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OR Johannesburg's Johannesburg International Airport is the largest and busiest airport in Africa with around 21 million pbadengers and more than half a million tons of goods a year
. it was no different either at the recent African Regional Conference of ACI. Roy Ezze reports from Lagos on the fundamental issues concerning the place of cooperation in the future development of airports and airlines in Africa.
Efforts to enable African airports to become sustainable and profitable enterprises have been intensified, while the 598th African Airports Council (ACI) International Airport Conference in Lagos, Nigeria, in 2018 has recently sought ways to practices to improve the management and revenue generation of African airports. The ACI-Africa conference attracted more than 280 participants from 47 countries and several international organizations.
While the thorny problem of the usual confrontation between airports and airlines has taken center stage, it raises issues including fundamental place of cooperation in the future of the development of airports and airlines in Africa . Airport officials say the airlines should focus on improving their services and tackling the other huge costs they face rather than complaining about airport charges. Khaled Chelly, CEO of the Tunisian Authority of Civil Aviation and Airport Authorities (OACA) and Angela Gittens, General Manager of ACI World, say that airport fees are much lower than the others airlines such as fuel, mismanagement, government taxes, etc. argues that airport charges are a justified way of recovering the costs of airport facilities.
In contrast, airlines point out that significant airport fees and charges are a challenge to the viability of African airlines. Sidy Gueye, Regional Director Africa – Airport, Pbadengers, Cargo and Security (APCS) of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), adds that airlines are not always supported before these tax decisions have a significant impact on their operations. Also in this regard, Mam Sait Jallow, Regional Director for West and Central Africa of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), stressed that governments and African airports do not respect the rules of ICAO. guidelines before imposing taxes, fees and fees in the aviation industry. This calls to question the role of civil aviation authorities in Africa as regulators. In many cases, these regulators also own and manage airports
The Challenge of Management and Infrastructure
In addition, Gittens frowns at airports and companies African airlines to their challenges in their operations, rather than becoming more innovative and operating as businesses. And this shift in leadership mentality among African airports is vital for improving operations and expanding non-aeronautical revenues.
Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu, Chairman of the ICAO Council, stresses that the continent's rapidly expanding air traffic can not be maintained and optimized "The industry generates very positive spin-offs on tourism and trade , directly and indirectly supporting 6.8 million jobs and generating $ 72.5 billion in gross domestic product (GDP), "he added. he says of Africa. "But because of the more recent and effective focus on liberalizing air transport, many African hub airports are expected to exceed their capacity by 2020."
Aliu says that we must continue to pay more attention to airport-side security priorities
The Nigerian government expresses its commitment to support the improvement of airport and air infrastructure in Nigeria . Nigeria's government secretary, Gida Mustapha, said the ACI conference was open and that airports are essential to Nigeria's development goals. Nigeria is however criticized for using its resources to modernize its airport and aviation infrastructure as in other large states like South Africa and Ethiopia, where air cargo facilities are exemplary.
Saleh Dunoma, President ACI Africa The Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) also highlights the investment opportunities in Nigeria. He says Nigeria is moving towards certification of all its international airports with the support of ACI. Moreover, Senator Hadi Sirika, Minister of Aviation State of Nigeria, aims to turn around the aviation infrastructure in Nigeria to make the country a privileged crossroads . Nigeria has refurbished 22 of its airports and built new terminals in five of its international airports, but has not yet developed an airport terminal with good transit facilities.
In Mauritius, management is studying ways to convert local products. services aimed at attracting tourists and other visitors, thereby improving non-aeronautical revenues. Romesh Bhoyroo, CEO of Airports of Mauritius Ltd (AML), says the growing competition between airports is forcing airports to turn inward to develop unique services to attract visitors.
It is expected that ongoing efforts in Nigeria and other African states will transform the tremendous opportunities for airport businesses into tangible benefits, especially business opportunities. non-aeronautical.
Establish airport cities, Ghana has recently updated its dream in this regard, and is planning the second phase of its airport city projects. John Dekyem Attafuah, managing director of Ghana Airports Company Ltd., said Ghana is counting on partnerships to achieve the first phase of its airport city that already offers remarkable benefits. He argues that the development of air cargo could reduce revenue losses at Ghana's airports
Innovation and Technology
Although Ali Tounsi, Secretary-General of ACI-Africa, says that ACI is stepping up its support for the lack of focus on customer needs remains one of the challenges facing African airports. However, few airport management companies like Airport Company South Africa (ACSA) have improved customer management and satisfaction which is high on the list of priorities. Bongani Maseko, CEO of ACSA, is looking to increase his new sources of revenue for ACSA. While several African airports embark on airport development projects, adopting technologies to enhance facilitation and customer experience, etc. is essential for the overall improvement of African airports. The use of improved technologies is the future of all aspects of African airports.
Although several African airports have the potential to increase revenue from duty-free shops, a new regulation, particularly an expected protocol from the WHO to eliminate the illicit trade in tobacco products. these products. The Duty Free Shop Association calls for moderation, noting that duty free sales "constitute a safe and legitimate retail channel" and that "immediate action is needed to protect the franchise of this very real global threat. "
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