Aviation experts and authorities believe African aviation is set to recover to its pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2024, bringing with it opportunities for economic growth and development.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the aviation sector in Africa supported 444 000 direct and 6,5 million indirect jobs. It created $63 million (R1 billion) worth of economic activity and amounted to nearly 3% of Africas Gross Domestic Product, and 2,2% of its employment, Barbara Creecy , Minister of Transport, said during her opening speech at Aviation Africa 2024, hosted at the Sandton Convention Centre this week.
Kamil Al Awadhi , Iatas Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East, confirmed that Iata data estimated that African aviation would return to its pre-pandemic levels by year-end.
Creecy referred to a recently Iata report, which found that, over the next 20 years, South African air transport was estimated to grow by 105%, with an expected additional 21 million passenger journeys in and across the country.
If this target is met, air transport will support nearly 800 000 direct jobs in South Africa, said Creecy. For this to happen, we must work together to harmonise regulations, standards, procedures and foster greater collaboration between our aviation authorities. This will not only streamline operations but also create a more cohesive and efficient aviation eco-system across the continent in the aftermath of the pandemic.
