Somalia: A country with few roads but a robust Airline Industry - INTERVIEW

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NAIROBI, Kenya - Somalia is the Horn of Africa powerhouse when it comes to untapped reserves of numerous natural resources, including uranium, iron ore, tin, gypsum, bauxite, copper, salt, gold, and natural gas.

But despite the decades of civil war that saw the collapse of Mohamed Siad Barre’s government in 1991 plowing the country into a civil war waged between different clans.

The war left the country’s infrastructure sector ground to a halt, especially the transport sector, particularly roads.

But in the country's skies, high above a landscape torn by civil war, the aviation business is running more smoothly. The African Airline Association [AFRAA] –is a continental aviation body that promotes the interest of African airlines.

Gerro Biko of [GO-Nairobi-based Correspondent] had an exclusive interview with Mr. Abderahmane Berthé, Secretary General, AFRAA at their headquarters in Nairobi.

How can you describe the Somalia Aviation industry back in the days of functional government and now?

When Somalia fell into a civil war in 1991, Somali Airlines, the then state-owned carrier, collapsed with it. Somali Airlines had operated B720Bs, B707-300s, and A310-300s on a respectable domestic network along with regional and international connections to the Middle East and Europe.
During the 20 years of civil war, at least 15 private commercial carriers, many of them Somali-owned, came up to fill the void created by the collapse of the airline.

Following the establishment of the Federal Government of Somalia in 2012 after the end of the civil war, Somalia re-established the Somaliland Civil Aviation and Airports Authority to provide aviation safety and economic regulation to the satisfaction and benefit of all stakeholders.

The country is making some progress toward stability and is categorized under the Least-developed countries (LDCs) by the UN. ATAG estimates in its 2020 report that across LDCs, air transport contributed 1.8% of all employment and 1.8% of all GDP in 2018.

Are there investment opportunities within the aviation sector in Somalia?

Aviation provides the only worldwide transportation network, which makes it essential for global business and tourism. It is vital in facilitating economic growth, particularly in developing countries. Air transport has become a driver of economic, social, and cultural development and has fundamentally changed how we travel, interact with others, and do business.

Aviation is also critical in the transportation of food and urgent relief items to those in need in the world’s most remote and challenging locations, in the midst of conflict and disasters. Because many of these areas are inaccessible by road — either because of the absence of reliable road infrastructure, precarious security situations, or extreme conditions — air transport is often the only option.

According to a continental study commissioned by the AUC in 2020, in 2019, Somalia contributed to 316,000 passengers per year in traffic within the African Union. There are opportunities in the sector that can be realized through the implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) and the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).

In terms of GDP per Annum, aviation in Somalia could contribute to 4.0 US$ million in total incremental economic impact and realize a total of 9,110 jobs (direct and indirect) with the implementation of SAATM. AFRAA encourages Somalia to sign up for SAATM.

The sector is dominated by foreign aviation players, what can be done to establish local airlines and even national carriers?

The acceleration to aviation sustainability will be realized if Africa allows the private sector to drive the commercial side of the business. At the same time, governments focus on enacting the enabling environment and support to the industry.

The aviation world can do more by ensuring that all regions have viable and sustainable aviation businesses in the first place. Particularly in developing countries such as Somalia, where connectivity and mobility are limited, costly, and local airlines cannot sustain their businesses, there is a need to create a conducive operating environment for airlines. At the same time, governments should prioritize aviation and support the industry with the right laws that guarantee market access, capital access, and capacity development.

Safety is one of the biggest challenges facing the aviation industry, what’s the way forward in addressing this?

Africa’s performance with regard to safety has been impressive over the past few years. However, the safety issues still act as impediments to the realization of the potential high traffic growth rates projected for Africa. As a result of these concerns, African ministers in charge of Aviation adopted the Abuja Aviation Safety Targets in 2012.

Since then, the joint endeavors of the stakeholders are yielding encouraging safety results. During three consecutive years (2016, 2017, and 2018), no hull loss of a jet aircraft occurred on a commercial flight in Africa.

To address public perception about the safety of African operators, aviation stakeholders need to continue with their coordinated efforts to safeguard the commendable performance achieved from 2016 to 2018.

The requirement of a safety oversight rate of 60% Effective Implementation (EI) to participate in the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) implementation underlines Africa's commitment to maintaining safety as the first aviation priority in the Region.

AFRAA believes that African aviation will perform better safety performance even faster; it requires that aviation stakeholders continue coordinated efforts in line with the five pillars:

1. Cooperative Approach in Safety Improvement in Africa – Abuja Safety Targets;
2. Operational Compliance of African carriers with International standards;
3. Data-driven Safety Management;
4. Infrastructure Safety and;
5. Fleet Modernization.

What must be done to bring back the glory of the country’s aviation industry?

Air transport stimulates regional integration, and it remains instrumental in supporting trade and tourism development in Africa. A negative safety perception will adversely impact the contributions of air transport to the economic development of the Region. Safety is improving continuously since 2012 towards the Abuja Aviation Safety Targets.

To further enhance safety in the operations of African airlines, AFRAA is committed to promoting IOSA, ISSA, IATA Safety Audit for Ground Operations (ISAGO), and IATA Ground Operations Manual (IGOM).

Beyond IATA initiatives, AFRAA encourages airports, air navigation service providers, and CAAs to improve their respective compliance with international standards through relevant assessments.

Therefore, AFRAA articulates its safety strategy based on the five pillars towards the strengthening of safety in flight operations in Africa as mentioned in question 4 above.

Another aspect that will contribute to developing air transport in the country is the development of air transport infrastructure and enhancement of air connectivity to-from the country. This will enable airlines to enhance their networks and boost traffic growth.

AFRAA has been forefront in advocating for better African aviation industry, what plans does the organization has in boosting and growing the Somalia aviation industry?

Safety is a top priority in AFRAA’s strategic objectives. That is one of the reasons why AFRAA is championing the regional safety coordination for Better Skies in Africa.

AFRAA’s mission is to promote, serve African Airlines and champion Africa’s aviation industry. The Association envisions a sustainable, interconnected, and affordable Air Transport industry in Africa where African Airlines become key players and drivers of African economic development.

How can African states grow their own local domestic aviation industry?

Governments should prioritize aviation as it is a major contributor to economic development. According to ATAG’s 2020 report, air transport in Africa supports 7.7 million jobs and $63 billion in economic activity. That is 2.2% of all employment and 2.7% of all GDP in African countries.

States need to work closely with airlines and other aviation stakeholders to create a conducive operating environment for aviation through formulating, promoting, or implementing policies that support air transport growth.

Civil Aviation Authorities have the responsibility for maintaining minimum interim standards of safety and security as recommended by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and in accordance with their national laws.

This will greatly accelerate airline cooperation and collaboration as all parties (particularly passengers) are assured of uniformity across the continent.

What is your parting shot?

Following the end of the civil war, the aviation industry should be considered a priority sector for the economic development of Somalia. A master plan will facilitate the development of air transport. AFRAA has the expertise and tools to offer this kind of support through the AFRAA Consultancy Unit.

We encourage Somalia to commit to the three (3) AU flagship projects to enhance the level of connectivity of the country: the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and the Protocol of Free Movement of People.

GAROWE ONLINE

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