10-12 June 2026
Gaborone International Convention Centre, Botswana
Content Library
Videos
AviaDev's September 2025 Africa Connectivity Update with Sean Mendis and Behramjee Ghadially
Welcome to the September edition of the AviaDev Insight Africa Connectivity update for 2025, hosted by Jon Howell, CEO and Founder of AviaDev Africa.
Previewing the Tourism and Aviation Connectivity Forum
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.
Connecting SADC and more new routes on the horizon with Air Botswana
Air Botswana's recent fleet expansions- why choose Embraer?
From Black Box to Glass Box: How AI is set to revolutionize airline revenue management with RTS
How is AI revolutionizing the world of airline revenue management and how can this improve airline profitability in Africa
AviaDev's January 2025 Connectivity Update
SAA opening a daily flight to Dar-Es-Salaam, Air Arabia launching service to Addis Ababa from Sharjah and more
A game changer for Africa? Air Asia to launch Kuala Lumpur - Nairobi
In this episode, we focus on a carrier that has recently announced it will be launching services to mainland Africa for the first time. Air Asia will launch Kuala Lumpur - Nairobi on 15th November with a 4 weekly service and deploy an Airbus A330-300 comprising 12 business class and 365 economy seats.
Podcasts
AviaDev's September 2025 Africa Connectivity Update with Sean Mendis and Behramjee Ghadially
Welcome to the September 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 reporting a $1.05 Billion profit on $7.6 Billion revenue ADD-ABV going 10 weekly from 28OCT25 12th weekly TNR, reducing NOS from Jan-Mar, SEZ reduction Jan-Mar. 4th daily EBB Group CEO Mesfin Tasew to retire in 2026 Rwandair report a $93m half-year loss KGL MBA ZNZ 3x weekly route launching in December 2025 An additional A330 coming from QR Tanzania's new taxes + mandatory insurance and the potential impact on demand Air Tanzania to launch Lagos from 13SEP25 3x weekly using a 737Max Uganda Airlines report a $76m loss for 2024-5 Kenya Airways report a loss of $94m for the first half of 2025 Qatar to launch a 3rd daily NBO, Lagos back to 14x weekly, JNB up to 18x, CPT 12x, upguage others like CMN FlyNAS to launch Riyadh- Nairobi from 2 October, 3 x week SAA to launch Gaborone flights in November, A330 wetlease from Hi-Fly Proflight Zambia will launch flights 3 x week from Lusaka via Livingstone to Windhoek starting March 3 2026. Airlink may suspend ticket sales in Mozambique and will increase JNB-BLZ flights to 6x weekly from October. KLM - reduces KGL and EBB from 7 to 3 weekly in NW25, CPT increasing 7 to 11 weekly (previously announced) Air Cote D'Ivoire is taking delivery of an A330 on 4th September and has loaded ADJ-CDG for sale
Dressed for Success: ACMI explained through The Tuxedo Framework with Andrew Lester, Chapman Freeborn Airchartering
In this episode, I am joined by Andrew Lester, ACMI and Leasing Manager for India, the Middle East, and Africa at Chapman Freeborn Airchartering. Together, we delve into the intricacies of ACMI (Aircraft Crew Maintenance and Insurance) leasing, comparing it to renting a tuxedo for event season, and discuss its strategic advantages for African airlines facing unique market challenges. The conversation covers the benefits, common misconceptions, and regulatory hurdles of ACMI leasing, while highlighting African success stories such as Lift and Uganda Airlines. Andrew emphasizes the importance of strategic planning and partnership to maximize profitability and meet seasonal demand, advocating for a broader acceptance and smarter implementation of ACMI as part of a fleet strategy in Africa.
