AviaDev Insight Africa

In this episode of Aviadev Insight Africa, I spoke with Kirby Gordon, Chief Marketing Officer of FlySafair, about the airline's innovative use of AI, particularly their new AI agent named Lindi. Together, we discuss the implications of AI in customer service, the incentives for customers to use Lindi, and the feedback received since its launch. The conversation also features a deep dive into the fleet standardisation challenges and the airline's regional expansion plans.

Welcome to the June edition of the AviaDev Insight Africa Connectivity update for 2025, hosted by Jon Howell, CEO and Founder of AviaDev Africa. This month's guests are:  Sean Mendis, Aviation Consultant. CONNECT WITH SEAN Behramjee Ghadially, Aviation Consultant. CONNECT WITH BEHRAMJEE  Topics covered this month: The impact of the Trump travel ban on Africa's airlines, with a deep dive into Ethiopian Airlines' next moves in the market Kenya Airways and Qatar Airways announcement on 1st July and what it could mean, plus a brief discussion on the fleet and growth plan (more to come next month) Airlink's order of 10 E2-195s, which start to arrive from September. How will they be used now the airline has applied for Cape Town - Lagos and Accra, plus Johannesburg to Mauritius and Zanzibar. Air Cote d'Ivoire suspending routes to Casablanca and Johannesburg The impact of this on SAA who serve Abidjan Air Peace announcing new flights from Abuja to London Heathrow 4 x week from October. Will it work? Zambia Airways launched Lusaka- Harare Africa World Airlines launched Ouagadougou 1 July. What does this mean for the Sahel region and AWA's network? ITA rumours around serving Abidjan and Lagos plus Zanzibar in Northern Hemisphere Winter Air Tanzania's Johannesburg- Zanzibar schedule  If you enjoyed the episode, please share it with your network or leave us a review. All event sessions and the vodcast is available on the AviaDev YouTube Channel

This session was recorded 11th June in Zanzibar.  In this session, industry leaders discuss the critical aspects of tourism and aviation policy integration within the African context. The panel reviews the vital role of private sector and government collaboration, and the importance of regional connectivity. Key points address the economic impact of improved air access, the challenges posed by protectionist policies, and the necessity for a data-driven approach. The discourse emphasizes actionable steps like fostering deeper cooperation between tourism bodies and aviation authorities and how better trade and infrastructure can elevate African tourism. Your moderator is Natalia Rosa, Tourism Project Lead, SADC Business Council Panellists: Hafsa H. Mbamba, Tourism Delivery Manager, Zanzibar Presidential Delivery Bureau (ZPDB) Rashid Toefy, Deputy Director General for Economic Development and Tourism, Western Cape Government

This session was recorded 11th June in Zanzibar.  This engaging session features real-life examples from Namibia, Madagascar, and Zambia. Moderated by Francis Doku, the discussion dives into how airlines, airports, and tourism boards can work together to overcome barriers such as high costs, regulatory challenges, and the lack of data-driven strategies. The panelists, representing different sectors, emphasize the need for shared data, trust, government support, and innovative marketing to create successful partnerships. They also highlight the significant impact of external support in orchestrating and sustaining these collaborative efforts. Your moderator is Francis Doku, CEO, Maestro Africa Group Panellists: Keira Langford-Johnson, Business Development Director, Proflight Zambia Charmaine Matheus, Namibia Tourism Board Minosoa Tatamo Rakotozafy, Head of Aeronautical Activities, Ravinala Airports 

This session was recorded on Thursday, 12th June, at the AviaDev Africa event in Zanzibar. Key topics include ownership models, market access barriers, regulatory challenges, and strategies to unlock capital and promote growth in the sector. Panelists share their perspectives on the significance of liberalizing the air transport market through initiatives like SAATM, the importance of risk management, and the critical need for investments in local talent and infrastructure. Despite diverse views, there is a consensus on the necessity for enhanced regulatory reforms and regional cooperation to foster a more competitive and thriving aviation industry in Africa.  Your moderator for this session is Hilka Birns and she was joined by: Helen Brume, Director, Projects & Asset Based Finance, Afreximbank Munawer Dhirani, CEO, Flightlink Julian Edmunds, Group Strategy & Development Director, Fastjet Mesfin Tasew, Group Chief Executive Officer, Ethiopian Airlines Peter Ulanga, Managing Director & CEO, Air Tanzania

This session was recorded on Friday, 13th June, at the AviaDev Africa event in Zanzibar.  The panel discuss innovative strategies for increasing revenue, enhancing passenger satisfaction, and leveraging real estate development around airports. Success stories from Zanzibar and Guinea exemplify effective modernization and operational efficiency while maintaining customer experience. Additionally, Murat Gun from Emirates Leisure Retail discusses their vision for Zanzibar's airport, focusing on creating an experience in tune with the island's vibe and local culture. The session concludes with a collaborative discussion on future growth and investments in airport infrastructure.  Your moderator for this session is Jody Appollis, Aviation Project Manager at NACO Airport Consultants and she was joined by: Namory Camara, Managing Director, SOGEAC Murat Gun, Managing Director, ELR UAE and Travel Retail Seif Juma, Director General, Zanzibar Airports Authority Oliver Mathwich, Chief Commercial Officer, Dnata Dr Bao Rasebolai Mosinyi, Chief Executive Officer, Civil Aviation Authority of Botswana

