RwandAir Champions Aviation Safety in Africa with IATA Safety Leadership Charter

In a significant move towards bolstering aviation safety in Africa, RwandAir has become the latest airline to sign the International Air Transport Association's (IATA) Safety Leadership Charter. This landmark decision underscores the airline's dedication to enhancing safety culture, aligning with the goals of IATA's Collaborative Aviation Safety Improvement Program (CASIP), particularly under its Focus Africa initiative.

RwandAir's CEO, Yvonne Makolo, emphasized the airline's deep-rooted commitment to safety as not just a priority, but a fundamental principle of their operations. "Safety is the cornerstone of our operational integrity," Makolo stated, highlighting how the signing of the Charter is both a reaffirmation of this principle and a step towards further improvement.

Kamil Alawadhi, IATA’s Regional Vice-President for Africa and the Middle East, praised RwandAir's initiative. He pointed out that enhancing aviation safety in Africa is crucial not only for the industry but also as a key component of the continent's overall development. "Fostering a robust safety culture is paramount," Alawadhi noted, lauding RwandAir's leadership for their proactive approach.

The IATA Safety Leadership Charter, developed through collaboration with IATA members and the broader aviation community, aims to support industry executives in promoting and evolving positive safety cultures within their organizations. Its guiding principles include leading safety obligations through actions and words, fostering safety awareness, creating an atmosphere of trust for reporting safety-related information, integrating safety into business strategies, and continuously assessing and improving safety culture.

RwandAir's signing of the Charter marks a significant stride in African aviation safety. As the second carrier in Africa to make this commitment, following Ethiopian Airlines' lead in September 2023, RwandAir positions itself at the forefront of a movement towards enhanced safety in African skies. This initiative not only benefits RwandAir but also contributes to elevating the standards and practices of the broader aviation industry in the region.