Africa: Airlines Lose N1.6 Trillion Annually to Accidents

Lagos — At least $10 billion (about N1.6 trillion) is lost annually by airlines across the globe to accidents.
But experts say this figure is a far cry to the actual loses because cases in Africa are underreported.
The Quality Control Manager of Bristow Helicopters, Mr. Alhamdu Haruna, disclosed this in Lagos at the
Health and Safety Week 2013 organised by Skyway Aviation Handling Company Ltd (SAHCOL).
Haruna who quoted figures supplied by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) also said 27, 000 accidents and incidents occur yearly resulting in 243, 000 casualties.
"One of the biggest challenges we face in the aviation industry, especially in Africa is non-reporting of aircraft accidents and incidents. The figures should be a bit higher than that if a good reporting culture is imbibed. It is ridiculous that only 243, 000 victims are captured in the annual haul losses. However, there are some organisations that have evolved in reporting culture because they have adopted a just culture in reporting," he said.
In his remarks, the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr. George Uriesi said accident and incident reporting are mandatory in advanced countries but regretted that the situation "is different in Africa."
Uriesi, who was represented at the event by FAAN's corporate safety and technical adviser, Mr. Eze Nwankwo, said the costs of accidents and incidents on airlines are enormous.
He listed the costs to include huge insurance claims, loss of production, damage to equipment and building, huge costs arising from repair of damaged facilities, loss in production, loss of corporate image and loss of orders, among others.
He advised airlines, ground handling firms and service providers in the aviation industry to pay attention to safety.