11-13 June 2025
Golden Tulip Zanzibar Airport, Zanzibar Tanzania
2024 agenda
We are currently working on the programme for AviaDev 2025
Wednesday 19 June
Registration and Refreshments
Welcome Remarks
Jon Howell
CEO and Founder
AviaDev
Presenting the Real Estate Opportunity
Traditionally, airports have been focused on driving passenger related revenues, be these aeronautical or non-aeronautical. Building resilience can be achieved by the diversification of revenues and revenue from real estate is less affected by passenger throughput.
Marcel Langeslag
Director Aviation Africa
NACO
Nelly Alandou
Consultant
NACO
Airport Showcase: Cape Winelands Airport (South Africa)
Located in the iconic city of Cape Town, Cape Winelands Airport has an ambition to become an International airport. Mark will guide attendees through the plan, progress and investment opportunities available at the airport.
Mark Wilkinson
Director
Cape Winelands Airport
Airport Showcase: Civil Aviation Authority of Botswana
Botswana’s aviation scene is developing fast. Dr Mosinyi will guide the audience through the plans and opportunities for investment at the airports
Dr Bao Rasebolai Mosinyi
Chief Executive Officer
Civil Aviation Authority of Botswana
Airport Investment Pipeline Report
Alex Vidal
Business Development and Market Intelligence
Modalis
What is an investor in airport real estate looking for?
In this session, we will hear from those who have actively invested in airport real estate projects. What are they looking for from a partner and investment opportunity and what can your airport do to attract external investment?
Moderated By:
Marcel Langeslag
Director Aviation Africa
NACO
In conversation with:
Khangi Khoza
CEO
Swissport South Africa Pty Ltd
Errol Taylor
Head of Asset Management: Industrial
Growthpoint
Moritz Thompson
Investment Director
African Infrastructure Investment Managers (AIIM)
Airport Showcase: Ravinala Airports (Madagascar)
Located on the treasure Island of Madagascar, Ravinala Airports is the concessionaire operating both Antananarivo and Nosy Be Airports. The team will guide attendees through the plan, progress and investment opportunities available at the airports.
Oeliarisoa Andriamasoandro
Head of Real Estate
Ravinala Airports
Zoe Rajohnson
Commercial and Marketing Director
Ravinala Airports
Airport Showcase: Zambia
Zambia Airports Corporation presented the real estate investment opportunities at AviaDev Real Estate 2023. Kephas will join us again to share his learnings over the past 12 months and an overview of progress with the projects.
Kephas Phiri
Director Commercial Services
Zambia Airports Corporation
Working in Harmony - A Case Study of Lanseria
Lanseria International Airport is a privately owned international airport situated in the northwest of Johannesburg. Building on plans outlined at AviaDev Real Estate 2023, our presenters will illustrate the progress that has been made with real estate investment at the airport and how investors and airport operators are working in harmony.
Hilton Carty
Managing Director
Aperture Properties
Rampa Rammopo
Chief Executive Officer
Lanseria International Airport
Garnet Van Der Walt
Director
EDS Engineering Design Services (Pty) Ltd
Networking Lunch
Air Route Development Masterclass
(for Tourism Authorities)
Key Topics
Unlocking New Destinations: Strategies for creating strong partnerships between airlines and DMOs to open new air routes.
Digital Marketing: Best practices for digital marketing campaigns between airlines and DMOs for destination awareness.
Passenger Data: How to responsibly share and leverage passenger data to improve tourism development strategies and marketing.
Addressing Barriers: Overcoming administrative hurdles, e.g. visas to ease travel.
Brand Alignment: Creating marketing synergy between airlines and tourist destinations.
Why This Matters
Air Travel and Tourism: Air travel is fundamental to tourism destination growth.
Collaboration is Key: The benefits of strong cooperation between airline industry stakeholders and tourism authorities.
Data-Driven Strategies: Learn how data can guide targeted tourism development and marketing campaigns
Moderated by:
Natalia Rosa
Tourism Project Lead
SADC Business Council
Speakers
Sylvain Bosc
Former CCO
SAA and Fastjet
Kojo Bentum-Williams
Senior Expert, Communications in Africa
UN Tourism
Gavin Eccles
Consulting Partner, Aviation and Tourism Development
AirlinePros International
Tim Harris
Partner
Helm Growth Advisors
Jillian Blackbeard
Chief Executive Officer
Africa's Eden
Welcome Reception
Hosted by the Namibia Tourism Board, experience the tastes, flavours, sights and sounds of Namibia at our informal welcome reception. Taking place in the convention centre, this is an opportunity to visit our partners and exhibitors and connect with other delegates.
