Failure to Honour Bilateral Pacts Stifling African Aviation, Al-Awadhi

Kamil Al-Awadhi, Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East at the International Air Transport Association (IATA), has identified the failure of African governments to honor bilateral air service agreements as a major impediment to the continent's aviation sector. Speaking at the 82nd IATA Annual General Meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Al-Awadhi stressed that many of Africa's 54 nations have existing agreements but fail to implement them, hindering intra-African travel and trade.

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Africa needs to sort itself out before it starts looking globally. I think Africa needs to start fixing itself when it comes to bilateral agreements between the 54 states, and honouring the agreements because some of them do have the agreements, but they do not honour them, and then start looking outside Africa.

Al-Awadhi ranked Nigeria and Afghanistan among the most challenging locations globally for establishing and sustaining airline businesses, citing exceptionally high operating costs. He emphasized that Africa must first address its internal market issues, particularly by honoring bilateral agreements between member states, before seeking broader global engagement.

Addressing the impact of rising fuel costs, exacerbated by Middle East conflicts, Al-Awadhi advised African countries to increase their fuel storage capabilities. While current fuel supplies appear stable, he cautioned that disruptions could occur, especially with the ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz. He noted that airlines and countries had initially scrambled for fuel but have since adapted through diversified supply chains.

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The problem with Africa is that it did not have, because of the availability of fuel coming out of the Hormuz, big storage. It did not need it because within a week, fuel was coming from the GCT into Africa. I think, if anything, the one lesson that Africa should consider is increasing its storage capability just in case this disruption is applied.

Al-Awadhi also pinpointed safety and affordability as Africa's top aviation priorities. He called for greater government action to improve safety standards and make air travel more accessible across the continent. The implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) remains a key objective to liberalize air transport services within Africa, fostering competition and potentially lowering costs.

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There are two particular priorities that I have singled out here: improving safety and making aviation more affordable.