Menzies Aviation has become an official partner for the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Focus Africa Initiative. The company said its involvement with the project demonstrated its commitment to Africa’s aviation ecosystem.
The company aims to contribute its "operational excellence and innovative solutions" to help address challenges faced by African airlines and airports. The company is currently working on achieving the IATA Safety Audit for Ground Operations (ISAGO) certification or recertification in 16 of its African stations. In South Africa, it secured a new five-year ground handling licence and won contracts in both ground handling and air cargo services.
According to IATA data, African airlines have experienced a swift recovery in 2023, witnessing an 87.1% year-on-year growth in revenue passenger kilometres (PRKs), during the first quarter – just 9.4% below 2019 levels.
Abdoulaye Cisse, head of Africa for Menzies Aviation, said: “The potential for air travel in Africa is huge. It has 17% of the world’s population yet only contributes about 2% of total global travel. While there are hurdles to overcome, joining the IATA Focus Africa initiative is a testament to our long-term commitment to the continent, and our desire to collaborate with industry leaders to improve aviation safety, facilitate growth, and contribute to Africa’s development journey. As the first ground services company partnering on this initiative, we are determined to use our position and expertise to raise the bar for aviation services across Africa providing new technologies, equipment, training and certifications. Menzies is a trusted partner, and we are optimistic about the outlook for the market in Africa in both the near and long term.”
Image: Menzies Aviation