In this discussion, industry experts explore the critical challenges facing African aviation, including rising costs, supply chain disruptions, and financing hurdles. Topics discussed include the viability of ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) solutions, the importance of transparent and strategic business planning for attracting investments, and the impact of government taxes and tariffs on the industry. The session also touches on practical solutions for managing the supply chain crisis and optimizing fleet management. Your moderator for this session is Tristan Brouard, ACC aviation and he was joined by: Abderahmane Berthe, Secretary General, African Airlines Association Miguel Carneiro, Chief Commercial Officer, TAAG Angola Airlines Linas Dovydenas, President IMEA, Chapman Freeborn  Raphael Haddad, President, Jetcraft Commercial Maarten Grift, Sales Manager, TrueNoord

This session was recorded on Thursday, 12th June, at the AviaDev Africa event in Zanzibar.  The panel discusses the integration of AI in various facets of the aviation industry, such as customer service, operational planning, revenue management, and fraud detection in payments. Topics addressed include the benefits of AI, such as predictive maintenance, personalized customer experiences, and cost reductions, as well as challenges like AI hallucinations, regulatory compliance, and the need for human oversight.  Your moderator for this session is Refilwe Ledwaba, and she was joined by Judy Waruiru, Network International Hassan Aurag, Hitit Bharat Kumar, Revenue Technology Services Martin Gitonga, Kenya Airways  

This session was recorded on Friday, 13th June at the AviaDev Africa event in Zanzibar.  The discussion delves into various challenges and strategies for domestic and regional route development, including market stimulation, aircraft utilization, regulatory constraints, and the importance of balance between yield and volume. Key takeaways emphasize the intricacies of route planning, the importance of domestic market dominance, and the impact of external factors such as slot availability and geopolitical issues on airline operations Your moderator for this session is Sean Mendis, African aviation expert and he was joined by: Adedayo Olawuyi, Chief Commercial Officer, Uganda Airlines Tebogo Tsimane, Chief Commercial Officer, South African Airways Keira Langford-Johnson, Business Development Director, Proflight Zambia Karanja Ndegwa, Managing Director and CEO, JamboJet

This session was recorded on Friday, 13th June at the AviaDev Africa event in Zanzibar.  Ato Mesfin Tasew Bekele, the Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, shares his remarkable journey from an engineering trainee to leading Africa's largest airline. Mesfin discusses his extensive experience in various roles within Ethiopian Airlines, the unique management culture of the airline, the significant strides in human resource development, and future infrastructure projects. The episode features João Po Jorge, Former CEO of LAM Mozambique Airlines and a 2024 award recipient, plus Ato Girma Wake, for whom the award is named. 

Access to finance is a perennial challenge for many African and Global airlines and it starts with identifying the right solution for your business model.   For this episode, I am joined by Tristan Brouard, Vice President of Asset Management at ACC Aviation, a global leader in aircraft leasing that offers transaction and consultancy services.  Tristan will be hosting a panel at AviaDev in Zanzibar and in the build up, we have created an insightful blog post that supports this podcast. Read the blog post here   We discuss: The current environment for aircraft financing in Africa? The different forms of aircraft acquisition available to an airline How this mix is changing in Africa, especially as ACMI providers grow in number and scope? Where can airlines typically source finance? How can airlines take concrete steps to help themselves become more investment-friendly and build trust with lenders and lessors? Will there be a shift in how aircraft financing is approached in Africa? CONNECT WITH TRISTAN HERE FOLLOW ACC AVIATION HERE

Welcome to the April edition of the AviaDev Insight Africa Connectivity update for 2025, hosted by Jon Howell, CEO and Founder of AviaDev Africa. This month's guests are:  Sean Mendis, Aviation Consultant. CONNECT WITH SEAN Behramjee Ghadially, Aviation Consultant. CONNECT WITH BEHRAMJEE  Topics covered this month: Air Côte d'Ivoire's incoming A330-900 and potential destinations, including Beirut. RwandAir's interest in developing Mombasa and Zanzibar (great timing for AviaDev) Delta is upgrading Atlanta - Lagos to A350-900 daily Air France is increasing Cape Town service in Winter Air Asia has confirmed it will end the Nairobi route  Air Tanzania is announcing Johannesburg- Zanzibar flights from 10th June (perfect timing for AviaDev) A deep dive analysis into the Dubai-Africa market, comparing ET vs KQ performance

In this episode, we welcome back Judy Waruiru, Regional Managing Director - East Africa, Network International.  AI is influencing all aspects of the aviation business, and payments are no exception.  Together, we discuss: Has the momentum towards payment digitisation from passengers continued? How is this reducing cost and complexity for airlines? Is the new "buy now, pay later" concept supporting airlines in acquiring new customers?  What can be done with the data Network International collects?  How can airlines prevent fraud, which continues to be an issue impacting the industry?   Read the blog post here Connect with Judy here Stay up to date with Network International here

