South Africa leads the way in seeking safer skies for Africa

NEWS RELEASE

Monday, 27 February 2006

South African, continental and international aviation industry leaders meet tomorrow (Tues 28 Feb) to launch a “Partnership for Safer Skies” initiative to improve Africa’s air transport system.

Representatives from the SA Civil Aviation Authority, Government, the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the African Airlines Association, the Airlines Association of Southern Africa, South African Airways, Comair and other stakeholders, will meet at a seminar in Boksburg tomorrow (Tues 28 Feb) to discuss the present situation, solutions being implemented and further safety enhancement proposals.

South Africa’s Minister of Transport, Mr Jeff Radebe, will address the seminar, which aims to find new methods for reducing the occurrence of fatal and non-fatal aircraft accidents.

During the seminar, SAA CEO, Khaya Ngqula, will receive the airline’s formal IATA Operation Safety Audit (IOSA) accreditation – recognizing SAA as the first southern African carrier to have completed the internationally-benchmarked audit. IOSA confirms the integrity and proficiency of an airline’s training, operational, management and oversight systems and procedures from a safety perspective.

Although contributing less than four percent of global air traffic, Africa has the highest accident rate in the world, with an average of more than 10 hull losses for every million take-offs every year over the past decade. In contrast, South Africa, with the lowest proportion of fatal accidents, has one of the best safety records on the continent.

“Significant progress has been made instilling a culture of safety in our local aviation community, but there is always room for improvement. Although the current trend in South Africa is a net reduction in fatal accidents, a single occurrence is one too many. We have convened this seminar to learn more about additional practices which could be adopted and adapted, which will enhance our safety performance,” explained Gilbert Thwala, Executive Manager Occurrence Investigations of Civil Aviation.

Latest SACAA civil aircraft accident statistics indicate a proportional reduction in South Africa’s fatal accidents record with the number of occurrences dropping from 20 in 1996 (when there were 6,182 aircraft on the national register) to 18 (with a national fleet of 9,315 registered aircraft) last year. Fatalities also declined from 42 to 33 a year over the same period.

“The SACAA, drawing on global best practice, acknowledges that a educative, rather than punitive approach – but with strict measures for repeat offenders – yields the best results,” added Thwala.

-Ends-

Contact:

Ms Phindiwe Gwebu

Senior Communications Manager

SA Civil Aviation Authority

011 545 1086

083 635 0069

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