L News & Industry Affairs / AASA
L AASA Member News & Notices / 2023
L A warm AASA welcome to our new Associate Member: AirlinePros International
May 29, 2023. AASA News.
AASA is pleased to announce that AirlinePros International has joined as an Associate Member. ArilinePros is an award-winning distribution and representation firm for airlines and travel suppliers; contracted by both the Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC) and International Air Transport Association (IATA) to facilitate airlines access to new markets and support the sales and distribution in their respective markets. Read more about the Benefits of AASA Membership...
L Aviation: Africa's passenger traffic 'expected to double over next 15 years'
May 16, 2023. NewVision.
In a Monday press statement by IATA covering the Focus Africa Conference coming up in June, Willie Walsh, the DG of IATA stated: "Africa stands out as the region with the greatest potential and opportunity for aviation."
The Conference in Addis Ababa provides industry leaders a platform to join forces and invest in the vision of the Focus Africa initiative. AASA CEO, Aaron Munetsi, is scheduled as a speaker to address aviation's contribution to Africa's development. Read more...
L African open skies advancing
May 15, 2023. Southern Africa's Travel News.
It’s been 35 years since the signing of the Yamoussoukro Declaration (YD) in 1988. Yet, in 2023, the aviation industry is still hoping for Open Skies over Africa. Enter the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), the aviation industry’s best bet and the most likely way out of the wasteful past which hindered the continent’s aviation development.
SAATM is not just about African carriers getting fifth freedom rights – it’s also about the economic benefits for the member states through the establishment of intra-African networks. Aaron Munetsi, AASA CEO
Speaking at the Annual African Aviation Summit (Air Finance Africa) held at the Sandton Conference Centre on May 11, Aaron Munetsi, AASA CEO, pointed out that in 2019, of 51 national carriers in Africa, three were cash positive and one was profitable. So the opportunity to open up the skies, encourage competition, allow new co-operation models, and build a good intra-African network couldn’t come at a better time. That’s why it’s great news that SAATM is forging ahead, now has 36 states signed up (80% of its target) and a total of 42 airlines. Read more...
L [Aspen Institute UK Podcast of Webinar] The Future of Air Travel: flying green or staying grounded?
May 13, 2023. Aspen Insitute UK Event News.
Listen to Aaron Munetsi, AASA CEO, and industry leaders discuss the future of air travel in the context of honouring international aviation climate goals of net-zero carbon by 2050.
L A warm AASA welcome to our new Airline Member: LIFT
May 10, 2023. AASA News.
AASA is pleased to announce that LIFT has joined as an Airline Member. LIFT is a South African airline, currently operating domestic routes from O. R. Tambo International Airport using a fleet of Airbus A320 aircraft, operated by Global Aviation. Read more about the Benefits of AASA Membership...
L SACAA gazettes 6.40% increase to Passenger Safety Charge (EV) for 2023
April 26, 2023. Government Gazette: Department of Tourism Publication.
The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) has published the 27th amendment of the Civil Aviation Act of 2009 in the Government Gazette (GG) 48414 dated 13 April 2023. On Page 44 of the GG it states: the Passenger Safety Charge (EV) on the Airline Air ticket will be R29,33 per passenger departing from any South African Airport to either a domestic or international destination for flights effective 1 June 2023.
L [702 RADIO AASA CEO INTERVIEW] What are the reasons for the high cost of air travel in the SADC region
April 2, 2023. Radio 702.
AASA CEO, Aaron Munetsi, is interviewed by Crystal Orderson about the high cost of air travel in the region over the Easter weekend. Comparatively, airfare is much higher this year than last year due to soaring operational costs, such as aviation fuel. Read more...
Because aviation fuel is a derivative of brent crude oil, given the geopolitics currently, the price of brent crude oil has substantially increased. The price we pay for jet fuel as of March 2023 to March 2022, it's about 74% higher. As much as we try to cushion the costs to stimulate travel, unfortunately there comes a time this must be passed onto the consumer. That's why you end up with high fares.
Aaron Munetsi, AASA CEO
L 36 participants from AASA Member Airlines attend successful Business Solutions by AASA training session
March 31, 2023. AASA News.
AASA in collaboration with aviation industry partners, Hahn Air, Hitit and AerCap, hosted a successful ‘Business Solutions by AASA’ Session on the 29 March 2023 in Johannesburg.
36 participants from AASA Member airlines including: Air Botswana, Air Zimbabwe Private Limited, Airlink, Fly Safair, Eswatini Air, Proflight Zambia, South African Airways, LAM Mozambique Airlines took a fresh look on the critical areas of Revenue Management, Fleet Planning, and Network Planning.
L [SABC News :: WATCH] Calls for free travel across Africa to stimulate tourism and trade
March 29, 2023. @MorningLiveSABC.
Key role players in the African tourism sector have called for a complete overhaul of visa requirements in order for a free flow of travel and trade to economic growth on the continent. That's according to the CEO of the Airlines Association of Southern Africa, Aaron Munetsi. He was speaking at the launch of this year's Africa Travel Indaba in Durban.
