According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), airlines will pay an additional $222 billion for fuel this year. Kamil Alawadhi, IATA’s Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East, stated this in his address to the African Airlines Association’s 2022 General Assembly in Dakar, Senegal.
Although oil prices have fallen from mid-year highs, the average price of jet fuel this year has been $138.8 per barrel, according to the IATA president.
According to him, this means that airlines will pay an additional $222 billion for fuel this year compared to 2021, with fuel accounting for 30% of airline costs. Alawadhi, on the other hand, warned African carriers not to compromise on safety, emphasizing that the continent’s airlines on the IATA Operational Safety Audit registry had zero accidents in 2021, with incidents across Africa by regional and global operators continuing to occur.
He stated, “Regrettably the region’s accident rate remains the highest. This should serve as sharp reminders that we need to work together towards enhanced safety oversight particularly in the areas of reporting and investigation of incidents and accidents, adopting a more aggressive approach to addressing the highest recurring operational risks.”
Alawadhi also emphasized the importance of all stakeholders prioritizing safety data and information exchange in order to build an accurate picture across the continent. He stated that this would increase awareness of the critical importance of aeronautical information (NOTAM/AIP) to aviation safety.
The IATA CEO also urged stakeholders to address it as a priority regional deficiency, with a clear commitment from all states and stakeholders to improve it.
