Date: 23/03/2007

Source: Department of Transport

Title: Radebe: Address at Annual Conference Board of Airline Representatives of South Africa

Address at the 2nd Annual Conference Board of Airline Representatives of South Africa by Mr Jeff Radebe, MP Minister of Transport, Hermanus, Western Cape

Chairperson of the Board of Airline Representatives,
Chief Executive Officer of the Board of Airline Representatives, June Crawford,
Members of the aviation industry,
Distinguished guests,
Members of the media,
Ladies and gentlemen

The aviation industry continues to thrive as an inevitable engine for the acceleration of economic growth, job creation and social development. Our economy adapts to an ever-changing global environment with many challenges peculiar to technological advancement and we ought to transform with the demands of international and domestic growing economies and the aviation industry plays a critical role in this regard.

It is indeed my privilege as the Minister of Transport and my association with the Board of Airline Representatives that I can truly relate to the important perspective, which you bring to surface on aviation issues. Your association is truly unique and in its make up ensures that women participate in social and economic roles in this industry. I value the opportunity to be here today and perhaps it is prudent to recap and state the progress made on important issues covered at the last conference which include the following:

* regulations on Cargo Security and Procedures (Part 108)
* National Aviation Safety Plan (NASP)
* update on airport and aviation security
* security evaluation exercises
* designated Security Officers
* South African Police Service (SAPS) at airports
* access to the airside at Airports Company of South Africa (ACSA) airports
* security plans.

The aviation industry turns around on one thing only and that is 'being able to be on time.' It is really my pleasure in announcing to you that whilst we may have spoken about the regulations on cargo procedures and security last year, as we currently interact at this conference, Part 108 of the civil aviation regulations has been approved and will shortly be promulgated well on time. The Department of Transport has been instrumental in advancing these regulations and expediting the process and we, as an industry, can truly relate and appreciate the importance which comes with ensuring that the cargo carried aboard your airlines within our skies are safe and secure.

The National Aviation Safety Plan (NASP) has been in our country for some time now and thus far the department has received 72 Security Plans for consideration and approval. These include 20 Airport Security Plans, 10 South African Airline Plans and 42 foreign Airline Security Plans. With the recent global aviation security threats and issues such as baggage tampering and pilferage the Chief: Civil Aviation Security is currently reviewing the NASP document which may then require that these plans as submitted by the South African aviation community need to be revised, updated and resubmitted. I can sincerely state that I am fully aware of the hard work that this may require.

I wish to convey my appreciation to all those involved in this hard work of ensuring that these plans are put together and equally important are implemented. It is really a sad world in which we live, where global terrorism has redefined everything which we do. As such, whilst aviation is still considered by many as the romantic and indulgent way in which to travel, it is left to the industry to deal with the prevalent threats and ensure that passengers and cargo are safe and secured. This task is by no means an easy one, both for us as South Africans as well as the global community. Hence my appreciation for the unwavering commitment extended by your association and the industry at large towards aviation and airport security.

Airport security globally is under threat irrespective of boundaries, nationalities or which airline you fly on. We are all on the same trip. So what is it that has been done thus far in our own country, which allows us to address such threats? The Airports Company of South Africa (ACSA) has employed the services of aviation security specialists to assist in access control training, in the screening of passengers and to provide training on the usage of the several types of security scanning machines positioned at the checkpoints.

They are also tasked with addressing processes and procedures for security personnel at our airports. OR Tambo International Airport is the first South African airport to have fully implemented the new colour coded access card system. The airports company has been inundated with complaints from users that they are unable to access certain areas. When people complain on stringent security measures it means something, indeed it signals that it is not easy nor an option for just anybody to freely access key strategic areas in the airport. In fact I can sincerely state that this colour coded access card system is to be fast tracked by ACSA and implemented countrywide at all ACSA airports. The Chief: Civil Aviation Security is also engaged with the other airports in our country to implement the same if not a similar system, which controls and regulates the movement of staff employed at such airports.

International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) conducted a security audit on our airports and the South African Civil Aviation Authority in August last year and it is once again a reflection of the positive progress, which we as an aviation community have made thus far. The positive report received from ICAO on the security audit has been remarkable. We have in aviation terms passed with 'flying' colours.

However I must caution that this is certainly one area of this industry which cannot allow for a second to relax, because such an indulgence cannot be allowed in the interest of the safety and security of the flying public, the workers at the airports, business operating at the airports and equally important, the airlines.

