AASA News 

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  L   [GOVERNMENT MEETING / ARTICLE: Southern & East African Tourism Update] AASA NEWS
Creecy tackles ongoing ATNS-related delays 
16 September. 

Flight delays continue at South African airports due to the suspension of instrument approach procedures, while Air Traffic and Navigation Services’ (ATNS) plan to complete its maintenance backlog awaits industry comment, and finally, implementation.
    Minister of Transport, Barbara Creecy, held a meeting late last week with aviation industry representatives for ATNS to share its turnaround plan to address its backlog in instrument flight procedure maintenance and the ongoing flight delays at airports across the country. 
   Industry representatives, including Barsa, AASA, SACAA and ACSA, were taken through the plan and received updates on approvals and pending approvals for various airports' flight procedures.  Read more...

  L   [EVENTS / ARTICLE: Times Aerospace] AASA NEWS
Air Transport leaders descend on Aviation AFRICA 2024 
13 August. 

Top executives and officials from across the airline and air transport world will assemble at the 8th Aviation AFRICA Summit and Exhibition.
    A 2-day summit and exhibition covering the full aerospace spectrum across the African continent, the event is being held at the Sandton Convention Centre in Gauteng, South Africa on 16 and 17th September 2024. The event is officially hosted by the Government of South Africa, the Ministry of Transport and led by SACAA. 
    Under the theme Bridging Skies and Leveraging Growth, the summit will look ways to improve connectivity across the continent. Aaron Munetsi, AASA CEO, is a Panelist in the session: 'Putting it all together: where does Africa go from here.'  Read more...

  L   [ARTICLE: BIZCommunity] AASA NEWS
Aviation disruptions threaten SA’s economic recovery 
1 August. 

A recent power outage at Cape Town International Airport caused significant delays and diversions for local and international airlines, impacting operations and finances. This issue and the Air Traffic Navigation Service’s (ATNS) indefinite suspension of flight approaches at nine airports have exacerbated the situation. Read more...

On behalf of its members, the Airlines Association of Southern Africa urges the Minister of Transport to ensure these avoidable failures are resolved before irreparable economic harm is done, and jobs are sacrificed. Aaron Munetsi, AASA CEO

  L   AASA MEDIA STATEMENT
 Disruptions to critical air transport infrastructure threatens South Africa’s economic recovery and jobs
31 July. AASA Press Release.

Sunday evening’s power outage at Cape Town International Airport caused numerous local and foreign airlines’ flights to and from the airport to be delayed and diverted, inconveniencing travellers and burdening carriers with additional costs and strained operations.
    The breakdown at this economically strategic facility follows the Air Traffic Navigation Service’s (ATNS) indefinite suspension of flight approaches to nine of the country’s airports after it missed a deadline to complete mandatory reviews and to re-design any approaches that it found to be unfit for purpose. Download the media statement...

Flight schedule disruptions are financial hammer blows to airlines. Their customers lose confidence resulting in lost sales, ticket cancellations and refunds. They are saddled with additional costs including fuel, ground handling for diverted flights, re-accommodating passengers, and landing and parking charges at the diversion airports. They then pay ATNS extra en-route navigation and air traffic control charges associated with diversions. Aaron Munetsi, AASA CEO

  L   [WATCH: eNCA News] AASA CEO INTERVIEW
Flight delays and disruptions expected at several SA airports
20 July.

Johannesburg. South Africa's Air Traffic Navigation Service (ATNS) is grappling with an indefinite suspension of instrument-navigation procedures at the George, Kimberley, Mthatha, and Polokwane airports.     
    ATNS is suspending instrument-navigation flight approaches at several key airports to review and update procedures based on the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards. Aaron Munetsi, AASA CEO, shared his insights on this critical issue. Watch on eNCA...

  L   NEW AASA MEMBER
A warm AASA welcome to our new Associate Member: Air Mauritius
17 July. AASA News.

AASA welcomes Air Mauritius who have completed their registration as an airline member. Air Mauritius has contributed to the growth of aviation in the SADC region, and on the African continent, through their expansive route network which continues to grow as they add new routes. Their network covers routes on the African continent, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. We look forward to their contribution to the AASA projects as we collectively focus on growing a profitable and sustainable aviation industry. Read more about the Benefits of AASA Membership...

  L   [ARTICLE: BusinessLive] AASA CEO INTERVIEW
 Sustainable aviation fuel still only 0.5% of annual needs
10 June.

SADC governments have been urged to incentivise local production of SAF

Dubai. At the IATA AGM, Aaron Munetsi, CEO of AASA, spoke to Business Day and noted population growth, urbanisation and the pressure to promote economic activity were driving demand for air transport to, from, and within Sub-Saharan Africa, and was set to double over the next decade. Read more...

