Page 19 - LUA July - August 2023 Magterz and Online

aviation by certain states rather than
repeating, time and again, the rhetoric
Coming out of that the cost of travel is expensive in
the pandemic, Africa and that airports are the culprit
as airports look to and that they must reduce the airport
charges to decrease the air fares, the cost
ensure long-term of freight, etc.
ACI Africa strongly advocates
financial sustainability that all airport charges must be set in
through the consultation with airlines, as per the
ICAO regulatory framework, which
diversification of their means that airports must listen very
revenue streams, cargo carefully and take into full consideration
the airlines’ inputs when determining
has effectively become their investment plans, operational needs,
an important area to and consequently their charges.
be explored. ? Africa’s air cargo has contributed

less than 2% of global air cargo
figures over the past decade despite the
the full freedom of our African skies, we potential to double or triple Africa’s
need the commitment of one and all. contribution; do you think Africa can
Let me now turn to ACI Africa’s double this figure over the next 5 years
contribution and support in the and what should be the role of African
operationalisation of the SAATM and the airports in this regard?
AfCFTA. I had presided the 69th board My wish is that Africa can double its
through the African Continental Free meeting of ACI Africa on 27 February current air cargo figures over the next 5
Trade Area (AfCFTA); what is the role 2023 and I can confirm that, with the years. The present forecast of ACI Africa for
of African airports and ACI-Africa in support of all my board members and my the air cargo sector in Africa unfortunately
this evolution, especially in terms of secretariat, ACI Africa is more than ever does not project such a robust growth
ensuring affordable cost of freight? determined to support the vision and despite the AfCFTA constituting the largest
I believe that the SAATM and the AfCFTA mission of all African airports towards free trade area in the world in terms of
are indissociable flagship projects of the enhancing safety, security, best industry participating countries.
African Union. In fact, the AfCFTA cannot practices, decarbonisation, digital Coming out of the pandemic, as
be effective without the SAATM as the transformation and sustainability. airports look to ensure long-term
latter rests on the elimination of the non- Moreover, ACI Africa has crafted financial sustainability through the
physical barriers to the development of its strategic orientation for the diversification of their revenue streams,
the air transport sector, the creation of a coming three years, premising on the cargo has effectively become an
safe and reliable air transport industry, and development of a robust and sustainable important area to be explored. In light of
the liberalisation of the aviation market air transport industry for Africa with the recent developments, many airports
in Africa, amongst others. These are the SAATM project as the backbone. are now asking how they can capitalise
equally the sine qua non conditions for the ACI Africa will offer its full support and on cargo’s resilience. The answer is not
successful implementation of the AfCFTA. join efforts with all key institutions and straightforward, and it will probably
At ACI Africa, we are totally organisations on the continent towards depend on many factors. Some of these
convinced that the SAATM is the way making the SAATM a reality for the factors are not even within the airport’s
forward if Africa wants a full reform overall prosperity of Africa. control which makes the process even
of its air transport industry and to Turning to the issue of ACI Africa more complex. There is, however, one
unite its fragmented air transport and African airports ensuring affordable consideration that applies to most
market, in order to bring about the air costs of freight, I have to explain first the airports, i.e. developing cargo takes
liberalization revolution, and enhance sensitive topic of charges and taxes in time and effort.
the air connectivity, we have all been Africa. Let me be very clear that charges On the positive side, with the newfound
craving for. We are, however, conscious are not a threat to aviation growth, but an importance for air cargo, there is
that the SAATM is a very complex objective and legitimate necessity to cover willingness from aviation stakeholders to
project in its implementation and airport costs, like in any other industry. invest in or contribute to its development.
operationalisation, as evidenced by the But, where I agree with you is that we The development of a clear, well-thought-
lack of the indefectible commitment must focus our efforts on the removal of out cargo strategy, including a cargo
from some of the African states. And unreasonable and unjustifiable taxation, master plan, is essential to growing this
yet, we all know that if we are to enjoy in lieu of airport charges, imposed on segment of airport’s portfolios.

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