AfBAA announces new agreement with Commercial Aviation Association of South Africa at AfBAA Expo.

Wednesday 23rd April 2014

The African Business Aviation Association (AfBAA) has today announced a Memo of Understanding with the Commercial Aviation Association of South Africa (CAASA). The purpose of the agreement is to ensure that both parties provide continued support to each others' ongoing promotion of Business Aviation as an efficient and safe mode of transport across the continent of Africa. The announcement of the agreement took place during day one of the inaugural AfBAA Expo event, Africa's first dedicated business aviation exhibition, taking place at the Marrakech FRA Airport, 23 - 26 April 2014.

This is the first time AfBAA has formed an alliance with a commercial aviation association and exemplifies its commitment to its original primary objective of promoting the understanding and benefits that Business Aviation provides for the continent's economic development and prosperity. The unique agreement will enable both parties to maximise the opportunities presented by jointly advocating for, raising awareness of, and supporting the aviation sector, through collaboration on a variety of projects, events and ideas which will take advantage of the collective knowledge of their individual members.

The agreement was reached after several meetings between Rady Fahmy, Executive Director for AfBAA representing Founding Chairman Tarek Ragheb, and the Association's International Relations Committee, headed by Madame Hind El Achchabi of Dalia Air, and CAASA CEO Leo Dillman to discuss the idea of joining forces to stimulate greater activity to achieve their complementary aims.  Under the auspices of the agreement both parties will cooperate to promote extended networking between their members, and plan to create events that will encourage increased commercial activity. In addition each Association will be able to call on each other's network of expertise to exchange knowledge, share ideas and support continued advocacy in a collective manner to the relevant governments, ministries and regulators.

"Each of our Associations understands the value that Business Aviation brings to developing economies on the continent. This sits at the heart of AfBAA's activity and CAASA sees it as an integral part of the economic growth of South Africa.  Whilst AfBAA is predominantly focused on representing the interests of Africa's executive aircraft owners, operators and suppliers, CAASA reflects the concerns of South Africa's commercial aviation environment. As this relies on a strong economy for sustainable growth CAASA recognises the value that Business Aviation plays in supporting economic development and were very enthusiastic about the idea of collaborating," explains Ragheb about why the Associations have come together. "Our agreement will demonstrate how the sum of the parts will be more powerful than the individual voices.   We are delighted to have announced this at the first AfBAA Expo and look forward to further developing our ideas."

In addition to promoting the economic importance of Business Aviation and sharing knowledge AfBAA also anticipates that the new collaboration will see CAASA and AfBAA working closely to adapt and/or adopt international standards that will support the continued development of Business Aviation as an efficient, safe and secure form of transportation.

www.afbaa.org/