Enhancing Air Transport Connectivity and Growth in West Africa: Strategies for Revitalizing the Aviation System
Abdoulie E. Jammeh, Director General of Gambia Civil Aviation Authority, discusses the pre-COVID-19 achievements in the aviation sector in West Africa and the current/future challenges faced due to the pandemic. The article emphasizes on revitalizing, reimagining, and retooling the aviation system by addressing safety compliance, infrastructure improvements, and challenges like decreased passenger demand and high travel costs. Strategies include government support, private sector involvement, regional cooperation, and promoting intra-African tourism to enhance connectivity and competitiveness.
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ENHANCING AIR TRANSPORT ENHANCING AIR TRANSPORT CONNECTIVITY AND GROWTH IN WEST CONNECTIVITY AND GROWTH IN WEST AFRICA AFRICA How to Revitalize, Reimagine and Retool The Aviation System in West Africa Author: Abdoulie E. Jammeh Director General Gambia Civil Aviation Authority
PRE PRE- -COVID COVID- -19 ACHIEVEMENTS IN AVIATION 19 ACHIEVEMENTS IN AVIATION SECTOR IN WEST AFRICA SECTOR IN WEST AFRICA Improved safety compliance by States 3 of 15 States had USOAP scores of at or above 68.8% EI 5 of 15 States had ICVM scores of at or above 68.8% EI 7 of 15 States are now at or above the world average Increasing passenger demand e.g. The Gambia had 477,336 in 2019 Massive improvements in air transport infrastructure in some countries in the subregion including: building of ultramodern airport in Senegal, airport improvements in Ghana, Liberia and The Gambia
CURRENT & FUTURE CHALLENGES CURRENT & FUTURE CHALLENGES Commercial air transport will grind to a halt if pandemic continues unabated Low air travel demand due to travel restrictions, amongst others. IATA indicates that passenger traffic will fall by 54% in Africa whilst ICAO projects that international passenger traffic will fall by 60% during the same period COVID-19 has introduced other layers of processing time for airlines due to health requirements
CURRENT & FUTURE CHALLENGES: contd CURRENT & FUTURE CHALLENGES: cont d Increased cost of travel due to health-related measures. Consequently, cost of air travel will continue to increase Lack of enough personnel in key technical areas due to high attrition rate in certain countries Slow pace of liberalization and restrictive practices in spite of YD and SAATM Inadequate investment in modern systems and solutions Dominance of international carriers in the sub region and lack of major West African Carrier
STRATEGIES AND SECTORAL SYNERGIES STRATEGIES AND SECTORAL SYNERGIES Provision of relief (government support) especially during this era of COVID-19 pandemic Encourage private sector participation in aviation to enhance the sustainability of the industry Promote multilateral approach to issues and reinforce regional cooperation. Make BAG and UEMOA more relevant in this endeavor Ensure availability of vibrant airlines in the sub region to enhance connectivity as well as compete with successful carriers from other parts of Africa and beyond Remove national boundaries in aviation as much as possible. Promote open skies and total liberalization (in short, implement SAATM) Encourage and stimulate intra-African tourism aimed at reducing overreliance on traffic from EU
