Since its creation in 2018, AviaDev Insight Africa has established itself as the premier podcast dedicated to African Aviation.
We bring prominent industry ...
319. Rodger Foster's farewell speech. BARSA Conference, 14 March 2025
In this episode, we hear Rodger Foster's farewell speech to the industry ahead of his retirement. Rodger is CEO and Managing Director of Airlink, and the speech reflects on his career and the evolution of Airlink since its founding in 1992. He reflects on the journey through significant political and economic changes in South Africa, detailing the challenges and achievements in the aviation industry. Rodger discusses the current state of the industry, emphasizing the need for updated regulatory frameworks, better infrastructure, and more collaborative approaches to unlock Africa's aviation potential. He criticizes the inefficacy of the Single African Air Transport Market (SATAM), and addresses issues like unfair economic regulations, outdated airport services, and the need for modernized weather services and digitalization. Ultimately, Rodger advocates for fundamental growth changes and greater unity across the industry to ensure a sustainable future. Watch Rodger's lifetime achievement award interview here
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318. AviaDev's February 2025 Connectivity Update with Sean Mendis and Behramjee Ghadially
Welcome to the February 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. CONNECT WITH BEHRAMJEE Topics this month include: Air Peace canceled Johannesburg, Lome, and Jeddah flights, but signed an interline agreement with Emirates RwandAir's connectivity challenges and how they can overcome them Ethiopian updates include the new Porto Route, Manchester moving to daily service, Entebbe increase, Moscow increase, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur increases, and a change in routing for West Africa Etihad to suspend Seychelles from 22 May Condor increasing Cape Town from 5-7 per week and Jo'burg from 2-3 per week, plus Norse to go 4 x weekly to CPT Winter 2025 ITA to start Rome - Mauritius flights from November 2025 Cathay Pacific to increase to Jo'burg from 5 x week to daily from July Uganda Airlines latest on the London route Eswatini Air to open Lusaka 2 x week
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317. Discover Airlines: Milestones reached and future plans for Africa's skies
In this episode, I am joined by Marco Goetz, Chief Commercial Officer, and Rupert Kraus, Director Network Development and Airport Relations at Discover Airlines. The airline turns 4 in 2025 and continues to develop its African network. In the episode, we discuss: The African network and fleet in 2025. The Zanzibar route performance and continued expansion A new route for 2025, the Seychelles, starting in October 2025. Windhoek will be served from a new base in Munich 3 x week from March 2025. How big a role has the interline with Airlink/ FlyNamibia played in making this route a success? Inflight product upgrades Fleet development and what this means for African destinations that cannot yet be served. Meet the team at AviaDev in Zanzibar this June Connect with Rupert Connect with Marco
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316. Previewing the Tourism and Aviation Connectivity Forum (New for AviaDev 2025)
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. Our partners are: Natalia Rosa, Tourism Project Lead, SADC Tourism Business Council Kojo Bentum-Williams, CEO, VoyagesAfriq Tim Harris, Helm Growth Advisors In the episode, we discuss: Why the Cape Town Air Access initiative was created and the benefits it has brought to the Western Cape Is there appetite from the SADC governments to support the development of aviation and tourism in the region and what lobbying efforts are currently taking place? Why destinations are not already more involved in air service development An overview of the sessions and what attendees will gain from attending. You can find out more about the event here If you are an airport listener, why not share the episode and encourage your tourism authority to join you for the event?
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315. Previewing the BARSA (Board of Airline Representatives of South Africa) Aviation Summit 2025 with George Mothema, CEO
In this episode, we sit down with George Mothema, CEO of BARSA, the Board of Airline Representatives of South Africa, who represents the interests of international, regional, and local member airlines and ground handlers to government, airport operators, and stakeholders in the airline industry. We cover: South Africa's recovery to date in terms of airlift and tourism BARSA's priorities for 2025 and beyond What's holding back progress? An overview of topics and speakers slated for the 2025 edition, taking place 13-14 March in Kruger, Mpumulanga. To find out more about the summit, visit https://barsa.co.za/summit-2025/ To follow BARSA on LinkedIn, click here To view the Trevor Noah campaign video
Since its creation in 2018, AviaDev Insight Africa has established itself as the premier podcast dedicated to African Aviation.
We bring prominent industry voices to the table to establish the "ground truth" informally and candidly.
The podcast was created by Jon Howell, Founder and CEO of AviaDev Africa, Africa's premier event dedicated to developing air connectivity to, from, and within the African continent