South Africa regards the aviation sector as a critical engine of economic development, a vital connector of nations, and a key driver of growth.
According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), in 2023, air transport contributed approximately USD 5.7 billion (around R105.4 billion) to South Africa’s economy, equivalent to 1.5% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). The sector also supported around 46,000 jobs, including 27,000 licensed aviation professionals.
The Convention on the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) projects a global demand for over two million qualified aviation personnel by 2030. The implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area and the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) is expected to significantly enhance job creation and economic growth across the continent.
Recognising aviation’s role in national development, South Africa’s Department of Transport aims to handle 42 million passengers and 1.2 million tons of air freight annually through the Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) network by 2029.
To achieve this, the government plans to upgrade and expand existing airport infrastructure, develop new cargo terminals, streamline airport services and passenger flow, and expand the Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) airport network to improve capacity and connectivity across South Africa and the broader southern African region.
However, the Transport Ministry has emphasised that the sector’s opportunities will not be realised unless South Africa trains a new generation of skilled aviation professionals to replace the current ageing workforce. In response, the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) runs a Career Awareness Programme to encourage school learners to consider aviation careers.
Organisations such as the SACAA, ACSA, and Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS) support learners from disadvantaged backgrounds, enabling them to pursue professions such as pilots, aircraft maintenance technicians, aeronautical engineers, airport management professionals, flight procedure designers and air traffic controllers.
The South African Air Force (SAAF) and SAPS Air Wing also contribute significantly to the sector’s development. Other key stakeholders include the SAA Cadet Pilot Programme, Denel Technical Academy, Armscor, SAAB, and the Transport Education Training Authority, which provides essential funding support.
Private carriers such as FlySafair and Airlink are collaborating with the regulator to provide trainees with on-the-job training, experience, and flying hours.
The Ministry has also acknowledged the contributions of non-profit organisations such as the Sakhikamva Foundation, Aviation Development Africa, The Children’s Flight, and the Girl Fly Programme in Africa, which play important roles in expanding access to the sector.
In parallel, the government is engaging with higher education institutions to ensure universities are aligned with the aviation sector’s evolving needs. The National Department of Higher Education is actively involved in these discussions.
Internationally, South Africa is a founding member of the Global Aviation and Aerospace Skills Taskforce (GAAST), a growing global coalition of governments, regulators, and industry leaders working to address aviation skills shortages.
The taskforce, in collaboration with ICAO’s Next Generation of Aviation Professionals programme, aims to share best practices, promote diversity and inclusion, and ensure talent development keeps pace with evolving technologies, safety standards, and decarbonisation efforts.
South Africa also plays a leading role in regional cooperation through ICAO’s “No Country Left Behind” initiative, which fosters stronger collaboration among Southern African nations.
To enhance global engagement, South Africa has signed Memoranda of Cooperation with various international aviation authorities, including the French Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC) and the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC).
At the upcoming 42nd ICAO General Assembly in Montreal, Canada, scheduled for September, South Africa, alongside seven other African member states, will stand for re-election to continue representing the continent in discussions on global aviation safety.
African nations have significantly benefited from ICAO’s harmonised safety standards, with 28 of the 54 African Member States achieving a safety oversight rating of 60% or higher. The continent is currently one of the fastest-growing air transport markets in the world.
South African Transport Minister, Ms Barbara Creecy, spoke at the ICAO Next Generation of Aviation Professionals (NGAP) Summit 2025, recently held in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.
