Africa needs an aviation plan

[Gorgophone]

In 2003, the last year for which comprehensive statistics are available, African airspace accounted for 28 percent of fatal aviation accidents worldwide, http://travel.iafrica.com/flights/441663.htm

Between 1994 and 2003, Africa recorded 210 aviation accidents, the African Airlines Association (AFRAA) said. Almost 60 percent of those took place in four nations, three of which — Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Angola and Sudan — were wracked by war during most of that period, it said.

AFRAA has blamed the high number of accidents in those countries on the use of illegally acquired and often old, unsafe aircraft. In those and other states, poorly paid pilots, shortages of resources and mechanics as well as a lack of navigation equipment have contributed to the problem as have visibility problems, particularly during night flights which are favoured by cargo carriers, it said.

The AFRAA report, however, stressed that the vast majority of mishaps did not involve scheduled passenger flights and maintained that commercial air service, particularly on international routes, was safe.:uhoh:

Do PPRuNers agree?

[Rollingthunder]

Africa needs a continental make-over plan. It is a disaster and a disaster in the making from most aspects and there is no quick solution even if you throw $$$$$$$$$$$$ at it.

[Dr Know]

Africa should close shop for a month or so, take stock and then think about starting from scratch.

MEGA Bucks might help a bit but it will be applied in the wrong areas and go to the wrong accounts as always!:(

[BUSHJEPPY]

"the vast majority of mishaps did not involve scheduled passenger flights and maintained that commercial air service, particularly on international routes, was safe"

We can't agree with that if we look at the accidents involving Flash, UTA, Sudan Airways, Air Algérie, Kenyan Airways etc etc...

In Africa, not only freighters or light aircraft are unsafely operated and in an unsafe environement, but the vast majority of airliners as well, with some exceptions of course, but European or Asian airliners are also face with ATC and infrastructure problems in Africa.

Cheers,

BJ

[WHBM]

blamed the high number of accidents in those countries on the use of illegally acquired and often old, unsafe aircraft
This is presumably why so many African heads-of-state feel the need to spend their foreign aid budgets on nice new shiny Business Jets for themselves.