International Air Transport Conference Commences in Abuja; Explores Strategic Interventions for Africa's Aviation Sector - By Daisy BARRO

 

L-R: Dr. Allen Onyema, Vice President of AON/Chairman of Air Peace; Prof. Muhammed Tawfiq Ladan, Immediate Past Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies; Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, Spokesperson for AON/Chairman of United Nigeria Airlines; Capt. Chris Najomo, Ag. DG, NCAA.


The  International Air Transport Conference, convened by the World United Consumer Organization, kicked off yesterday at the Abuja Continental Hotel, assembling stakeholders to deliberate on optimizing Africa's air transport landscape.

Adefunke Adeyemi, Secretary General of the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), delivered the keynote address, emphasizing the transformative potential of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM). Launched in 2018 under the African Union's Agenda 2063, SAATM seeks to establish a unified air transport market, bolstering connectivity, economic growth, and regional integration.

Adeyemi underscored SAATM's benefits, including stimulating economic growth through enhanced air connectivity; facilitating seamless travel and trade; increasing competition and affordability; supporting regional integration through complementarity with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Muhammed Tawfiq Ladan, Immediate Past Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, presented an analysis of air transport's socio-economic benefits, encompassing economic growth and development; global trade facilitation; tourism expansion; operational efficiency; inventory management optimization, as well as ehanced security measures.

The conference addressed operational and regulatory challenges confronting African sub-Saharan airlines, including management of weaknesses and brain drain; state protectionism and suppressed competition; limited air connectivity; high costs, taxes, levies, and passenger charges; sovereignty issues and Bilateral Air Service Agreements.

To address these challenges, experts recommended the following harmonizing aviation policies and standardizing safety and security; investing in airport facilities, air navigation systems, and maintenance facilities; ensuring airlines' financial stability through strategic partnerships and cost reduction; p promoting inclusivity in decision-making processes; moderating national protectionism to enhance competition; implementing key recommendations from AU/ICAO/AFCAC reports.

A panel discussion ensued, featuring Dr. Allen Onyema, Vice President of Airline Operators of Nigeria/CEO Air Peace Ltd. and Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, AON's Spokesperson/CEO United Nigeria Airlines. The airline bosses praised the organizers for their initiative and committed to participating in similar events focused on aviation, citing the value of educating people about the sector. They emphasized that the worth of an event lies not in the number or prestige of attendees, but in its potential to engage and inform the public. The CEOs also commended Capt. Chris Najomo, Acting Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for streamlining processes while upholding rigorous safety standards. Furthermore, they highlighted the major causes of flight delays and cancellations in Nigeria such as inadequate infrastructure, bird strikes, and stressed the need for legislative reforms to tackle key issues which are beyond the purview of the NCAA, and which significantly impact airline operations in Nigeria.

The day  culminated in an award ceremony, recognizing Dr. Allen Onyema as Aviation Industry Trailblazer for the Decade, 2024, and Prof. Obiora Okonkwo as having outstandingly contributed to Aviation Sector Business and Investment for the Year 2024.

Stakeholders concurred that strategic interventions, collaborative efforts, and innovative solutions are crucial to overcoming Africa's air transport challenges, ultimately fostering a resilient and competitive industry.


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