IATA: Air transport ôpowerful factorö for AfricaÆs development
Air transport is 'a powerful factor of development and economic integration for Africa,' said Giovanni Bisignani, director general and chief executive officer of the International Air Transport Association.
Speaking at the Association of African Airlines annual general assembly in Tripoli, Libya, Bisignani advocated an African single aviation market and said African airlines must drive aviation development themselves.
IATA has launched an Africa Safety Enhancement Team, an ambitious safety initiative aimed at dropping Africa's accident rate of 50 percent by 2010, bringing it to the level of the world's best standards.
In Tripoli, IATA and the International Airline Training Fun has started a program to provide training for African airlines.