NEW YORK, Feb. 19, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- This report focuses on the civil aviation industry in South Africa, within the broader context of intra-African and international air transportation. As such, the study covers the scheduled air transport industry, which comprises both passenger and cargo flights, as well as general aviation, incorporating the charter flight industry and recreational aviation activities. Airport ground handling, described by some stakeholders as the 'step-child of the aviation industry', is also covered in this report. Aviation ground handling services include activities such as ramp services, passenger and baggage handling, communications, flight operations services, load control, as well as mail and cargo handling. Despite its 'end-of-hemisphere' disadvantage, South Africa is regarded as an aviation hub of primary importance on the African continent. According to the latest statistics released by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the South African aviation industry contributes an estimated R74bn to the country's annual gross domestic product. The industry is regarded as an economic enabler, supporting approximately 222 thousand jobs across the value chain.
A spate of recent disasters has marred the centenary celebrations of the global commercial aviation industry, thrusting air safety concerns to the fore. Malaysia Airlines, still grappling with the disappearance of Flight MH370, which vanished under mysterious circumstances on 8 March 2014, has been left reeling following the downing of Flight MH17 by a surface-to-air missile fired from Eastern Ukraine on 17 July 2014. The tragedy, coupled with the escalation of geopolitical tensions, has prompted numerous stakeholders to call for airlines to stop flying over conflict zones. Other significant challenges that have come into sharp focus include the increasing severity of extreme weather and its effect on aviation safety, the threat posed by cyber hijackers, as well as
epidemiological concerns, notably the transmission of Ebola, which was declared a global health emergency by the World Health Organisation on 8 August 2014.
Read the full report: http://www.reportlinker.com/p02675579-summary/view-report.html
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