Black Immigrant Daily News

Using advanced big data analytics, ICAO forecasts that air passenger demand in 2023 will rapidly recover to pre-pandemic levels on most routes by the first quarter and that growth of around 3% on 2019 figures will be achieved by year end.

“Assuring the safe, secure, and sustainable recovery of air services will be key to restoring aviation’s ability to act as a catalyst for sustainable development at the local, national and global levels, and will consequently be vital to countries’ recovery from the broader impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic,” remarked ICAO Council President Salvatore Sciacchitano.

“The air passenger forecasts ICAO is announcing today build on the strong momentum toward recovery in 2022, as previously assessed by ICAO statistical analysis,” remarked ICAO Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar. “Through ICAO, governments have reached agreements on goals toward zero accident fatalities by 2030 and zero carbon emissions by 2050 goals, and these will continue to play key roles in both guiding continued progress and in prioritizing ICAO’s implementation support initiatives.”

The number of air passengers carried in 2022 increased by an estimated 47% compared to 2021, while revenue passenger kilometres (RPK’s) increased by around 70% over the same period, due mainly to the rapid recovery of most international routes. In terms of airlines’ annual passenger revenues, keeping yield and exchange rates at 2019 levels, ICAO observed growth of an estimated 50% from 2021 to 2022.

In line with earlier ICAO predictions, the strong recovery in air passenger demand has resulted in 2022 passenger numbers reaching an estimated 74% of pre-pandemic levels, while passenger revenues are estimated to have reached around 68% of 2019 levels. The number of passenger aircraft in service in 2022 mirrors the overall traffic recovery, with current estimates suggesting 75% of pre-pandemic levels.

In 2022, aircraft orders and deliveries by major manufacturers Airbus and Boeing grew by 53% for orders and 20% for deliveries, compared to the previous year. The number of orders in 2022 exceeded that seen since 2019, indicating the recovery of aircraft demand.

Current estimates for air cargo in 2022 reflect 2021 levels, while still showing marginal growth compared to the pre-pandemic level. The pace of growth for air cargo is however expected to be lower in 2023, given the slowing global economic growth, although long-term air cargo growth remains in line with previously estimated trend indicating strong long term growth.

Looking further ahead, airlines are expected to return to operating profitability in the last quarter of 2023, after three consecutive years of losses. Air passenger demand in 2024 is expected to be stronger, at around 4% higher than 2019. In terms of Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR), this translates to a growth of 0.7% over the 2019-2024 period.

This forecast recovery and growth for the world of civil aviation comes with the caveat that risks affecting international air transport do not escalate from current levels.

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Black Immigrant Daily News

“The University of the West Indies must become, and will become the digital transformation epicenter of The Caribbean. That is where we’re going.”

This declaration from Vice-Chancellor of The UWI, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles was made during the project launch ceremony for The UWI-CDB Digital Transformation Programme held on Monday, February 6 at the University’s Regional Headquarters in Jamaica.

The UWI is advancing its digital transformation as part of Phase II of its Triple A Strategic Plan: The Revenue Revolution, which focuses on the conversion of the University’s reputational value into much-needed revenue through the strategic use of digital technologies.

Vice-Chancellor Beckles explained, that the programme, led by Professor of Digital Transformation, Policy, and Governance Lloyd Waller, is more than digital technologies. “Rather it is the impact that the mobilisation of those technologies will have on The UWI’s core business–teaching, learning, research, efficient administration and efficiency that facilitates doing more at a lower cost, generating savings in the process, also generating revenue,” he said.

Continuing its longstanding relationship with the University, the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has come on board as the official partner for The UWI’s Digital Transformation Programme. Speaking at Monday’s launch ceremony, Vice-President of Operations at the CDB, Isaac Solomon, noted that through its support of the programme, the Bank is keen to strengthen decades of mutually beneficial collaboration with The UWI, as it seeks to maintain a leadership role in higher education for the benefit of the region.

“For us at CDB, advancing the digital transformation of UWI is critical for operational effectiveness, increased access to programmes, expansion of services, and continued competitiveness in the existing COVID-19 period and beyond,” said Solomon.

The CDB Vice-President highlighted several factors which, he stated underscored the necessity and relevance of the digital transformation project.

“Increasing enrolment across The UWI also requires optimising online learning opportunities, as the shift to digital education delivery leverages technology to reduce the economic cost of tertiary education at The UWI for students in borrowing member countries. In addition, digital transformation is central to expanding the internationalisation of UWI programmes–a key strategic goal to diversify the university’s revenue base. The UWI Digital Transformation Project is therefore timely and necessary as it provides the University with the opportunity to push towards the institutional transformation needed to expand its reach as a global university and enhance the UWI brand as an institution of excellence in the Caribbean. The project is also designed to encourage innovative teaching and learning, particularly for more vulnerable and marginalised communities within our regional space,” he stated.

Vice-Chancellor Beckles also emphasized, “We are not just a university planning its own trajectory. We are ensuring that The UWI remains among the best universities in the world, which is where we are located right now, and serving the people of this region. The UWI way has always been to articulate and integrate the interests of the institution with the interests of the region.”

