The International Air Transport Association (IATA), has renewed its call on African governments to focus on adoption and adherence to global standards to ensure a safe, efficient and integrated air transport system.

The world aviation body said connectivity is critical for African growth and development, supporting some 6.7 million jobs and $68 billion in economic activity.  Aviation’s economic and social benefits, however, can be undermined by the unintended consequences of government action which are not aligned with the established framework of global standards.

“Global standards are the foundation upon which a safe, secure and integrated global air transport system are built.  The system is so reliable that we don’t often think about the enormous coordination that makes it possible.  That is why we need to remind governments of the value of global standards that support aviation and the vibrancy of their economics”, Director General and CEO, IATA, Tony Tyler said.

He made these remarks in an address to the African Airlines Association’s 45th Annual General Assembly which was held in Mombasa, Kenya, that safety is the prime example of what can be achieved with a consistent, global approach.

The IATA operational Safety Audit (IOSA) is the global standard for airline operational safety management, over the decade since it was established, there is a clear trend that the aggregate safety performance of airlines on the registry is superior to those airlines that are not on the registry.

African airlines on the IOSA registry are performing in line with global averages.  And in 2012, there was not a single western-built jet hull loss by any of IATA’s 25 African member airlines.