The importance of aviation to Africa was highlighted by International Air Transport Association (Iata) VP: Africa Raphael Kuuchi at the fourth Aviation Stakeholders Convention on Wednesday. "Aviation plays a vital role in Africa's economic, social and cultural life. Aviation is often the best and sometimes the only option to link this vast continent."

African aviation has helped create 5.8-million jobs and $46-billion in gross domestic product across the continent. Last year, airlines carried 70-million people into, out of and across Africa.

And the opportunities are great. "The economics and demographics of fast growing African countries will lead to a tremendous demand for aviation," he pointed out. "But African operators will need to be ready." By 2034, there will be another 41-million passengers flying in Africa each year.

The African aviation sector suffers from a number of weaknesses and currently few of the continent's airlines are profitable. "There are fundamental issues that must be addressed for African aviation to seize the opportunities," he affirmed. "Africa's aviation development needs partnerships that are genuine and complementary to home-grown effort."

"Safety is the number one priority," he stressed. "It is heartening to see improvements in Africa. In 2014, there were no jet hull losses in Africa. The best African airlines are equal to the best in the world."

But losses of other types of aircraft remain high. Iata has already developed, and is helping airlines implement, the Iata Operational Safety  Audit (IOSA). But the association has realised that there is a need for a specific programme for operators of smaller planes across the continent. Accidents involving smaller operators worsen Africa's aviation safety statistics. Consequently, Iata will launch a Standard Safety Programme, in Nairobi, in June, which is designed to allow the operators of smaller aircraft to benchmark their operations to international standards.

Kuuchi also highlighted the importance of the Yamoussoukro Decision for the liberalisation of the African air transport market. "The AU [African Union] is playing a leading role through its advocacy to implement the Yamoussoukro Decision," he said. "Iata is fully supporting this process. An Iata study last year showed that an extra five-million passengers a year would be generated through liberalising air transport between just 12 African countries."

"The next two decades are poised to be exciting ones for African aviation," he affirmed. The Aviation Stakeholders Convention is being held at Emperor's Palace at the OR Tambo International Airport, east of Johannesburg.