316. Previewing the Tourism and Aviation Connectivity Forum (New for AviaDev 2025)
Release Date: 02/25/2025
324. AviaDev's April 2025 Africa Connectivity Update with Sean Mendis and Behramjee Ghadially
AviaDev Insight Africa
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. Behramjee Ghadially, Aviation Consultant. 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...
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323. Unlocking efficiency: Ensuring African airports are future ready with Selim Bouri, SITA
AviaDev Insight Africa
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...
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322. The Sustainable Aviation Fuel revolution with AfriSAF's Kwame Bekoe
AviaDev Insight Africa
In this episode, I sit down with Kwame Bekoe, Co-Founder and CEO of AfriSAF, 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.
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321. African Skies and Beyond: Introducing the New Deutsche Aircraft D328eco.
AviaDev Insight Africa
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...
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320. AviaDev's March 2025 Connectivity Update with Sean Mendis and Behramjee Ghadially
AviaDev Insight Africa
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. Behramjee Ghadially, Aviation Consultant. 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...
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319. Rodger Foster's farewell speech. BARSA Conference, 14 March 2025
AviaDev Insight Africa
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...
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318. AviaDev's February 2025 Connectivity Update with Sean Mendis and Behramjee Ghadially
AviaDev Insight Africa
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. Behramjee Ghadially, Aviation Consultant. 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,...
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317. Discover Airlines: Milestones reached and future plans for Africa's skies
AviaDev Insight Africa
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...
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316. Previewing the Tourism and Aviation Connectivity Forum (New for AviaDev 2025)
AviaDev Insight Africa
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: 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...
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315. Previewing the BARSA (Board of Airline Representatives of South Africa) Aviation Summit 2025 with George Mothema, CEO
AviaDev Insight Africa
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...
info_outlineIn 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?