The most prominent stakeholders in the African aviation industry will gather in Nairobi, Kenya, from June 14 – 16 for AviaDev Africa 2023. Simple Flying will be attending the event.
AviaDev is a leading networking platform bringing together airlines, airports, governments, industry suppliers, and tourism authorities to develop air connectivity in the African continent.
As African aviation has almost fully recovered from the pandemic, it is the perfect time for leaders to meet and address challenges faced in the industry. They will also discuss implementing several initiatives to create a more sustainable aviation market.
AviaDev in numbers
Airline officials, airport managers, and media representatives from various sectors will travel to Kenya to take advantage of this significant networking opportunity. The event has reached total capacity as 350 delegates have registered.
Photo: The Bench via Flickr
Over 90 delegates representing 35 airlines will be present, including Airlink, Fastjet Delta Air Lines, Ethiopian Airlines, Lufthansa Group, Qatar Airways, and Uganda Airlines, to mention a few. Up to 36 countries will be represented, while 73% of attendees will be from Africa. Airlink CEO Rodger Foster said last year;
"AviaDev is an incredible platform. The topics of conversation and the debates here at AviaDev have all been absolutely on point and awesome."
Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) has been chosen as the host partner, while Kenya Airways is the official carrier. Other sponsors include AerCap, Airbus, Embraer, Madagascar's Ravinala, and Rolls-Royce. Some of the industry's most renowned leaders will be speaking at the event, including AviaDev CEO Jon Howell.
Creating a sustainable aviation market
Sustainability is one of the top priorities in the aviation industry, as operators aim to reduce carbon emissions significantly. Airlines worldwide have invested millions of dollars towards research and finding greener solutions, including using Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs).
However, sustainable solutions are costly, and only the most-profitable airlines can reserve significant funds. African carriers experience incredibly high operating costs due to the current infrastructure and logistics, so CEOs will discuss possible solutions to prioritize sustainability over profit in the short term.
Photo: Kenya Airways
Most African airlines have prioritized sustainability, and some have made significant progress by investing in modern aircraft and operating SAF-powered test flights. Valuable insights will be shared to understand how technology can ensure a more efficient and sustainable African aviation industry.
The implementation of SAATM
The Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) is a flagship project of the African Union, essential for boosting intra-Africa connectivity. To date, 34 countries representing over 80% of the existing market have signed on to SAATM.
The SAATM Hard Talk Session with African Civil Aviation Commission (AfCAC) Secretary General Adefunke Adeyemi will highlight the importance of the project's implementation. Open skies will boost air traffic, economic activities, and job creation. IATA predicts that if 12 major African countries opened their markets, over 155,000 jobs and $1.3 billion in annual GDP would be created.
Photo: LO Kin-hei / Shutterstock
The implementation of SAATM will also promote route development in the continent. Since emerging from the pandemic, several regional routes have been created, enhancing trade and tourism between states. This initiative is a top priority for various governments and civil aviation authorities.
Check out more African aviation news here
Post-pandemic growth
Although some airlines are still suffering from the effects of the pandemic, global carriers are expected to return to profitability before the end of the year. Additionally, different African regions are recovering at different paces, while others have surpassed pre-pandemic levels.
AviaDev will allow entrepreneurs and organizations to hear from those who have successfully launched and grown airlines. Discussions will focus on the strategies for accessing the capital required to launch and manage airline operations.
Photo: The Bench via Flickr
To promote airline success and intra-Africa connectivity, stakeholders will explore partnership opportunities. They are looking to capitalize on the potential offered by the air cargo sector by building a solid ecosystem through airline-airport collaboration.
With networking receptions throughout the three-day event, many partnerships are expected to be created. The last AviaDev Africa event took place last in Cape Town and successfully contributed to African aviation development. ET Chairman Ato Girma Wake said;
“It was an excellent and productive meeting. In two days we achieved what we normally don't achieve in a week."
Supporting events
AviaDev Africa 2023 will start with the Africa Hospitality Investment Forum (AHIF) from June 12 – 14. AHIF is a premier hospitality investment conference offering local and international investors a chance to look at Africa's tourism and hospitality development opportunities.
On June 14, AviaDev real estate will take place. This is an inaugural event connecting airports with real estate developers and investors. African airports can engage with finance and land development experts to maximize revenue potential.
Photo: The Bench via Flickr
African airports like Entebbe International (EBB), Harare RG Mugabe (HRE), and Lagos Murtala Muhammed (LOS) are undergoing expansion, which is promoted by similar real estate projects. Experts are ready to discuss smart city construction and raising capital for airport projects in Africa.
Various airport representatives will be present, including the Airports Company of Zimbabwe (ACZ), the Airports Company of South Africa (ACSA), and the Namibia Airports Company (NAC).
Get all the latest airline route news right here
Contributing to African success
Aviation has become an essential contributor to the socio-economic development of the African continent. More resources are required to educate people about the importance of air connectivity. On June 16, there will be a fundraising charity run to build the first African aviation library and resource center at Wilson Airport in Nairobi.
Photo: The Bench via Flickr
Young aviators and future industry leaders have been invited to learn and plan for the sector's further development. They will discover ways to make sure "Open Skies for Africa" is realized in the next five years.
The event will also recognize stakeholders who have played an essential role in developing air connectivity in Africa. This year Airlink CEO Rodger Foster has been awarded the Ato Girma Wake Lifetime Achievement Award for his outstanding performance.
Ato Girma Wake said, "I am very pleased that Roger Foster was chosen from among many deserving aviation leaders for this award. It is our way of saying thank you for the good job he is doing as CEO of the airline to ease inter-African connections. Congratulations Rodger, and please continue with the good work."
What do you think of the upcoming AviaDev event? Let us know in the comments!
