South Africa’s aviation body makes history with latest ICAO audit score

It is officially 94.99% compliant with International Civil Aviation Organization safety standards. Ranked 1st in Africa and 7th in the world, ahead of many developed nations.

From 87.39% in 2017 to 91.23% in 2023 to 94.99% today. This is what world-class regulation looks like. Kudos to South Africa Civil Aviation(SACAA) headed by Poppy Khoza, Minister of Transportation Barbara Creecy, and every aviation professional who made this happen.

This rating is not just a trophy. It’s an economic engine. It is why South Africa retains its FAA Category 1 status (USA) and EU ACC3 security recognition.

It tells lessors, insurers, and foreign airlines: South Africa is safe to do business with.

But as an aviation stakeholder and tourism professional, I have to say the hard truth:

There is no point being the safest in the sky if South Africa is unsafe on the ground.

The recent civil unrest and attacks in South Africa are not just a social issue.

Here’s why:

1.Tourism Fuels Aviation.

Tourists fill seats. When videos of attacks on fellow Africans go viral, travel advisories are issued. Bookings are cancelled. Hotels empty. Airlines reduce frequencies. The 94.99% rating flies planes with low load factor

2. Safety Perception is One Ecosystem.

A foreign airline’s risk assessment doesn’t stop at the runway. It includes crew safety, passenger security at airports, and civil stability. ICAO audits aerodromes and security culture for a reason.

3. Africa Needs South Africa as a Leader.

As the continent’s top-ranked state and an ICAO Council member since 1944, it set the standard. If it allows Afrophobia to thrive, we signal that African skies may be safe, but African streets are not. That hurts Brand Africa for all of us.

We cannot celebrate a 94.99% technical safety score while ignoring human safety for our brothers and sisters from Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Mozambique,Malawi etc. who visit and invest in South Africa.

Make no mistake, the agitations for proper border management, regular migration and reforms are valid.

We have been championing this through a broader platform at Walk For Love Africa. A specialized Foundation to promote intra Africa travel, tourism and trade. However the channels for these agitations begs the question.

To build a safe, sustainable, reliable transport system – as this year’s transport month theme says, South Africa must mean safe for everyone who lands at OR Tambo, King Shaka or Cape Town.

Congratulations to South Africa on this massive achievement.

Now, it’s time to protect it.