African airlines to create network amid global financial crisis

Special Report:Global Financial Crisis

LOME, Nov. 26 (Chinese media) -- African airlines plan to

create a network covering all the continent in part of efforts to promote

regional integration against the backdrop of global financial crisis, China's

state news agency Chinese media reported on Tuesday from Ouagadougou, capital of

Burkina Faso.

At the annual assembly of the Association of African

Air Companies (AFRAA), the 40th of its kind, representatives of about 50

airlines agreed to create a service network with small and medium-sized

companies incorporated into the regional alliance.

The two-day meeting, which opened on Monday, also

stressed that the development of inter-African links and the liberalization of

air transport markets are needed in the regrouping of services in the continent.

The meeting voiced support for projects to be built

in Central and West Africa.

AFRAA Secretary General Christian Folly-Kossi called

for further cooperation between African airlines. "The strong message of the

AFRAA is that in all countries where companies are weak or there are no

companies, we will take the option of create private multinational companies,"

he told the participants.

AFRAA President Mohamed Ghelela, who is also the

director general of Air Burkina, praised the decision made at the meeting,

saying African air companies could see how they were mobilized to work together.

Burkina Faso President Blaise Compaore pledged to

participants that he would convey all the decisions and proposals to his African

counterparts. He also urged efforts to boost the existing air service fleet,

create new companies and bring down the high price of air tickets.