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African Airports World 2005

22-25 February 2005, Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa

http://www.terrapinn.com/2005/airza

African airports in the limelight

According to Monhla Hlahla, managing director of Airports Company South Africa (ACSA), air travel on the African continent is set for explosive growth over the next two to three years due to perceptions that African countries are a safer destination than many others (Business Day).

Industry heavyweights analyse strategies to improve Africa's airport infrastructure

The African Airports World 2005 conference will unite industry heavyweights from Africa's airport sector in Johannesburg during February 2005 and will address some of the most pressing issues surrounding the industry. Chief Chinyere Asika from the New Partnership for African Development in Nigeria will assess infrastructure management to ensure Africa meets the global standards.

According to Asika, "link roads, car parks and runways at Africa's major airport terminals need to be improved". Asika will investigate the option of outsourcing facilities management in airports and sketch a plan ahead on working with the public and private sectors to ensure constant infrastructure improvements.

Kenya's airports will be under the magnifying glass when the managing director of the Kenya Airports Authority, George Muhoho reports back on the state of Kenya's airports. Muhoho is of the opinion that the current state of trade and tourism is generating various challenges and opportunities for the role that airports will play in the future.

With South Africa hosting the 2010 World Cup, capacity planning is one of the key issues to be looked into. Carmine Bassetti from ACSA will discuss the impact of the 2010 World Cup on infrastructure development at ACSA airports. Bassetti will review the anticipated increases in air transport in Africa, as well as generating capital to fund the necessary developments.

Strategies to improve African airports

Airports play a major role in free trade across borders and ensure economic growth and development in Africa; therefore it is essential to uplift African airports to global standards. And it is imperative to evaluate the future of African air transport; its capacity planning and look at airports as a driving economic force for Africa.

Some of the countries that are represented by speakers from airports or airport authorities and will participate at the conference include Mozambique, Swaziland, Nigeria, Cameroon, Gambia, Mauritius, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Botswana. They will debate on issues such as privatisation, attracting investment, developing infrastructure and improving on policies and standards that govern airport management.

For more information, please contact Leatitia van Straten, from Terrapinn, who is organising the conference on 011 516 4053, fax 011 707 8356, e-mail: leatitia.vanstraten@terrapinn.co.za, http://www.terrapinn.com/2005/airza

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