The International Partners For Aviation Development, Innovation, And Sustainability in partnership, iPADIS with the Federal Ministry of Aviation in Nigeria will be holding a virtual two-day high Level/Ministerial Meeting on Enhancing Air Transport Connectivity and Growth in West Africa’ on March 17 and 18, 2021.
According to iPADIS secretariat, “Discussion at the event would center on considerations for pre-COVID challenges to air transport development in the West African region; identifying challenges and risks that encumbered the development and implementation of solutions at national levels; current and future impacts of Covid-19 on air connectivity; and Identification of strategies and sectoral synergies that are required for air transport growth.
“West Africa has a population of over 380 million people within fifteen (15) countries, with a total landmass of 5,112,903 Sq. km, which has many historical and cultural touristic sites. The region boasts of over forty (40) international airports, relatively well-resourced air navigation service providers and good centers of aviation training,”said iPADIS. “Notwithstanding the fact that the region has a country with the largest economy in Africa, the travel and tourism industries are faced with several challenges including poor air connectivity, low passenger and cargo traffic, high aviation charges and taxes and low intra-regional tourism.”
“The impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic has further exacerbated the difficult position of the region when compared to other regions in the African continent. It would upend the recent modest progress in strengthening safety and security oversight systems, and the optimism expressed by States and industry on the expected positive impact of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), on-air connectivity and traffic growth, and overall sustained air transport development.
“There is, therefore, an urgent need to reimagine, revitalize and retool the aviation system in West Africa to meet present and future challenges.”
Ministers, Director Generals, and chief executive officers from Aviation, Tourism, Public Health and Border Control Sectors from ECOWAS and Member States will participate. Expected also are Heads of international and regional organizations such as the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), United Nation World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), World Health Organisation (WHO), International Air Transport Association (IATA), Airport Council International (ACI), African Union Commission (AUC), African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), African Airlines Association (AfRAA), BAG, ASECNA and Heads of civil society and media organizations: ITF among others.
iPADIS, headquartered in Montreal, Canada is led by the founder and President Dr. Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu, who is the immediate past President of the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and Lifetime Goodwill Ambassador of ICAO, is an international non-governmental organization (NGO) of the public and private partnership established to lead effective advocacy for positive change in the global aviation industry.
Source: Aviation Ages Blog