The 2014 African Aviation Summit and Air Finance for Africa, which was organized by the Ethiopian Airlines and African Aviation Service Ltd, urged African governments to give due attention to the sector.

The summit was held in Addis Ababa and organized to mark the 50th anniversary celebrations of the establishment of the OAU-AU. The theme for the summit was “the Next 50 Years: Role of the African Union (AU) in supporting African aviation”.

Different prominent figures attended the conference and exhibition. Among these were President Mulatu Teshome (Ph.D.), Elham M.A. Ibrahim, Commissioner of Infrastructure and Energy of the African Union and many more.

Commenting on the purpose of the summit Nick Fadugba, CEO of African Aviation Services, said the purpose of the event is forming an African aviation initiative to move forward. He added African governments should support the sector by fully committing themselves to the implementation of the Yamoussoukro Decision.

Mulatu on his part commented the Ethiopian government is keen for the construction of infrastructures; both aviation and other transport methods. He also commented on the Ethiopian government’s commitment with other African carriers and sited agreements Ethiopian Airlines made with ASKY and Air Malawi as an example.

Other than urging governments to support the aviation sector, the summit featured other key issues such as the role of aviation as a driver of economic development, trade and tourism in Africa and implementing air transport liberalization in Africa. In addition to these the summit witnessed creating win-win aviation partnerships, alliances and joint ventures, establishing an enabling regulatory environment, enhancing aviation training and capacity building in Africa, implementing a Yamoussoukro Dispute Mechanism, achieving a common African civil aviation policy and cross-border investment in African aviation as other key issues.

Source: The Reporter