In this episode, we welcome Denis Kulikov, Deputy CEO at AI12 and Michael Jonga, Director Africa to explore how safety culture and its direct impact on insurance premiums, which can be a substantial expense for African airlines.  Together, we discuss: The different types of insurance required to operate  The link between safety and premiums and how to break the perception of risk The level of premiums paid by African airlines vs the World average Practical steps airlines can take to reduce this The role of an insurance broker and the benefits of engaging one such as AI12 Find out more about AI12 Connect with Denis Connect with Michael

We welcome the Director General of the Somalia Civil Aviation Authority, Ahmed Hassan Moalim and Tom Perkins, CEO of Navpass to tell the story of how Somalia's airspace has been reinvented over the last 7 years.  We chart the course from when Somalia took back control of the Sovereign Airspace from ICAO and how Navpass supported them to collect all overflight fees owed whilst improving safety, security, and reliability for all stakeholders.  The story is a blueprint for what can be achieved through trust, collaboration and innovation.  You can meet the DG and the Navpass team at AviaDev Africa in Zanzibar in June 2025.  Find out more about Navpass Connect with Tom    

In this episode, I speak to Jody Appolis, airport engineer who heads NACO's business development unit in sub-Saharan Africa and Adam Ekman Pedersen who is Airport Commerce and customer experience lead. Supported by the infographic below, we are focused on African airports and the hot topic of non-aeronautical revenues. We look at how Africa compares to the global average and discuss some potential solutions to address this. Together, we discuss: The difference between aeronautical and non-aeronautical revenues How does Africa compare to the global average in terms of the ratio between the two?  Does the overperformance of duty-free in Africa indicate a lack of decent alternative shopping or simply a compelling duty-free offering?  How can the retail offering be improved and what role does the customer experience play in developing non-aeronautical revenues?  How do we cater for Gen Z travellers and their preferences? CONNECT WITH JODY CONNECT WITH ADAM  

In this episode, I interview Dirk Singer, co-author of "Sustainability in the Air," Volume two.   The first edition is one of my favourite publications and highlights specific companies and case studies relating to sustainability 18 months after the first volume was published, we discuss the following: Is the desire and requirement to focus on sustainable solutions more important than ever?  Which technologies are attracting the most investment? How supportive are governments of this new technology, and is the support reducing? What is the shortest route to affordable sustainable aviation fuel?  Is there increased investment in the early stage tech from OEMs and end users? What are the opportunities and threats for African aviation? Buy the book on Amazon here Connect with Dirk here  

Welcome to the April edition of the AviaDev Insight Africa Connectivity update for 2025, hosted by Jon Howell, CEO and Founder of AviaDev Africa. This month's guests are:  Sean Mendis, Aviation Consultant. CONNECT WITH SEAN Behramjee Ghadially, Aviation Consultant. CONNECT WITH BEHRAMJEE  Topics covered this month: Ethiopian Airlines to launch to Sharjah 4 x week and go double daily to Lagos from July.  Qantas is rumoured to be launching Perth-Johannesburg in December 3 x week Etihad to increase flights from Nairobi to double daily in December Deep dive into the London-Africa dynamic and how London Gatwick has improved it's share of African traffic Air Sierra Leone launching to London Gatwick from Freetown in June with one of our commentators heavily involved Condor expanding services to Cape Town and Johannesburg from November Africa World Airlines launching flights to Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso from 3 June Kenya Airways summer schedule changes and west Africa operation Listen to Sean's commentary on SAA here 

In this episode, I sit down with Selim Bouri, President, Middle East, Africa and Turkiye at SITA to interpret the findings of a recent SITA survey focused on air transport IT.  Selim shares his insights on the below questions: Has momentum towards digitalization and IT investment in African airports broadly continued post-Covid?  Why was passenger processing identified as the most important factor in the report?   What solutions can African airports focus on in 2025 that ensure the highest return for the lowest investment and the shortest implementation time? How can Artificial Intelligence support airports and what specific solutions are already available to African airports? How can technology investment support sustainability targets and initiatives?  You can meet the SITA team at AviaDev Africa in June Follow/ Connect with Selim on LinkedIn Download the IT insights report here  SITA is the World's leading specialist in air transport communications and information technology. Visit the website

In this episode, I sit down with Kwame Bekoe, Co-Founder and CEO of AfriSAF, https://afrisaf.com/  After 20 years working in the aviation industry for companies such as Airbus, GECAS, Zero and now proudly owning an MBA, Entrepreneur Kwame Bekoe is embarking on his biggest mission yet- to unlock Africa's sustainable energy potential.  In the episode, we discuss Kwame's passion for agriculture and Africa, why he feels a biomass-driven SAF solution is what the world needs now, and the input and enthusiasm of African airlines and investors.  CONNECT WITH KWAME

