The International Air Transport Association (IATA) which represents the world’s airlines said on Tuesday it had set up a fund to improve safety in Africa which witnesses a disproportionate number of deadly air crashes.
The fund by the $400 billion-a-year industry, announced at the end of IATA’s annual meeting in Tokyo, will begin with two million dollars.
IATA director general Giovanni Bisignani said the programme will provide training and tighten standards to help airlines and governments improve safety standards.
”Despite our great record on safety, the regional differences that remain are not acceptable,” Bisignani said.
”And Africa is the region that needs help the most.”
”This programme will commence with Africa and will be rolled around the globe,” he said.
An IATA study last year found that Africa accounted for 27% of all fatal accidents in the world but just three percent of aircraft departures.
IATA forecast that the industry’s losses would mount to $6-billion this year due to high fuel prices and major costs in North America.
IATA said African airlines lost more than $150-million last year in part because of ”major safety problems” and a lack of government investment in infrastructure. – Sapa-AFP