Association says open skies, markets crucial for success of aviation industry

AFRAA Secretary General, Mr. Abdérahmane Berthé (right) greets the Minister of Transport of the Republic of Cameroon, Jean Ernest Ngalle Bibehe

AFRAA Secretary General Mr Abdérahmane Berthé has said Airline business cannot thrive without market access, terming it a critical   factor for airlines business to succeed.

He said in Yaounde, Cameroun that with the liberalization of African skies for African carriers, the African airspace was poised for greater heights that would bring Africans closer to their common goal of an integrated and prosperous continent.

“AFRAA membership of 40 airlines representing 85 per cent of total ,international traffic carried by African airlines cuts across the entire continent and includes all the major intercontinental African operators,” said Mr Berthe

The Secretary General who was in Yaounde to meet the Deputy Secretary General of the Presidency of the Republic of Cameroon, Mr. Mohamadou Moustafa, Minister of Transport Jean Ernest Ngalle Bibehe and other government officials ahead of the 51st AFRAA Annual General Assembly (AGA) and Summit later this year said high taxes and charges were impacting negatively on the aviation industry in the continent.

. “AFRAA urges airports to adhere to International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO’s) principle of user consultation in the determination and fixing of charges and fees to ensure that they are commensurate with the level of service delivered”, said Mr Berthe adding that it was critical to make air travel in the continent affordable to make competition with other regions possible...

“AFRAA is seeking several avenues to address pertinent challenges and identify common solutions to pave way for a stronger Association for our members”, he said.

Mr Berthe gave assurances that AFRAA would vigorously implement its Action Plan to transform the industry as well as help fuel positive economic progress across the African continent.

He expressed appreciation to the government of Cameroon for its support towards the development of aviation in the country and applauded the government’s commitment to the liberalization of African skies noting that Cameroon was the 28th country to sign the solemn commitment for the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM). “

 

The Chief Executive Officer of Cameroon Airline Camair Mr  Ernest Dakoum who was elected AFRAA President at the 50^th Summit in Rabat Morocco last November described his country’s  opportunity to host the 51^st Annual General Assembly  (AGGA) as boon for Cameroon.

He said the summit that Cameroon was hosting for the first time presented an excellent opportunity to strengthen aviation in the country and further promote the tourism sector.

” Camair-Co looks forward to welcome airline top executives and other aviation stakeholders to Cameroon.” Said Mr Dakoum.