South Africa is set to host the eighth Aviation Africa Summit and Exhibition, which will take place in Johannesburg this September. The event, being held in Sandton, is expected to draw the largest number of attendees in its history, with around 1,500 delegates anticipated.

According to Mark Brown, CEO of Times Aerospace Events, which organizes the summit, “This will be our largest event ever, and we are thrilled to bring it to South Africa for the first time.”

A Gathering of Aviation Leaders

The Aviation Africa Summit and Exhibition has established itself as the premier annual gathering for Africa’s commercial air transport industry. This year’s event comes at a crucial time as South Africa continues to recover and rebuild following the challenges of the past few years.

Hosted by South Africa’s Ministry of Transport and led by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA), the summit will bring together executives and officials from across the airline and air transport sectors. The event will be held at the Sandton Convention Centre on September 16th and 17th.

SACAA’s Director of Civil Aviation, Ms. Poppy Khoza, will deliver the welcome address, setting the tone for two days of intense discussions and networking.

 Addressing African Aviation’s Challenges

Alan Peaford, Chair of the Aviation Africa Summit, highlighted the importance of the event in addressing the challenges facing the continent’s aviation sector. “We have secured speakers from across Africa and beyond to debate the issues and challenges the continent undoubtedly faces in realizing its full potential,” Peaford said.

Key sessions will feature high-profile speakers, including Rodger Foster, CEO of Airlink, and Lulu Rasebotsa, CEO of Air Botswana, who will join a panel of airline CEOs. Another notable session will feature Mpumi Mpofu, CEO of Airports Company of South Africa (ACSA), discussing the future of airport operations in Africa.

Industry Experts and Strategic Discussions

The summit will also feature keynote addresses from prominent industry figures such as Abdérahmane Berthé, Secretary General of the African Airlines Association (AFRAA); Alcinda Pereira, Chair of the African Business Aircraft Association (AfBAA); Kamil Al-Alwadhi, Regional Vice President for Africa & Middle East, IATA; and Sanjeev Gadhia, CEO of Astral Aviation.

A crucial session on the second day of the summit, titled “Putting it all together: where does Africa go from here,” will explore strategies for advancing Africa’s aviation sector. The panel will include Kevin Storie, CEO of the Commercial Aviation Association of Southern Africa (CAASA), Dawit Lemma, CEO of Krimson Aviation, Aaron Munetsi, CEO of the Airlines Association of Southern Africa (AASA), and Henok Teferra Shawl, Managing Director Africa at Boeing Global.

 A Boost for South Africa’s Economy

The economic benefits of hosting such a significant event are considerable. The Aviation Africa Summit is expected to inject revenue into South Africa’s economy, benefiting a wide range of local businesses. From hotels and transport services to catering and translation, the influx of visitors will create numerous opportunities for local enterprises to capitalize on the event.

With its world-class infrastructure and commitment to excellence, South Africa is well-prepared to host this prestigious summit, reinforcing its status as a leading player in the African aviation industry.

According to Mark Brown, CEO of Times Aerospace Events, which organises the event, “With around 1 500 delegates expected to attend Aviation Africa in South Africa, the summit will be our largest ever.”

 

GATHERING OF AVIATION STAKEHOLDERS

The Aviation Africa Summit and Exhibition is regarded as the continent’s leading annual meeting place for Africa’s commercial air transport industry.

South Africa is being afforded the opportunity to host this year’s event. “This is the first time the event has taken place in South Africa, and it comes at an important time as the country recovers and rebuilds from the turbulence of the past few years,” Brown said.

SUMMIT FOCUSES ON AFRICAN AVIATION

The event is officially hosted by South Africa’s Ministry of Transport and led by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA).

That said, executives and officials from the airline and air transport sectors will assemble in Sandton in a few weeks. This is for the eighth Aviation Africa Summit and Exhibition hosted at Sandton Convention Centre on 16 and 17 September.

A welcome address will be made by SACAA’s Director of Civil Aviation, Ms Poppy Khoza.

 

TACKLING ISSUES IN AFRICAN AVIATION

According to Aviation Africa Summit chair, Alan Peaford, the summit will debate issues experienced in the sector.

“The eighth Aviation Africa Summit has secured speakers from across the continent and further afield to debate the issues and challenges the continent undoubtedly faces, to realise its full potential.” Peaford said.

 

A session featuring airline CEOs will include Rodger Foster, CEO of Airlink and Lulu Rasebotsa, CEO of Air Botswana. In addition, a session featuring airport leaders will include Mpumi Mpofu, CEO, Airports Company of South Africa (ACSA).

EXPERT INDUSTRY SPEAKERS

The summit will also feature keynote addresses from Abdérahmane Berthé, Secretary General of the African Airlines Association (AFRAA); Alcinda Pereira, Chair, African Business Aircraft Association (AfBAA); Kamil Al-Alwadhi, Regional Vice President for Africa & Middle East, IATA and Sanjeev Gadhia, CEO, Astral Aviation.

Furthermore, a session on the second day of the summit will discuss ways in which Africa’s aviation sector can advance. The session is titled “Putting it all together: where does Africa go from here”.

The panel will in fact include Kevin Storie, CEO, Commercial Aviation Association of Southern Africa (CAASA). Also included are Dawit Lemma, CEO, Krimson Aviation; Aaron Munetsi, CEO, Airlines Association of Southern Africa (AASA) and Henok Teferra Shawl, Managing Director Africa, Boeing Global.

BOOST FOR LOCAL ECONOMY

Significantly, the hosting of such events is beneficial for South Africa’s economy. Thus, events such as this require good organisation, reliable infrastructure and efficient services. 

Moreover, hotels and businesses offering services needed by visitors will have the opportunity to earn income by providing their services.

From transport to accommodation, and catering to translation services, visitors will require many services. Local businesses are indeed set to benefit by serving attendees of the African aviation summit.