African Airlines Association (AFRAA) and the International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) on November 13, 2017 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to work closely on development of air cargo for the benefit of their mutual members and the industry at large.
The MoU was signed at the side-lines of the just-concluded AFRAA 49th Annual General Assembly & Summit that took place at the Kigali Convention Centre in Rwanda.
According to AFRAA Secretary General, Dr. Elijah Chingosho, “AFRAA is constantly seeking ways to create more value to its members, and in doing so we are very excited to deepen the cooperation with TIACA, to tap into their expertise and knowhow on air cargo. With the financial and economic performance of African airlines being currently below global standards, AFRAA believes it can build on our mutual experience and expertise with TIACA to benefit both organisations and help change the fortunes of African carriers. We expect synergies to emerge among our organisations.
”Under the MoU, the two associations will work to improve air cargo safety and security, as well as champion industry’s adoption of digitization, and offer new training initiatives with the aim to support the rapidly developing air cargo sector in Africa.
“This is a landmark agreement that allows TIACA to offer its expertise to the much larger group of airlines in Africa,” said Secretary General, TIACA, Vladimir Zubkov.
Other areas of cooperation include advocating for improved market access across the continent, the modernization of air cargo facilities and services, and promoting environmental best practice, as well as working together on future events.
Chingosho who hailed the MoU stated: “It is indeed important that the oft-neglected cargo sector receives the attention it deserves at AFRAA forums and conferences.”
Zubkov was upbeat about the MoU stating: “TIACA stands to benefit from better connection with the continent, which is the fastest developing in air cargo movement. We are happy to offer assistance from TIACA in structuring the air cargo part of the future AFRAA agenda.”
Present at the ceremony of the memorandum was signed by the two Secretaries General Others present at the signing ceremony include: CEO Astral Aviation, Mr. Sanjeev Gadhia, the incoming AFRAA Secretary General, Mr. Abderahmane Berthé and AFRAA Director Commercial Coorporate& Industry Affairs, Dr. Koussai Mrabet.
AFRAA is a trade association of airlines from the member states of the African Union (AU). Founded in Accra, Ghana, in April, 1968, and headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, the primary purposes of AFRAA are to foster commercial and technical co-operation among African airlines and to represent their common interests. AFRAA membership of 40 airlines cuts across the entire continent and includes all the major intercontinental African operators. The Association members represent over 85% of total international traffic carried by African airlines.
