Aviadev Insight

This episode is a departure from our normal format. Recorded in March 2019, I was interviewed by Ciaran Connolly from Profile Tree, a content marketing agency based in Belfast, Northern Ireland. We discuss my personal journey, my passion for Africa and why we strive to create an impact wherever our events take place.   

Recorded 26th April 2019 on location in Cape Town, South Africa this is an interview and the presentation of the Ato Girma Wake Lifetime achievement award for an outstanding contribution to Route Development in Africa.  The interviewer is last year's winner, Raphael Kuuchi and the recipient is Chris Zweigenthal, CEO of the Airlines Association of Southern Africa (AASA).  Huge congratulations to Chris from the AviaDev team! 

Join the team onboard a beautiful Ethiopian Airlines B777 as we leave CPT bound for ADD. We discuss my esteemed colleagues highlights, key takeways and what legacy the event can leave behind.  Thanks to Ethiopian airlines for being the official carrier for AviaDev Africa 2019. You can find Kojo at www.voyagesafriq.com and Prof. Wolfgang at https://atcnews.org/

In this episode, we discuss new technologies surrounding payment methods and how these can be harnessed by Africa to provide choice for consumers. Did you know that there are around 2000 payment methods currently?  We discuss the opportunities that mobile phone penetration in Africa offers travelers and airlines and how we may pay for air travel in the future.  Find out more about Cellpoint Mobile:  https://www.cellpointmobile.com/ 

We speak to Deon about what he thinks makes Cape Town International the best airport in Africa (Skytrax winners for 4 years running).  We also discuss the Cape Town Air Access Initiative, the importance of the African market to the airport's growth and its importance to the whole ecosystem and the new route due to be launched with United from Newark, USA.  We also get the lowdown on the planned airport infrastructure investment at the airport.     

In this episode, we discover Charles’ interesting route to his current role. He provides an insight into the route development process that is undertaken by ACSA and exactly how new routes are identified and pursued. We also talk about the challenges of how to engage effectively with multiple stakeholders and the group’s plans for future growth and infrastructure investment.

In this episode, we discover just what makes the Cape Town Air Access team tick. We discuss the African opportunity and how they have made Cape Town more attractive to the international carriers. We also talk about which African markets are of interest going forward and the planned expansion of the airport. One of these routes, Kigali, Harare and Cape Town served by RwandAir was first discussed at AviaDev 2017, illustrating the power of the AviaDev platform. This episode was recorded before the announcement of the United route from Newark to Cape Town, which is the 14th new route since the Cape Town Air Access initiative was created.

In this Episode, I talk aviation technology with Nacelle Aviation, https://nacelleaviation.com/ a South African aerotech company, created in 2018.  We discuss why African aviation is their core focus, how their solutions allow customers to "pay as you grow" and what new technologies we can expect to reach the market and improve our future travel experiences. 

This episode was recorded on location in Mauritius at the Embraer Airline Business Seminar on April 4th, 2019.  We discussed the amazing story of how the airline began, the recent agreement with South African Airways and Emirates, the national carrier in Ghana and how to develop human capital on the continent.  

This episode was recorded during an unscheduled stop-over in Dubai on 29th March. It is a departure from the normal topic, but something I believe everyone should be aware of in the 21st century. Namely, the power of developing and building a personal brand through developing content and adding value. Raj has been instrumental in my journey and one reason I started this podcast. He has worked with thought leaders and celebrities across industries to help them develop their own unique "personal brand".  Find out more at https://rajkotecha.com/

The Francophone African market is explored in this episode. A pioneer in the space, Romauld is a practicing Air Traffic Controller based in Cameroon who also decided to create a platform for Francophone African news. We discuss the current state of the market and the key players to watch over the coming years, plus the implementation of open skies in the region and how the industry can educate governments to facilitate and not suffocate aviation development.  AviaDev are proud to have Newsaero as a media partner and you can visit the site and sign up for updates at www.newsaero.info

In this episode, Jon Howell spoke with Marco about the incredible rise of kiwi.com as an online travel agent.  We discuss the definition of virtual interlining and the benefits to the airlines, airports and passengers, its application in Africa and what's next for the fast-moving tech company. Pour yourself a cup of something, pull on your running shoes, grab the dog lead and dive right in. 

This episode was recorded in Lagos, Nigeria at the Headquarters of Aero Contractors, whose CEO Capt Ado Sanusi was in conversation with Toni Ukachukwu, Aviation Development Director of AviaDev.  Among issues discussed included Aero contractors stability since being under receivership by AMCON, re-fleeting, the Low-Cost opportunity in Nigeria and Africa, re-branding and the development of Aero contractors strategic business units which includes Aero MRO and so much more.

Dronamics have developed a cargo drone solution that aims to carry 350kgs safely and cost-effectively. What could this do for Africa and how can this technology disrupt the current climate positively? You can find out more here: https://www.dronamics.com/  This episode was recorded 28th February at the Aviation Africa Summit in Kigali, Rwanda. 

In our landmark 50th episode, AviaDev's Aviation Development Director, Toni Ukachukwu pays a visit to Allen Onyema, who has built a successful private airline in Nigeria against all the odds.  They discuss network development and fleet plans, protectionism, SAATM, foreign carrier domination, low-cost carriers, taxes and charges and so much more

In this episode, I dial across to the Big Apple (New York) to speak with Steven Kargman.  Steven is a restructuring specialist and has participated in the IATA Aeropolitical forum and also AFRAA events. This podcast is accompanied by an article which is available for download at www.aviationdevelop.com  We discuss how to diagnose issues early, how to kick-start a restructuring process and the techniques involved.  If you would like to know more, please visit http://kargmanassociates.com/ 

This episode was recorded on location at the Africa Airport Expansion Summit in Kigali.  Andreas and I discuss how to get started with planning a complex infrastructure development such as an airport, the common mistakes made and the best ways to finance these projects. 

This episode is accompanied by an exclusive report produced for AviaDev by event partners, MIDAS Aviation. Available to download via www.aviationdevelop.com  We discuss the progress that is being made with visa facilitation in Africa and its impact on connectivity. 

Recorded on location 27th February in Kigali during Aviation Africa, Romain joined us to outline his remit.  We discuss the role of the bank, the proposed leasing arm and how interested parties can apply for funding

In this episode, I spoke to Nowel about a recent article he published on LinkedIn that provided analysis and commentary on the current operating environment African airlines are operating in and how we can educate those with the power to change their approaches.  Read the report: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/over-taxation-africa-case-study-aviation-industry-nowel-ngala/