AviaDev Africa to Deliver Over 300 Route Development Meetings

AviaDev Africa, the premier route development conference for Africa is set to deliver over 300 one-to-one route development meetings during its event in June.

With 38 airlines carriers registered - 28 of those African carriers, over 15 African airports and numerous suppliers including Airbus, Swissport, Boeing, Embraer, SITA, Rolls Royce to name a few, AviaDev Africa will undoubtedly provide the perfect platform to support air connectivity to, from and within Africa.

Alongside the route development meetings there will be a comprehensive programme on offer for all attendees. The event programme starts by looking at post pandemic Africa and sharing where the opportunities and challenges lie. Panel discussions on building profitable airline partnerships, the role of air cargo and diversifying airport revenues.

Speakers on day one include: Jenifer Bamuturaki Ag, Chief Executive Officer, Uganda Airlines; Agnes Khunwana, Chief Executive Officer, Air Botswana; Simon Newton-Smith, CCO, South African Airways; Zoe Rajohnson, Commercial and Marketing Director, Ravinala Airports; Namory Camara, Managing Director, SOGEAC Aéroport International Ahmed Sekou Toure; Moritz Breickmann, Investment Director, African Infrastructure Investment Managers.

Day Two starts with an inspirational session on e-flight and its possible applications for Africa. Panel discussions then explore the opportunities for OEMs, implementing practical technologies and financing African airlines. Speakers include: Hussein Dabbas, General Manager - Middle East and Africa, Embraer; Kuljit Ghata-Aura, President Middle East, Turkey and Africa, Boeing; Jonathan Ayache, Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer, lift; Dirk Goovaerts, CEO MEA & Global Cargo Chair, Swissport International and Helen Brume, Director, Project and Asset Based Finance, African Export Import Bank (AFREXIM).

The programme finishes with the prestigious Ato Girma Wake lifetime achievement award. This year’s worthy recipient is Sanjeev Gadhia, CEO, Astral Aviation, he will be joined on stage with Girma Wake, Chairman, Ethiopian Airlines and Adefunke Adeyemi, Regional Director, Advocacy and Strategic Relations, Africa, IATA last years recipient in an open discussion on his career to date and what the future holds for Astral.

In addition to the above there is a pre-conference workshop specifically for airports and tourism authorities focused on the specific skills needed to drive active route development and what airlines look for when placing a new route. Networking receptions on both days and a charity run raising money for the Peninsula School Feeding Association.

Jon Howell said, “we are delighted with the response to this years AviaDev Africa. We have supported the industry through the pandemic with numerous digital engagements and will continue to do so, but it is clear that the industry needs to meet and discuss future route development for Africa in person.

AviaDev Africa provides the perfect mix between an educational programme, focused pre-arranged route development meetings and industry networking. We are confident that as a result of the event, new relationships will be forged that will deliver the connectivity that Africa deserves.“

Wrenelle Stander, Wesgro CEO and Official Spokesperson for Cape Town Air Access added, “we look forward to welcoming our industry delegates to Cape Town and the Western Cape. We thank AviaDev for the opportunity to showcase our world-class destination as a business hub at the forefront of essential conversations and collaborations, especially regarding increasing air connectivity within Africa.”