On the same note, the Transport Security Authority of the United States of America (USA) conducted a similar exercise in January 2007 and their reports just confirm the ICAO report; in certain instances I am informed that they were quite impressed with some of our systems implemented at our airports. Whilst a lot has happened in the past year on aviation security, I must assure you as stated to you last year that the then newly appointed Chief: Civil Aviation Security has been quite active in a number of important issues.

There have been widespread rumours of a secret operative at our airports. It is none other than the Chief himself performing personally his ad hoc unannounced inspections countrywide, which was more focused on the international airports. Whilst this is a continuous exercise, I must mention the importance which aviation will play when it comes to the 2010 FIFA World Cup. With this in mind and I am confident we all appreciate that a large number of airlines stop at either OR Tambo International Airport or Cape Town International Airport as the final arrival point in South Africa, there still remains that important element of domestic connectivity.

The Chief: Civil Aviation Security will in the future also take an active role in addressing the other airports within the country. These airports must be prepared in capacity, safety and security as we progress to that important year 2010. I trust that the Chief: Civil Aviation Security will be well supported in this regard.

Security is so important at airports that the Department of Transport has engaged the Department of Safety and Security in terms of re-organising and upgrading their operations at the airports. To this day, there has been an impetus in this regard on the part of the South African Police Services. We will continue to see an increased presence of both our police officers and security personnel at the airports. Access control at airport gates has been addressed by ACSA, however once again may I reiterate that this is a continuous exercise and an area, which the Chief for Civil Aviation Security will in the future have a stronger focus on. As we anticipate an increased number of visitors for the 2010 World Cup, ACSA has ramped up its capital expenditure to R19,3 billion to meet expected growth in passenger traffic beyond 2010. ACSA expects its nine airports to handle 31 million passengers by 2010.

I truly appreciate that this is an airline conference and as such there are a lot of other issues, which I could talk upon. Nevertheless once again terror has reared its ugly head. The fairly recent terror threat of liquid explosives in the United Kingdom (UK) has now meant a new adjustment to aviation travel. ICAO has conveyed new measures to be implemented in this regard.

The Chief for Civil Aviation Security has been tasked to ensure that the ICAO recommendation issued in regards to Liquids, Aerosols and gels is implemented. It will be very important for passengers to plan in advance. South Africans will need to familiarise themselves with the new measures for carry on baggage and liquids, aerosols and gels accordingly. Whilst this may appear to be burdensome on passengers, I trust that the airline community would do its utmost best to sensitise the flying public on this extremely important issue. South Africa is a peace-loving nation and we would all sincerely want this to remain the status quo.

Our airlift strategy, which was adopted by Cabinet in the middle of last year, places much emphasis on tourism and I am sure that we can all appreciate the economic benefits derived from this strategy. Whilst I am on this issue, I must note that our position on airport security personnel being viewed as the term applies 'user friendly' will change. Not the character, but the appearance of these dedicated security personnel.

In the forthcoming months the uniform of these personal will be more in line with international trends, whereby they would be groomed in police-like uniform with badges, which clearly reflect Security Officers and granted additional powers in which they may execute their duties. In addition the Department of Transport will deploy dedicated Inspectors at these security checkpoints. This inception is by no means an indication that we intend on making the facilitation and processing of passengers cumbersome, but to ensure that security at these checkpoints are exactly that, security.

The past year has seen several forms of security violations, both aboard aircraft and on the ground. Some of these violations are of serious concern to Government. This is not just a South African problem, but also a global one. However, we as the South African government view any such transgression in a serious light and will within the confines of legislation deal as harshly as we can with the perpetrators.

There is no way that we will continue to accept aircraft heist, violent behaviour aboard an aircraft or other forms of crime committed at the airports. The department is strongly focused on routing out unruly behaviour of passengers and is currently engaged in drafting legislation to deal with this particular issue.

Airport security and baggage pilferage, in particular, continue to receive priority at all ACSA airports. It is confirmed by ACSA that there will be additional measures implemented to reduce baggage pilferage. In addition, ACSA has embarked on a ramp handling tender process, which I am informed includes stringent deliverables which aim at ensuring that the companies who are tasked with moving the bags to and from the aircraft are well managed with a firm focus on routing out baggage pilferage.

I am sure that all airlines will welcome this and support the process going forward. Moving South Africa is still very much the focal point in my department's agenda. The department has commenced with capacity building under the astute leadership of the recently appointed Chief Director for Civil Aviation. I am pleased to announce that there is a high level of productive activity within this Directorate especially focused on accelerating the rate of liberalisation within our skies.

