BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has lauded the Nigerian government for its prompt action in clearing over $831million USD of foreign airlines’ trapped funds.
Mr. Kamil Al-Awadhi, IATA’s Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East, delivered this commendation during his opening remarks at the IATA Wings of Change Focus Africa conference on July 2, 2024.
Mr. Al-Awadhi emphasized the detrimental effects of trapped funds on foreign airlines in several countries and applauded Nigeria for resolving the issue effectively.
This decisive move has restored confidence in Nigeria within the global civil aviation sector.
The commendation received widespread applause from attendees, including high-ranking government officials, airline representatives, air navigation service providers, international and regional associations, aircraft manufacturers, and other stakeholders in global civil aviation.
In related news, the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, underscored the crucial role of African Foreign Affairs Ministers in implementing the Yamoussoukro Declaration (YD) and the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM).
During a plenary discussion, Mr. Keyamo advocated for the involvement of Foreign Affairs Ministers to ensure the full operationalization of these initiatives.
He argued that since these ministers set the agenda for the African Union (AU) Summit, it is vital for them to prioritize the YD and SAATM to overcome existing challenges.
“To make SAATM work, it is not solely up to African Civil Aviation Ministers. We need to mobilize the African Union to remove domestic restrictions, as political leaders in Africa have the authority to direct their ministers on the way forward,” stated Mr. Keyamo.
His recommendation was well-received by conference participants as a strategic approach to fostering successful implementation and growth of civil aviation across Africa.
The IATA Wings of Change Focus Africa conference, themed” Towards a More Resilient and Sustainable African Aviation,” is a premier industry event in Africa. It gathers aviation leaders, regulators, and experts to discuss key challenges and opportunities in the air transport sector.
The conference commenced on July 2 and will conclude on July 3, 2024.