Thursday 20 June
Registration and Refreshments
Welcome to AviaDev
Jon Howell
CEO and Founder
AviaDev
Welcome to Namibia
Nangula Uaandja
Chief Executive Officer
Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board
Bisey Uirab
Chief Executive Officer
Namibia Airports Company
Namibia's Aviation Landscape and Objectives
The Honourable John Mutorwa
Deputy Prime Minister of Namibia
Macro economic keynote
Understanding global economic trends and specific market dynamics is vital to our industry. In this address, Martin will identify the opportunities and threats shaping our world and industry.
Martin Jansen van Vuuren
Economist and Tourism Development Advisor
I and M Futureneer Advisors Pty Ltd
Charting a course. The interplay of access to aircraft finance and markets and its impact in shaping route development
Whilst African aviation is firmly on the path to recovery and growth, there are still headwinds. This session will explore those items keeping airline executives up at night and provide some practical solutions as to how they should be addressed.
Moderated by:
Hilka Birns
Aviation Journalist
ch-aviation
In conversation with:
Rodger Foster
Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director
Airlink
Sanjeev Gadhia
Chief Executive Officer and Founder
Astral Aviation
Adedayo Olawuyi
Chief Commercial Officer
Uganda Airlines
Nowel Ngala
Aviation Consultant
Tebogo Tsimane
Interim Chief Commercial Officer
South African Airways (SAA)
Untapped opportunities. Unveiling Africa's unserved routes
Geert Lemaire
Market Intelligence and Consulting Director
Airbus
Profit optimisation: Utilising AI and cutting-edge technologies to enhance efficiency, visibility and revenue
Technology and innovation will continue to drive prosperity in African aviation. This session will focus on how these new approaches can be harnessed to drive profitability today and in the future for both airports and airlines.
Moderated by:
Tatenda Karuwa
Aviation Journalist
Simple Flying
In conversation with:
Nick Ashton
Global Airline Lead
Protect Group
Achma Asokan
Group Chief Executive Officer
AirlinePros
Deepak Garg
Senior Manager Business Development - Middle East & Africa (Aircraft)
SITA
Richard Ortega
Commercial Director for EMEA and APAC
Kiu System Solutions
Judy Waruiru
Regional Managing Director
Network International
Navigating Responsibility. Delivering active, strategic and sustainable route development
In today’s competitive landscape, adopting a stakeholder approach to attracting airlines has never been more important. This session will explore both what an airline is looking for in a destination/airport partner and, in turn how African airports and destinations are pushing to attract more airlines.
Moderated by:
Marcel Langeslag
Director Aviation Africa
NACO
In conversation with:
Carlos Pimentel Araújo
Board Member
SGA
Bronwen Auret
Chief Quality Assurance Officer
South African Tourism
Bernd Bauer
Chief Executive Officer
Discover Airlines
Kirby Gordon
Chief Marketing Officer
FlySafair
Bisey Uirab
Chief Executive Officer
Namibia Airports Company
Summary of the day
Jon Howell
CEO and Founder
AviaDev
Networking Lunch
Served in the convention centre, an opportunity to network and refuel ahead of the afternoon meetings and sessions
One to one meetings
Pre-arranged one-to-one meetings will take place in the meetings/ exhibition area of the convention centre. These are only open to eligible attendees, who have chosen to attend with a meeting diary.
WORKSHOP: Beyond The Headlines: Addressing Safety Incidents & Challenges in African Aviation
For those without pre-arranged meetings, join Tatenda Karuwa and Tom Kok, from AviAssist in the breakout room for an interactive and engaging session.
Tatenda Karuwa
Aviation Journalist
Simple Flying
Tom Kok
Director
AviAssist Foundation
WORKSHOP: Hunting in packs. Actively engaging stakeholders in route development
For those without pre-arranged meetings, join Natalia Rosa in the breakout room for an interactive and engaging session around building a coalition of partners to drive a destination’s air access agenda
Kojo Bentum-Williams
Senior Expert, Communications in Africa
UN Tourism
Jillian Blackbeard
Chief Executive Officer
Africa's Eden
Gala Evening Reception
Dress code: Smart Casual or Traditional dress. Transfers will be provided to Droombos, a luxury estate located at the foot of the Auas mountains, just 10 minutes drive from the City. The evening experience will whisk you to a land of dreams. As you wander down the cobblestone paths, you will be greeted by the soft gentle floral fragrances of the breathtaking garden and the ancient majesty of the Camelthorn trees. We guarantee a truly memorable and authentic Namibian experience
Friday 21 June
Charity Run
Each year, we offer a morning walk/ run to support a local cause. This will either be a 2km walk or 4km jog around the stunning Windhoek Country Club Estate (transfer provided) This year, we are working with the Namibia Aviation Training Academy (NATA) to raise funds for lab equipment for electrical and electronic engineering training. Our incredible sponsors will make a donation on behalf of every runner, who will also receive a gym quality t-shirt to reward their participation. Pack your running shoes!
