International Civil Aviation Organization

WORKING PAPER

DTS-ICAO ASSEMBLY — 3RD SESSION

PLENARY

Agenda Item 5: Election of Member States to be represented on the Council

CANDIDATURE OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA

(Presented by South Africa)

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Paper seeks the support of all Contracting States for Republic of South Africa’s re-election
to the Council of ICAO, in Part II.

Strategic This working paper relates to Strategic Objectives

Objectives:
Financial No additional resources required.
implications:
References:
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 The Government of the Republic of South Africa has the honour to announce to
rd
the 3 Session of the General Assembly of the DTS-ICAO, its candidature for re-election to the
Council of DTS-ICAO, in Part II for the triennium.

2. AVIATION IN SOUTH AFRICA

2.1 Aviation in Africa supports 6.7 million jobs and $67.8 billion in economic
activity. In 2012, according to the World Air Transport Statistics, airlines based in Africa carried
69.8 million passengers.

2.2 South Africa has a total of 90 airports in which most of the large airports owned
by the Airports Company of South Africa such as the Cape Town International Airport and Port
Elizabeth International Airport. OR Tambo International Airport is the busiest airport in South
Africa which has transported over 18 million passengers in 2013.

2.3 The national flag carrier of South Africa is the South African Airways (SAA).
SAA is also the largest airline in South Africa which flies to 42 destinations worldwide by using
its fleet of 58 aircraft. SAA owns a subsidiary of a low-cost airline named Mango.

2.4 In June 2004, Minister of Transport in South Africa has formally launched South
African Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC), which will be playing a major role in
complementing the aviation search and rescue efforts over the high seas, all the way to the South
Pole.

2.5 South Africa is otherwise a major role player in terms of its contribution to the
provision of facilities for international civil air navigation, as well as an active participant in
various aspects of international civil aviation development.

3. CONTRIBUTIONS
3.1 South Africa together with other African Nations have initiated the African -
Indian Ocean (AFI ) plan in order to focus on the strengthening aviation security (AVSEC) and
facilitation (FAL) implementation on the continent . South Africa's own safety initiative is with
the implementation of the safety management system ( SMS ) .

3.2 South Africa on behalf of CAPSCA - Africa has hosted a few events which
focuses on preventing the spread of infectious diseases through air transport . CAPSCA - Africa
prime focus has always been to provide multi - sector seminars and workshops on pandemic
preparedness and planning towards a diseases outbreak .

3.3 As member of the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) , South Africa
together with other member states have legalize an African Air Transport liberalization policy
named the Yamoussoukro Decision ( YD ) which effectively manage any uncompetitive practises ,
abuse of position dominance and any forms of economic imbalances resulting from African and non
African airliners .

3.4 Twenty-two states including United Kingdom and United Arab Emirates together with
South Africa have actively proposed to re-study the policy and programme in respect to examining the
international governance of civil aviation . With the changed conditions of the 21st century , the
governance structure need to examined whether it would still serve its purpose since agreed in 1944 or
has the need to be modernised .

3.5

3.6

4. SOUTH AFRICA’S ACHIEVEMENT

4.1 South Africa supported ICAO’s leadership role in international civil aviation and
climate change, with the successful development of the Programme of Action. The paper
mentioned that opportunities continue to exist to address aviation emissions through
technological and operational measures. Market-based measures must be based on the principle
of CBDR and the principle of consensus without any unilateral reaction.

4.2 It also introduced the actions undertaken by South Africa to reduce aviation
emissions and supported provision of assistance by ICAO to develop States in the area of
financial resources, technology transfer and capacity building in order to strengthen their ability
for implementation in the Programme of Action.

5. FUTURE PLAN FOR SOUTH AFRICA

5.1 South Africa is set to launch a new low cost carrier. The new low cost carrier
named SkyWise is expected to commence scheduled operations within the year 2015. This latest
development in South Africa’s aviation industry would surely boost the aviation landscape with
full service products and competitive fares.

5.2 As an effort to further develop the country’s aviation industry, South Africa is
also looking to strengthen its cooperation with China. A pledge was made in a recent meeting
between Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and President Zuma. The future collaboration will surely
highlight South Africa as a growing force in the aviation industry today.

5.3 The national airlines, SAA along with partners from Boeing, SkyNRG and
Sunchem SA are set to launch a project known as Project Solaris. Their collaborative effort is to
develop an aviation bio fuel supply chain with a nicotine-free tobacco plant called Solaris. The
project is said to have a large impact on South Africa including the increment of job opportunity,
development of skills and technology and also a massive reduction in the amount of carbon
dioxide that is emitted to the atmosphere.
6. CONCLUSION
6.1 It has been a prerogative for South Africa to be a member of the Council and be
involved in its work. It is wishful for South Africa to be participating in the work of the Council
along with its contribution to the international civil aviation.

6.2 The Government of the Republic of South Africa seeks the support of all ICAO
Contracting States for South Africa re-election to the Council of ICAO, in Part II at the
Assembly.