In this episode, I am joined by Anastasija Visnakova, Vice President Sales and Marketing at Deutsche Aircraft, a re-established OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer).  The D328eco is a modern turboprop aircraft boasting state-of-the-art technology and exceptional performance. Together, we discuss: The history of the airframe and how we got here The major features (Capacity, layout) and what specific items make it 21st century ready Why the aircraft is a good fit for the African market and how it can be utilised The sustainability benefits and potential savings for operators How to finance a purchase and when an aircraft may be available.  You can meet the Deutsche team at AviaDev in Zanzibar June 11-13th  Visit the website to find out more Connect with Anastasija

Welcome to the March edition of the AviaDev Insight Africa Connectivity update for 2025, hosted by Jon Howell, CEO and Founder of AviaDev Africa. This month's guests are:  Sean Mendis, Aviation Consultant. CONNECT WITH SEAN Behramjee Ghadially, Aviation Consultant. CONNECT WITH BEHRAMJEE  Topics this month include: Recap and feedback on Uganda Airlines' new LGW route Kenya Airways report a $42 million profit and continues to tweak its schedules and navigate operational challenges Ethiopian Airlines and Etihad Partnership. Who stands to gain the most and what's behind it? Deep Dive Topic 1: Understanding the importance and changing dynamic of the China market to Ethiopian Airlines' network.  Deep Dive Topic 2: US-South Africa schedule changes as Delta and United lean in to Cape Town and away from Johannesburg Fastjet to launch Harare-Lusaka from 9th April Airlink to boost Nairobi to 10 x week and Lusaka to 10x day Singapore Airlines increasing Johannesburg to 10x week in April and 12x from June Gulf Air to return to Nairobi on 2nd June after a 13 year hiatus Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed the episode, please subscribe and share it with someone from your network who may benefit from listening. 

In this episode, we hear Rodger Foster's farewell speech to the industry ahead of his retirement.    Rodger is CEO and Managing Director of Airlink, and the speech reflects on his career and the evolution of Airlink since its founding in 1992. He reflects on the journey through significant political and economic changes in South Africa, detailing the challenges and achievements in the aviation industry. Rodger discusses the current state of the industry, emphasizing the need for updated regulatory frameworks, better infrastructure, and more collaborative approaches to unlock Africa's aviation potential. He criticizes the inefficacy of the Single African Air Transport Market (SATAM), and addresses issues like unfair economic regulations, outdated airport services, and the need for modernized weather services and digitalization. Ultimately, Rodger advocates for fundamental growth changes and greater unity across the industry to ensure a sustainable future. Watch Rodger's lifetime achievement award interview here

Welcome to the February edition of the AviaDev Insight Africa Connectivity update for 2025, hosted by Jon Howell, CEO and Founder of AviaDev Africa. This month's guests are:  Sean Mendis, Aviation Consultant. CONNECT WITH SEAN Behramjee Ghadially, Aviation Consultant. CONNECT WITH BEHRAMJEE  Topics this month include: Air Peace canceled Johannesburg, Lome, and Jeddah flights, but signed an interline agreement with Emirates RwandAir's connectivity challenges and how they can overcome them Ethiopian updates include the new Porto Route, Manchester moving to daily service, Entebbe increase, Moscow increase, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur increases, and a change in routing for West Africa Etihad to suspend Seychelles from 22 May Condor increasing Cape Town from 5-7 per week and Jo'burg from 2-3 per week, plus Norse to go 4 x weekly to CPT Winter 2025 ITA to start Rome - Mauritius flights from November 2025 Cathay Pacific to increase to Jo'burg from 5 x week to daily from July Uganda Airlines latest on the London route Eswatini Air to open Lusaka 2 x week

In this episode, I am joined by Marco Goetz, Chief Commercial Officer, and Rupert Kraus, Director Network Development and Airport Relations at Discover Airlines.  The airline turns 4 in 2025 and continues to develop its African network.  In the episode, we discuss: The African network and fleet in 2025. The Zanzibar route performance and continued expansion A new route for 2025, the Seychelles, starting in October 2025.  Windhoek will be served from a new base in Munich 3 x week from March 2025. How big a role has the interline with Airlink/ FlyNamibia played in making this route a success?  Inflight product upgrades Fleet development and what this means for African destinations that cannot yet be served.  Meet the team at AviaDev in Zanzibar this June Connect with Rupert Connect with Marco

In this episode, I am joined by our 3 partners to preview the inaugural AviaDev tourism and connectivity forum, a platform offering practical advice and showcasing best practices to inform and assist Africa's tourism authorities to shape their destination's connectivity.  Our partners are: Natalia Rosa, Tourism Project Lead, SADC Tourism Business Council  Kojo Bentum-Williams, CEO, VoyagesAfriq Tim Harris, Helm Growth Advisors In the episode, we discuss: Why the Cape Town Air Access initiative was created and the benefits it has brought to the Western Cape Is there appetite from the SADC governments to support the development of aviation and tourism in the region and what lobbying efforts are currently taking place? Why destinations are not already more involved in air service development An overview of the sessions and what attendees will gain from attending.  You can find out more about the event here If you are an airport listener, why not share the episode and encourage your tourism authority to join you for the event?   

