Ethiopian Strives to Grab Opportunities in the Aviation Industry: Transport Minister

Addis Ababa, May 8/2023 (ENA): The Ethiopian government recognized the huge opportunity in the aviation industry and is striving to grab onto it, Transport and Logistics Minister Alemu Sime said.

The 11th Aviation Stakeholders’ Convention under the theme “Changing the African Aviation Narrative” kicked off at Skylight Hotel today.

In his opening remark, the minister said that African Aviation, compared to others in parts of the world, is lagging behind.

“Today in Africa, the aviation industry supports an estimated 7.7 million jobs and 63 billion USD in African economic activity, which is a significant contribution. However, considering the population size of the continent and the enormous potential...these numbers are very far from being enough,” he elaborated.

The Addis Ababa Bole International Airport had a capacity of 6 million domestic and international passengers annually when built 20 years back, Alemu stated, adding “we now have an airport that serves 22 million international passengers annually while a separate terminal has the capacity of serving 3 million domestic passengers.”

The aviation industry will very much flourish in a much more liberal regime as it brings more choices and competitive fares for citizens, the minister emphasized.

 

The African Airlines Association (AFRAA) Secretary General, Abderahmane Berthe said the theme is a unique opportunity to strategize for better resilience and sustainability in Africa’s aviation industry.

The convention will deliberate on paving the way for the development of the industry and change the narrative of African aviation including transport sustainability, digitalization, enhancing cargo operation, fast-tracking SAATM implementation, customer satisfaction, and safety enhancement, the Secretary-General added.

“Only 10 percent of African citizens can afford air transport; meaning there is considerable room for growth. In addition to policies at the political level airlines must enhance cooperation for cost-sharing and partnership and reduce their cost of operation to make air transport affordable for African citizens,” he underscored.

The objective of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) is to improve connectivity in the continent, Berthe pointed out, adding that regretfully it is not yet implemented.

 

Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO, Mesfin Tassew said that the aviation industry and the demand for intra-Africa air transport are underdeveloped while the airline industry in Africa is fragmented.

“The airline industry in the continent is entangled with several constraints and problems. Heavy tax, which does not exist anywhere out of Africa, lack of conducive operating environment, traffic light restrictions, high operating costs including fuel prices, shortage of MRO facilities and aviation professionals,” he explained.

According to him, due to the absence of implementing SAATM to date and other challenges, the African Aviation industry was expected to serve as an engine for the economic development of the continent,  unfortunately, it is lagging far behind.