10 African countries to discuss aviation safety in Zanzibar

Unguja. Over 200 aviation industry experts from aviation regulatory authorities are gathering in Zanzibar to discuss safety and security in the sector.

The experts are aviation service providers, airport operators, and other key stakeholders in aviation from 10 African countries.

The sixth East African Aviation Transport Forum is expected to kick off today, May 15, until the 16th.

The Minister of Construction, Communications, and Transport, Dr. Khalid Salum Mohamed, said the objective of the forum is to discuss matters concerning air safety, environmental protection, innovation, and technology.

“The member countries will have the opportunity to exchange expertise in aviation and safety issues,” he said.

The forum, organized by the East African Community Civil Aviation Safety and Security Oversight Agency (EAC CASSOA) in collaboration with the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA), bears the theme, ‘The future of air transport, maintaining resilient, sustainable, innovative, and safe air transport systems.’

Participants of the forum are from Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa, Somalia, South Sudan, Burundi, Congo, Ethiopia, and the host Tanzania.

Through the meeting, member countries will establish joint plans for investing in aviation infrastructure and services and continue efforts to harmonize laws, regulations, and guidelines governing safety and aviation.

The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the East African Community Civil Aviation Safety and Security Oversight Agency (EAC CASSOA) who also doubles as the Director-General of the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA), Hamza Johari, said it is a great honor for the nation as aviation is rapidly growing on the island.

He said they decided to establish an organization to unite their efforts in member countries to ensure the safety and quality of aviation services in the community’s airspace.

“What we are doing is bringing stakeholders together to discuss these issues to ensure sustainable and safe air transport,” he said.

He said they chose to hold the forum in Zanzibar because it has become a major aviation hub and tourism destination in East Africa.

According to Johari, after the conclusion of the forum, they will leave with a strategic plan, especially after going through the Covid-19 period and its challenges.

“We are looking at the challenges during covid-19, what happened afterward, what challenges we faced, and how to ensure the East African Community does not lag behind in aviation,” he said.

On his part, the Executive Director of EAC CASSOA, Richard Gatete, said the event is significant because they are looking at operations and infrastructure by bringing stakeholders together to ensure safety.

He said during the two days, they will discuss various issues affecting the industry and assess what is happening and what could affect the sector.

“We want to learn from challenges and see how we move forward, so we need to prepare to be united,” he said.