African aviation will have to invest billions in order to reach international security standards, Transport Minister Jeff Radebe said on Monday.
Speaking at the 17th International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers Association, Radebe said: ”African aviation forms a small percentage of overall international activities, yet represents a high level of accidents at international level.”
He cited an African Development Bank study, which found that African countries must invest between $150-billion and $200-billion on aviation to bring them up to international security standards.
The continent has about 500 national airports, 117 international airports and more than 1 000 airfields.
”With the increased growth in international economies that aviation contributes, it is critical that the industry considers tightening up its safety and security infrastructure to enhance growth and development in travel,” said Radebe.
With the 2010 Soccer World Cup to be hosted by South Africa, the Air Traffic Navigation System (ATNS) was investigating ways to improve capacity, staffing and infrastructure locally.
”The ATNS has invested R786-million in projects and the continued renewal of infrastructure, radar upgrading ad rescue navigation systems. A further R125-million has been allocated to train 50 new people every year for the next five years,” Radebe said. — Sapa