Air transport has contributed greatly to socio-economic development in Africa, says the Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy of the African Union (AU). Opening a three-day annual forum on air transport in Africa at the AU headquarters here Monday, Dr Bernard Zoba, added that the AU attached due attention to air transport as the sector is a catalyst to bring about overall socio-economic development in the continent. Co-operation among African countries would promote safe, secure, and sustainable air transport, he said. The commissioner explained that senior African air transport officials would meet here soon to further discuss the challenges and opportunities of the sector. According to Executive Director of Air Transport Action Group (ATAG), Philippe Rochat, air transport generates 29 million jobs worldwide and half a million in Africa.



Its global economic impact is estimated to be three trillion USD or eight per cent of global gross domestic product (GDP). The figure for Africa is about 56 billion USD, he added. The theme of the forum is "Maximizing Civil Aviation's Economic Contribution by Providing Safe and Secure Air Transport in African Skies". It will discuss and review the various contributions, potential and challenges of the sector. The AU, in association with Air Transport Action Group (ATAG), the International Civil Aviation Organization IICAO) and the World Bank is hosting the forum.



Representatives of African civil aviation authorities, industry, and pertinent international organizations are attending the forum. In response to this growing sector, the Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) started a five-year investment program in all the major airports in the country in 2006. It has ramped up its capital expenditure commitments to R19.3 billion from R5.2 billion to meet expected growth in passenger traffic beyond 2010, when the country will host the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup South Africa. Currently, ACSA's 10 airports handle more than 200 000 aircraft landings and 10 million departing passengers annually. As many as three-million tourists are expected during the World Cup, 40 percent more than the average annual number of tourists. Work is already underway at OR Tambo International Airport, including the construction of an additional duty free space and the Pier One development to handle the new Airbus A380 and more passengers through air bridges.