General Electric builds resourced-web portal on Africa’s aviation laws

General Electric’s Capital Aviation Services Limited (GECAS) on February 21, 2012 launched a new web portal that offers lessors, government officials and airlines, an expert source for the various aviation laws across Africa.

The portal, Aviation – Education, Resource & Information for African Lawyers (AERIAL), also gives a directory of aviation-experienced attorneys ready to help.

“It is open to both private-practice and in-house lawyers and is free to join,” said GECAS in astatement.

Lawyers in the network can use the portal to share information and expertise on African countries’ aviation laws, Cape Town ratification, and open skies treaties, as well as share knowledge on noise, safety, or environmental issues, according to the commercial aircraft leasing and financing arm of the GE.

“One of the biggest obstacles to financing aircraft in Africa is the patchwork of laws on a country-by-country basis,” said David Bartlett, creator of the AERIAL network and senior VP, legal counsel for GECAS.

“We built this online resource to make it easier for everyone to help grow the aviation industry in Africa,” he adds.

The AERIAL portal launched with members in 20 different African countries, has received the backing of the African Airlines Association (AFRAA), it says.

By Ekow Quandzie