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Dubai event spotlights immense potential of $80bn African aviation market

By BusinessNews Staff on May 8, 2015

Aviation in Africa currently supports more than 6.9 million jobs and over $800 billion in GDP across African nations. But this is nothing compared with what it can become. Annually, a further 155,000 jobs and $1.3 billion in GDP can be added through the effective liberalisation of just 12 key markets, including Ghana, Kenya and South Africa, among others, according to an independent report published by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Aviation Africa 2015, which opens on May 10, at Le Meridien Hotel, Dubai, will underscore the immense potential of the African aviation market.

“If you look at the sheer potential of just a handful of African airlines, routes and airports, you realise just how enormous an impact Africa can have on the future of aviation, and moreover you can clearly see just how beneficial a progressive aviation industry can be for the socio-economic future of the continent,” says Alan Peaford MBE, event organiser and summit chairman.

“Geographically, it’s ideally located right next to well-established hubs in the Gulf, and is able to capitalise on the passenger and cargo traffic already streaming through the region.

“Aviation Africa 2015 will fill a void in the aviation calendar and give Africa a real chance to progress quickly, effectively and safely,” he adds.

Africa’s prospective growth, as well as the potentially vital role the Middle East’s aviation industry can play in the creation of a burgeoning African market, which will be the focal point of the various case studies and panels at Aviation Africa 2015.

Dzifa Aku Attivor, minister of transport for Ghana, will present the keynote address. The Ghanian transport minister is one in a long list of top-level industry speakers, delegates and experts who will share ideas and experiences with their Middle Eastern counterparts to bring Africa’s inevitably pivotal role in the future of aviation front and centre.

“There are many striking similarities between the Middle Eastern aviation market of 20 years ago and the African market of today,” says Alan Peaford.

“The many experiences Gulf carriers, airports and regulators underwent as they grew to become the centre-ground of the global aviation space are bound to be similar to the issues that will arise in Africa as the continent’s nations begin to put their efforts and resources behind their aviation industry. Africa would do well to discuss, listen and learn from their Middle Eastern counterparts,” according to Peaford.

[Business day]

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