The global representative body for the airline industry, the International Air Transport Association (IATA), on Tuesday called on the new South African Government to continue to prioritise aviation sector development in the country, as a key impetus for economic growth and job creation. (With no party having won a majority in the recent elections, the country now had a new, broad-based, ruling coalition, called the Government of National Unity.) IATA was currently holding its Wings of Change Focus Africa Conference, in Johannesburg.

“South Africa’s aviation industry is poised for significant growth over the next 20 years, adding 345-million additional passenger journeys by 2043,” highlighted IATA Regional VP Africa and the Middle East Kamil Alawadhi. “With aviation generating $6 in economic activity for every $1 spent, this expansion will inject billions into South Africa’s [gross domestic product] and create thousands of new jobs. It is important for the new Government to keep this as a strategic focus. The economic and social benefits of aviation will be maximised with a sharp policy focus on keeping costs low, providing sufficient capacity to grow, monitoring the cost-effectiveness of regulations, and achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.”

The Government should focus on four major elements, urged IATA. These were – infrastructure costs, safety leadership, skills development, and sustainability.

Concerning infrastructure costs, IATA affirmed that the Government should make certain that the Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) and the Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS), both State-owned, maintained uninterrupted consultation with their client airlines. This was to ensure that ACSA’s and ATNS’ services were cost-efficient, effective and in-line with the needs of the airlines.

When it came to aviation safety, the association highlighted that the South African Civil Aviation Authority had already shown leadership in Southern Africa by recognising the IATA Operational Safety Audit as being acceptable and in line with the country’s aviation safety regulations. IATA urged South Africa to maintain its safety leadership in the region, especially regarding the implementation of International Civil Aviation Organisation’s Standards and Recommended Practices.

As for skills development, the country should continue developing world-class aviation skills. A good example had been set with the recent signing of a training agreement between IATA and ATNS. Cooperation in skills development would allow the South African aviation sector to increase the country’s air connectivity and increase the number of skilled jobs in the sector.

Regarding sustainability, the new Government should focus on policies that would support aviation achieving its target of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. This was a global target for both the industry and Governments.

“This is a win-win agenda for the new Government – facilitating trade, encouraging investment, and addressing unemployment,” highlighted Alawadhi. “South Africa’s aviation sector has had challenging times in recent years. But that has not changed the fundamental fact that aviation is a critical enabler for economic growth and prosperity. If the new Government keeps a focus on safety, sustainability, skills development and costs, it will chart a course to renewed strength in aviation that will have a positive impact across the economy.”