05 March 2021, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: AFRAA’s Secretary General, Mr. Abdérahmane Berthé and Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO, Mr. Tewode Gembremariam, accompanied by their respective leadership teams held a consultative meeting at Ethiopian Airlines headquarters in Addis Ababa.
Leaders at the meeting noted AFRAA’s on-going projects geared towards fostering of collaboration among its members, cost reduction and creation of synergies among African airlines. Various areas of advocacy by AFRAA for the sustainability of African aviation through promotion of intra-Africa travel, reduction of high operating costs and infrastructural development were discussed.
The Secretary General highlighted AFRAA’s initiatives and actions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to support the air transport industry. Key among the workable solutions by the Association for resilience to the industry is AFRAA’s 9-Pillar recovery plan that outlines a framework of various areas of intervention, measures to be taken as part of urgent, immediate, and consistent actions for the survival and rebound of the industry. Other initiatives that have been launched since the on-set of the pandemic include: AFRAA MRO joint venture, AFRAA connectivity index, AFRAA connectivity portal, AFRAA capacity sharing portal: AFRAA project for reduction of air navigation bills. Mr Berthé invited Ethiopian Airlines to take part as a pilot airline for AFRAA’s new projects.
At the occasion of the visit, AFRAA and Ethiopian Airlines signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on training that will facilitate a framework of collaboration between AFRAA and Ethiopian Airlines Aviation Academy to achieve common objectives on training of aviation professionals across the African continent. The collaboration will support the development of sustainable and safe air transport system in Africa and thereby effectively contribute to the continent’s economic development and integration.
According to Mr. Abdérahmane Berthé, “There is a need to develop aviation professionals within Africa and bridge the training gaps in the continent and beyond. Hence, a partnership between AFRAA and airline aviation training centers would be a way forward to overcome the challenges relating to the training of next-generation aviation professionals.”
“AFRAA welcomes cooperation with Ethiopian Airlines on coordination of Ethiopian Airlines Aviation Academy training activities, exchange of programs to attain our common objectives and enhance the effectiveness of the Association in serving the interests of the African aviation sector,” Mr Berthé added.
AFRAA Secretary General commended Ethiopian Airlines for the agility and resilience in navigating the pandemic and reassured Mr. Gebremariam of AFRAA’s continued support to execute the Association’s mandate to ensure the African continent is served adequately with safe, reliable and economical air transport.
The MoU was signed by Mr Mesay Shiferaw, Managing Director – Ethiopian Aviation academy and Mr. Abdérahmane Berthé, AFRAA Secretary General.
The Full Press Release can be downloaded from this link: https://afraa.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Press-Release-AFRAA-and-Ethiopian-Airlines-Strengthen-Collaboration-and-Sign-MoU.pdf