China–Africa Civil Aviation Academy opening soon in Mauritius

17 Octobre 2017

Port Louis, Mauritius, October  17 (Infosplusgabon) - Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth on Tuesday announced the setting up of a China–Africa Civil Aviation Academy in Mauritius that will address the present shortfall in training capacity in Africa.

Speaking at the opening of the 27th Airports Council International (ACI) Africa/World Annual General Assembly, Conference and Exhibition in Port Louis, the premier said the Academy will also cater for high skilled personnel to help the aviation and airport sector in the African region to grow to its full potential.

He underlined that the Academy will not only cater for Mauritians aspiring to become aviation professionals but will also offer unique opportunities for African countries in the region.

As a first step to enhancing aviation training capabilities, Mr Jugnauth announced that the Airports of Mauritius Co Ltd (AML) Aviation Training Centre at the airport recently secured the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Trainair Plus Certification and has thus joined the acclaimed international network of ICAO approved aviation training institutions.

With regard to Mauritius, he said the government continuously works to make the national airline, Air Mauritius, stronger and more resilient to face challenges ahead.

He announced that the national carrier, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, will welcome its first Airbus A350-900 this week.

The Prime Minister reiterated government’s commitment to ensure that the airport and its associated infrastructure are ready to support the aspirations of the country.

He said that several initiatives have been put in place to that end. They include: extension of the airport terminal facilities; review and update of the Airport Master Plan; construction of an Integrated Clearance Centre for the prompt processing and clearance of transiting goods; implementation of the “speed to market initiative” whereby government can cover for up to 40% of air freight costs for the export of locally manufactured products; enhancing ease of doing business and promotion of the continuous upgrading of skills and knowledge of the workforce.

For her part, ACI World Director General Ms Angela Gittens reflected on the role played by airports in the socioeconomic growth of a country.

She underlined that passenger and cargo travel processes will need to change dramatically in the near and distant future in light of projected air traffic growth.

ACI World forecasts that traffic volumes will exceed 40 billion passengers and 145 million tonnes of cargo by 2029, meaning that airports, airlines and their contractors and suppliers will increasingly be challenged to optimise the use of emerging technologies, processes and design developments.

"Airports will also need to continuously improve their service level," said Ms Gittens.

The two-day conference has brought together around 500 airport industry leaders from more than 70 countries, focusing on topics of high interest in shaping the way by which the airport industry quickly evolves.

FIN/INFOSPLUSGABON/AZE/GABON 2017

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