AviaDev's July 2025 Africa Connectivity Update with Sean Mendis and Behramjee Ghadially
Welcome to the July 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. CONNECT WITH SEAN Behramjee Ghadially, Aviation Consultant. C Topics covered this month: The latest in the FlySafair pilot strike saga Virgin increasing capacity on LHR-LOS from 26 October, deploying the 397 seater A350-1000. A good move or short term strategy? Qatar Airways reducing Nigeria frequencies in W25. Why? South African Airways' new route CPT-MRU and the fallout from the restated accounts FastJet Mozambique- the latest developments FastJet to launch a new domestic route from Vic Falls to Bulawayo from 8th August 4 x week DEEP DIVE: CDG-Africa route performance of ET vs KQ TAAG Angola to launch Nairobi 3 x week from 1st Sept. What is the outlook? Flightlink open a new service to Nairobi from Zanzibar - listen to the recent podcast with Munawer, the CEO here Air india suspend Nairobi. Will it come back? ASKY's new service to Nouakchott, Mauritania. Where can they go next? Listen to the recent podcast with Date, the Commercial Director here
Slow and Steady Wins the Skies: The ASKY Airlines' Journey with Martial Date Tevi-Benissan, Commercial Director
In this episode, Date and I delve into the airline's growth and future ambitions. ASKY Airlines, now operating profitably for 15 years, boasts a fleet of 14 aircraft, connecting nearly 30 destinations across Africa. Date discusses recent network expansions, the airline's strategic focus on increasing flight frequencies, and the challenges and opportunities in African connectivity. The conversation also covers the transition to a uniform fleet, the high cost of operations in West and Central Africa, prospects of long-haul expansion, and potential infrastructure developments. The episode underscores ASKY's methodical approach to sustainable growth and market adaptation.
Dreams Delivered: Flightlink's recent regional expansion with Munawer Dhirani, Managing Director
In this wide-ranging episode, we speak to Munawer Dhirani after the inauguration of Flighlink's new Zanzibar-Nairobi daily service, exploring why now is the right time to open the route. Additionally, we discuss fleet and network expansion objectives, Munawer's origin story, and the whole concept behind Flightlink as an airline. An inspirational story of resilience, enterprise, flexibility, and ultimately success. Find out more about Flightlink www.flightlink.co.tz To watch the sessions from AviaDev Africa, visit https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7pW7r3IP6ehOTKXB2cPE41eY8X2tBVNr&si=M-8jn4uhmPYsGPZh
Unlocking efficiency: Ensuring African airports are future ready with Selim Bouri, SITA
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 Artificial Intelligence support airports and what specific solutions are already available to African airports? How can technology investment support sustainability targets and initiatives? You can meet the SITA team at AviaDev Africa in June
Press room
PRESS RELEASE: Botswana to Host AviaDev Africa 2026, Showcasing Its Aviation Ambitions and Safari Appeal
Botswana has been selected to host AviaDev Africa 2026, the continent’s premier aviation route development conference. The event will take place in Gaborone on 10 - 12 June 2026 at the Gaborone International Convention Centre (GICC), marking a significant milestone in Botswana’s efforts to enhance air connectivity and promote its tourism sector.
Embraer Highlights Potential for Intra-African Air Connectivity Growth
Embraer (NYSE: ERJ/ B3: EMBR3) has published a report on the untapped potential to enhance intra-African air connectivity. The comprehensive study underscores the critical role of improved air travel in driving economic growth and development across the African continent and was unveiled today at the AviaDev conference in Zanzibar.
PRESS RELEASE: AviaDev Africa 2025 to be Co-Hosted by Zanzibar Airports Authority and Zanzibar Commission for Tourism
AviaDev Africa, the premier aviation development conference for Africa, is heading to Zanzibar in 2025. The prestigious event will be jointly hosted by the Zanzibar Airports Authority (ZAA) and the Zanzibar Commission for Tourism (ZCT), marking a significant milestone in the region's aviation industry.
Industry news
ACMI Leases Offer Great Potential for Airline Access to Market-Leading Services to Support the Development of Africa’s Aviation Industry
Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance (ACMI) providers continue to play a prominent role in providing market-leading services to help airlines meet their operations in the post-covid era. Given the growing large-scale fleet shortages for major African carriers, mounting staff shortage issues, and growing demand for aircraft maintenance services and capital leases, it goes without question that the regional market holds significant prospects for lease operators to provide alternative and flexible services to enable these airlines to achieve their expected operational levels in 2023.