African air safety 'top priority'
2007-12-10 17:17
Balaclava - The The African Airlines Association (AFRAA) said Monday air safety was its main priority for the continent which leads the world in aviation accidents.
The group said it was monitoring the enforcement of international safety standards by members and helping others meet a 2008 deadline.
"At AFRAA, our most immediate priority is safety because this is where African airlines have been the worst hit," said Sanjay Buckhory, a senior Air Mauritius official.
"For Africa to be, and to remain credible, we need to uphold the highest standards of safety, security and efficiency," Buckhory told an AFRAA meeting here.
Africa accounts for just 3%f world aircraft departures, but tops the list in air mishaps.
In 2003, the last year for which comprehensive statistics are available, African airspace accounted for 28%of fatal aviation accidents worldwide.
- AFP
- AFP