Air safety: 2008 deadline for Africa

The African Airlines Association (AFRAA) met for its 39th general assembly in Mauritius. Members discussed many hot issues concerning the future of air transport on the continent. Nasseem Ackbarally interviewed the organisation's secretary-general, Christian Folli-Kossi, for African Business.

African Business: Can you sum up the thrust of discussions during the AFRAA 39th general assembly?

Christian Folli-Kossi: 'Doing business together' was the main theme. World experts in various fields talked about globalisation, the liberalisation of air services, air security, training and other topics.

We had a highly productive meeting where we launched a few common projects. In particular, we discussed co-operative purchasing as many of our members are small companies.

We agreed that even if we are too small to benefit from the economies of scale, we would pool our resources and together purchase the equipment and the services we need.

We also discussed the possibility of setting up an air leasing company. It is a promising idea and we are further studying it.

AB: Bankers and other finance experts also attended the assembly, what did they discuss with you?

CF-K: They advised us on all options on purchasing aircraft. And on leasing - which provides more flexibility. When our markets develop and grow we can ask our service providers to change our aircraft fleets to those that better suit our needs.

Other experts talked about new technologies, suggesting partnerships in terms of affordable IT solutions and management tools. We also discussed technical training and the price of oil which today represents 30% of our operating costs as compared to 12% to 15% a few years back. Other suggestions were on regrouping at regional levels, setting up strategic alliances and sharing information and experiences.

We agreed that Africans should now look beyond their national borders and invest in companies that work. Where such companies do not exist, the private sectors of several countries could join hands and set up new companies. But the regulations of our countries should allow for such possibilities.

AB: Air security is of concern to everybody as Africa is the continent with the highest number of accidents. Did you discuss this issue?

CF-K: We have reiterated our commitment to apply the International Operations Safety Audit (IOSA). The world should know and understand it well that there are two Africas: one with regular airlines and good air security; and another Africa that of full of old Antonovs and Illyouchines. These aircraft do not form part of any company; they operate in conflict ridden countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

We recommended the application of the IOSA Audit to our members. It was also agreed that the problem of air security be solved with the help of foreign as well as African experts.

AB: Do you have a deadline for the application of the IOSA Audit and do you envisage any sanction against airlines that are not certified by that date?

CF-K: May I remind you that air transport is still the safest mode of transport in the world - but it is excellence that we are looking for. We have said that by the end of 2007, all airlines should have signed an agreement with accredited safety agencies or organisations. Inevitably, it is the big companies that adhere to the regulations because they fly to European countries and the EU imposes rules on them.

At the end of 2008, any airline that does not possess a safety audit certificate will be excluded from the IATA and AFRAA. This applies to regular airlines, members of our organisation that do not pose any security risk. But this deadline will not solve the problem of old Antonovs and Illyouchines.

AB: The brain drain is another big problem affecting African airlines. How do think you can retain qualified people on the continent?

CF-K: Our position on this is clear - the problem of brain drain must be resolved. We call upon the African Union to handle it through the diplomatic channels and upon IATA to develop a code of conduct for all airlines.

We should do as in football. If any club wants a particular player, it pays compensation to the club losing the player so that the latter can use the money to train other players. Why should we not do something like this? Many big European clubs have set up football training schools in Africa in order to get top players. Why not the same for air transport?

It is generally admitted that today, Africans can be bought and put to work just like at the time of slavery. They'll bleed the continent and destroy the air industry. We should regulate this brain drain.

AB: Operation costs are rising constantly because of the high cost of fuel. Can regrouping airlines on a regional basis be a solution? Is it easy to discuss this issue with your members?

CF-K: It is very difficult when you have a continent of a size that can include Europe, America, Australia and India put together. Things are becoming so difficult that, whether we like it or not, we'll have to reach for some cooperation among ourselves.