:: CCAA ::

ENAC ALUMNI: A Day of Aviation Sector Conferences

Published: Tuesday, 09 July 2024 16:31

The Director General of the Cameroon Civil Aviation Authority (CCAA), Mrs. Paule AVOMO ASSOUMOU spouse KOKI, inaugurated this first-ever African edition of the event on July 4, 2024. Held at the CCAA Training School in Yaoundé-Nsimalen, it focused on various themes, including safety, airport competitiveness, decarbonization of aviation, and local and regional human resource challenges. Numerous stakeholders, partners, and resource personnel from the Central and West African aviation sector attended.

Opening speech by Mrs Paule AVOMO ASSOUMOU spouse KOKI- Director General of the CCAA

and senior mentor of ENAC Alumni- Cameroon.

This event, known as "Les États de l'air" (The States of the Air), or E.D.A. for short, was organized in Cameroon by ENAC Alumni, the alumni association of France's École Nationale de l'Aviation Civile (ENAC). The association has chapters throughout the world, organized by country and region. The format chosen by the Cameroon chapter is just one of the various forms E.D.A. takes each year.

According to Faude Adanhousounou, Vice President of ENAC Alumni and Head of Airbus Toulouse, Cameroon's selection to host this hybrid event stemmed from three factors: the dynamism of the Cameroon chapter, the leadership of the CCAA Director General (their senior mentor), and Cameroon's status as a top African destination.

The strong partnership between Cameroon and ENAC dates back to the 1960s, with ENAC providing training for Cameroonian civil aviation personnel at various levels (engineers, pilots, technicians, etc.). These individuals have significantly contributed to the sector's development in Cameroon, and continue to do so. The CCAA Director General expressed her appreciation for this long-standing collaboration.

She emphasized that aviation is undergoing a profound transformation, particularly in light of Africa's growing air traffic. Now more than ever, the region must address critical challenges such as:

Safety and security: These remain paramount for fostering a favourable environment for civil aviation development.
Air navigation capacity and efficiency: This requires adequate facilities, equipment, and systems.
Enhanced service offering
Developing civil aviation skills
Ecological transition: Contributing to the global effort to reduce aviation's carbon footprint while seizing related opportunities.

Online Interventions by Regional and International Civil Aviation Experts at EDA-ENAC Alumni 2024

Beyond conferences, États de l’Air (EDA) serves as a master class and discussion platform. A wide range of experts, chosen based on crucial local needs, delve into current and future issues. The goal is to identify innovative solutions and projects that will shape the future of aviation, ultimately enriching and strengthening the capabilities of all aviation graduates and associate members.

Presentations addressed safety challenges for sustainable air transport development in Africa, opportunities for decarbonization in the African aviation sector, airport competitiveness and human resource quality issues. To achieve the International Civil Aviation Organization's (ICAO) goal of reducing Africa's carbon dioxide production by 2050, the continent was urged to actively participate in ongoing collective efforts. Africa's abundant water and sunshine could be harnessed as alternative fuel sources, such as solar energy.

This landmark event, the first of its kind in Africa, provided a wealth of technical knowledge for the aviation sector experts, service providers, and leaders from Central and West Africa gathered in Yaoundé.

Trans: Mireille Kehpu Galabe

Assistant Research Officer (ARO)/ Public Relations Unit (PRU)