IATA confirms benefits of liberalising African skies

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has published a report setting out the considerable social and economic benefits of intra-African air service liberalisation.

The report, by the experienced independent economic consultants InterVISTAS, outlines the benefits that would accrue if 12 African nations were to implement the 1999 Yamoussoukro Decision. The 12 nations in the report are: Algeria, Angola, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia and Uganda. The Yamoussoukro Decision committed 44 signatory countries to deregulating air services and to opening regional air markets to transnational competition. The implementation of this agreement, however, has been slow, and the benefits have not been realised.

Tony Tyler (right), IATA’s Director General and CEO said: “This report demonstrates beyond doubt the tremendous potential for African aviation if the shackles are taken off. The additional services generated by liberalisation between just 12 key markets will provide an extra 155,000 jobs and $1.3 billion in annual GDP. A potential five million passengers a year are being denied the chance to travel between these markets because of unnecessary restrictions on establishing air routes. Furthermore, employment and economic growth are just the tip of the iceberg in terms of the benefits of connectivity. Aviation is a force for good, and plays a major role in helping to reach the African Union’s mission of an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa.”

Aviation already supports 6.9 million jobs and more than $80 billion in GDP across Africa. The InterVISTAS research demonstrates that liberalisation will create opportunities for further significant employment growth and economic development. The jobs and GDP impact for the 12 countries in the study are listed in the table below.

Nation Additional Employment Additional GDP (USD)
Algeria 11,100 123.6 million
Angola 15,300 137.1 million
Egypt 11,300 114.2 million
Ethiopia 14,800 59.8 million
Ghana 9,500 46.8 million
Kenya 15,900 76.9 million
Namibia 10,600 94.2 million
Nigeria 17,400 128.2 million
Senegal 8,000 40.5 milion
South Africa 14,500 283.9 million
Tunisia 8,100 113.7 million
Uganda 18,600 77.6 million

"The study clearly highlights the crucial role air transport plays in driving economic and social development in Africa through enhanced connectivity. Governments should support the growth of the industry by fully liberalising African skies as intended by the Yamoussoukro Decision, while providing other facilitator assistance like implementing global standards in safety, security and regulations, reducing high charges, taxes and fees and removing visa requirements for ease of movement across the continent," said Dr. Elijah Chingosho, Secretary-General of the African Airlines Association.

“Africa represents a huge potential market for aviation. It is therefore unfortunate that African states are opening their aviation markets to third countries but not to each other, which does not promote the spirit of the Yamoussoukro Decision. This isn’t just holding back African aviation, but African economies. This important new report developed in collaboration with IATA, AFRAA and our key regional partners provides compelling facts and figures which should send a powerful message to States and their key decision makers such as Finance, Tourism and Trade ministries across the continent to place aviation at the heart of their economic development and national planning growth strategies,” said Ms. Iyabo Sosina, Secretary-General of the African Civil Aviation Commission.

“It is essential that African governments use aviation as a critical driver of social and economic development. The Yamoussoukro process has been ongoing for decades -- Africa cannot afford to delay its implementation any longer. Greater connectivity leads to greater prosperity. I am an optimist for Africa - but we need governments to act on their commitments, and set aviation free,” Tyler said.

Indian City Becomes First Vegetarian City in the World

Worldcrunch reports a historic change in Palitana, an Indian city, which has become the first all-vegetarian city in the world.

Behind this revolutionary change are the Jain monks who went on a hunger strike to pressure the state of Gujarat to outlaw animal slaughter in their city. The hunger strike was successful and the Gujarat government imposed a ban on animal slaughter and outlawed the sale of meat and eggs.

About 5 million people in India practice Jainism and agree with the ban.

Virat Sagar Maharaj, a Jain monk, says, "Everyone in this world - whether animal or human being or a very small creature - has all been given the right to live by God."

As individuals, the best thing you can do to protect animals is to adopt a kind vegan lifestyle. For more information and tips for transitioning to a vegan diet.

Ebola outbreak highlights global disparities in health-care resources

Date:

August 14, 2014

Source:

NIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Summary:

The outbreak of Ebola virus disease that has claimed more than 1,000 lives in West Africa this year poses a serious, ongoing threat to that region: the spread to capital cities and Nigeria -- Africa's most populous nation -- presents new challenges for healthcare professionals. The situation has garnered significant attention and fear around the world, but proven public health measures and sharpened clinical vigilance will contain the epidemic and thwart a global spread.

PHOTO: Captain Uhuru ‘Flying’ Himself To the Hague

One thing that has endeared Uhuru Kenyatta to Kenyans who at first were skeptical of his leadership credentials is his charisma and cool nature.

Despite facing serious criminal charges at the Hague, the ‘president’ was at his usual best showing his easy going nature.

On his trip to the Netherlands on a Kenya Airways flight, he made his way to the cockpit and assumed the pilot’s role. Posing for a photo in the pilot’s hat and once again proving why he is a cool president and a clown at that.

-nairobiwire.com

Many in U.S. lack knowledge about Ebola, its transmission, poll finds

Date:

August 22, 2014

Source:

Harvard School of Public Health

Summary:

Although the Centers for Disease and Prevention reports no known cases of Ebola transmission in the U.S., a poll shows that four in 10 adults in the U.S. are concerned that there will be a large outbreak in the country, and one-quarter are concerned that they or someone in their immediate family may get sick with Ebola over the next year.

Fast, simple diagnostic test specific to 2014 Ebola outbreak

Air Algerie confirms triple order for A330s

Air Algerie has ordered three Airbus A330-200s according to the latest numbers released by the European manufacturer.

The agreement helped take Airbus’s gross order total to 1,077 aircraft by the end of the third quarter, with a net of 791.
Of the airframer’s long-haul lines, only the A330 increased its order count in September.
Airbus delivered 443 aircraft in the first three-quarters of the year, two fewer than it managed by the same point last year. Boeing has delivered 528 aircraft in the same period .
Meanwhile Egyptian carrier Nile Air is believed to have cancelled most of the Airbus A321s it ordered six years ago.
The airline ordered the aircraft in December 2008, about a year after it disclosed the selection at the Dubai air show.