Nomad Africa - April 2018

Issue 11 | ...Celebrating the world’s richest continent | http://www.nomadafricamag.com | 51

flying rights between major African cities.
We have done a lot of research and we
found that almost in every single case
when there is an agreement on a liberal
air market, the number of passengers
rises about 50%. An example for that is
when South Africa and Kenya signed an
agreement in early 2000 that led to al-
most 70% rise in passenger traffic. In
2006, Morocco and EU signed an Open
Sky Agreement that led to 160% rise in
traffic between the two geographies. So,
just allowing the operation of liberalising
these markets can lead to huge increases
in passenger numbers.
The third point that I would like to men-
tion is with regard to visas. A simple study
was done and found that Africans are re-
quired visas to travel to 55% of the coun-
tries in the continent. We have
experienced that if somebody wants to
go from country “A” to country “B”, he
may need to go to country “C” to get a
visa to go to country “B”. This is a really
big burden on business travellers, tourists
and even families who want to reunite.
We have been really pushing and lobby-
ing for a single visa requirement across
the continent just like in parts of Europe.

NAM: Why does aviation in Africa have
all these problems?
Hassan:Well, I think there are a number
of reasons: first of all, aviation was used
as a privilege for the “few” rather than a
necessity for the economy to develop.

There are governments that want to sup-

port national carriers, which comes at the

expense of the average citizens who want

to travel, so they keep the ticket prices

expensive. At the end of the day, I don’t

think it is one problem or there is one so-

lution; Africa is 54 countries, and each

country has its own history, its own chal-

lenges, and its own opportunities.

NAM:In previous years, you have partic-

ipated in the World Economic Forum, and

you are a guest speaker at this year’s

forum. What does the forum represent

for you? How can it serve the sector of

aviation in Africa?

Hassan: I think the World Economic

Forum is created to improve people’s

lives. Aviation is no longer a luxury for the

privileged few, it’s a requirement for

everybody, whether it’s a family who

wants to reunite or somebody who wants

to import medicine or someone who

wants to travel for education or business...

it’s a requirement. We are elevating the

challenges that aviation has been experi-

encing, to the World Economic Forum

hoping that the decision-makers will look

favourably upon the recommendations

we are making. We hope, through the

World Economic Forum, we can achieve

the goals of liberalising air transport and

making it a part of every African’s life.

The WEF represents an opportunity for

me to present our company to the deci-

sion-makers, and as I said earlier, it’s an

opportunity to elevate and explain the

problems that we face. It is also an impor-

tant opportunity for our company to be

affiliated with world renowned organisa-

tions.

NAM:What are the main services pro-

vided by National Aviation Services

(NAS )?

Hassan:The National Aviation Services,

otherwise known as NAS – is the fastest

growing aviation services provider in the

Middle East, India, and Africa, providing

comprehensive ground handling solu-

tions, terminal and lounge management,

meet-and-assist services, aviation train-

ing and security, and travel services to re-

tail customers and to the world’s leading

airlines.

NAM:Are you really optimistic towards

the future of aviation in Africa?

Hassan:Absolutely! In the next 20 years,

we estimate to see more than 300 million

people travelling from, to, and within

Africa. What is needed now is visa liberal-

isation, open sky and public-private part-

nerships.

Interview | Hassan El-Houry

Mr Hassan El-Houry, is the CEO of Na-

tional Aviation Services (NAS). He has

spearheaded NAS’ expansion into more

than 30 airports, including international

airports in India, Afghanistan, UAE, Ivory

Coast, Tanzania, Rwanda and Morocco,

among others.

i ABOUT HASSAN EL-HOURY

This interview was originally published on http://www.africa.com