In this episode, we sit down with George Mothema, CEO of BARSA, the Board of Airline Representatives of South Africa, who represents the interests of international, regional, and local member airlines and ground handlers to government, airport operators, and stakeholders in the airline industry.  We cover: South Africa's recovery to date in terms of airlift and tourism BARSA's priorities for 2025 and beyond What's holding back progress? An overview of topics and speakers slated for the 2025 edition, taking place 13-14 March in Kruger, Mpumulanga.  To find out more about the summit, visit https://barsa.co.za/summit-2025/  To follow BARSA on LinkedIn, click here  To view the Trevor Noah campaign video

In this episode, recorded live on location in Dubai, we are joined by Timur Shumarov, Co-Founder, and Tatenda Karuwa, Account Executive, from Solus Insurance Brokers to discuss the critical topic of aviation insurance for African airlines. In the episode, we cover: The typical insurance an airline will need to be able to operate How is the insurance landscape in Africa changing and what is driving the change?  The challenges of providing incomplete or incorrect information when applying for coverage or leaving a renewal too late The benefits of engaging an insurance broker to support the airline.  Connect with Tatenda Connect with Timur Find out more about Solus at https://solus.ae/  Our conversation is supported by an insightful article entitled "5 Best Practices When Seeking Aviation Insurance" which can be read here  

We welcome back Raphael Haddad, President of Jetcraft Commerical, for a deep dive into the challenges and opportunities facing African airlines regarding aircraft procurement and financing.  Topics discussed: An overview of current market trends and sentiment Is aircraft acquisition and financing becoming more difficult and what options are open to African airlines? Fleet renewals. Are airlines looking for improved efficiency and economics or are they simply focused on cost? How can we improve the strength of African airlines to ensure that African connectivity continues to develop? Is Africa ready to handle a doubling of the commercial fleet in the next 20 years?  Connect with Raphael on LinkedIn Visit the Jetcraft Commercial website

Welcome to the first edition of the AviaDev Insight Africa Connectivity update for 2025, hosted by Jon Howell, CEO and Founder of AviaDev Africa. This month's guests are:  Sean Mendis, Aviation Consultant. CONNECT WITH SEAN Behramjee Ghadially, Aviation Consultant. CONNECT WITH BEHRAMJEE  In this bumper episode, we cover the following stories: ✈️ Ethiopian Airlines to launch Hyderabad 3 x week from June ✈️ SAA opening a daily flight to Dar-Es-Salaam on 20th January ✈️ Air Sierra Leone launching operations with Freetown-Lagos using Embraer ERJ 145 ✈️ British Airways increasing service to Nairobi in Summer 2025 and the impact on Kenya Airways and Uganda Airlines' ambitions in this market ✈️ Lufthansa Group deep dive: Brussels Airlines increasing its long haul fleet and sub-Saharan expansion to 56 weekly flights.  ✈️ Discover to launch Seychelles 2 x week from October 2025 ✈️ ITA joining the Lufthansa Group and what this means for African connectivity  ✈️ Air Arabia launching service to Addis Ababa from Sharjah ✈️ Turkish Airlines' expansion into Tanzania ✈️ Emirates increasing frequencies to Madagascar ✈️ Latest on the South African market and ownership ruling If you enjoyed this conversation, please subscribe to the podcast to never miss another episode and share this episode with someone in your network who would benefit from listening. 

In our first podcast of 2025, we examine how AI is revolutionizing airline revenue management and how this can improve airline profitability in Africa and across the globe. To discuss this topic, I am joined by 3 revenue management experts: the President and CEO of RTS, Raja Kasilingam; Passenger Airline Senior Vice President, Bharat Kumar and Senior Vice President, Jason Codd.  Topics discussed: An introduction to airline revenue management- its origins and evolution Common mistakes airlines make with their revenue management practices The World of Artificial Intelligence and how it can support decision making How to deal with scepticism and how AI can provide transparency in outlining recommendations Read the blog here Connect with Raja here Connect with Bharat here Connect with Jason here     

This is the fourteenth and end-of-year edition of the AviaDev Insight Africa Connectivity update, the podcast offering insight into the route developments in Africa, hosted by Jon Howell, CEO and Founder of AviaDev Africa. This month's guests are:  Sean Mendis, Aviation Consultant. CONNECT WITH SEAN Behramjee Ghadially, Aviation Consultant. CONNECT WITH BEHRAMJEE  Our protagonists will be nominating their chosen routes according to the following categories:✈️ Intercontinental Route of the Year ✈️ Intra-Africa Route of the Year ✈️ Best intercontinental "Expansion" Route of the year ✈️ Worst Route decision of the year ✈️ Route suspension of the year ✈️ Surprise route of the year ✈️ Most sensible commercial decision of the year If you enjoyed this conversation, please subscribe to the podcast to never miss another episode and share this episode with someone in your network who would benefit from listening. 

