AviaDev Insight Africa

This podcast is the audio recording of the financing African aviation session and brings together some familiar voices to our community representing both the banks and the lessors active in the African market.

Moderator:

Dickon Harris, Editor, ISHKA

Panellists:

Eddie Browne, AVP Marketing, Europe, Africa and CIS, Aergo

Sameer Adam, SVP, Commercial, ACIA Aero Leasing Group

Bradley Gordon, Head of Aviation: Africa, Investec

James Geldenhuys, Head of Aircraft Finance, Nedbank

Ishka, https://www.ishkaglobal.com/ provide data, insight, analysis and advisory services to help inform investment strategies.

This special podcast is the recording of the interview between Hilka Birns, a wonderful journalist working with our great partners, ch-aviation and Jon Ayache, CEO of lift, South Africa's newest airline. The wide-ranging conversation covers the flexible business model, incorporating a conversation about the fleet mix, new routes, and the distribution model. We also discuss the use use of technology to improve the passenger experience and how the airline continues to innovate with its own theme song, dogs on planes and onboard silent discos.

Jonathan Ayache CEO, lift

Hilka Birns Journalist, ch-aviation

This special podcast is the recording of the panel session at AviaDev Africa entitled, "Harnessing the power of technology to improve profitability across the value chain."

Technology only moves in one direction. Constant progress through continuous improvement and innovation.

The Covid pandemic has provided an opportunity for the entire aviation industry to revisit existing processes, identify inefficiencies in these processes and adapt accordingly.

But can cutting-edge solutions be provided without huge capital expenditure?

Session moderated by

Kwame Bekoe Aviation Professional

Panelists:

Nick Ashton Head of Partnerships & Industry Affairs, Dohop

Blaine Powell Chief Sales Officer, Ink Aviation

Ciaran Wilson Head of Sales, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Cellpoint Digital

This episode was recorded on Wednesday 9th June 2021 at the AviaDev Africa online conference.

Air travelers do not fly to an airport. They fly to a destination.

In 2018, 57% of tourists arrived at their destination by air.

So why are tourism authorities not more involved in the process of attracting airlines, often leaving it to the airport authorities?

With airport revenues decimated by the impact of the pandemic, is it time for tourism authorities to take a front seat and lead the conversations with airlines?

Session moderated by: Mafalda Borea Co-Founder and CEO of Sustainable First ™; Sustainability Editor, VoyagesAfriq

Panellists:

Hon. Najib Balala Cabinet Secretary for tourism and wildlife, Republic of Kenya

Carol Hay CEO, McKenzie Gayle Limited and Former Director of Marketing UK & Europe for the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO)

In this wide-ranging panel session, we ask the tough question "Just what is the role of a National Airline?"

Should it be seen as a Commercial enterprise or strategic economic enabler?

Is it possible that it can be both?

After 74 years of operation, Air Namibia was formally liquidated in March 2021.

In this session, we explore what has happened to air connectivity in Namibia in the months following the cessation of the national carrier and how connectivity can be improved to, from and within the country.

We also discuss the role of a new SAA and its prospective challenges

Session moderated by:

Wrenelle Stander Former CEO, Comair Ltd

Panellists:

Escher Luanda Former Chairperson, Air Namibia

Rodger Foster Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Airlink

In this episode, we catch up with the CEO of NavPass, Tom Perkins, who joined us back in episode 124 to outline the solution.

Since then, NavPass have begun operations in the African market, supporting South Sudan with improving airspace safety and the collection of air navigation fees. We explore how they have delivered the solution, how the technology works and how it has been received by different stakeholders in the aviation ecosystem

To find out more visit www.navpass.aero

In this episode, we are joined by Matheus Piorino, Director of Customer Finance, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and Vadims Fokins, Deputy Marketing Director, Leasing at Embraer Commercial Aviation.

Embraer has just released the African Market Perspectives report, which can be downloaded here

Some say it has never been a better time to start an airline as there is now an opportunity to disrupt previous business models and start operations without any legacy debt.

Together we discuss:

• Right-sizing
• Will the African market be dominated by new or pre-owned aircraft?
• The challenge of financing fleet expansions and start ups
• The merits of leasing versus purchasing

You can connect with Matheus here

You can connect with Vadims here

In this episode, we travel to Nairobi, where I speak to Moses Mwangi, CEO of 748 Air Services Limited. Moses has over 25 years of experience in the African aviation industry.

748 has a diversified business model and this has allowed them to thrive despite the global pandemic and even launch new domestic services to Kisumu and Mombasa in May 2021.

748 were the global launch customer for De Havilland's Simplified Package Freighter (SPF) solution on their Dash 8's allowing them to shift from operating a passenger to freighter aircraft in just 1 hour. We discuss how they have worked with the OEM to adapt quickly to changing market conditions.

We also look to the future and talk domestic and regional expansion plans.

In this episode, we discuss how technology will support the passenger journey and improve the passenger experience.

We discuss why now is the perfect time to take a fresh look at how technology can replace or support existing systems and how often it is not as capital or labour intensive a process as it was in the past.

Finally, we discuss the role of the health/immunity passport in the African market and how we can continue to travel in a part vaccinated world.

Connect with Shawn here

Find out more about ink here:

In this episode, we are joined by the Head of Partnerships and Industry Affairs at Dohop.

Nick has over 15 years airline experience gathered at carriers such as British Airways, Qatar Airways, Virgin Australia and Vueling and outlines how partnerships between airlines have evolved over this time and where they are heading.

We focus on the opportunity for African airports and airlines to harness this technology to improve the customer experience, drive more direct bookings and build their route network through partnerships.

You can connect with Nick here

Find out more about Dohop at www.dohop.com