{"id":10636,"date":"2023-11-20T10:06:06","date_gmt":"2023-11-20T10:06:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ugandaupdatenews.com\/?p=10636"},"modified":"2023-11-20T10:40:33","modified_gmt":"2023-11-20T10:40:33","slug":"afraa-55th-aga-opens-in-kampala-with-strong-call-to-connect-africa-by-reducing-air-travel-costs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/afraa-55th-aga-opens-in-kampala-with-strong-call-to-connect-africa-by-reducing-air-travel-costs\/","title":{"rendered":"AFRAA 55th AGA Opens In Kampala With Strong Call To Connect Africa By Reducing Air Travel Costs"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Over 500 guests are attending this global event<\/strong><strong><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>By end-Sep 2023, USD1.68 billion of airlines\u2019 foreign revenue was trapped in African countries experiencing foreign exchange reserves shortages<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>65% of the 1.4bn African people are below the age of 25 and need digitalized jobs<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>23 of all African nations including Uganda have ratified the AU\u2019s Single Africa Air Transport Market (SAATM) accord<\/strong><strong><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The 55<sup>th<\/sup>&nbsp; African Airlines Association AGA has opened in Uganda \u2018s capital Kampala with pomp under the \u201cStrides to Transform Aviation for Development .<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The AFRAA AGA is the biggest aviation summit in Africa. Uganda Airlines will is proudly hosting the 55<sup>th<\/sup> AFRAA AGA under the &nbsp;Ministry of Works and Transport led by Gen Edward Katumba Wamala and the national airlines CEO Ms. Jenifer Bamuturaki is the current President AFRAA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;The International Air Transport Association\u2019s (IATA) Regional Vice President for Africa &amp; Middle East, Mr Kamil Alawadhi, who represented the IATA Director General Willie Walsh, while addressing the delegates regretted to note that by end of September &nbsp;2023, USD1.68 billion out of&nbsp; USD 2.36 billion globally of airlines\u2019 foreign revenue was trapped (blocked funds) in African countries experiencing foreign exchange reserves shortages. This he said had led to a financial crisis for many airlines on the African continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-attachment-id=\"10640\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/afraa-55th-aga-opens-in-kampala-with-strong-call-to-connect-africa-by-reducing-air-travel-costs\/img-20231120-wa0233-1\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG-20231120-WA0233-1.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"1280,854\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"IMG-20231120-WA0233-1\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG-20231120-WA0233-1.jpg\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG-20231120-WA0233-1.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG-20231120-WA0233-1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10640\" srcset=\"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG-20231120-WA0233-1.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG-20231120-WA0233-1.jpg 300w, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG-20231120-WA0233-1.jpg 768w, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG-20231120-WA0233-1.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201c The numbers are alarming and the impact of this on connectivity is devastating. This must stop. African governments shuld take up this issue and resolve it urgent if African airlines are to thrive, open up the African airspace to allow connectivity ,Kamil Alawadhi pleaded .<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;The bigger chunk of the blocked funds is in Africa ironically one of the leading economies in Africa .<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Alawadhi explained that aviation industry is capital intensive one and therefore cash flow is key for airlines\u2019 business sustainability . \u201cWhen airlines are not able to repatriate their funds, it severely impacts their operations and impacts their decisions on where to fly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00a0But the risk of blocked funds is not just limited to airlines; the negative impact extends to the countries blocking the funds. It impacts the country\u2019s economy and its connectivity, and it hurts investor confidence and reputation. Aviation is not only an economic enabler, it is a pillar of modern economies, he added .<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The IATA VP stressed that governments must prioritize aviation and find sustainable solutions in the clearing of blocked funds, and we continue to offer our support in any way we can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>High costs<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He also recommended that as Africa\u2019s aviation industry continue to recover from the devastating Covid -19 pandemic governments should avoid imposing higher fees, levies, carbon taxes or new taxes on air transport, trade or tourism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThese measures would only make air travel more expensive and less accessible in Africa, where the average airfare is already 30% higher than the industry average and the jet fuel cost is 10-20% higher than the global average,\u201d he said .<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Higher costs would discourage customers who are sensitive to prices, resulting in lower demand and revenue for airlines and other stakeholders in the aviation sector, such as airports, ground handlers, suppliers and air navigation services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They would also hamper economic development and limit the opportunities for job creation and income generation. High cost leads to high price, which reduces demand and growth in a price elastic market, and ultimately affects connectivity negatively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe message is clear: governments should follow ICAO\u2019s policies on charges and infrastructure and consult with airlines and industry to ensure a fair and cost-effective operational environment that benefits a more connected continent.