ANTHONY OKECHUKWU writes on strategic plans by West African aviation ministers for quick post-Covid-19 air transport recovery
BEVERLY HILLS, March 29, (THEWILL) – Recently, West African ministers and iPADIS assembled in Montréal, Canada to deliberate on post-Covid-19 recovery plan for air transport in the region, including strategies for the long-term sustainable development of the industry. The two-day virtual event on enhancing air connectivity and growth in West Africa was organised by the Federal Ministry of Aviation of Nigeria, in cooperation with the International Partners for Aviation Development, Innovation and Sustainability (iPADIS).
iPADIS is an independent, international non-governmental organisation (NGO) of public and private partnerships. It operates on a not-for-profit basis to lead eåffective lobby for positive change in the global aviation industry. It also actively promotes the development of international civil aviation in an innovative, sustainable and socially responsible manner.
Other participants include: Central African and Caribbean States, international and regional financial and regulatory organisations, as well as industry stakeholders from air transport, tourism, trade, public health and related sectors.
Giving reasons for putting the forum together, Senator Hadi Sirika, Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation, stated that “Nigeria’s determination to host the High-Level Ministerial Meeting is borne out of the desire to find a lasting solution to the challenges of the aviation sector in our sub–region, especially at a time when the industry is unprecedentedly being impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, resulting in depressed travel demands and disruptions of businesses globally.”
Minister Sirika called on States to address the issue of financing and modernization of aviation infrastructure and to attract support from private investors by “building a transparent, stable and predictable investment climate, as well as including aviation in national development plans.”
Dr. Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu, founding president of iPADIS, likewise stressed the need for strengthened levels of collaboration and decisiveness among West African governments and industry stakeholders in addressing the COVID-19 challenge and ensuring a rapid recovery of the air transport and tourism sectors, vital to stimulating economic development in the region.
“I am confident that the 15 West African States have the potential and the resourcefulness to transform their region into a leading aviation market and to take full advantage of air transport as a major contributor to trade, tourism and GDP”, said Dr. Aliu.
“What is required is political determination to turn the Covid-19 crisis into an opportunity to enhance the contribution of civil aviation to West Africa’s economic growth, social progress and integration, and overall sustainable development. Your collaboration and leadership will be critical to implement necessary strategies and synergies for a sustainable and resilient air transport system worthy of the great potential of this region.”
Aliu thanked the Nigerian Government for hosting the event and reiterated that iPADIS is looking forward to continue collaborating with Nigeria, other members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), as well as other partner organisations, to ensure effective implementation of the decisions of the high-level ministerial meeting.
In a communique issued at the end of the meeting, the Ministers recognised the importance of air transport as a tool for regional economic growth, social integration and overall sustainable development, in line with the African Union vision for African integration, including travel, tourism and trade.
They also affirmed their determination to take full advantage of the safe and rapid interconnectivity that air transport offers for intra-regional and international travels for their citizens and businesses.
Part of what they acknowledged is the longstanding pre-covid-19 challenges and the slow pace of air transport development and connectivity in the region that should have been effectively addressed, which the covid-19 crisis have further exacerbated.
On that note, the Ministers concluded that they are determined to take urgent steps to address those factors that militate against national and regional solutions to sustainable development and growth of air transport in the region including political, institutional, financial, technological, technical expertise, capacity building, manpower development, infrastructure development, proliferation of taxes, regulatory constraints amongst others.
According to the participants, Covid-19 underscored the impact of public and user’s confidence on operational and financial viability of air transport, just as they equally recognise that continuous improvement in safety, security, efficiency, reliability, comfort, affordability, and competitiveness of air travel is critical to sustainable development and growth of air transport.
In terms of planning, they advocated the importance of establishing short, medium, long term and risk-based national and regional strategic civil aviation plans with clear objectives, measurable targets, milestones, and accountabilities as well as the need to integrate such civil aviation plans into national and regional economic development plans.
According to the Ministers, they are committed to develop, review and implement national, regional and international civil aviation policies, regulatory frameworks, and strategic plans that promote the growth of air transport in a sustainable, innovative and socially responsible manner.
The gathering was also of the opinion that there is need for a more active involvement of non-governmental organisations, civil society organisations and stakeholders to ensure that international civil aviation policies, plans and programmes consider the interests of users of air transport services and overall benefits to the society.
The high powered meeting, therefore, urged all operators including airlines, airports, air navigation service providers to review and adapt their plans, business models and operations to address current challenges and future risks, and to implement innovative technologies and solutions to ensure long-term sustainability and resilience of air transport systems in the region.
While promising to support the expeditious recovery of the air transport, travel, tourism trade and related sectors, the Ministers recognised the need for regional collaboration for immediate development and implementation of harmonised air travel related public health policies and protocols in the wake of ovid-19.