This focus is well supported by the Airlift Strategy, which has been approved by Cabinet and I am glad to report that the department is now centred upon unpacking this strategy into an Airlift Plan, with emphasis on both a domestic and an international implementation plan. Liberalisation of our skies is very much underway and is being addressed by the department in a managed process. This includes a thorough analysis of all existing bilateral agreements and reviewing the utilisation of frequencies contained in the Bilateral Air Services Agreements. Failure of a designated South African carrier authorised to conduct services within these agreements will result in the application of the use-it-or-lose-it principle.

I am pleased to announce that in March 2007, we have made progress in our discussions with Angola and are on track with engaging our Mozambican aviation counterparts. As we progress with the implementation process of the Airlift Strategy, the department is actively engaged in discussions with the aeronautical authorities of Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Argentina, Senegal, Gambia, and Kenya.

I am confident that the benefits that will result from such discussions will contribute significantly towards the expansion of aviation within our skies. If there was progress made in these discussions, then we would have moved towards a more sustainable industry. South Africa is a huge country, with a large population, however the benefits of air travel have not really reached out to the greater population.

This is an area, which my department will also exert their efforts on. I am sure that as our economy grows, more of our people will want to travel, further and often. This is a development that we would all like to see as larger numbers of South Africans flying often and making best use of the investments ploughed into modernising and expanding our aviation infrastructure will lead to the accelerated growth of the aviation industry and the economy as a whole.

The Chief Director responsible for Civil Aviation has informed me of the department's strategy of visiting Airline Executive Management including the Chief Executives of the airlines and adopting the public service approach of how can we be of assistance to you is well on track. The report I have received on these visits is amazing and as I stand in front of you today it makes me really proud to state that we have within our country an aviation industry that is firm on its commitment in contributing towards economic growth. I must acknowledge such a positive contribution with a humble thank you.

With growth very much on our radar screens, it is prudent to note that there is an increase in investments being made on aviation infrastructure. Whilst we all can appreciate the confidence instilled within the development of this industry and the real testing times we are in, with all the construction taking place at airports around the country, it is incumbent on acknowledging the contribution being made by the Economic Regulator, who I can assure you, has acted with such vigour and candour in executing their duty in a calculated and professional manner.

On the topic of the Regulator, the department will during this year concentrate on strengthening the structure of the South African Civil Aviation Authority who is tasked with the safety and security oversight of our skies. The department will establish the office of an independent Chief Commissioner who will be outside the ambit of the South African Civil Aviation Authority. Such an office will be of significant benefit both in terms of good corporate governance and will allow the industry with an independent appeal body.

Our aviation industry is maturing, and we will soon see the promulgation of the Convention on International Interest in Mobile Equipment Bill, 2007. This Bill will allow airlines access to obtaining financing instruments at reduced cost. The additional benefits are a centralised registry, which provides greater confidence in the decision to grant credit to airlines and reduces borrowing costs. I am sure that this Bill will indeed advance the rate of growth of aviation in South Africa.

As we move towards 2010, significant questions will be asked in terms of aviation's response to this mammoth task. It's like any great moment in life, the moment is short, the experience priceless, but the build up to the moment a lifetime. I am sure that we all know what�s required of all of us. The Aviation Sub-sector Task Team I am assured is in dialogue with the aviation industry and as we approach that 1 000 day mark and start the countdown to the whistled kick off, I am counting on every single facet within the aviation industry to ensure that we take off on time. This is a great challenge and one that will see perhaps all our airports, from those capable of handling the new airbus A380 to the smaller aircraft being brimmed to capacity. Our skies will be covered will a variety of tails. Board of Airline Representatives of South Africa (BARSA) has an important role for this event and I am without a doubt in my mind that this Association will "fly" to the challenge.

Our plans to increase airlift capacity, continuously strengthening our security, ensuring that we have proper safety oversight are all perfect indicators of government's vision to create employment, reduce poverty and create a sustainable economic platform from which we all can benefit. The increasingly competitive environment and dynamic aviation-operating environment obviously will present new challenges and many exciting opportunities.

We have thus far been successful in making South Africa a choice destination, and have established a vibrant aviation cluster for South Africa. I know and am confident of your unwavering support in this regard in continuing to build upon this firm foundation and spare no effort to aggressively compete and build upon an even stronger aviation industry.

In conclusion, ladies and gentlemen, our government's doors are open for this industry. My department has embarked on the strengthening of the Civil Aviation directorate and as stated earlier, the question is, what can we do for you? We know that we have the structure to significantly increase capacity. We would like to see more flights, more employment and more women in senior positions within this industry.

The government and in particular, the Department of Transport, are here for you and in keeping with the spirit of reciprocity, we are fully assured that we can work together in achieving a safer, secure and growing aviation industry for all of us.

I thank you.

Issued by: Department of Transport
23 March 2007