The AviaDev Africa 2024 conference, held from 19-21 June at the Movenpick Hotel in Windhoek, Namibia, was an exceptional gathering that brought together key stakeholders from across the aviation industry. As the premier forum dedicated to enhancing connectivity within Africa, AviaDev Africa provided a platform for airports, airlines, tourism authorities, governments, and industry suppliers to engage in meaningful dialogue and establish lasting connections. The conference kicked off with a warm welcome reception hosted by the Namibia Tourism Board, offering attendees a taste of Namibian culture and an opportunity to network in a relaxed environment. The Honorable John Mutorwa, Deputy Prime Minister of Namibia, officially opened the event the following morning, setting a positive tone for the days to come.
Martin Jansen van Vuuren delivered a compelling macro- economic keynote, highlighting global economic trends and their implications for the aviation industry. Subsequent sessions included a CEO panel discussion and an unveiling of Africa’s top unserved routes by Geert Lemaire from Airbus. A technology panel explored the future of aviation, focusing on the role of AI and other innovations in enhancing efficiency and profitability.
The Air Route Development Masterclass, hosted by Natalia Rosa of the SADC Business Council, featured experts from airlines and tourism boards discussing strategies to open new air routes and leverage digital marketing for destination awareness. Meanwhile, the AviaDev Real Estate event, led by Marcel Langeslag and Nelly Alandou from NACO, delved into maximising airport real estate offerings to diversify revenue streams and build resilience.
Sessions included presentations from various airport projects across Africa, showcasing investment opportunities and development plans, while post-lunch activities shifted to the meeting and exhibition area, where attendees engaged in pre-arranged one-to-one meetings to explore potential partnerships and collaborations. For those not involved in meetings, round table discussions addressed safety incidents and challenges in African aviation, as well as strategies for engaging stakeholders in route development.
The penultimate day concluded with a memorable Gala Reception at Droombos luxury estate, hosted by the Namibia Airports Company and the Namibia Civil Aviation Authority. This event provided another excellent opportunity for networking in a beautiful setting.
The final morning began with a charity run supporting the Namibian Aviation Training Academy, followed by an inspiring session on Africa’s alternative fuel potential. Discussions throughout the day included sourcing aircraft for expansion, and strategies to protect profitability and build resilience in the face of unforeseen challenges.
Tim Harris of Helm Growth Advisors unpacked FlyNamibia’s vision for growth with the airline’s Managing Director, Andre Compion in a one-on-one discussion. Their conversation highlighted not only the difficulties in starting and managing a small airline in southern Africa, but the tremendous potential on the horizon given Namibia’s developmental trajectory and the confidence and perseverance of FlyNamibia’s approach to its growth.
The final afternoon featured a last round of one-to-one meetings, with many attendees expressing optimism about the potential for new routes and partnerships.
With 560 participants, including 20 CEOs, 39 airlines, and 1,200 pre-arranged meetings, the 8th edition of AviaDev Africa set a new attendance record. This success is a testament to the efforts of Jon Howell, the CEO and founder of AviaDev, and his dedicated team. The Namibia Airports Company, as the host, played a crucial role in facilitating a seamless and impactful event.
AviaDev Africa 2024 not only highlighted the importance of connectivity on the continent but also fostered a spirit of collaboration and innovation that will undoubtedly shape the future of African aviation. The conference concluded with a commitment to continued progress and a post-show report to capture the key insights and discussions that took place. FlyNamibia is proud to have been an official airline partner of AviaDev Africa 2024.
For more information visit www.aviationdevelop.com