In this episode, we speak with the Editors of a new publication dedicated to Air Service Development.  This is particularly poignant for your host, as Jon Howell contributed both the Preface and a chapter to the book. In the episode, we explore whether the book is theoretical or practical, who will derive value from the publication, and get some insight into the contributors. To order the book, visit the Routledge website here

In this episode, Arif Abbas, the Executive Secretary of the Zanzibar Commission for Tourism, outlines the island's tourism strategy.  We discuss why ZCT chose to partner with the Zanzibar Airports Authority to host AviaDev in June 2025, the importance of tourism to the Island's economy, and why growth in volume is not the only metric of success.  Learn about the target markets and the renewed focus on African connectivity.  Find out more about the event at www.aviadev.com 

This is the thirteenth edition of AviaDev Insight Africa Connectivity update, the podcast offering insight into the new route developments in Africa, hosted by Jon Howell, CEO and Founder of AviaDev Africa. This month's guests are:  Sean Mendis, Aviation Consultant. CONNECT WITH SEAN Behramjee Ghadially, Aviation Consultant. CONNECT WITH BEHRAMJEE  Joao Po Jorge CONNECT WITH JOAO Key topics discussed: ✈️ FlySafair's current predicament and impending ruling ✈️ Ethiopian launching domestic operations in DRC as part of a joint venture ✈️ Ethiopian's new A350-1000 and pending regional aircraft decision- will it be the E2 or the A220? ✈️ Virgin delaying Accra launch  ✈️ Uganda Airlines leasing in A320s and an update on the London Gatwick route ✈️ Air Tanzania's new CEO and launch to Johannesburg 5x week ✈️ Flynas to open Entebbe and Djibouti from January 2025 ✈️ How important will Africa be to Riyadh Air's strategy?  ✈️ Air Sierra Leone- what do we know? ✈️ flyDubai's quiet increase to Addis and Entebbe If you enjoyed this conversation, please subscribe to the podcast to never miss another episode and share this episode with someone in your network who would benefit from listening. 

This episode was recorded on location on the Spice Island of Zanzibar on 15th November 2024.  I sat down with the DG of the Zanzibar Airports Authority to understand why they wanted to host AviaDev in 2025.  We also discuss the incredible passenger growth, new infrastructure and where the opportunities lie for more connectivity.  Finally, we discuss some ideas of what to do on the Island before or after the AviaDev event in June 2025.  Find out more at www.aviadev.com 

In this episode, we speak to Jacob Rogers, a recent graduate from Coventry University in the UK.  Jacob recently graduated with First Class Honours in BSc Aviation Management. His dissertation topic was fascinating and based on interviews with African Aviation leaders. As a Visiting Professor at the University, we first discussed the topic a year ago, so I'm delighted to bring the topic to the podcast. Together we discussed: Jacob's interest in African aviation The objective of the research Significant differences between leadership styles in Africa and traditional styles Did anything stand out or surprise in the findings? Major takeaways and conclusion of the research CONNECT WITH JACOB ON LINKEDIN  If you enjoyed the episode, please share it with someone in your network who will benefit from listening and please subscribe/ leave us a review so more people can find us.  Find out more about AviaDev, www.aviadev.com 

Welcome to the twelfth edition of AviaDev Insight Africa's Connectivity update, the podcast offering insight into the new route developments in Africa, hosted by Jon Howell, CEO and Founder of AviaDev Africa. This month's guests are:  Sean Mendis, Aviation Consultant. CONNECT WITH SEAN Behramjee Ghadially, Aviation Consultant. CONNECT WITH BEHRAMJEE  Key topics discussed: ✈️ India-Africa Connectivity discussion  ✈️ Airlink launching Kinshasa, DRC from Johannesburg 3 x week from March 2025 ✈️ Uganda Airlines to London. A rumor or confirmed? ✈️ United Airlines opening Washington-Dakar 3 x week from May 2025 ✈️ Ethiopian Airlines increasing Nosy Be service to daily.  ✈️ Ethiopian's A350-1000. What is the configuration and how will the aircraft be deployed? ✈️ Are challenges for airlines flying to China providing opportunities for additional frequencies to Sub-Saharan Africa? ✈️ Emirates to Lagos has now launched. How is it going? ✈️ Qantas and Airlink codeshare. Will Qantas add Perth-Johannesburg to its network? If you enjoyed this conversation, please subscribe to the podcast to never miss another episode and share this episode with someone in your network who would benefit from listening.  Listen to the Indian AvGeek podcast here

This episode was recorded on 18th October 2024 on location in Paarl, Western Cape during the AASA AGA.  Together, Miguel Carneiro, TAAG CCO and I unpack the following: Miguel's background and experience  How the Airbus A220-300 will be utilised and why it was selected How the 4 new Boeing 787s will be configured, when they will be delivered and how they will be deployed The New Luanda Airport. When will TAAG be relocating and what is the opening process What long haul destinations can we expect to be opened over the coming years TAAG and Angola's view of SAATM and how implementation will support the airline's ambitions. If you enjoyed the episode, please share it with someone in your network who will benefit from listening and please subscribe/ leave us a review so more people can find us.  Find out more about AviaDev, www.aviadev.com 

