In reinforcing its partnership with the private sector, IUGB hosted the leadership of Air Côte d’Ivoire, a new airline company, on Tuesday, February 19, 2019, at 9 am. The guests were General Abdoulaye COULIBALY, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Air Côte d’Ivoire, and Mr. René DECUREY, General Manager of that major national airline.
Professor Saliou TOURE, President of the IUGB, and the entire IUGB community gave a warm welcome to the two senior officials of Air Côte d’Ivoire.
During his welcome speech to the University’s professors, staff, and students, gathered in the large amphitheater, the President of IUGB paid tribute to General COULIBALY, who was the pilot of the late President Félix HOUPHOUET-BOIGNY. He also warmly thanked the Director General for accepting to share his life experience with the professors and students of the University.
General COULIBALY also took the floor to congratulate President TOURE for the quality of the training and the remarkable progress of IUGB.
Thereafter, Mr. René DECUREY gave a lecture on the theme: Should African nations join forces to create a new Air Afrique?
The speaker reviewed the history of the passage from Air Afrique to Air Ivoire, then to Air Côte d’Ivoire. He gave details of the air traffic in the two regions of West and Central Africa. Abidjan is now a regional hub linking the two regions, allowing Air Côte d’Ivoire to serve a large part of the air traffic between the two regions. However, given the high taxes and the miscellaneous services, the airline cannot make lot of profits on airline tickets. The professors and students, who filled the amphitheater, were enriched by the speaker’s extensive experience in managing an airline. In a frank and straight talk, Mr. DECUREY shared the remarkable successes of Air Côte d’Ivoire, without failing to share the daily business related difficulties. The two officials of the Airline provided clear answers to the relevant questions of the audience. The audience was pleased with the performances of Air Côte d’Ivoire in such a short time and by the good progress for sustainable development of the company. The conference ended around noon.