Besides cutting aviation emissions, locally produced SAF will reduce Southern African airlines' dependence on imported fuel. Currently, almost all our jet fuel is imported, adding layers of cost for shipping, logistics, distribution, storage and statutory duties and taxes. If we can shrink the cost and curb carbon output, we will keep air travel affordable, and destinations competitive. Aaron Munetsi, AASA CEO 

  L   [WATCH: NEPAD Business Foundation] AASA CEO INTERVIEW
Southern African Industrialisation Forum 2024: Interview with Aaron Munetsi, AASA CEO
25 March. SADC Business Council News. 

Johannesburg. Aaron Munetsi, AASA CEO, was interviewed at the SADC Business Council's Southern African Industrialisation Forum. The prestigious event convened top government and business leaders to shape industrial priorities and investment opportunities focused on Angola with the theme focus, Human and Financial Capital: The Key Drivers for Sustainable Industrialisation in the SADC Region. Watch on YouTube... 


 IATA Economic Reports & News 

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  L   CONFERENCE: WINGS OF CHANGE
South Africa has vast potential in sustainable aviation fuel production 
3 July. IATA News.

Johannesburg. IATA called on South Africa to mobilize its experience, resources, and infrastructure to accelerate the development of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production. The call came as government and industry officials gathered in Johannesburg for the IATA Wings of Change Focus Africa conference.

“South Africa has vast potential to become a leading SAF producer in the region. There is a waiting market for SAF as airlines work to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. More than a strategy in support of aviation’s decarbonization, it is a strategy for economic development and should be a priority for the new SA government. Across agriculture, energy, and transportation, new jobs and industries are waiting to be created that would not only help fight poverty but also contribute to greater energy independence,” said Marie Thomsen, IATA’s Senior VP Sustainability/Chief Economist.  Read more...

  L   CONFERENCE: WINGS OF CHANGE
 IATA urges South Africa's government to leverage aviation for economic growth & job creation 
2 July. IATA News.

Johannesburg. IATA has urged South Africa’s new Government of National Unity to continue prioritizing the development of its aviation sector as a critical driver for economic growth and job creation.

"South Africa’s aviation industry is poised for growth over the next 20 years, adding 345 million additional passenger journeys by 2043. With aviation generating $6 in economic activity for every $1 spent, this expansion will inject billions into South Africa’s GDP 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 maximized 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," said Kamil Alawadhi, IATA’s Regional VP AME. Read more...

 ICAO Reports & News 

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        WORKSHOP
New ICAO biometric passport standard adds flexibility 
4 July. ICAO News.

EAB e-workshop dives deep into changes

The new method of encoding biometrics in passports that will be required by ICAO was examined in depth during the second day of a workshop on ISO and the New ICAO Passport 2025 Standards from the European Association for Biometrics (EAB).
    The next generation of passports will incorporate cutting-edge security features, adhering to international travel document standards as defined by ICAO. These new standards include advanced security measures to combat fraud and forgery. Understanding these enhancements is crucial for border control agents, security professionals, and law enforcement officials to stay ahead of potential threats and ensure the authenticity of travel documents. Read more...

        GLOBAL AVIATION SECURITY
Updated ICAO global plan vital to strengthening aviation security  
26 June. ICAO News.

Montréal, ICAO's new edition of the Global Aviation Security Plan (GASeP) is designed to enhance the international aviation security environment by providing detailed guidance to governments, industry, and other stakeholders.

“The new ICAO Global Aviation Security Plan is both an acknowledgment of the urgent and evolving aviation security challenges we face and a product of ICAO’s unwavering commitment to confronting them head-on. The Plan is a central element in our support for robust action by governments on aviation security and cybersecurity. It also provides crucial support to our advocacy for heightened resourcing and focus for these priorities.” ICAO Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar Read more...

 Industry Reports & News 

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       AFRICA: AIR TRAVEL & NEW ROUTES ANALYSIS 
Airbus releases its latest study identifying key unserved routes to boost air travel in Africa
20 June. Airbus Press Release.

Airbus has released an analysis Exploring the horizons: A study of unserved air routes to, from and within Africa detailing several key unserved African routes which could provide greater connectivity for travellers, drive economic growth in local economies, and provide a significant boost in revenue for airlines. The company also highlighted data on Africa from its latest Global Market Forecast (GMF).

“Despite significant traffic between certain city-pairs, some identified routes still lack regularly scheduled non-stop flights. Factors such as restrictive bilateral air service agreements, economic variables, and challenges with capacity, frequency and operating cost efficiency contribute to these routes remaining unserved. With our capacity to make analyses about route and network development potential in-house, Airbus remains committed to partnering with airlines across Africa to identify optimised fleet solutions inline with network development requirements that further stimulate the continent’s air transport industry growth and improve connectivity for travellers.” Geert Lemaire, Airbus Market Intelligence and Consulting Director. Download the report.


