04 January 2021, Nairobi, Kenya: The African Airlines Association (AFRAA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Raphael Kuuchi as Director Government, Legal and Industry Affairs in Consulting capacity effective 01 January 2021.

Raphael Kuuchi joins AFRAA from IATA where he served as the Association’s Special Envoy to Africa on Aero-Political Affairs for 2 years and IATA Vice President – Africa for 4 years. He led IATA engagements with top government, regional and industry leaders in driving key
initiatives aimed at unlocking the full potential of African aviation. He was also IATA’s focal point on the implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM).

Before joining IATA, Raphael served as AFRAA Commercial Director in 2005 and later as Director Commercial, Corporate and Industry Affairs till February 2014. In this capacity, Raphael initiated and oversaw many projects in airlines business development, commercial operations, IT and communication, liberalization/ market access, aero-political/regulatory affairs and training across Africa.

“We are pleased to welcome back Raphael to AFRAA fraternity. He brings onboard the extensive industry experience to complement AFRAA team to better exercise our mandate to promote, serve African Airlines and champion Africa’s aviation industry,” said Mr.
Abdérahmane Berthé – AFRAA Secretary General.

“I look forward to re-join the AFRAA team and to continue the exciting challenge to contribute to the development of air transport in Africa at a time much needed as the industry recovers from the COVID-19 crisis.” added Mr. Kuuchi.

Mr. Kuuchi holds an MBA from Henley Management College, UK and a B.Sc. degree in Business Administration. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (FCILT) UK.

Raphael Kuuchi brings to AFRAA a wealth of experience in air transport management, operations and consulting. He complements AFRAA Senior Management team comprising of the following:
1. Mr. Abderahmane Berthé – Secretary General
2. Mr Gaoussou Konate – Director Technical & Operations
3. Ms. Maureen Kahonge- Senior Manager Business Development & Communications
4. Mr Dominic Simba – Senior Manager Corporate Finance & Administration

This year’s edition of the African Aviation Industry Group (AAIG) Aeropolitical Forum was held on the 11th of November 2020. The event was attended by 140 participants from African airlines, Civil Aviation Authorities, Airports, Airline Associations, Ministries and related agencies, private sector groups, non-governmental organizations, aviation service providers and the media.

Every year, the forum is held on the sidelines of the AFRAA Annual General Assembly. The forum presents a unique opportunity for key stakeholders in African Aviation to articulate, in detail, the industry issues highlighted by the AFRAA AGA. The forum then consolidates recommendations for strategic priorities in the coming year that can improve the operating and regulatory environment for African Aviation.

The 2020 AAIG forum was held under the theme – “African Aviation’s Recovery Strategy – The Way Forward”.

KEY TAKEAWAYS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

i. Continued financial support for all the key stakeholders of the African aviation industry (through direct cash injections, credit or loans and deferrals or discounts on charges and concessions) remains critical. We urge States and donor institutions to provide the funds pledged to ensure survival, business continuity of key stakeholders of the African aviation industry. Financial support for the stakeholders concerned goes beyond just the COVID-19 pandemic response, it is an imperative to safeguard the gains made by Africa on safety over the years.

ii. To restore connectivity through the opening of borders, the next phase of the COVID-19 pandemic response should focus on consistency and harmonization of entry and exit protocols, mutual recognition and trust framework between states, alleviation measures and promoting rapid cost-effective testing as the alternative to quarantine. The COVID-19 crisis presents an opportunity to boost intra-Africa connectivity via harmonized health protocols across Africa.

iii. Continued focus on the implementation of the YD and the SAATM is more important than ever, particularly as a key cornerstone to revive the sector. The State SAATM readiness index can be used as a tool to identify a “Club of the Ready and Willing “(CREW) and pursue incentives for the promotion of new intra-Africa routes (tax incentives, priority for financing, etc.)

iv. Promotion of a synergy and better coordination between the implementation of the SAATM and other initiatives of the AU 2063 Agenda such as the AfCFTA and Free Movement Protocol. The AAIG will highlight the available opportunities between these AU flagship projects for Aviation and promote platforms for engagement.

v. Creating a cost competitive landscape for African aviation by reducing costs across Africa (e.g. finding solutions to increase traffic for more volumes could result in reduction of taxes and charges for users). The AAIG will facilitate interactions between OEMs, Airlines, Airports, ANS, Financiers and Governments to drive down operating costs in Africa, with set KPIs.

vi. Airline cooperation is vital – activities such as interlining, code-sharing, other forms of partnership should be promoted. Airlines repositioning and rethinking is also critical.

vii. African airlines should mainstream Cargo as a strategic pillar for growth.

viii. Cooperation for the improvement of seamless airspace through the deployment of infrastructure and development of technical staff.

ix. Multi-sector collaboration and a holistic cross industry framework (sharing of data, harmonization of processes for a seamless experience, etc.) is important and should be promoted (e.g. linking aviation with other sectors such as finance, trade, hospitality and tourism).

x. Digitization and technology present new opportunities for the industry and should be embraced to support enhanced efficiencies, increased revenues and reduced costs.

About the AAIG
The AAIG brings together airlines through their associations AFRAA, IATA, AASA, airports through ACI-Africa, ANS providers through CANSO Africa, OEMs, DFIs, and individuals passionate about Aviation in Africa, for a strong advocacy power, and common initiatives.