The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced plans to enhance ground safety measures at airports in Mauritania, signing a deal with Afroport Mauritanie to promote global safety standards.
To improve aviation safety, IATA will work closely with Mauritania’s national aviation authority and airport operators to implement a range of measures to reduce the risk of ground accidents.
The agreement is targeted at two critical global standard measures: the IATA Ground Operations Manual (IGOM) and the IATA Safety Audit for Ground Operations (ISAGO). The agreement was signed by representatives from the two parties, including Kamil Alawadhi, IATA Regional Vice President of Africa and the Middle East, and Ahmed Al Hadabi, Group CEO of Terminals Holding, the parent company of Afroport Mauritanie.
What This Means
The deal will enable collaborative monitoring of safety performance at the airport while seeking to identify opportunities for improving ground handling. The collaboration will allow Afroport to promote the adoption of IGOM by Ground Handling Service Providers (GHSP) while recognizing ISAGO as acceptable compliance for airport activities and making ISAGO registration a condition for GHSPs to operate at the airport.
The initiative will include the implementation of new safety procedures and the provision of training to airport personnel. IATA will also provide technical assistance and support to help ensure that the new measures are effectively implemented.
Speaking about the deal, Alawadhi said:
“The commitment of Afroport Mauritanie to IGOM and ISAGO will help further Mauritania’s social and economic development with safer ground operations. Lower adoption rates for global standards rank high among the factors limiting the benefits that aviation could deliver in Africa.
“This agreement is a great example for airports across the African continent to follow.”
IATA Shows Commitment to Aviation Development in Africa
Mauritania is a country located in West Africa, with a population of around 4.6 million people. Its economy relies heavily on mining and agriculture, and the country has a small but growing aviation industry. Aviation has the potential to significantly contribute to the economic growth of Mauritania and Africa at large. Given that the aviation industry has almost fully recovered from the impact of the pandemic, efforts must be made to improve the development of the sector in Africa.
The IATA initiative is part of a wider effort to improve aviation safety in Africa and the industry in general. In recent years, some African countries have implemented measures to improve aviation safety, including adopting new technologies and enhancing safety training programs.
Ahmed Al Hadabi said in a statement:
“Our goal in partnership is to support the development of a strong aviation sector with global standards and best practices at its heart. The agreement with IATA is a significant step towards achieving standardized, sustainable operations on the ground.”
IATA was in Somalia earlier this year to expand its presence and help them develop its aviation sector and has said that it will continue to work closely with its partners in Africa to promote best practices in aviation safety and to ensure that the region’s airports are among the safest in the world.
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