The annual gathering brings together all major players in aviation and related sectors to recollect, identify challenges and chart the way forward. The aviation industry in Africa offers one of the best opportunities for further growth and investors who have had confidence have moved in and reaped the rewards. Projections indicate that with the growth of a middle class in the continent and the relative under-development of the industry, future growth is guaranteed. In fact, regions like southern Africa have shown great potential to further growth in the long term despite the current economic downturn, which has affected the African industry adversely.
The legal environment, with more liberalisation in the region, shows capacity for further growth. We know that Kenyan Airways has already moved into the Botswana market, and Air Botswana is venturing into Harare and Lusaka routes. All these indicate a bright future in the long term. However, we have to fully study the challenges facing the industry. Ceulah Guelpina, president of Civil Aviation Commission revealed some depressing facts at the Gaborone congress. Africa accounts for only three percent of the world customer base, while it accounts for 25 percent of the world accidents. We have an aviation industry in crisis. Old aircraft and run-down airport infrastructure, ill-trained manpower, the loss of experienced workers to other markets, weak and incapacitated aviation authorities and other challenges mean this continent is one of the most dangerous to fly in. A lack of competition within the industry has also led to the most expensive flights. Flying from one African city to the next is not just dangerous but expensive as well. In fact even in this era, half a century after African independence, it is still a paramount requirement for one to fly from one African city to the next to connect to some European or Asian destination. This makes flying in Africa cumbersome and reduces it to a test of character. Unfortunately, businesspeople do not like to be tested in that way when they have better options.
