The African Airlines Association concluded its 47th Annual General Assembly and Summit in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo at the Kintele International Sports Complex, with a call for the engagement of all specialized ins0tutions in the Aviation Sector to support African States in order to expedite the implementation of fully liberalized African skies towards the establishment of a single African air transport market by 2017. The Assembly also called for intensified cooperation among African airlines in order to stimulate the development of inter-‐African air transport. The three-day conference which was convened under the high patronage of His Excellency Denis Sassou Nguesso, the President of the Republic of Congo, was held under the theme “Open skies: Growth through competition and collaboration” and was ascended by over 500 high profile delegates from 46 countries across the world.
Opening the 47th AGA and Summit, His Excellency President Denis Sassou Nguesso, the President of the Republic of Congo, affirmed the government of Congo’s commitment to the development of aviation in the country. He stated that the government of the Republic of Congo recognized the importance of aviation in economic development and the need to implement a fully liberalized African sky in Africa. “The Republic of Congo on its part, is among the 11 States that have expressed their commitment to immediately and unconditionally open their skies towards the establishment of a fully liberalized African sky by 2017,” he said. He highlighted areas where the government was supporting aviation in particular the development of Maya Maya International airport in Brazzaville into a hub. “The government of Congo is fully supporting its Civil Aviation Authority and the national carrier in various capacities,” he added. He thanked the Association for hosting the 47th Annual General Assembly in the Republic of Congo whose theme was inspired by the solemn commitment of Head of States of the African Union in January 2011 to fully open African skies by January 2017.
Mrs. Fatima Beyina-‐Moussa, CEO of ECAir and President of AFRAA paid tribute to the government’s support to aviation development encompassed in the country’s Vision 2025 that would see the Republic of Congo become an emerging country by 2025. “The government’s modernization of infrastructure in the country, including airport infrastructure will significantly contribute to increasing the pace of development in the Republic of Congo,” she said. Mrs. Beyina-‐Moussa highlighted to the Assembly ECAir’s achievements that had been realized since the inception of the airline as testimony to the government’s commitment to the development of aviation, “Four years a`er its creation, Equatorial Congo Airlines has transported more than a million passengers, has a fleet of 7 aircra`, 600 employees, 12 domestic, regional and intercontinental destinations served from the Brazzaville hub. ECAir is a major player making a positive contribution to the region’s aviation industry.” she said.
On cooperation, Mrs. Beyina-‐Moussa highlighted ECAir’s commitment to foster stronger collaboration with other African airlines. She said that ECAir has negotiated commercial agreements with other African airlines and has entered into interline agreements with TAC, ASKY, Ethiopian Airlines, South African Airways and codeshare with Trans Air Congo. “Soon we will sign a code-‐share agreement with South African Airways. Coopera0on between African airlines shall create synergies and offer African passengers’ new solutions to facilitate their travel.” she added. As the President of the Association, Mrs. Beyina-‐Moussa, CEO of ECAir chaired the proceedings of the three-‐day event.
Paying tribute to ECAir for hosting the Assembly for the first time in the Republic of Congo, Dr. Elijah Chingosho, AFRAA Secretary General in his welcome remarks acknowledged the giant steps in aviation and infrastructural development taking shape in the republic of Congo under the visionary leadership of H.E. President Denis Sassou Nguesso. “These investments make Brazzaville potentially one of Africa’s most eminent air transport hubs and helps spur the development of aviation,” he said. He commended the H.E, the President of the Republic of Congo on the country’s commitment to the development of aviation and commitment to the full liberalization of African skies, noting that the Republic of Congo was among the 11 states that are commend to fully open its skies immediately, unconditionally in accordance with the YD. “Liberalisation of African skies will help spur the development of African aviation which currently accounts for less than 3% of global traffic,” he said.
Dr. Chingosho also called for the removal or relaxation of non-‐physical barriers to travel within the continent adding that a single African air transport market would be meaningless unless this was achieved. “Visa requirements in many states are significantly undermining intra-‐Africa travel while cumbersome customs clearance processes are deterring the development of air freight,” he noted. He also cited other challenges facing African aviation today that hamper its potential to drive growth and development, key among which include the need for safety and security to reach global standards, limited connectivity, high taxes and charges among others.
