The African Airline Association (AFRAA) and Airports Council International (ACI) Africa have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to support African aviation.
The framework of the agreement will see the two organisations mutually support the development of the air transport industry in Africa through collaborative actions to address safe, secure, seamless, environmentally-friendly and affordable air travel.
Signed by AFRAA’s Secretary General, Abderahmane Berthé and ACI Africa’s Secretary General, Ali Tounsi, the MoU will align both organisation’s actions and see them working together to address areas such as: The promotion and sharing of best practices to foster constructive engagement between airport operators and air carriers; safety enhancement initiatives in line with the Abuja Safety targets; promotion and implementation of new technologies in air travel; data and intelligence sharing; ensuring affordable airfares in Africa using a holistic approach for the reduction of the cost of air travel; Joint initiatives on how to render air travel more affordable across the continent.
Commenting on the MoU, Berthé said, “The high cost of airline operations in Africa negatively impacts the viability of African airlines and hinders the sustainable growth of air transport industry in the Continent. One of the constituents of these high costs is the high aviation-related taxes in the region. Through concerted efforts under the framework of this MoU, AFRAA and ACI Africa will foster regular constructive dialogues with the respective members of our organisations on aviation taxes which will lay the foundation for joint actions and advocacy.”
He added that the agreement comes at a time when the global aviation industry is navigating turbulent times and this collaborative apporach will commit both organisations to a “stronger working relationship for the development of air transport in Africa.”
Meanwhile Tounsi reference how the MoU was long overdue and stated that, “the development of a safe, secure and financially viable and sustainable air transport industry in Africa cannot be undertaken without a strong and enhanced collaboration between airports and airlines.” He also noted that, “The MoU will indeed facilitate the concrete and tangible delivery of services by both our organisations and the implementation of joint actions to advance the air transport industry on the continent.”
