Aviadev Insight

On November 1st 2021, SITA announced that in a bid to support the recovery of travel and tourism globally, their digital travel declaration solution will be available free of charge to all governments globally. The solution allows passengers to share required health and travel documentation with governments ahead of travel, streamlining the process In this episode, I am joined by Jeremy Springall, Vice President, SITA AT BORDERS to understand how the solution works and how it can support Africa's aviation and travel recovery.  Read all about it here https://www.sita.aero/pressroom/news-releases/sita-launches-free-digital-travel-declaration-solution-supporting--governments-in-safely-opening-their-borders/   

In this episode, we welcome back Tom from AviAssist to discuss the world of aviation safety, which is the bedrock upon which our great industry is built, ahead of the SiAA conference. Together we discuss the safety environment in African aviation ahead of upcoming AviAssist Safety in African Aviation Conference, which was beautifully delivered on a virtual platform in 2020 and will once again take place virtually this year. We discuss the topics, speakers and format to offer a flavour of what you can expect on 19th November and 7th December.  You can register for just $7 here        

In this episode, I am joined by Meir Hadassi-Turner ,Founder and CEO of AeroCRS, an innovative Software as a Service (SaaS) provider of passenger services systems and much more.  In this episode we discuss the changing landscape of distribution and how and why airlines must understand this customer behaviour to ensure they are prepared for the future including a move towards: Last minute bookings Desire for flexible fares Direct booking with the airline The increasing role of insurance The ability to amend bookings easily and directly The upcoming AeroCRS Virtual customer conference will take place 23rd and 24th November and you can register today here To listen to our previous interview, which features AeroCRS customer Lift, click here    

Today’s podcast focuses on the next generation. In September, with the support of Embraer, we embarked on the African Aviators Webinar Series which spotlights a different aviation profession each month. Our aim is to feature both aspiring and serving aviators that can offer practical advice on how to get involved in our great industry.  As part of the event, we run a live quiz which tests aviation knowledge and our first winner was Kingsley Okoli, who is an active member of the African aviation Facebook group. After his win, I caught up with Kingsley and he is a remarkable young man and that is why we are here today as his story is similar to so many others out there. He is actively looking for his next role, so connect with him here https://www.linkedin.com/in/kingsley-okoli-617651121/  Kingsley has also written a though provoking article expanding on the points raised in the podcast, which you can read via his LinkedIn profile. 

This podcast is a recording of the first Skyheroes Africa that took place on 7th October 2021. Skyheroes is an AviaDev innovation, aiming to keep the African aviation community, informed, educated and entertained in equal measure. Expect strong opinions, fierce debate and to raise a smile. Our sky heroes are:  Aaron Munetsi, CEO, Airlines Association of Southern Africa (AASA) Sean Mendis, Aviation Expert Kwame Bekoe, Aviation Professional

On 30th September, Etihad, the Abu Dhabi based international airline announced that they will be launching 3 new routes to the African continent. Starting in November, the airline will begin serving Cape Town, Johannesburg and Zanzibar.  In this episode, we are going to discover why these routes were chosen, how Etihad views Africa as an opportunity and how it views cooperation with airline partners in the sun-Saharan region. To do this, I was joined by Javier Alija, the Head of Network Planning and alliances at Etihad.  You can plan and book your next trip with Etihad at www.etihad.com 

This episode was guest hosted by Kojo Bentum-Williams, Publisher of VoyagesAfriq and host of the VA tourism podcast, which you can subscribe to here: https://thetourismpodcast.podbean.com/  Kojo was attending the Africa Travel and Tourism Summit hosted by South African Tourism and took the opportunity to discuss the following with Thomas: Regional market attractiveness The financing of the operation The fleet and expansion plans

In this episode, I am joined by Toni Ukachukwu, Founder of Aviators Africa, an integrated PR, marketing and consulting company.  He joins me to talk about the Maiden Edition of the Aviators Africa tower awards and 3rd CEO's forum, taking place 27-28th October 2021 live in Lagos and online too.  Nominations can be made here. Deadline 10th September 2021 Connect with Toni here

This episode is dedicated to a new webinar series focused on offering practical advice to the next generation of African aviators. Joining me for the discussion is the Publisher and Editor of Airspace-Africa, Derek Nseko and Chidozie Uzoezie, Founder of the African Aviation Group on facebook, which boasts over 260,000 members.  Over the next 6 months, we will convene monthly to focus on a different industry discipline bringing qualified Africans to share their experience and advice.  The series is brought to you by AviaDev, Airspace-Africa and the African Aviation Group (on facebook) and proudly supported by Embraer.   At the end of each discussion, there will be a live aviation quiz with prizes provided by our event partner, Embraer. Registration is open now here

In today´s episode we discuss with Arran Rice (CEO & Founder at Simple Flying), Joanna Bailey (Managing Editor at SimpleFlying) and Jon Howell (CEO & Founder at AviaDev) new online event: The Future Flying Forum. The event is brought to you by SimpleFlying and powered by AviaDev. Safely strapped into your own comfortable seat, we’ll follow the sun from East to West, touching down along the way to chat with aviation’s leading CEOs. More information and registration is available at futureflyingforum.com. 