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The summit was informed that 23 of all African nations have ratified the AU\u2019s Single Africa Air Transport Market (SAATM accord (a key pillar of the African Continental Free Trade Area) and connectivity &nbsp;More work needs to be done to encourage more countries to join.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"450\" data-attachment-id=\"10638\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/afraa-55th-aga-opens-in-kampala-with-strong-call-to-connect-africa-by-reducing-air-travel-costs\/delegates\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/delegates.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"1000,450\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"delegates\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/delegates.jpg\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/delegates.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/delegates.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10638\" srcset=\"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/delegates.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/delegates.jpg 300w, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/delegates.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;Mr Aaron Munetsi &#8211; Director General, the Airlines Association of Southern Africa (<strong>AASA<\/strong>) highlighted other challenges airlines on the continent are facing including , governments policy ambiguity ,disproportionate share of costs, \u201cbreak through\u201d challenges like climate change the and geopolitical problems like wars in Ukraine and Middle-east that have led to increased price of fuel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The other is the demographic challenge where out of the 1.4bn African people 65% of those are youth looking for jobs. \u201cWe need to create new jobs for the new generation. We must have a continental approach to these challenges,\u201d Munetsi stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He said there was a need to incentivize and stimulate Africans to travel by reducing the cost of air travel.\u201d Lets make flying a career through skills development.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Editor:msserwanga@gmail.co<\/strong>m<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The 55th&nbsp; African Airlines Association AGA has opened in Uganda \u2018s capital Kampala with pomp under the \u201cStrides to Transform<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":10637,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[359],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10636","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-afraa-55th-aga-in-kampala-uganda"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG-20231120-WA0233.jpg","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":10682,"url":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/the-55th-afraa-annual-general-assembly-takes-strides-to-transform-aviation-for-development\/","url_meta":{"origin":10636,"position":0},"title":"Egypt To Host The 56th AFRAA AGA : Kampala Meet Ends With Commitments to Transform Aviation for Development","author":"UgandaUpdate","date":"November 23, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Uganda\u2019s premium products the Kayoola EVS (fully electric \u00a0and the Kayoola Diesel Coach Buses were deployed to transport foreign delegates at the global event Kampala- Egypt Air will host next year 's 56th African Airlines Association (AFRAA) AGM in Cairo after Uganda Airlines hosted one of the most successful and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;AFRAA 55th AGA IN KAMPALA UGANDA&quot;","block_context":{"text":"AFRAA 55th AGA IN KAMPALA UGANDA","link":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/category\/afraa-55th-aga-in-kampala-uganda\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/jen7.jpg","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/jen7.jpg 1x, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/jen7.jpg 1.5x, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/jen7.jpg 2x, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/jen7.jpg 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":9075,"url":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/minister-of-works-and-transport-gen-katumba-wamala-launches-55th-african-airlines-association-agm-to-be-held-in-uganda\/","url_meta":{"origin":10636,"position":1},"title":"Minister of Works and Transport Gen. Katumba Wamala launches 55th African Airlines Association AGM to be held in Uganda","author":"UgandaUpdate","date":"May 30, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"By Our Senior Reporter At a colorful ceremony that was presided over by Uganda \u2018s Minister of \u00a0Works and Transport Gen. Katumba Wamala, AFRAA and Uganda Airlines officially launched the 55th\u00a0Annual General Assembly (AGA) \u00a0and Summit that is slated to be hosted in Kampala . The 55th\u00a0African Airlines Association (AFRAA)\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Aviation&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Aviation","link":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/category\/aviation\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/air.jpg","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/air.jpg 1x, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/air.jpg 1.5x, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/air.jpg 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":10645,"url":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/vice-president-alupo-calls-liberalization-of-africas-airspace-for-improved-connectivity-and-increased-trade\/","url_meta":{"origin":10636,"position":2},"title":"Vice President Alupo Calls For Liberalization Of Africa&#8217;s Airspace For Improved Connectivity And Increased Trade","author":"MOSES SSERWANGA","date":"November 20, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Air transport is the \u201cbusiness of freedom.