Sustainable development in Africa
Air transport can make a significant contribution to sustainable development in Africa. This continent is home to nearly 15% of the total protected areas worldwide, giving Africa a valuable comparative advantage in attracting international visitors. The expansion of nature-based tourism (eco-tourism) could become a significant source of revenue and employment, whilst helping to ensure the conservation of protected areas
Air transport provides access to remote areas
Air transport provides access to remote areas where other transport modes are limited, thus opening them up to contact with other communities, and providing a means for the delivery of essential supplies. Many essential services such as hospitals, education, post, etc. would not be available for people in such locations, without the presence of air services.
Air transport delivers humanitarian aid
Air services play an essential role in humanitarian assistance to countries facing natural disasters, famine and war – through cargo deliveries, refugee transfers or the evacuation of people trapped by natural disasters. They are particularly important in situations where access is a problem
Natural disasters often mean that whole communities are cut off. Humanitarian assistance in such circumstances can only be delivered rapidly to those in need through the use of airports and air services. In certain circumstances when even the airports are damaged, ‘air drops’ are among the first response of aid agencies to stem a humanitarian crisis.
Air transport also plays a vital role in the rapid delivery of medical supplies and organs for transplantation worldwide.