'Huge growth potential'

African airlines must focus

on air cargo as a critical

aspect of their viability and

countries must invest in

infrastructure and remove

regulatory constraints

to fuel airfreight growth

potential on the continent.

This is according to the

African Airlines Association

(Afraa) report on the

inaugural Cargo Days

Conference held in Nairobi,

which aimed to develop

what Afraa has described as

the “often neglected” cargo

component of the aviation

sector which represents less

than 2% of global traffic.

“Participants recognised

that air cargo was

an essential pillar of

international trade,

accounting for an estimated

35% of the value of goods

exchanged world-wide,

against less than 2% in

tonnage. Air cargo has

huge potential to grow

in Africa if the necessary

regulatory, cooperative and

collaborative mechanisms

are put in place – as well as

adequate infrastructure,”

Dr Elijah Chingosho,

secretary general of Afraa,

said in the report.