Yesterday’s Routes Africa Strategy Summit highlighted some of the most interesting aspects of aviation in Africa today. More than a dozen high-profile speakers debated some of the key topics impacting the aviation business across the region. This included the common thread of liberalisation that has been discussed at all our Routes Africa forums previously, but genuinely now seems close to becoming a reality. The mix of panel discussions and presentations also looked at future challenges for aviation in Africa, how African carriers can capitalise on travel growth and air transport and the economic impact of tourism within Africa.

Here’s some of the key quotes…

"Small is certainly not beautiful in the aviation industry. Unless you evolve your model, grow or build relationships with others you are going to die sooner or later."
Raphael Kuuchi, Vice President Africa, IATA

"The slow implementation of the Yamoussoukro Decision on the part of individual countries continues to be an Achilles heel for the industry in the region, inhibiting its ability to meet growing capacity demands."
Ali Tounsi, Secretary General, ACI Africa

“A proactive approach to air service development is important to our destination and all of those that enter into partnership with us. More than 200 companies here have a commercial relationship in Africa and as we develop as destination, there will be a need for more connectivity into the continent.”
Vicente Dorta, CEO, Tourism Tenerife

“Can Tenerife become a hub into Africa. The location of Tenerife interesting, but one constraint is it's part of Europe and then we have that issues of African’s requiring a Schengen visa."
Elijah Chingosho, Secretary General, African Airlines Association (AFRAA)

"What is wrong with African carriers taking up the challenge and to drive forward to profitability?"
Alan Peaford, Editor, African Aerospace and Moderator

"Collaboration is the foundation by which we’ll continue moving forward collectively as an industry."
Ali Tounsi, Secretary General, ACI Africa

"The Yamoussoukro Decision was an era ahead of its time. We were actually pioneers with liberalisation but our airlines and governments were not prepared to deliver on the aspirations. Now, Africa will have few or no carriers of substance unless they glue together and liberalise."
Raphael Kuuchi, Vice President Africa, IATA

"An environment has now finally been created where we may at last be able to see liberalisation."
Elijah Chingosho, Secretary General, African Airlines Association (AFRAA)

"If a country has a weak national carrier the Government tends to work harder to protect them. If they are strong then they are more open to let them compete."
Ali Tounsi, Secretary General, ACI Africa

“We have room for all types of carriers in Africa. But national airlines can only succeed in Africa as long as they don't become tools for government transport flying where and when they want them to fly. There is room for everybody in a liberalised market."
Raphael Kuuchi, Vice President Africa, IATA

“Some African governments still see aviation as cash cow. It’s very easy to tax the business. Air passengers have the money to fly so can pay."
Elijah Chingosho, Secretary General, African Airlines Association (AFRAA)

"There's not one perfect data set, we need sharing of data between countries to prove route cases.”
Dave Stroud, Managing Director, ASM

“The Embraer EJet family is used more for right-sizing in the Middle East and Africa than any other part of the world with a 76% deployment share versus a 45% global average. Most markets are underserved and opportunity exists to increase frequency – 83% of flights across the Continent are leaving without 120 passengers and almost 70% of routes have one or less frequencies per day, many being served just a couple of times weekly.”
Stephan Hannemann, Market Manager, MEA, Embraer

“It is critical to periodically perform competitive-analysis benchmarking regarding the carrier’s market position in comparison to other airlines.”
Gad Wavomba, Senior Consultant, Sabre Airline Solutions

"Even though Africa has been recovering from Ebola, it suffered from the disruption of air traffic in Egypt and major traffic declines between Tunisia and some of its key foreign visitor markets following terrorist attacks over the course of last year."
Ali Tounsi, Secretary General, ACI Africa

“We have listened to our airlines customers in Africa with the development of the Embraer EJet-2 and have 40% more cabin baggage space.”
Stephan Hannemann, Market Manager, MEA, Embraer

“To succeed Africa’s airlines need to use today and tomorrow’s best practices and not yesterday’s. Having a top-notch proactive commercial team is essential for Africa-based carriers to capture future expected growth and achieve positive performance in an intensely competitive environment.”
Gad Wavomba, senior consultant, Sabre Airline Solutions