New Continent-wide African Aviation Agency -AFRO-CAA

On June 28, African governments will inaugurate in a ceremony in Windhoek, Namibia a continent-wide air safety agency modeled on the EU's Aviation Safety Agency and the U.S. Federal Aviation Agency. "From now on the African continent will speak with one voice on aviation safety," said Harry Eggerschwiler, chief of operations for the African Civil Aviation Authority, or AFRO-CAA. The industry had deteriorated further with deregulation in some countries, according to Eggerschwiler, and had become focused upon a large number of new operators that frequently fly old Soviet-built aircraft leased from Ukraine, Moldova or other former Soviet republics in Central Asia. The problems reached a peak when accident statistics compiled by the International Air Transport Association, indicated that the number of major accidents per million takeoffs in Africa had amounted to 4.31 in 2006, compared to a worldwide average of only 0.65. This dismal record meant the European Union bans on African airlines had recently reached 74 — from a total international blacklist of 91. The new organization will have a total of around 80-100 staff at its Windhoek headquarters and another 25 in its 5 regional offices. The FAA has offered the fledgling organization training free of charge for air operations officers and accident investigators. The EU has extended prospective assistance to the organization once it is up and running.  Related Link