AU Ministerial Conference on Aviation The African Union has convened a meeting of African Ministers responsible for transport from Monday, 16 May to Thursday, 19 May at Sun City, North West. Under the theme "For an efficient and affordable air transport system in Africa", the meeting will address the challenges facing the African air transport market and consider measures for improving crucial aspects of civil aviation which include, air transport liberalization, safety and security, the contribution of aviation to environmental pollution and other aspects of mutual interest. The stated objectives of the AU Transport Ministers Meeting are to: find ways of speeding up the implementation of the Yamoussoukro Decision, define a common external air transport policy for Africa; determine a framework for co-operation among African airlines; outline strategies and mechanisms for oversight and implementation of international conventions on safety, security and environmental protection. In the spirit of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), the meeting will seek to establish a seamless sky over 53 countries and facilitate direct air access to African countries. Air travel within the continent is hampered by a lack of direct services between many African city pairs, with the unfortunate result that some countries are only accessible via Europe. This obviously dampens prospects for economic development and integration and trade and tourism amongst African countries. The meeting will consider strategies for the speedy implementation of the Yamoussoukro Decision. This is a policy framework that was adopted in 1999 and endorsed by the Assembly of Heads of States of the OAU in 2000. It allows for flexibility in the granting of traffic rights, multiple designation of airlines and no limitation of flight frequencies within the African market. This event also takes place against the backdrop of momentous developments in the industry both globally and within Africa, not least security issues following the tragic events of 9/11. Africa must in concert with the rest of the global aviation community ensure that the security and safety of air transport travellers is ensured and that appropriate measures are taken to protect them from acts of terror. The meeting will also make a thorough assessment of air transport safety on the continent and seek to ensure that the international minimum safety requirements are observed by member-States.

In addition, the meeting will seek to minimise the contribution of air transport to pollution. That includes both matters of aircraft noise and engine emissions. In this regard too, the Ministers will seek ways of ensuring that international protocols relating to this aspect receive the necessary attention.

Besides improvement in safety and security and capacity building, it is envisioned that the Decision will increase aeronautical revenues. Among a number of other envisioned impacts are an increase in private sector investment, an improved air transport network, a reduction in fare and tariff, an increase in traffic and the removal of non-physical barriers.

Another challenge for policymakers is the financial position of most African airlines. Airlines on the continent face tremendous challenges, which include aging fleet, weak currencies, declining yields rising fuel prices and the fact that aircraft spares are acquired in dollar denomination. Governments are also discouraged from subsidizing poorly performing national airlines. Many of the delegates at Sun City will have attended last year's aviation conference in Nairobi, where huge emphasis was placed on air safety. ICAO secretary-general Taieb Cherif said at the time, "An air transport system that is not safe cannot survive or prosper. Safety and security make good business sense. "

He also urged the African aviation industry to liberalise, "It is irreversible and is spreading quickly around the world, including Africa."

The biggest paradox characterizing civil aviation is the notion of competition through co-operation and a reassuring framework is urgently needed.

In March last year a working group on "Mastering the African Sky" deliberated on technical, market and institutional issues in air transport. The subsequent proposals present a challenge to all stakeholders and are reflected in various agenda items at the Ministerial meeting.

The international aviation community will of course be eyeing the meeting with huge interest. It is hoped that this Meeting will succeed in reshaping African air transport and place Africa on the same pedestal and alongside other ICAO prospering regions such as Asia-Pacific, Latin America and Europe. -- BuaNews