IN a resounding message from industry leaders at the Southern African Industrialisation Forum (SAIF) held in Sandton recently, aviation experts highlighted the pressing need to overcome regulatory hurdles, visa restrictions, and collaboration gaps to unlock the economic potential of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.
Natalia Rosa, SADC Business Council Tourism Alliance lead, underscored the challenges, stating, ‘The current state of aviation in SADC is a massive goal for our economies.’
Dr. Namhla Tshetu, Airlink executive manager of corporate services, emphasised the importance of involving airlines in regulatory processes, stating, ‘Without substantial involvement of airlines in drafting aviation rules, suboptimal regulations often emerge that inhibit cross-border operations.’
Aaron Munetsi, CEO of the Airline Association of Southern Africa, highlighted the impact of visa restrictions, saying, ‘If Africans cannot travel within Africa themselves freely, everything else that we are saying here is a pipe dream.’
John Howell, CEO and founder of AviaDev Africa, stressed the need for collaboration in route development, saying, ‘Effective route development involves more than just launching new routes; it requires collaborating with stakeholders to support the expansion and sustainability of existing routes over time.’
George Mothema, CEO of the Board of Airline Representatives of South Africa, added, ‘Working in silos is the biggest challenge for the sector. Regarding bilateral negotiations, we would like to see the airlines be more involved, as they are a critical player in the sector.’
The forum concluded with a call for comprehensive policy reforms, adoption of initiatives like the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), and enhanced collaboration between governments and industry stakeholders to unlock the full economic potential of the SADC region.
Experts emphasised the need for a mindset shift to recognize aviation’s pivotal role in regional development, underscoring the importance of political leadership and continued private sector engagement in driving progress.
With unified backing and collaborative efforts, the SADC region may finally be poised for economic take-off in the aviation sector.