L Africa's Travel Indaba 2023: towards Africa's tourism sector growth!
March 29, 2023. South African Tourism News.
DURBAN. A new look Africa’s Travel Indaba 2023 is set to re-energise delegates from across the world when the show takes place in Durban from 8 to 11 May.
New Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille; tourism role players and members of the media gathered in Durban to officially launch Africa’s Travel Indaba 2023.
AASA's CEO, Aaron Munetsi, was an industry representative and panelist discussing the contribution of Africa's Travel Indaba to the tourism sector recovery. Read more...
L Business Solutions by AASA :: 29 March 2023 :: Hotel Accommodation
March 27, 2023. AASA News.
To all the attendees at the Business Solutions by AASA training programme: please remember to book your hotel accommodation if you’re attending the Business Solutions by AASA this week. You can book your room with Kamogelo - contact details below. The rate for Bed and Breakfast is R1200. Please also send us your flight details in order to arrange transfers accordingly.
Kamogelo Moila
Events Booking Centre Executive (Groups) | Protea Hotel by Marriott® O.R. Tambo Airport
Phone +27(0) 11 977 2600 | Fax +27(0) 11 977 2601 | Email protea.ortambo@marriott.com
We look forward to meeting you on the 29th March 2023.
L AASA/IATA virtual Environment and Sustainability Training Programme: fully booked and registrations closed
February 15, 2023. AASA News.
What an amazing response to the AASA/IATA virtual Environment and Sustainability Training Programme! The enthusiasm and commitment of attendees is exemplary: 18 participants registered - 7 airlines participating - 5 countries represented - 9 senior airline participants.
With the overwhelming response to the programme, above responses, AASA and IATA are grateful to the participating airlines. We welcome the participants and wish them all success.
Keep an eye open for AASA's Training Programmes and Courses on offer this year…book sooner rather than later for these popular offerings!
L Business Solutions by AASA: One-Day Immersion Programme for Airline Executives
In partnership with Hahn Air, Hitit and AerCap
Date: 29 March | Venue: Protea Hotel OR Tambo, JHB
February 5, 2023. AASA News.
Airline leaders are inundated with advice, some of it unsolicited, to make sure that they develop their businesses in such a way that they generate multiple revenue streams in order to become profitable. Is it that simple?
In collaboration with aviation industry partners, Hahn Air, Hitit and AerCap, AASA has put together a one-day immersion experience for airline executives to engage with subject matter experts who will impart their experiences and knowledge for the benefit of participants. Read more...
L AASA & IATA launch virtual Sustainability Training Programme
Dates: 21 - 22 February & 7 - 8 March & 18 - 20 April 2023
January 28, 2023. AASA News. Registrations closed.
There comes a time when every one of us gets the chance to be the difference we aspire for ourselves, for our families, for our communities, for our country and for our planet. Now is that opportunity – let us do this together.
In partnership with the International Air Transport Association (IATA), AASA has put together a not to be missed Skills Development Programme. Read more...
L A warm AASA welcome to a new Associate Member: Sabena Engineering
January 18, 2023. AASA News.
AASA is pleased to announce that Sabena Engineering has joined as an Associate Member.
Sabena Engineering is an international MRO provider offering maintenance and operational solutions for both civil and military aircraft. Part of the group Orizio, an international aerospace ecosystem, the company develops its MRO activities from its historic headquarters at Brussels Airport and its plant at Brussels South Airport.
The company has operational infrastructures in over 15 countries in Europe, the Middle East and Africa and it's activities include Line & Base Maintenance, Aerostructure & Components repair, Engineering, Design & Manufacturing, Engine Services and 24/7 Operational support worldwide. Read more about the Benefits of AASA Membership...
L Protectionism of state carriers hinder SAATM progress - AASA CEO
January 16, 2023. CH Aviation News.
Tanzania will not join the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) in the next five years, according to the country's Permanent Transport Secretary, Gabriel Migire.
According to Aaron Munetsi, AASA CEO, it is clear that SAATM is still some way from becoming a reality as protectionism of state carriers continues. Read more...
Most regional governments have recognised the potential rewards and are committed to implementing SAATM. But what is said and done can be quite different. Some of these governments, at the instigation of their national carriers, act contrary both to the spirit of SAATM and their bilateral air service agreements by imposing prejudicial requirements on the reciprocal nation's designated airlines. These manifest in the denial of reciprocal fifth-freedom traffic rights, differential pricing for aircraft landing and airport charges, as well as ground handling service and Foreign Operator Permit (FOP) fees.
Aaron Munetsi, AASA CEO
L Refuelling problem at OR Tambo resolved, with lessons learned, says ACSA
January 2, 2023. News24.
Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) says it has resolved a technical issue with refueling of aircraft that hit 41 flights at OR Tambo International Airport on 28 December, and it is putting in place new measures to ensure the problem doesn't recur. Read more...