Coronavirus: the affected African air sector

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The aviation sector is in full crash in the world and in particular in Africa because of the socio-economic consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic. Some countries have already taken support measures for their companies and Ghana calls for a "Marshall Plan" for the African air sector.

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We need a concerted policy of support and recovery, across the continent, said the Ghanaian Minister of Aviation. A philosophy of urgency shared by many leaders who have already taken the lead.

Thus, the Rwandan President, Paul Kagame, proposed a "  capital injection  " for RwandAir, the national flag, which in turn reduced the salaries of its staff.

Air Algeria is engaged in discussions with the government to obtain funds, and in exchange proposes a restructuring plan. In Cameroon, Camair-Co, a private company, has already put two-thirds of its staff on technical unemployment, also hoping for support from the public authorities.

Zambia Airways stillborn

The crisis has already taken its toll, the South African company SA Express, a regional subsidiary of South Africain Airways, which has shut down and laid off 700 people. By the way, a company was born dead: Zambia Airways which was to be born this year, postponed its launch. As for Air Mauritius, it is now under provisional administration.

Finally, Ethiopian Airways , the largest African company, has already lost $ 500 million and is betting on freight and cargo to try to get out of it. Because the demand for cargo planes leaving China is currently exploding.

► Also to listen: The African sky market has lead in the wing

The losses of African companies could amount to more than six billion dollars and three million jobs are threatened in the sector, according to air carriers.

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• Aeronautics
• Africa
• Coronavirus
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