may2022 - 31

secured crew transfers with escorts. In
general, however, most airports in Africa
are generally safe and secure. "
Investment Opportunities
Opportunities abound everywhere in
Africa for investment in infrastructures,
UAS Africa officials explain.
" In the area of FBOs, Africa lags other
continents. FBOs in Africa are in only a
few countries, yet they are the future of
growing business travel. The long-term
prospects are that the concept is gaining
traction and many airport authorities are
seeing the need to have public-private
partnerships to develop FBOs, " they say.
With Africa's growing fleets, aircraft
maintenance is in high demand. But
maintenance facilities are thin across
Africa apart from Ethiopia and South
Africa, which have comprehensive MRO
facilities for large aircraft.
" Investing in MROs would surely be
a great idea. Aircraft spares supply and
distribution is another area which investors
are overlooking, " say officials at UAS
Africa. " We have seen numerous AOG
situations where aircraft wait on end
to secure parts from Europe, America
and even the Middle East for spares as
simple as aircraft tires - all with very
cumbersome customs clearing processes.
Investments in this area would be
worthwhile, too. "
Additionally, many African airports
have minimal parking space and cannot
easily accommodate large aircraft.
" The high cost of airport infrastructure
prevents them from making it a
priority to develop and expand airport
infrastructure. The effects are that
despite economic growth on the continent,
some countries will continue to rely
on neighboring countries to ship in their
goods by air or transport large numbers
of passengers on planes, " say UAS Africa
officials. " This ends up being more costly
for the economies. There is therefore a
great opportunity in developing modern
airports that can accommodate large and
modern aircraft and terminal facilities
for passengers. "
Another opportunity is in upgrading
airports with the latest technology
to minimize time taken
HYD-3865.3
filling forms, checking in and other
manual procedures.
" These include self-service check-in
systems and automated passport control, "
note UAS Africa officials. " These
are happening at some locations, and
although very slowly, there are prospects
of wider coverage in the very long term. "
UAS Africa representatives say good
hotels near airports create a multiplier
effect of business and infrastructural
developments around the airports.
" Hotels are an integral part of the
travel industry and with growing urbanization,
which is also rapidly creating
situations of chaotic traffic jams and
insecurity. Airport hotels are becoming
popular. Unfortunately, investments
in this area are still slow, " say UAS
Africa officials.
Catering is also imporant to consider.
" It may be shocking to know that there
are still quite a few major international
airports in Africa where one cannot get
catering items as minor as ice, except if
one procures from the city or the hotels, "
say officials at UAS Africa. " Even where
catering companies are available, their
leaning tends to be towards the regular
commercial airlines catering where the
volume is. Specialized business or VIP
catering could be the way to go. "
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
DR. MARIO PIEROBON
Dr. Mario Pierobon
provides solutions in the
areas of documentation,
training and consulting to
organizations operating in
safety sensitive industries.
He has conducted a doctoral research
project investigating aircraft ground
handling safety. He may be reached at
mariopierobon@az-all-in-one.com.
HII
INCREASE PROFITS
Gas Boosters provide up to
40% MORE FILLS
Primary use for filling or topping off...
Onboard Oxygen Bottles * Struts * Escape Chute
High Altitude Low Opening (HALO) * Life Rafts * Tires
Even if your source gas pressure drops below 300-PSI
2G SERIES
Electric Driven
* 5000-PSIG rated
* 15 SCFM discharge rate
* Quiet, only 60 dba
* No belts or pulleys
* 2-Stage and double acting
configurations
5G SERIES
Air Driven
* 5000-PSIG rated
* 36 SCFM discharge rate
* Portable
* Single acting, double acting
and 2-stage configurations
HIHPG1 SERIES
Air Driven
* Two (2) bottle hand truck
* Fits bottles 9.3 " in diameter
and 51 " in height
* Accommodates single / double
acting and 2-stage configurations
* Automatic shutoff safety valves
HYDRAULICS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
9201 Independence Ave., Chatsworth, CA 91311 USA
(Phone) 818.407.3400 | (Fax) 818.407.3428
www.hiigroup.com
AviationPros.com/10017435
May 2022 || AviationPros.com || 31
Made in the U.S.A.
Hydraulics International, Inc.
OXYGEN & NITROGEN BOOSTERS
http://www.hiigroup.com http://www.AviationPros.com/10017435 http://www.AviationPros.com
may2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of may2022
