Page 8 - LUA July - August 2023 Magterz and Online

INDUSTRY REPORT

THE POTENTIAL OF

GROUND HANDLING

IN AFRICA

Opportunities for the ground-handling sector abound
throughout Africa, however economic and political
instability in some African nations may have an impact on
the sector's growth potential, reports Zinal Dedhia.

ccording to "The Air Transport
Industry and Aviation Ground-
Handling Services in South
AAfrica 2022" report, the cargo air
transport industry has been brought to the
brink of collapse during the two years of the
pandemic. Its recovery, although underway,
has been hampered by high fares due to the
collapse of airlines which has reduced the
industry’s capacity, and soaring fuel prices. Consistent
Yvonne Makolo, CEO of RwandAir and
first female Chair of the IATA Board of investment in
Governors (2023-2024) in an International infrastructure,
Air Transport Association (IATA) report equipment and
said, “Africa stands out as the region with
the greatest potential and opportunity technologies is “Ideas on my mind to address
for aviation. The ‘Focus Africa’ initiative essential to remain standardising ground handling include
renews IATA’s commitment to supporting competitive and having a policy framework that supports
aviation on the continent. As the incoming competitive GHAs and not monopolistic
chair of the IATA Board of Governors and resilient in today’s tendencies. I would recommend self-
the first from Africa since 1993, I look rapidly changing regulation of GHAs and regulation only if
forward to ensuring that this initiative gets environment. self-regulation doesn’t work out. A policy
off to a great start and delivers benefits that framework will guide GHA requirements
are measurable.” TOM ALWYN-JONES and conformance to best practices.
Focus Africa is a collaborative DNATA ZANZIBAR Another way to address these challenges
endeavour that brings together resources is for GHAs to consider equipment
from throughout the aviation value chain pooling. Some ground support equipment
to address significant obstacles impeding Conference held in May in Abu Dhabi, (GSE) is very expensive to purchase and
Africa's aviation growth. Focus Africa UAE, Monika Mejstrikova, Director of maintain; by pooling, GHAs will reduce
aims to create a safer, more secure, and Ground Operations, IATA spoke about investment costs and deliver quality
better-connected continent, powered the importance of ground handling service,” said John Nalianya, Head-
by a diversified, talented workforce, in priorities, global standardisation of Passenger Services, Kenya Airways.
order to unleash aviation's potential and process and digitalisation, automation “In some states, the government runs
unlock the commercial and economic and more at the event. GHAs as monopolies without making
possibilities that will enable the sector to “Standardisation boosts efficiency any investments; such governments need
flourish across the continent. and more importantly, boosts safety. to properly equip GHAs with equipment
Global standards are the key, and IATA's and adequately train their manpower
GROUND HANDLING Ground Operations Manual (IGOM) is to meet international standards. Lastly,
AT AFRICAN AIRPORTS the comprehensive industry manual that IATA has created a mechanism for
At the IATA Ground Handling defines these standards," said Mejstrikova. standardising GHA operations through

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