Moses Ngwanah is now based in Madagascar, having gained experience working for Camair-Co in his native Cameroon and ASKY in Togo.  Moses recently released an article all about why and how Africa must unite in terms of civil aviation rulemaking and how this can support the implementation of SAATM. You can read that here:  In this episode we explore the following: Why is African aviation so fragmented in its rule-making? What is the specific solution and what are the benefits for all stakeholders?  Which industry actors should be responsible for implementation and do they have sufficient power?  How would it be funded and where do we start? To connect with Moses, click here

My guests for this episode are Dr. Andre Schulz, General Manager, South and Eastern Africa at the Lufthansa Group and Marco Götz, Chief Revenue Officer at Eurowings Discover.  Together we discuss the launch of a new leisure carrier from the Lufthansa stable that launched operations to Mombasa and Zanzibar on 25th July 2021.  We discuss: Why Eurowings Discover was created and the gap it aims to fill? Why Mombasa and Zanzibar? Where next? How big a part cargo plays in the operation? The types of destinations the carrier is looking to serve What Discover is looking for in an approach from a destination/ airport The fleet You can connect with Andre here You can connect with Marco here

This podcast is the audio recording of the financing African aviation session and brings together some familiar voices to our community representing both the banks and the lessors active in the African market. Moderator: Dickon Harris, Editor, ISHKA Panellists: Eddie Browne, AVP Marketing, Europe, Africa and CIS, Aergo Sameer Adam, SVP, Commercial, ACIA Aero Leasing Group Bradley Gordon, Head of Aviation: Africa, Investec James Geldenhuys, Head of Aircraft Finance, Nedbank Ishka, https://www.ishkaglobal.com/ provide data, insight, analysis and advisory services to help inform investment strategies.

This special podcast is the recording of the interview between Hilka Birns, a wonderful journalist working with our great partners, ch-aviation and Jon Ayache, CEO of lift, South Africa’s newest airline. The wide-ranging conversation covers the flexible business model, incorporating a conversation about the fleet mix, new routes, and the distribution model. We also discuss the use use of technology to improve the passenger experience and how the airline continues to innovate with its own theme song, dogs on planes and onboard silent discos. Jonathan Ayache CEO, lift Hilka Birns Journalist, ch-aviation

This special podcast is the recording of the panel session at AviaDev Africa entitled, "Harnessing the power of technology to improve profitability across the value chain." Technology only moves in one direction. Constant progress through continuous improvement and innovation.  The Covid pandemic has provided an opportunity for the entire aviation industry to revisit existing processes, identify inefficiencies in these processes and adapt accordingly. But can cutting-edge solutions be provided without huge capital expenditure? Session moderated by Kwame Bekoe Aviation Professional Panelists: Nick Ashton Head of Partnerships & Industry Affairs, Dohop Blaine Powell Chief Sales Officer, Ink Aviation Ciaran Wilson Head of Sales, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Cellpoint Digital

This episode was recorded on Wednesday 9th June 2021 at the AviaDev Africa online conference. Air travelers do not fly to an airport. They fly to a destination. In 2018, 57% of tourists arrived at their destination by air. So why are tourism authorities not more involved in the process of attracting airlines, often leaving it to the airport authorities? With airport revenues decimated by the impact of the pandemic, is it time for tourism authorities to take a front seat and lead the conversations with airlines? Session moderated by: Mafalda Borea Co-Founder and CEO of Sustainable First ™; Sustainability Editor, VoyagesAfriq Panellists: Hon. Najib Balala Cabinet Secretary for tourism and wildlife, Republic of Kenya Carol Hay CEO, McKenzie Gayle Limited and Former Director of Marketing UK & Europe for the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO)

In this wide-ranging panel session, we ask the tough question "Just what is the role of a National Airline?" Should it be seen as a Commercial enterprise or strategic economic enabler? Is it possible that it can be both? After 74 years of operation, Air Namibia was formally liquidated in March 2021. In this session, we explore what has happened to air connectivity in Namibia in the months following the cessation of the national carrier and how connectivity can be improved to, from and within the country. We also discuss the role of a new SAA and its prospective challenges Session moderated by: Wrenelle Stander Former CEO, Comair Ltd Panellists: Escher Luanda Former Chairperson, Air Namibia Rodger Foster Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Airlink

In this episode, we catch up with the CEO of NavPass, Tom Perkins, who joined us back in episode 124 to outline the solution.  Since then, NavPass have begun operations in the African market, supporting South Sudan with improving airspace safety and the collection of air navigation fees. We explore how they have delivered the solution, how the technology works and how it has been received by different stakeholders in the aviation ecosystem To find out more visit www.navpass.aero 

In this episode, we are joined by Matheus Piorino, Director of Customer Finance, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and Vadims Fokins, Deputy Marketing Director, Leasing at Embraer Commercial Aviation.  Embraer has just released the African Market Perspectives report, which can be downloaded here Some say it has never been a better time to start an airline as there is now an opportunity to disrupt previous business models and start operations without any legacy debt.  Together we discuss: Right-sizing Will the African market be dominated by new or pre-owned aircraft? The challenge of financing fleet expansions and start ups The merits of leasing versus purchasing You can connect with Matheus here You can connect with Vadims here  

In this episode, we travel to Nairobi, where I speak to Moses Mwangi, CEO of 748 Air Services Limited. Moses has over 25 years of experience in the African aviation industry.  748 has a diversified business model and this has allowed them to thrive despite the global pandemic and even launch new domestic services to Kisumu and Mombasa in May 2021.  748 were the global launch customer for De Havilland’s Simplified Package Freighter (SPF) solution on their Dash 8's allowing them to shift from operating a passenger to freighter aircraft in just 1 hour. We discuss how they have worked with the OEM to adapt quickly to changing market conditions. We also look to the future and talk domestic and regional expansion plans.