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Cabinet officials

Shaping the Future of Aviation: Key Takeaways from ICAO Next Generation of Aviation Professionals Summit

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

As world leaders and aviation experts gather at the ICAO Next Generation of Aviation Professionals Summit 2025 in Durban, South Africa, the importance of investing in the youth and tackling the challenges of the aviation industry's future is at the forefront of discussions. The summit aims to address the need for a new generation of skilled professionals, ensuring that young people are equipped to build careers in aviation.

Key Takeaways:

  • The aviation sector is a critical economic engine, contributing approximately USD 5.7 billion (around R105.4 billion) to South Africa's GDP in 2023, supporting 46,000 jobs, and employing 27,000 licensed aviation professionals. By 2030, ICAO forecasts a global demand for over two million qualified aviation personnel.
  • The Department of Transport targets to reach 42 million passengers and 1.2 million tons of air-freight through the ACSA network of airports by 2029, by increasing capacity, upgrading airports, creating new cargo terminals, streamlining airport services, and expanding the network of ACSA airports.
  • Partnerships between the private sector and government are crucial for developing talent and ensuring a thriving aviation industry. Organizations such as Fly Safair, Airlink, Sakhikamva Foundation, Aviation Development Africa, The Children's Flight, and Girl Fly Programme in Africa are contributing significantly to nurturing critical aviation and engineering skills.
  • Higher education institutions play a vital role in continuous research, learning, and professional development in this dynamic field. Ongoing discussions with institutions of higher learning aim to ensure universities understand the challenges and their role in developing the Next Generation of Aviation Professionals.
  • South Africa is an active member of the Global Aviation and Aerospace Skills Taskforce (GAAST), working with international partners to address global skills shortages. The taskforce aims to build a repository of best practice, support diversity and inclusion, and ensure that talent development keeps pace with new technologies, safety requirements, and decarbonisation.
  • South Africa has contributed to various ICAO working groups and panels since 2003, playing a leading role in the Southern African region through the 'No Country left Behind' initiative and the Regional Cooperation Strategy.

Statistics:

  • Air transport contributed approximately USD 5.7 billion (around R105.4 billion) to South Africa's GDP in 2023, supporting 46,000 jobs.
  • ICAO forecasts a global demand for over two million qualified aviation personnel by 2030.
  • The Department of Transport targets to reach 42 million passengers and 1.2 million tons of air-freight through the ACSA network of airports by 2029.
  • 28 of the 54 African Member States have a safety oversight systems rating of 60% and above, benefiting from ICAO harmonized safety standards.

Sources:

  • International Air Transport Association (IATA)
  • International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
  • South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA)
  • Airports Company South Africa (ACSA)
  • The Children's Flight
  • Girl Fly Programme in Africa
  • Global Aviation and Aerospace Skills Taskforce (GAAST)
  • ICAO General Assembly
  • National Department of Higher Education

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