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       AIRLINE MEMBER NEWS
TAAG Angola Airlines to launch cargo services in Nairobi  
14 September. Capital Business News.

TAAG Angola Airlines, the national carrier of Angola, has announced plans to commence cargo services to Nairobi, expanding its regional footprint.

The airline confirmed the new route in an update, stating that the service will be rolled out in the fourth quarter of 2024, alongside additional cargo routes to Kinshasa in the DRC, and Libreville in Gabon. Read more...

       AIRLINE MEMBER NEWS
FlySafair adds another flight to Zanzibar  
13 September. The South African News.

FlySafair will offer South Africans even more opportunities to visit the island of Zanzibar from next month.

FlySafair will ramp up flights to the island of Zanzibar, opening up more travel options for the December holidays. From 3 October, the airline will operate an additional flight between Johannesburg and Zanzibar on Thursdays. Read more...

       AIRLINE MEMBER & SADC AVIATION INDUSTRY NEWS
CAAB Project to improve BW’s air connectivity takes off  
9 September. TheVoiceBW.

Hot on the heels of Air Botswana announcing fresh routes to its flight plan, Civil Aviation Authority Botswana (CAAB) have rolled out an ambitious plan to further increase air connectivity to the country.

Dubbed the ‘Botswana Air Access’ project, the CAAB-led initiative sees a team up with: Botswana Tourism Organisation (BTO), Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC), Business Botswana, Travel Agent’s Association of Botswana (TAAOB) and the Hospitality and Tourism Association of Botswana (HATAB). Read more...

       AIRLINE MEMBER NEWS
Airlink's CT-Gaborone non-stop service launching 1 April 2025  
9 September. The South African News.

As global air travel continues to recover and grow in 2024, several airlines have introduced new routes, enhancing connectivity and providing travelers with more options for exploring the world.

South African carrier Airlink is set to introduce a new non-stop service between Cape Town and Gaborone, starting 1 April 2025, following regulatory approvals from Botswana and South Africa. This new route will cater to the growing demand for direct flights between these two important cities, enhancing connectivity for both business and leisure travelers. Read more...

       SADC AVIATION INDUSTRY NEWS
Transport Minister Barbara Creecy orders 'urgent' action from aviation groups on flight delays                                         
2 September. Primedia+ Radio

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy recently convened an urgent oversight meeting with all transport aviation entities to urgently develop a plan to deal with flight delays without compromising safety.

Following ongoing flight delays at various South African airports, Transport Minister Barbara Creecy recently convened an urgent oversight meeting with all transport aviation entities. The meeting called for ATNS to urgently develop a plan to deal with frequent flight delays without compromising safety. Read more...


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        AIR FREIGHT / IMPORTS & EXPORTS
Air cargo market heads for double-digit growth in 2024 
10 June. Xeneta.

The global air cargo market is on a pathway to double-digit growth in volumes in 2024 after a +12% YoY jump in demand in May, according to the latest data analysis by Xeneta. 
    Despite conservative, low single-digit industry growth forecasts at the end of last year, expectations have been boosted by six consecutive months of ‘extraordinary’ regional demand for cargo capacity, according to the Xeneta research. The global air cargo spot rate in May registered its second consecutive monthly growth. Read more...

        INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT 2024 REVIEW
International Airport Review | Airport Leaders’ Forum Report 2024                                         
20 May. International Airport Review

The International Airport Review advisory board is made up of senior airport leaders from airports across the globe. The airport leaders’ forum meets yearly with the International Airport Review content team to discuss their challenges, pain points, passenger trends and opportunities in an anonymous forum. 
    The report, with sections such as airport development, biometrics, innovation, AI, cyber-security, sustainable aviation fuel, energy transition in airports, and workforce. Read more...


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        AVIATION NET ZERO CO2 REVIEW
IATA and Partners Release Aviation Net Zero Roadmaps Comparative Review
17 April. IATA News

The International Air Transport Association (IATA), together with the Air Transportation Systems Laboratory at University College London (UCL), the Air Transport Action Group (ATAG), the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) and the Mission Possible Partnership (MPP), released the Aviation Net Zero CO2 Transition Pathways Comparative Review.
This is the first publication to compare 14 leading net zero CO2 transition aviation roadmaps. Read more...

        IATA CO2 CONNECT
IATA and Smart Freight Centre Join Forces on CO2 Emission Calculations
13 March. IATA News

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the Smart Freight Centre (SFC) announced a partnership to provide consistent and transparent CO2 emissions calculations for air cargo shipments. This is an important step for the global air transport sector to advance its decarbonization efforts. 
    IATA and SFC will focus on developing the cargo component of IATA’s CO2 Connect offering, which launched its passenger version in 2022. Read more...

