Southern Africa’s economy in jeopardy over restrictions, AASA CEO Zweigenthal warns

• Survival, recovery require govts’ engagement at highest levels

The Airlines Association of Southern Africa (AASA) has warned that Southern Africa’s economic recovery and future growth, along with nearly five million jobs in the region are in jeopardy as a result of the continued imposition of inconsistent and arbitrary restrictions on air travel.

At the same time, AASA called for the region’s governments to prioritise support for their entire air transport and tourism industries, including private and public sector airlines, airports, air navigation services, ground handlers, safety regulators, suppliers and allied businesses.

“Not a single aviation industry stakeholder has been spared.  Every organisation relying on revenue for airline operations and passengers is affected, with traumatic social and financial consequences.  Governments can and must provide support to the entire industry as the recovery of their economies is heavily dependent upon it,” explained AASA CEO, Chris Zweigenthal, who was addressing the body’s virtual 50^th annual general meeting today.

Zweigenthal stated that support could be provided through cash infusions, government-backed loans and through relief mechanisms such as waivers and reductions on taxes and charges.

He further stated that governments could also safely prevent prolonging the economic harm and distress by adopting clear and consistent measures for the safe resumption of regional and international travel in all categories.

“We welcomed the re-opening of South Africa’s borders last week, but there needs to be clarity on the risk classification of states by which leisure travellers are either approved or denied entry.  The South African government should explain why it has superimposed these additional restrictions onto the set of risk-mitigating health and safety protocols it had already developed and approved for the safe re-opening of the borders.

“ It should also explain its criteria for reducing, or better still, scrapping these lists and lifting the ban on tourists from certain countries.  If they are maintained, our industry and the entire regional economy will face a much slower and arduous recovery,” said Zweigenthal.

“The crisis calls for direct engagement between industry and government Directors-Generals and Ministers, on an open door and open mind basis.  This is essential if we are to address strategic, policy and practical issues that will ensure the safe restart of airline operations and the region’s economic recovery, without compromising public health and safety,” he added.

Impact on air transport and its economic contribution

[References : IATA Economics, ATAG]

“While governments must assist communities and other enterprises that are also desperate for financial relief, they should not ignore the vital role that aviation, travel and tourism will play in driving Southern Africa’s economic recovery through the jobs they create – directly and indirectly – and the millions of people whose livelihoods are dependent upon it,” he noted.

Wole Shadare