Morning Refreshments
Welcome back
Jon Howell
CEO and Founder
AviaDev
Powering Progress: Africa's Alternative Fuel Potential
Africa’s abundant land mass and renewable energy sources provide an incredible opportunity. Join Kwame as he talks us through Zero’s approach to the future of energy
Kwame Bekoe
Commercial Director
Zero
Fueling expansion. Sourcing aircraft for expansion whilst ensuring financial resilience and achieving sustainability goals
Access to aircraft and suitable financing continues to be an issue holding back route development in Africa. This session will outline how the financiers are addressing the issue and what more airlines can do to support their drive for expansion.
Moderated by:
Sean Mendis
Director
SeanMendis.com
In conversation with:
Joep Ellers
Airline Marketing Director for Africa
Airbus
Martin Gitonga
Head of Network Planning and Alliances
Kenya Airways
Basil Gygax
Head of Customer Finance - EMEA
Embraer
Raphael Haddad
President
Jetcraft Commercial Limited
Thato Matsha
Aviation Finance Consultant
Investec
Charity Presentation: Namibia Aviation Training Academy (NATA)
Tangeni Shakumu
Director
Namibian Aviation Training Academy (NATA)
Expanding Horizons. FlyNamibia's Vision for Expansion
This one on one interview will look to the future as FlyNamibia continues to spread its wings into the region and perhaps beyond.
Tim Harris
Partner
Helm Growth Advisors
In conversation with:
Andre Compion
Managing Director
FlyNamibia
Protecting Profitability: Combatting black swan events and building a resilient balance sheet
African aviation is used to turbulence. Whilst this cannot be prevented entirely, it can be planned for. Seasonal fluctuations in demand, aircraft reliability issues and external events all have an impact on operations. This session will explore how these issues can be mitigated.
Moderated By:
Tristan Brouard
AVP - Asset Management
ACC Aviation
In conversation with:
Abderahmane Berthe
Secretary General
African Airlines Association (AFRAA)
Anvar Mullabekov
CEO
AI12
Dainius Staniulis
Chief Commercial Officer
Avion Express
Jason Sutcliffe
Marketing Director – Middle East, Africa & Central Asia
Rolls Royce
Leaving money on the table. Investing in safety and infrastructure through the efficient collection of overflight fees
Over the last 5 years, the Navpass team have been revolutionising the skies over South Sudan. This session will outline how the SSCAA took control and are safely managing their sovereign airspace, whilst collecting the overflight fees which are reinvested back into infrastructure and improving safety
Thomas Coulson
Managing Director Africa
NavPass
Capt. Gilbert Kibe
Consultant
Air Transport Consulting Limited
Handover Ceremony: AviaDev 2025
Be prepared to find out where and when AviaDev Africa 2025 will take place
Future Leaders: How can the aviation sector in Africa ensure a rapid pace of growth, whilst also prioritising environmental sustainability?
Each year, we run a competition for young, local aviation enthusiasts to become part of the AviaDev Africa team for the event. Our winners are offered a platform to present their views on a topic to the assembled audience.
Marcel Langeslag
Director Aviation Africa
NACO
Tuli Shivute
AviaDev Ambassador
Unoviua Kaereho
AviaDev Ambassador
Presentation of the Ato Girma Wake Lifetime Achievement Award for an outstanding contribution to route development in Africa
Ato Girma Wake is known as the Godfather of African Aviation, having dedicated over 60 years of his life to the industry and shaping the African airline industry and careers of many individuals. He has been an advocate and Patron of AviaDev Africa, since inception in 2016 and in 2018 we launched our only award, voted for by the AviaDev advisory board. This year’s recipient is a Protégé of Ato Girma and he will be interviewed by both Girma and last year’s recipient, Rodger Foster.
Interview led by:
Girma Wake
Industry Expert
AviaDev Patron
Rodger Foster
Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director
Airlink
In conversation with the 2024 recipient
Joao Jorge
former Director General
LAM Mozambique
Closing Remarks
Jon Howell
CEO and Founder
AviaDev
Networking Lunch
Served in the convention centre, an opportunity to network and refuel ahead of the afternoon meetings and sessions
One to one meetings
Pre-arranged one-to-one meetings will take place in the meetings/ exhibition area of the convention centre. These are only open to eligible attendees, who have chosen to attend with a meeting diary.