Welcome to the sixth 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 Tatenda Karuwa, journalist, Simple Flying: Together, we discussed: Air Peace to London Gatwick fastjet increasing the frequency of their Vic Falls - Kruger route ASKY AIRLINES restarting operations in Niger after...

In this episode, Helen Mwamba joins me to discuss the Aviation Week Africa Summit Exhibition and Air Show, taking place 22-26 April in Lusaka, Zambia.   Together, we discuss:   How and why the event was created and what it aims to achieve Who the event partners are The format of the event Some of the speaker and session highlights     Find out more at https://aviationweekafrica.com/

In this episode, I speak to Peter Knights, CEO of Wild Africa Fund.   https://wildafricafund.org/    Together, we discuss the organization's mission to popularize conservation across Africa and engage local communities through media and influencers.   Takeaways: The Wild Africa Fund aims to popularize conservation across Africa and engage local communities through media and influencers. Tourism plays a crucial role in wildlife conservation and economic development in...

In this episode, we hear from George Mothema, head of the Board of Airline Representatives of South Africa (BARSA).   The theme of the upcoming summit is: "Moving forward: Embracing accountability for a better future."    Together we discussed: BARSA's mandate and summit objectives Key objectives for BARSA in 2024 - ensuring fuel security, addressing regulatory issues, and supporting the development of aviation infrastructure. Key sessions and speakers we will hear from at the...

Welcome to the fifth edition of AviaDev Insight Africa’s Connectivity update, a podcast that offers insights into new route developments in Africa. Hosted by Jon Howell, CEO and Founder of AviaDev Africa, this podcast covers new route developments and expansions in the aviation industry on the African continent. In this episode, we discuss:   Ethiopian Airlines' Summer 24 schedule, which includes new destinations and increased frequencies. They also highlight the airline's focus on...

This episode is something a little bit different and hugely exciting.   Those avid listeners know that each month we are now delivering a connectivity update where we summarise and analyse the route changes to, from, and within Africa in the previous month. Kenya Airways announced some huge changes to the network and to discuss this we are joined by Martin Gitonga, head of network planning and alliances at the airline to discuss the thought process behind the strategy. I was joined for...

In this episode, Jon and Victo discuss the need for better accessibility and communication for differently able travelers in Africa, as well as the importance of creating uniform global standards. They also explore the role of airlines and customers in driving change and using technology to improve accessibility. Victo shares her experiences and highlights the work of the Tunaweza Foundation in supporting people with disabilities. The episode concludes with a discussion on Victo's TED Talk...

In this episode of AviaDev Insight Africa, host Jon Howell interviews Dr. Namhla Tshetu, the Executive Manager for Corporate Services at Airlink, Africa's largest private carrier. Together, they discuss Namhla's role in aeropolitical affairs and her aviation journey. They also touch upon the Airlinkers booklet and The Link program, sharing its successes. Namhla talks about her recently completed PhD on open skies in Africa and the potential for its realization. A deep dive into the thorny...

Welcome to the fourth edition of AviaDev Insight Africa’s Connectivity update, a podcast that offers insights into new route developments in Africa. Hosted by Jon Howell, CEO and Founder of AviaDev Africa, this podcast covers new route developments and expansions in the aviation industry on the African continent. For this month's episode, Jon is joined by two industry analysts, Sean Mendis and Dr. James Pearson, to discuss and analyze these developments. In this episode, the podcast...

This episode was recorded on location in London at the Headquarters of Zero on 30th November 2023. Zero, https://www.zero.co/ is a pioneer in the field of sustainable aviation fuel and I visited Kwame Bekoe, an industry colleagues and a personal friend, who is serving as the Commercial Director of the business.  Kwame Bekoe has a rich aviation history including working with GECAS, a large international lessor, and before this over 10 years with Airbus. After completing an MBA with Columbia...

This episode was recorded on location in Kampala, Uganda where I attended the 55th African Airlines Association AGA, hosted by our friends at Uganda Airlines,  During the 3 days, I took the opportunity to sit down with Raphael Haddad, President of Jetcraft commercial who spent 18 years working with Bombardier in Africa, Europe and the Middle East bringing the Q400, C-series which became the A220 and also the Crj 1000 to the continent. He set up Jetcraft commercial in 2015 where he focuses...

This episode is the third of a new format that focuses on sub-Saharan African air route development, with a specific focus on routes that are due to start or cease in the next quarter.  My guests for this podcast are: Aviation consultant, analyst and commentator, Sean Mendis, who brings over 20 years of experience in the industry, including stints managing airports, commercial airlines, and also cargo airlines in Africa and the Middle East. Behramjee Ghadially, an aviation consultant with...

This episode was recorded 7th November 2023 on location in Windhoek, Namibia I spoke with Bisey Uirab, the CEO of the Namibia Airports Company, who is responsible for the operation and development of the country's airports.  Bisey himself has a long history of leading multiple private sector and state organizations including the Namibia Ports Authority, where he served as CEO for 10 years before becoming CEO of NAC in 2019.  In the episode, we discuss: The connectivity and aviation...

