{"id":6180,"date":"2023-05-17T03:14:36","date_gmt":"2023-05-17T03:14:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/travelcommunication.net\/?p=31985"},"modified":"2023-05-17T03:14:36","modified_gmt":"2023-05-17T03:14:36","slug":"focus-africa-to-strengthen-aviations-contribution-to-african-development","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.travelindex.org\/media\/global-travel-news\/focus-africa-to-strengthen-aviations-contribution-to-african-development\/","title":{"rendered":"Focus Africa to Strengthen Aviation\u2019s Contribution to African Development"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\"Focus<\/a>Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, May 17, 2023 \/ TRAVELINDEX \/ The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that the Focus Africa Conference<\/strong> will delve into six priorities under IATA\u2019s Focus Africa initiative<\/strong> to strengthen aviation\u2019s contribution to the continent\u2019s economic and social development and improve connectivity, safety and reliability for passengers and shippers. Focus Africa is taking place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia<\/a>, on 20-21 June 2023, with Ethiopian Airlines as the host airline.<\/p>\n

\u201cOver the next 15 years, Africa\u2019s passenger traffic is expected to double. The continent stands out as the region with the greatest potential and opportunity for aviation. But this potential is limited by infrastructure constraints, high costs, lack of connectivity, regulatory impediments, slow adoption of global standards and skills shortages, among other factors. The Focus Africa Conference<\/a> will bring together the continent\u2019s key stakeholders to address these challenges,\u201d said Willie Walsh, IATA\u2019s Director General.<\/p>\n

Mesfin Tasew, Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, will deliver an Opening Keynote Address. \u201cWe are delighted to host IATA\u2019s Focus Africa Conference and welcome the aviation industry to our home, Addis Ababa. Advancing the air transport industry is critical for Africa\u2019s economic growth. The conference will allow industry leaders to join forces and drive the Focus Africa initiative,\u201d said Tasew.<\/p>\n

Speakers & Sessions<\/strong><\/p>\n

Walsh, Tasew, and Kamil Alawadhi, IATA\u2019s Regional Vice-President for Africa and Middle East will be speaking at the event along with:<\/p>\n