Local private airlines—for the first time in the history of general aviation in Ethiopia—have met and established an association dubbed “Ethiopian Private Airlines Association.”
There are about 13 registered small private airlines in Ethiopia that render charter passenger and cargo charter flight services. The private airlines provide VIP flights, air ambulance, surveying and aerial photography services. So far the private airlines do not have an association. However, they have been voicing their concerns over red-tape in the aviation industry to the concerned authorities individually.
Abera Lemi (Capt.), coordinator of the association and CEO of National Airways, told The Reporter that the new association is registered by Document Authentication and Registration Office and the Ministry of Trade. Abera said that operators associations are active in every country and Ethiopia lagged behind in forming the association.
According to Abera, private operators face various industry challenges. Abera said that the newly-established association will deliberate on challenges facing private operators and bring the matter to the government. “We shall discuss policy issues and take matters that hinder the development of general aviation in Ethiopia to the concerned government bodies.”
Abera said that the association will closely work with the Ministry of Transport, Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority and the Ethiopian Airports Enterprise.
According to Abera, the association will work in areas of enhancing aviation safety and security. “Big airlines fly to big airports which have every required airport facilities. But small private airlines fly to remote and inaccessible areas where there is no security apparatus. This association will help private operators to exchange information among themselves and report security concerns to the relevant government bodies,” Abera said.
Abera said that general aviation is developed in other African countries. “Countries like Kenya and South Africa have advanced general aviation. Even countries like Tanzania, where they do not have a national carrier; the general aviation sector is developed. Ethiopia has a leading national carrier but the general aviation sector is under developed,” Abera said.
During the imperial era the general aviation sector was budding. There were various private companies that used to provide charter flight services. Foreign and local nationals used to own private planes and helicopters. At that time there were 50-60 private planes registered in Ethiopia. In the wake of the 1974 socialist revolution the private airlines and private planes were confiscated by the Derg that heralded the demise of general aviation in Ethiopia.
The sector revived after the downfall of the Derg in the 1990s but is still in its infancy. A country as big as Ethiopia has only a handful of private airlines and none of them provide scheduled flight services. Trans Nation Airways (TNA), which launched scheduled flights to Bahir Dar and Gondar towns in 2014, suspended the operation after a brief moment.
Ethiopia is the political capital of Africa. It is the seat of the African Union, UNECA and other international and regional organizations but there is no company that provides private jet flight service. There is no private jet registered in Ethiopia.
“With the fast economic growth the country is registering and the growing FDI, the country certainly needs a vibrant general aviation. The general aviation can also significantly contribute to the development of the tourism industry. General aviation is no more a luxury; it is a necessity. Our association would promote the sector,” Abera said.
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