This episode was recorded on 19th October 2024 on location in Paarl, Western Cape during the AASA AGA.  Together, Elmar Conradie, FlySafair CEO and I unpack the following: The ever-changing dynamics of South African domestic market The launch of the Cape Town -Windhoek route on 22nd October  Safair's approach to route development and the passenger mix flying with the airline The success of the Cape Town- Kruger route and increased frequencies Additional frequencies being added to Mauritius and Zanzibar and whether new destinations are on the horizon Fleet plans for the next 12 months If you enjoyed the episode, please share it with someone in your network who will benefit from listening and please subscribe/ leave us a review so more people can find us.  Find out more about AviaDev, www.aviadev.com 

In this episode, we speak to the 2024 Aviadev Ambassadors, uno and Tuli, 3 months on from their AviaDev experience.  Together, we discuss the competitive selection process for becoming ambassadors, their roles in supporting the event, and the invaluable networking opportunities they encountered. Both ambassadors share their aspirations to advance the African aviation sector sustainably and their personal career goals in aviation. They also offer advice to future ambassadors and aspiring aviators.  CONNECT WITH UNO CONNECT WITH TULI WATCH THE 2024 SESSION

In the landmark 300th episode of Aviadev Insight Africa, we are joined by Geert Lemaire, Marketing Director of Market Intelligence and Analysis at Airbus, to discuss the collaborative report with AviaDev on unserved air routes to, from, and within Africa. The report was released at AviaDev Africa 2024 in Windhoek, Namibia.  Together we discuss: The motivations behind the report The response from the industry and media Why are aircraft manufacturers involved in network planning and route analysis? Why are certain routes unserved? General trends/ overall conclusions A deeper dive into the top 5 unserved routes to and from Africa.  Follow/ Connect with Geert Lemaire here Download the report here

In this episode of Aviadev Insight Africa, host Jon Howell is joined by Air Botswana's CEO, Lulu Rasebotsa. Together, they discuss: Lulu's background and career journey Air Botswana's recent fleet expansions- why choose Embraer? Network expansion featuring a selection of reinstated and brand new routes The selection criteria for these routes and type of passenger they cater for How the airline combats seasonality How Botswana is performing in terms of visa access in the region and further afield Reflections on Lulu's first AviaDev experience  Connect/ Follow Lulu here

In this episode of Aviadev Insight Africa, recorded live in Johannesburg, South Africa, we explore the digital transformation in African airports. We discuss the investment in African airport digitalization post-covid and the importance of stakeholder collaboration. Connect with Adonis on LinkedIn Listen to episode 240 here Visit SITA's website Chapters: 00:15 Introducing Adonis Succar and Digitalization 01:40 Momentum of Digitalization in African Airports 04:27 Investment and Challenges in African Airports 07:18 Visa Digitalization and Passenger Experience 12:29 Future of Seamless Intermodal Travel 15:14 Planning for Technological Advancements 17:50 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Welcome to the eleventh edition of AviaDev Insight Africa's Connectivity update, the podcast offering insight into the new route developments in Africa, hosted by Jon Howell, CEO and Founder of AviaDev Africa. This month's guests are:  Sean Mendis, Aviation Consultant. CONNECT WITH SEAN Lorne Philpot, Aviation Journalist CONNECT WITH LORNE Key topics discussed: ✈️ South African Airways to launch Lubumbashi and Dar es Salaam from November ✈️ Fastjet increasing Bulawayo frequencies ✈️ RwandAir ceasing their Cape Town connection ✈️ Ethiopian Airlines to open Monrovia, Liberia, and Port Sudan ✈️ Qantas to up gauge the Sydney-Johannesburg route to an A380 ✈️ Brussels Airlines' fleet expansion and plans for Sub-Saharan Africa ✈️ Virgin Atlantic to launch daily Accra flights from May 2025 If you enjoyed this conversation, please subscribe to the podcast to never miss another episode and share this episode with someone in your network who would benefit from listening. 

Welcome to the tenth edition of AviaDev Insight Africa's Connectivity update, the podcast offering insight into the new route developments in Africa, hosted by Jon Howell, CEO and Founder of AviaDev Africa. This month's guests are:  Sean Mendis, Aviation Consultant. CONNECT WITH SEAN Behramjee Ghadially, Aviation Consultant. CONNECT WITH BEHRAMJEE Key topics discussed: ✈️ Qatar's 25% investment into Airlink ✈️ Uganda Airlines to launch Lusaka, Abuja and Harare and London rumours ✈️ Air Botswana's regional expansion and fleet expansion to Namibia and South Africa ✈️ Air Senegal's network reduction and management changes ✈️ Kenya Airways reporting a net profit for the first time in over 10 years.  ✈️ Ethiopian's Winter expansion and schedule changes ✈️ South African Airways increasing Mauritius to double-daily and starting Lubumbashi ✈️ TAAG increasing flights to South Africa and more managerial changes ✈️ Air France suspending Accra ✈️ Etihad re-advertising Nairobi ✈️ Air Tanzania launching Dubai-Zanzibar ✈️ FlyGabon to launch iminently ✈️ Emirates' latest update on restarting Nigeria operations If you enjoyed this conversation, please subscribe to the podcast to never miss another episode and share this episode with someone in your network who would benefit from listening.   