This episode was recorded on 7th November on location in Windhoek, Namibia, where AviaDev Africa 2024 will take place June 19-21. Today’s guest is at the helm of one of the most important stakeholders, FlyNamibia, who will be heavily involved in the event as an official carrier Andre Compion is a well-known Namibian businessman and the Managing Director of FlyNamibia. In the episode, we discuss:  How and why Fly Namibia was created The thinking behind the equity stake from Airlink The...

In this episode, we dive into a topic that has been dominating conversations over the last couple of years, specifically aviation’s role in supporting the drive towards net zero and a more sustainable industry. To do this I am joined by Dirk Singer, the Head of Sustainability at Simpliflying, a consulting firm that is dedicated to supporting a greener and more environmentally sustainable future for air travel.  Together we discuss: How best to address the topic of sustainability with...

This episode is the second of a new format that focuses on sub-Saharan African air route development, with a specific focus on routes that are due to start or cease in the next quarter.  My guests for this podcast are: Aviation consultant, analyst and commentator, Sean Mendis, who brings over 20 years of experience in the industry, including stints managing airports, commercial airlines, and also cargo airlines in Africa and the Middle East. Tatenda Karuwa - a journalist writing for Simple...

This podcast was recorded on 18th October in Dakar, Senegal, where I was attending the ACI Africa Annual General Assembly.  Senegal is also the home base of the African Civil Aviation Commission or AFCAC who have been very visible and busy sensitising stakeholders in terms of the benefits of the single African air transport market. In June at AviaDev, AFCAC and AviaDev signed an MoU to support each other in the fields of communication and route development.  In this episode, Adefunke...

This episode is an opportunity to understand what we can expect from the upcoming AFRAA AGA taking place in Kampala, Uganda in November 2023. Together we discuss: The African aviation recovery AFRAA’s current priorities Preview of sessions, speakers and topics to be addressed at the AGA What will be on offer for the delegates  Find out more about the AFRAA AGA here Hit that share button to share these insights with someone you feel will benefit from listening and see you for the next...

In this episode, we are heading to Germany to meet the CCO of discover airlines an airline delivering a huge number of international tourists to the African continent. In this episode, we discover... The origin story of the airline The current network and how it has been developed The fleet composition and product offering The market composition The rebranding exercise Future African destinations How airports and destinations can influence Discover's planning decisions The Namibian...

In this episode, we welcome back a previous guest, Kirby Gordon, Chief Marketing Officer at FlySafair, a low-cost South African airline that is about to embark on a regional expansion launching new routes to Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Mozambique. Together we discuss: Why now is the right time to enter these new markets What is driving the demand on the routes?  How FlySafair expect the routes and load factors to develop and the role local partners will play in this development How AviaDev has...

In this episode, I am joined by flydubai, a very important international airline serving multiple points in Africa, which has just announced a brand new route, taking its African network to 11 destinations in 10 countries. The airline has announced it will serve Mombasa on the east coast of Kenya 4 times per week from January 2024. In this podcast, we hear directly from the airline as to what has prompted this new route announcement and also to get a general feel of FlyDubai’s approach to...

This episode is the first of a new format that focuses on sub-Saharan African air route development, with a specific focus on routes that are due to start or cease in the next quarter. We also have a rumour mill section focusing on those routes that could be on the horizon. My guest for this podcast is aviation consultant, analyst and commentator, Sean Mendis, who brings over 20 years of experience in the industry, including stints managing airports, commercial airlines, and also cargo...

In this episode, we travel to the Republic of Angola, in southern Africa where the new Luanda International Airport will soon come online with the ambition to become a major hub for Africa. Ahead of the inauguration, the Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Angola is hosting an online event, on Tuesday 19th September which will offer potential investors an overview of the project itself and associated investment opportunities. To preview the event, it’s a great honour to welcome back a...

This episode was recorded on June 16th 2023.  Mr Foster has been instrumental in the growth of Airlink since its inception in 1992. Airlink operates over 50 commercial jetliners operating to more than 45 destinations in 14 African countries and to St Helena Island, making it the largest privately-owned regional airline in Africa. Airlink continues to expand its route network, connecting more African cities and promoting tourism and trade across the continent. We take this opportunity to...

This podcast is a recording of a panel session from June 16th 2023. Together, we discuss what are airlines looking for and how airports can work with their stakeholders to deliver innovative approaches that will ultimately create sustainable route networks.  MODERATOR: Refilwe Ledwaba, Founder, Girls Fly Africa In conversation with: Tim Harris, Partner, Consulum  Nowel Ngala, Director, Commercial & Ground Operations, ASKY Hendrik Du Preez, Vice President Sales - Africa, Qatar...