Nairobi - Open dialogue and cross border collaboration are key to aligning supply with demand in Africa’s aviation industry as air traffic demand continues to grow, according to the organisers of the African Airports Evolution Forum.
Passenger traffic volumes are increasing at a rate of over 7% and cargo traffic volumes are increasing at a rate of almost 6%.
Aviation stakeholders from more than ten African countries will, therefor, attend the forum in Nairobi, Kenya, in October.
The forum is a strategic think-tank opportunity for discussion on airspace and market liberalisation, regional trade collaboration and the role of the aviation industry in decreasing the cost of doing business in Africa.
Economic growth in Africa, coupled with this rising demand for air traffic, is attracting the attention of international stakeholders.
Overseas airport operators are turning their interest towards Africa in order to investigate opportunities to lend their expertise to airport management and operations in the region.
Both the South African/Netherlands Chamber of Commerce and the British Aviation Group have recently become strategic partners of the forum.
Although Africa’s current share of world trade is hovering around only 3%, this number is expected to grow significantly.
The forum organisers say that as airports across the continent scramble to accommodate increasing air traffic demand, the need for expanded facilities and improved infrastructure becomes apparent.
Many African countries have already recognised that they play a key role in improving aviation policy and providing the necessary public infrastructure and support to cushion the high cost of initial capital injections that are a necessary catalyst for growth.
Spiralling fuel prices, taxes and high airport tariffs are some of the challenges facing both airlines and airports in Africa. The expenditure required to build and modernise aviation infrastructure places further strain on rising costs.
"Airport leaders and aviation executives from Africa and beyond are demonstrating their commitment to Pan-African airport modernisation with intensive plans and regional collaboration to develop world class facilities and strategies to fund, manage, and maintain a profitable aviation sector," the organisers said in a statement.
- Fin24
Passenger traffic volumes are increasing at a rate of over 7% and cargo traffic volumes are increasing at a rate of almost 6%.
Aviation stakeholders from more than ten African countries will, therefor, attend the forum in Nairobi, Kenya, in October.
The forum is a strategic think-tank opportunity for discussion on airspace and market liberalisation, regional trade collaboration and the role of the aviation industry in decreasing the cost of doing business in Africa.
Economic growth in Africa, coupled with this rising demand for air traffic, is attracting the attention of international stakeholders.
Overseas airport operators are turning their interest towards Africa in order to investigate opportunities to lend their expertise to airport management and operations in the region.
Both the South African/Netherlands Chamber of Commerce and the British Aviation Group have recently become strategic partners of the forum.
Although Africa’s current share of world trade is hovering around only 3%, this number is expected to grow significantly.
The forum organisers say that as airports across the continent scramble to accommodate increasing air traffic demand, the need for expanded facilities and improved infrastructure becomes apparent.
Many African countries have already recognised that they play a key role in improving aviation policy and providing the necessary public infrastructure and support to cushion the high cost of initial capital injections that are a necessary catalyst for growth.
Spiralling fuel prices, taxes and high airport tariffs are some of the challenges facing both airlines and airports in Africa. The expenditure required to build and modernise aviation infrastructure places further strain on rising costs.
"Airport leaders and aviation executives from Africa and beyond are demonstrating their commitment to Pan-African airport modernisation with intensive plans and regional collaboration to develop world class facilities and strategies to fund, manage, and maintain a profitable aviation sector," the organisers said in a statement.
- Fin24