In this episode, we focus on a carrier that has recently announced it will be launching services to mainland Africa for the first time.  Air Asia will launch Kuala Lumpur - Nairobi on 15th November with a 4 weekly service and deploy an Airbus A330-300 comprising 12 business class and 365 economy seats.  I am joined by Paul Carroll, the Chief Commercial Officer of the Air Asia Group and together we cover An introduction to the Air Asia offering and business model Why Nairobi was chosen as the first entry point in Continental Africa and why now? How strong are the commercials on the route? What has the reaction been in the short time since the route was announced and put up for sale? How important is the Chinese market in the route's success? How will Air Asia stimulate the market to support the growth it will need to ensure the route is viable and successful? Why start with 4 frequencies per week? Are there plans for partnerships/ interlines with African carriers? What is the distribution strategy in Africa? Connect/ Follow Paul on LinkedIn here If you enjoyed this conversation, please subscribe to the podcast to never miss another episode and share this episode with someone in your network who would benefit from listening. 

Welcome to the ninth edition of AviaDev Insight Africa's Connectivity update, the podcast offering insight into the new route developments in Africa, hosted by Jon Howell, CEO and Founder of AviaDev Africa. This month's guests are Sean Mendis, Aviation Consultant, and Behramjee Ghadially, Aviation Consultant.  Key topics discussed: ✈️ Air Asia Kuala Lumpur- Nairobi ✈️ JamboJet launch of Mombasa- Zanzibar ✈️ Air France announce Kilimanjaro from November ✈️ FlyNamibia launch of Windhoek-Maun ✈️ The impact of visa policies on route development ✈️ Emirates extending the Seychelles flight to Madagascar ✈️ Ethiopian's Winter expansion and schedule changes ✈️ Air Cote d'Ivoire's expansion from October Rumour mill: ✈️ Etihad's postponed launch to Nairobi ✈️ Uganda Airlines to launch Gatwick ✈️ Uganda Airlines rumoured aircraft order ✈️ Singapore Airlines applies for Durban ✈️ Air Canada's potential in West Africa ✈️ Emirates announce a date to restart Lagos Chapters 02:42 AirAsia's New Route to Africa  15:26 JamboJet's New Route: Mombasa to Zanzibar 23:31 Air France's New Route to Kilimanjaro 35:48 Fly Namibia's New Route to Maun 41:43 Impact of Visa Policies on Route Planning  56:47 Emirates' New Route to Madagascar  01:05:51 Ethiopian Airlines' Winter Expansion 01:09:52 Air Côte d'Ivoire's Network Growth 01:18:30 Rumor Mill: Airline Speculations and Announcements 01:19:55 Uganda Airlines' London Ambitions   01:32:31 Air Canada in West Africa   01:40:06 Emirates' Return to Nigeria   01:41:17 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode, Jon and Denis discuss the importance of insurance in the African aviation industry. Insurance is a substantial operating cost and many African airlines may be overpaying or have the wrong solution for their needs.  AI12, is a specialist insurance and reinsurance broker and part of the Avia Solutions Group. Together, they highlight the need for African airlines to present themselves properly to the international market and the role of insurance brokers in advocating for their clients. They also discuss the challenges African airlines face in obtaining insurance and how AI12 helps them navigate the market. Key takeaways include the importance of strategic thinking, transparency, trust in insurance negotiations, and the value of partnerships and collaboration in the industry. Find out more about AI12 here Email Denis here

In this episode, Jon and Achma discuss the evolving landscape of airline distribution and the strategies African airlines can use to extend their global reach. Achma shares her inspiring journey in the aviation industry, insights into revenue management, and the importance of a robust distribution strategy. The conversation also touches on the significance of technology, the role of tourism boards, and Achma's future visions for the industry.  Connect with Achma here  Find out more about Airlinepros here 00:00 Introduction to Aviadev Insight Africa  00:54 Meet Achma Azokan: A Journey in Aviation 07:56 The Evolution of Airline Distribution 11:02 Challenges and Strategies in Airline Revenue Management 17:40 Success Stories and Case Studies 22:09 Future Developments and Innovations in Aviation 29:26 Conclusion and Contact Information

In this episode, Jon and Richard explore the impact and opportunities harnessing technology and AI can have on African aviation, focusing on distribution, interlining, and the role of artificial intelligence.  They discuss the adaptation African airlines require to optimize their distribution channels and the potential of using AI to enhance customer service and reduce operational costs. The Kiu team will attend AviaDev Africa 2024, 19-21 June in Windhoek, Namibia.  Find out more about Kiu here Connect with Rodger Whittle on LinkedIn Connect with Richard Ortega on LinkedIn