AFRAA signs MoU with Routes to drive growth in African aviation industry

January 24, 2020: The African Airlines Association (AFRAA) and Routes have signed their first formal agreement. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) sees AFRAA, the leading trade association for African airlines, and Routes, the organiser of the leading route development events for the industry, work together to stimulate new air services and champion the African aviation industry. 

As per estimates, within the next 20 years, the African continent will be one of the fastest-growing aviation markets - accounting for 334 million passengers by 2037. Under this partnership which demonstrates the growing importance of the African aviation industry, AFRAA and Routes will work jointly on the sharing of data and analytics, promotion of key issues that are affecting airlines and airports within Africa.  

“This MoU is beneficial to support the development of aviation in Africa which is growing at above global average rates but accounts for less than 3 percent of global traffic. Strong partnerships among industry stakeholders are instrumental to the realisation of African aviation’s potential which will result in economic and social benefits for the continent,” said Abdérahmane Berthé, AFRAA secretary general. 

Berthé added, “Among our new strategic objectives is to become a hub for data intelligence and expertise on the African aviation industry. African airlines have to keep up with the developments through proper information management and data intelligence. We count on the data and analytics support from this partnership to back this objective.” 

Steven Small, brand director for Routes, said, “We are delighted to have established a formalised agreement with AFRAA, following many years of working closely together. The synergies in value between our organisations, regarding driving a sustainable air transport industry for the African region, make this a powerful partnership that we are excited to develop.”