executive, Adel Ali, will also be among the panellists.
“We are really pleased with the support we are getting from the industry across all levels of government, as well as airlines of all shapes and sizes.
“This is going to be a great networking event and an intriguing summit.
“Of course there is a frisson between many African carriers and the local airlines in the Middle East but it wasn’t that long ago that the likes of Emirates and Qatar Airways were in the same position as the African carriers are now and they have found many different ways around global and regional challenges,” Peaford says.
It said that the event will also feature an exhibition with more than 40 companies, including Boeing, Jeppesen, African Open SkyM, Ethiopian Airlines and Astral Aviation. (NAN)
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