The Airlines Association of Southern Africa (AASA) on Saturday elected its chairperson and deputy chairperson for the next 12 months. The election took place during the association’s fifty-third annual general assembly (AGA), hosted by TAAG Angola Airlines in the Angolan capital, Luanda.

For the post of chairperson, LAM Mozambique Airlines director-general João Po Jorge was re-elected. South African Airways interim CEO Prof John Lamola was elected as deputy chairperson.

“National, regional and geopolitical shifts and uncertainties, macro-economic headwinds – driven by rising energy costs, weakened local currencies, inflation and unemployment – together with changed market dynamics and customer behaviour, have forced Southern Africa’s airlines to become more agile, cost efficient and innovative to satisfy their customer’s needs,” pointed out AASA CEO Aaron Munetsi. “João and John will provide guidance and support to AASA as we continue engaging governments and their agencies to ensure that policy, regulations and standards promote competitive, affordable, economically and environmentally sustainable, secure and safe air transport with comprehensive intra-African connectivity.”

More than 160 delegates attended AASA’s fifty-third AGA. In addition to airlines, they represented airports, air navigation services, meteorological agencies, airframers, engine manufacturers, industry suppliers and others.

AASA represents most of the airlines based in the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Founded in 1970, it currently has 15 airline members and 38 associated members. The associate members include infrastructure service providers, ground handling companies, aircraft and engine manufacturers, other suppliers to the sector, and allied industry associations.

The association represents the sector to SADC and individual governments within SADC, on matters of common interest. These include government policies, laws and regulations; taxes and charges; safety and security; planning; operational efficiency; and other issues that affect the sustainability of the region’s airlines, as well as the provision of accessible and affordable air transport within SADC. 

AASA regularly participates in, and contributes to, the International Air Transport Association (the global airline industry representative body), and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (a specialist agency of the United Nations).