Afraa improving air and cargo connectivity in Africa
At the Uneca conference in Addis Ababa Abderahmane Berthé, the secretary-general of the African Airlines Association (Afraa), urged action to improve air connectivity and reduce costs in Africa.
He called for easier market access, stronger airline cooperation, lower taxes and charges and better infrastructure and financing. Berthé also stressed the need to facilitate cargo connectivity through data-driven collaboration, modern infrastructure and adapted regulation. He cited high costs, customs barriers and limited cold chain capacity as major challenges.
“Afraa’s cargo committee is working to strengthen airline cooperation and route development,” Berthé said. He also highlighted the ‘Free Route Airspace’ (FRA) project and fuel purchase programme as initiatives to cut costs and emissions. Improving airfreight networks, especially for perishables, will help unlock Africa’s trade and e-commerce potential, Berthé concluded. (ah)