The President of the International Partners for Aviation Development, Innovation and sustainability (iPADIS), Dr. Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu attended the High-level Webinar on African Aviation in the Aftermath of COVID-19 hosted on September 30th, 2020 by the World Bank.

President Aliu informed the high-level audience that the Novel Coronavirus (COVID 19) pandemic is the biggest, single challenge to affect international air transport. And that prior to COVID-19 the aviation industry as a sector was already facing several challenges to its long-term growth. These include ensuring uniform aviation development globally so that every society enjoys the socio-economic benefits of a safe, secure, efficient, innovative, and environmentally friendly aviation system. This is of particular relevance to Africa and other developing countries, especially the land-locked and small island countries for whom air connectivity is an existential requirement for their development and integration into the global economy.

There was also the growing negative impact of aviation on environmental sustainability; the need to implement Innovation and advances in new technologies that can further broaden the benefits of aviation to civil society and businesses, such as the use of drones and other technologies that can help developing economies leapfrog legacy aviation systems and bridge historical technological gaps; as well as the need for air transport to meet its social responsibility obligations with regards to the rights of consumers; gender equality; youth development; accessibility to persons with disabilities; provision of support during humanitarian disasters and emergencies; prevention of sexual harassment and human trafficking; etc.

He emphasized that even before COVID-19, the African Aviation industry was facing significant challenges, and was hampered by low Intra African trade and tourism as well as the loss of global competitiveness. COVID-19 will further exacerbate the difficult position of African Aviation and can upend the recent modest achievements the continent made in establishing the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), in strengthening safety and security oversight systems and reducing accident rates.

He reiterated that there is no doubt that survival is a top priority for African operators now, and African Governments should vigorously stimulate the quick recovery of their Aviation sector by supporting airlines, airports, air navigation service providers, training institutions and regulatory agencies. This will be immensely beneficial to Africa’s economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.

He further emphasized that COVID-19 has added impetus to addressing the challenges of African aviation and that as Covid-19 threatens the very existence of the industry, it also presents an opportunity for reassessing the role and contribution of civil aviation to Africa’s economic growth, social progress and integration, and overall sustainable development.

“African aviation industry should not plan for a return to its pre-COVID past but rather chart a course to a profitable and sustainable future!” Dr. Aliu strongly advised.

He remarked that it is during war times that plans should be made for ensuring peace times citing as an example that the 1944 Chicago Convention, which established the current international aviation framework, was adopted during the Second World War. This should inspire governments and industry leaders to reimagine, revitalize and retool the African aviation system to meet present and future challenges.

Dr. Aliu called on African governments and regional organizations to review their pre-pandemic national and regional aviation master plans to account for current and emerging challenges; provide for risk-based scenario planning; enhance the resilience of aviation systems, and clearly set sustainable development goals and targets for their aviation sector.

He recommended that the African Civil Aviation Policy (AFCAP) should be reviewed and that the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) as the Executing Agency of the Yamoussoukro Decision and SAATM must develop a long-term strategic plan. While Operators should review the adequacy of their business models for resilience and long-term sustainability in the event of future crises.

Dr. Aliu cautioned that the success of recovery efforts will largely depend on regaining the confidence of passengers in the adequacy and efficacy of the new health measures implemented at airports and in-flight; on public health arrangements at destination cities and on commonality in national border entry and health requirements.

Dr. Aliu confirmed the determination of iPadis to support African aviation recovery efforts and its readiness to work closely with the World Bank, the African Union (AU) and AFCAC in building a resilient and sustainable aviation system in the African Continent.

The Webinar was hosted by the World Bank Vice President, Infrastructure Practice Group, Makhtar Diop and attended by other high-level speakers and participants including Dr. Amani Abou-Zeid, AU Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy; The Honorable Pravin J. Gordhan, Minister of Public Enterprises of South Africa; Abdérahmane Berthé, Secretary-General of African Airlines Association (AFRAA); Tefera Mekonnen, Secretary-General of AFCAC and other dignitaries.