African airlines refute European Union ban

THE AFRICAN AIRLINES ASSOCIATION (AFRAA), based in Nairobi (Kenya), has expressed concern about the EU's latest list of airlines proscribed from the European airspace due to safety concerns.  In a very strongly worded statement it hints that commercial interests by European airlines may be behind the ban.  “Air safety is AFRAA’s number one priority and we are the first to admit that Africa needs to improve its air safety record.  However, while the EU list may be well-intended its main achievement has been to undermine international confidence in the African airline industry,” said Nick Fadugba, Secretary General of AFRAA.  The statement points out the majority of the African airlines on the list have never operated scheduled flights to Europe, nor plan to do so.  The list includes many airlines that only exist on paper and are not operational.  AFRAA contrasts the position taken by the EU and that by the USA who introduced the “Safe Skies for Africa” initiative aimed at upgrading capacity, developing skills and providing infrastructure to improve safety.  All this is being done at a time when only a few US carriers are operating to Africa. www.afraa.org

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