Safety proves key as African aviation grows

Six African countries have made it onto the Bank’s list of 13 economies projected to grow the fastest between 2014 and 2017.

“In order to capitalise on our growth potential, we have to ensure that we have integrated transport solutions in place to promote regional, continental and inter-continental trade,” said Jeoff Motshoba, executive, air traffic management, communications, navigation and surveillance at Air Traffic & Navigation Services (ATNS).

Motshoba believes infrastructure and safety are the main contributors to the growth of African air travel, with safety being the primary barrier facing the aviation industry.

By managing the region’s upper airspace holistically we will not only reduce the cost of air travel, we will make it significantly safer. It’s one of the things mandated by the Yamoussoukro Declaration, which was signed in 1999 but which is not yet fully implemented,” said Motshoba.

The declaration called for liberalisation of African skies of African airlines, creating a single air transport market.

“ATNS is playing an important role here, too, with our Aviation Training Academy being one of the continent’s leading trainers of the air traffic controllers and engineers of the future,” Motshoba continued.

Air transport will be key to Africa’s economic growth, and Matshoba believes there is potential, especially as South Africa has the opportunity to build the economy.