How Can The African Air Transportation System Be Improved Within A Short-Term Period?

Course:The Air Transportation System

Africa is the cradle of life. Its pre-historic human migrations and travels for intra-tribal trades provide signs and elements of a pre-civilization transportation system. Unfortunately, in our modern era the African air transportation system lacks the robust infrastructures, logistics and operational procedures of its Europeans and American counterparts. Although it is somewhat equipped with the key components of an air transportation system, interoperability is close to non-existent. It is plagued with commercial flights delays, older aircraft and equipment, degraded airports and aerodromes, poor air traffic management systems and infrastructures, limited air carriers and routes. Despite the much-improved capabilities displayed by Northern African countries and South Africa, the region’s air traffic transportation system is in a critical need of enhancement. How can the African air transportation system be improved within a short-term period? Not only will such improvement foster advancement in air transportation infrastructures but also will it drive technological, economic and social development.

Casablanca displays the most advanced infrastructure. It benefits from its proximity and cooperation with European and Middle-Eastern countries. Aircraft and Air traffic management infrastructures and equipment are mostly provided or purchased from Europeans countries. This has facilitated interoperability with the Europeans and Middle Eastern countries systems. Newer aircraft, multiple non-stop routes and a state-of-the-art air traffic control system ensures flight safety and minimized delays in commercial flights. The Casablanca to Paris flight route is renowned among travelers. Air Carriers such as Air France and Royal Air Maroc airlines have enjoyed much success in the region. Furthermore, the Royal Moroccan Air Force is notorious for conducting joint exercises with its US and France counterparts. This is essentially possible because their fleet is equipped with similar military aircraft and flight systems.

Unfortunately, the overall African air transportation system is actually very poor. The few countries with developed infrastructures successfully interoperate only with Western countries. Intra-African technical cooperation has been very challenging despite the efforts of ASECNA, the Agency for Aerial Navigation Safety in Africa and Madagascar. Along with poor aircraft facilities and infrastructures, few and inconvenient intra-Africa flight routes are the most reported issues. The root of these issues is the economic challenges faced by most African countries. A desire for autonomy and dictatorial airspace policies have also hindered progress and cooperation within African countries. Moreover, outdated aircraft and incompatible air traffic equipment purchased from various foreign manufacturers have contributed to a system often described as mediocre or chaotic. Nevertheless, alleviating such issues and lifting the African air transportation system to the standards set by its western world counterparts is possible.

Ethiopia has proven within the last decade that African air transport can be improved through strategic investment in flight technology, adequate personnel training and airport facilities improvement. After a basic review of Africa’s infrastructure, I realize that any improvement efforts must begin with maintaining and enhancing airport infrastructures. Leaders shall prioritize the design and construction of state-of-the-arts airports facilities including large runways, landslide and terminal designs aimed at attracting large foreign carriers and investors. African governments shall push for new international trade terms and policies that guarantees the delivery of newer aircraft, updated technological systems and equipment to their countries. The African union and African air transport decision-makers shall call for a standardized technological system. This will be a first step toward facilitating interoperability between their countries' systems. African politicians and policy makers shall come together and draft friendly air space policies that will push air carriers to create new and travelers' friendly intra-African flight routes. African countries shall make adequate personnel training a national objective. Multiples foreign exchange programs can be established to drive cross-training and develop efficient working relationships between the different countries air transportation system personnel. Such improvements will attract investors because of new economic opportunities. It will generate a domino effect that will drive technological, economical and social development in the African region .

To conclude it is important to note that the African air transportation system is in a state of mediocrity. It is not equipped with the technology and components available to its European and American counterparts. Interoperability is therefore hardly achievable. Economic challenges and poor infrastructures hinder the development of an air transportation system that meets the demands of the modern era. Nevertheless, it is possible to alleviate the issue through strategic investments in air transportation technology, adequate personnel training and political policies that facilitate the development of the African air transportation system. As proven by countries such as Morocco and Ethiopia, African nations can develop renowned air traffic transportation systems.

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