-
A passenger airplane flies overhead.
As South Africa prepares to host the G20 Summit later this year, aviation authorities are meeting to map out an economic take-off at the Board of Airline Representatives of South Africa (Barsa) Summit underway in Skukuza at the Kruger National Park, Mpumalanga.
Aviation is vital in driving trade, investment, and tourism.
The Barsa Summit brings together decisionmakers, policy makers and industry leaders to engage on matters impacting the sector.
Regulation, digitalization, border efficiency, airline infrastructure, inter-connectivity and costumer experience are some of the topics discussed. A gathering of aviation authorities, the Barsa Summit comes as South Africa has drawn global attention.
Aviation is an economic engine through trade, investment, and tourism. And Mpumalanga is a tourism mecca. And strong air link is vital to grow the economy.
Barsa Chairperson, Bali Mmusi-Mabena says, “We chose Mpumalanga for a reason we want to contribute to sustainability of tourism to Mpumalanga and to showcase what South Africa can give. In the room we have different airline from. The globes that flies to South African, this is to sell Mpumlanga Beyond Gauteng as a destination of choice.”
The summit brings together airlines, regulators, border management authority, and transport and tourism department.
Barsa chairperson, Bali Mmusi-Mabena says “Barsa 2025 theme is shaping tomorrow aviation today that reflect our shared commitment to enhancing regulatory efficiency through digital transformation strengthening inter connectivity across Africa and beyond, innovation in passenger experience sustainability and airport infrastructure fostering greater collaboration between airline and regulators and industry stakeholders.”
And the South Africa air traffic forecast shows positive signs. Dan Taylor says, “We are seeing positive demand from Europe, Far East and Northern America is very strong, leisure is very strong we are also seeing difficult things like high fuel prices impacting the airlines, high inflation and interest rate is also is very difficult.”
And hope this will bolster the Africa Free Trade agreement.
Transport Minister, Barbara Creecy says, “The single African market remains one of the significant milestone in Africa aviation industry and this policy requires multi regulated and harmonized airspace from improved connectivity between African states that had agreed to the initiative.”
The summit ends on Friday.