 Global Industry Initiatives 

IATA

ICAO

USAID ROUTES Partnership

        UNITED FOR WILDLIFE

The Buckingham Palace Declaration and Southern African Transport Taskforce

In November 2016 AASA signed the Buckingham Palace Declaration (BPD) with the aim of joining a worldwide campaign to combat international wildlife trafficking. The signatories of the United for Wildlife (UFW) Transport Taskforce Buckingham Palace Declaration on the transportation of illegal wildlife products agreed to commit to combat the trade of illegal wildlife.    
    AASA has committed to help to bring an end to the illegal trade in wildlife by signing this Declaration, creating an awareness amongst its members, and supporting implementation of the commitments. 
    On 6 February 2020, AASA offered to serve as a convening vehicle to support the establishment of the Southern African Transport Taskforce, emphasising the potential impact the Taskforce can have on all types of trafficking. 
    As a BPD signatory, AASA is ready to take their effort to the next level. Ian Cruickshank was appointed by United for Wildlife as Transport Taskforce Manager based in Southern Africa and will work with all stakeholders to set up the Southern African Task Force, with opportunities to become involved further afield.
    AASA also has other environmental priority issues that impact the airlines in the Southern African region. These include Carbon Taxes for South African domestic aviation, and CORSIA, which deals with the climate change program for international aviation, as well as other climate change programs. 
    Due to the significance of the work that lies ahead, UFW have agreed that Ian, as their Transport Task Force Manager, works with AASA and the aviation sector as an Environmental and Wildlife Specialist to provide valuable expertise, and assistance to the sector, to achieve the respective goals and mandate of ensuring airlines in the Southern African region are aware of illegal wildlife trafficking practices and implement necessary preventative actions, and also ensure environmental compliance with the appropriate statutory requirements.

        REDUCING OPPORTUNITIES FOR UNLAWAFUL TRANSPORT OF ENDANGERED SPECIES (ROUTES)

Combating the illegal trade of wildlife 

Transportation is the backbone of global trade, and traffic kers of wild animals and wildlife products rely heavily on the efficiency of air travel and cargo carriers to smuggle illicit goods. Companies from the transportation and logistics sector can play a critical role in identifying and strengthening key risk points in the supply chains, thereby helping to prevent wildlife trafficking.

Although the duty for capturing and prosecuting these criminals rests with national enforcement authorities, aviation staff can provide an important source of additional intelligence. Associations like International Air Transport Association (IATA), Airports Council International (ACI), and AASA, together with organizations like United for Wildlife (UfW), are working with many other aviation stakeholders to support the work of enforcement agencies in combating the illegal trade in wildlife. ​​​​
    The USAID Reducing Opportunities for Unlawful Transport of Endangered Species (ROUTES) Partnership, which was operational in 2015-2021 and included ACI and IATA, has also developed a suite of resources to support wildlife trafficking prevention efforts in the air transport sector. 
    The resources developed under ROUTES have been designed to enable companies to respond safely and effectively to instances of wildlife trafficking. Those resources can be accessed through the following links:

  • Up-to-date wildlife trafficking data is available on the ROUTES Dashboard, including common trafficking routes and smuggling methods. After December 2021 this data will be included on the TRAFFIC Wildlife Trade Portal. The ROUTES Dashboard will remain but will not be updated. 
  • Training, awareness, and guidance materials are available on the ROUTES website, and starting in 2022, these resources will be hosted on the USAID Biodiversity Links website.  
    • General awareness training presentations: The following training resources provide an overview of wildlife trafficking for all staff. They include information on potential risks and impacts from wildlife trafficking, where and how it might occur, red flags to help staff identify trafficking and how to safely handle and report your suspicions. Each comes with detailed notes and talking points to guide training staff in delivering these materials. 
    • Role-specific training - Targeted training resources for staff who are more likely to encounter wildlife trafficking due to the nature or location of their work: cabin crew; cargo acceptance; cargo and baggage screener; check-in staff; ground handler; passenger screener. Three formats are available for each role with limited translations available: 
      • E-learning course: Digital course focusing on how staff can help identify wildlife trafficking and what to do if wildlife is discovered. Available in Chinese, English, French, Portuguese and Spanish (Duration: ~30 minutes). 
      • Presentation: a PowerPoint presentation focusing on how staff can help identify wildlife trafficking and what to do if wildlife is discovered. Complete with detailed notes and talking points to guide training staff in delivering these materials. Available in English, Chinese, Spanish and French (Duration: ~1 hour).
      • Toolbox talks: short 2-page briefs of the subject to support discussion in briefing meetings or other informal group discussions. Available in English, Chinese, Spanish and French (Duration: a few minutes).