He noted that over decades The UWI had built up a team of ICT technologists and thinkers that is unparalleled in this region. “We are confident as a university in the intellectual and technical capacity of our ICT team. It is that team, currently led by University Chief Information Officer, Brigitte Collins, that’s enabled us to survive and soar above the impact of COVID-19. So we are underway with this digital transformation programme and we are able to do this with confidence because we have the internal capacity to do so, and also because we have a reliable and trustworthy strategic partner in the CDB.”

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Dickon Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada, will be joined by a lineup of international technology experts when he delivers the feature address at the opening of the Grenada ICT Week at the Grenada Trade Centre this month.

The highly anticipated event, which will be held from Monday 27th February to Friday 3rd March, is being organized by the Grenada Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with the Grenada National Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (NTRC), the Caribbean Network Operators Group (CaribNOG) and the American Registry for Internet Numbers (ARIN).

“The event will provide a platform for Grenadians to engage with experts from the regional and international tech industry to discuss how we can better leverage technology to create employment and accelerate economic growth,” said Prime Minister Mitchell. “The initiative aligns well with my government’s social and economic development agenda. I am honored to share the stage with renowned technology experts.”

Grenada ICT Week is a highly anticipated event that will bring some of the top minds in the regional Internet scene to Grenada. It is being held in conjunction with the twenty-fifth regional meeting of CaribNOG.

The event will also feature presentations by Bevil Wooding, Director of Caribbean Affairs at ARIN and one of the region’s leading technology innovators.

“Grenada ICT Week is a significant event for Grenada as well as the Caribbean. It will provide a valuable opportunity for companies operating in the ICT sector to network and exchange knowledge, experiences and best practices. This in turn promotes business growth and development in the region.”

Rodney Taylor, Secretary General of the Caribbean Telecommunications Union; David Huberman, Regional Technical Engagement Manager for North America and Europe, Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN); and Stephen Lee, CEO of Arkitechs Inc. and co-founder of CaribNOG, are also listed to speak at the event.

“We are honored to host our twenty-fifth CaribNOG regional meeting as part of the Grenada ICT Week and are delighted the Grenadian government will be supporting our Youth Forum, which provides career guidance and hands-on training for students and young ICT professionals.”

Event co-organizer Kennie John, CEO of the Antillean Group, underscored the importance of event to Grenada.

“I am thrilled to be a part of the Grenada ICT Week and to engage with the Grenadian community. This event is part of a larger initiative to ensure that Grenada has the human resource capacity as well as the technology infrastructure necessary to build a successful and sustainable digital economy. I am confident that it will be a great success,” said John.

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Black Immigrant Daily News

With Internet technology playing an increasing role in every aspect of Caribbean life, the American Registry for Internet Numbers (ARIN) is working with its Caribbean partners to promote its importance in the region.

Bevil Wooding, ARIN’s Director of Caribbean Affairs, was in Grenada last week to advance plans for ARIN’s participation in Grenada ICT Week.

The 2023 Grenada ICT Week will take place at the Grenada Trade Centre from February 25 to March 3. It aims to bring together local, regional and international experts to discuss the increasing role of technology in business, government, and society.

Wooding met with officials from the local technical community, as well as senior public sector and business officials, including Kennie John, President of the Grenada Chamber of Commerce (GCC), and Vincent Roberts, Chairman of the Grenada National Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (NTRC).

“ARIN has a strong track record of supporting Internet development in Grenada and we are pleased to be in Grenada again to collaborate with our local and regional stakeholders in support of the 2023 Grenada ICT Week,” Wooding said.

“This event will provide a platform for attendees to explore key facets of the internet economy and the implications of global trends for regional and national development, including digital innovation, internet governance, and public policy. It will also showcase successful local and Caribbean models for Internet-enabled development and how they can be applied to accelerate economic growth and development,” he added.

“The Grenada Chamber of Commerce is pleased to partner with ARIN, the Caribbean Telecommunications Union and their partners to bring the 2023 Grenada ICT Week to the country,” said Mr. John. “This event will provide a great opportunity for the business community to discuss how technology can be leveraged to drive economic growth and development in Grenada.”

Grenada ICT Week activities will include the twenty-fifth regional gathering of the Caribbean Network Operators Group (CaribNOG) and a special one-day workshop for computer engineers and students facilitated by the Internet Cooperation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) and the North America Network Operators Group (NANOG).

Vincent Roberts, Chairman of the Grenada NTRC, added, “The National Telecommunications Regulatory Commission is proud to partner with ARIN, the Caribbean Telecommunications Union and CaribNOG on the 2023 Grenada ICT Week. We are looking forward to highlighting important issues such as network resilience and security. We are also pleased that international groups such as ICANN and NANOG will be sharing their knowledge and expertise with our local technical community.”

The ICT Week is being organized by the Caribbean Telecommunications Union and ARIN in collaboration with the Government of Grenada, ICANN, the Internet Registry for Latin America and the Caribbean (LACNIC), the Internet Society, NANOG, and the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission.

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