\u201d 596 delegates from all over the world are attending the 55th AFRAA AGA in Uganda the Pearl Of Africa Uganda Airlines, is expanding its network and now flies to 13 destinations. The Kayoola EVS (fully electric buses) and the Kayoola Diesel Coaches made\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;AFRAA 55th AGA IN KAMPALA UGANDA&quot;","block_context":{"text":"AFRAA 55th AGA IN KAMPALA UGANDA","link":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/category\/afraa-55th-aga-in-kampala-uganda\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/vp5.jpg","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/vp5.jpg 1x, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/vp5.jpg 1.5x, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/vp5.jpg 2x, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/vp5.jpg 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":6455,"url":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/african-airlines-association-general-secretary-abderahmane-berthe-in-uagnda-to-meet-with-uganda-airlines-ceo-bamuturaki\/","url_meta":{"origin":10636,"position":3},"title":"AFRICAN AIRLINES ASSOCIATION GENERAL SECRETARY ABDERAHMANE BERTHE IN UAGNDA TO MEET WITH UGANDA AIRLINES CEO BAMUTURAKI","author":"UgandaUpdate","date":"August 22, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Uganda Airlines Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ms. Jenifer Bamuturaki will host African Airlines Association (AFRAA) Secretary General, Mr. Abderahmane Berth\u00e9 in Kampala on 22nd August 2022. Berthe will later have a strategic meeting with the Minister of Works and Transport, Hon. Gen. Katumba Wamala. AFRAA Meeting with the Uganda Airlines\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Aviation&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Aviation","link":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/category\/aviation\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/ba-1.jpg","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/ba-1.jpg 1x, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/ba-1.jpg 1.5x, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/ba-1.jpg 2x, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/ba-1.jpg 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":10625,"url":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/uganda-airlines-registers-another-big-milestone-following-govt-signing-of-bilateral-air-services-agreement-with-saudi-arabia\/","url_meta":{"origin":10636,"position":4},"title":"One day to AFRAA : AS Uganda Airlines Registers Another Big Milestone After Gov\u2019t Signs  Bilateral Air Services Agreement With Saudi Arabia","author":"UgandaUpdate","date":"November 18, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"One day to AFRAA By Our Senior Reporter in Munyonyo As Kampala prepares for the opening of the much awaited global event, the 55th\u00a0African Airline Association (AFRAA) annual General Assembly ,Uganda and Saudi Arabia have signed\u00a0a Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA)\u00a0to allow scheduled international air services for airlines from two\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;National News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"National News","link":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/category\/national-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Kajuna.jpg","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Kajuna.jpg 1x, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Kajuna.jpg 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":10503,"url":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/all-set-for-uganda-airlines-to-host-the-55th-afraa-general-assembly-from-19th-21st-november-2023\/","url_meta":{"origin":10636,"position":5},"title":"All Set For Uganda Airlines To Host The 55TH AFRAA General Assembly From 19th -21st November 2023","author":"UgandaUpdate","date":"November 11, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"500 international guests expected in Uganda By Zulfah Namatovu in Kampala All is set for Uganda\u2019s national carrier ,the Uganda Airlines to host the prestigious 55th African Airline Association (AFRAA) annual General Assembly set to open in the capital Kampala on 19th November \u00a0and will run up to 21st November\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Aviation&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Aviation","link":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/category\/aviation\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/afra4.jpg","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/afra4.jpg 1x, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/afra4.jpg 1.5x, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/afra4.jpg 2x, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/afra4.jpg 3x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pc0aOV-2Ly","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10636","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10636"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10636\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10641,"href":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10636\/revisions\/10641"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10637"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10636"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10636"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10636"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}