AviaDev Insight Africa

Quantifying the Value of Air Connectivity for destinations. How can destinations make a stronger case for new air routes - and protect the ones they already have?  In this episode, host Jon Howell speaks with economist and tourism development advisor Martin Jansen van Vuuren about an independent impact report designed to quantify the value of air connectivity for destinations and stakeholders. The...

The latest updates impacting sub-Saharan African aviation. This episode covers a packed set of route launches, fleet moves, and network restructurings across sub-Saharan Africa and beyond. Host Jon Howell is joined by Aviation Consultants, Behramjee Ghadially and Sean Mendis to unpack several major airline stories, led by Kenya Airways' operational reset, Jambojet's Entebbe launch, and British Air...

Previewing the African Airlines Association 58th AGA with Secretary General, Abderahmane Berthe Ahead of the Annual General Assembly in Libreville, Gabon, Jon Howell caught up with the SG and together they cover the pressure points shaping African aviation right now, from fuel shocks and airspace disruption to taxes, blocked funds, financing, fleet development, and market liberalization. Chapters:...

Jambojet CEO and MD Karanja Ndegwa joins The AviaDev team to discuss the airline's return to regional flying with its Entebbe route, why it suspended flights to Zanzibar, and how it plans to grow its fleet. The conversation also covers Jambojet's relationship with Kenya Airways and the economics shaping airline growth in East Africa.  Chapters 01:04 Jambojet's Entebbe route and return to regional...

Kenya's Aviation sector is under pressure. How is the industry adapting to disruption? In this episode, Engineer Liz Aluvanze, CEO of the Kenya Association of Air Operators (KAAO), and Chairperson Mbuvi Ngunze discuss how Kenyan air operators are responding to changes in humanitarian flying, rising aviation taxes, and infrastructure challenges.  The conversation explores how operators are pivoting...

What will it take for Kenya Airways to turn its business around? In this episode, Julius Thairu, Chief Commercial and Customer Officer at Kenya Airways, discusses the airline's priorities: restoring grounded aircraft, improving reliability, rebuilding customer trust, and pursuing profitability. The conversation explores Kenya Airways' growth strategy, Nairobi's role as an African aviation hub, the...

In this episode, host Jon Howell speaks with Selim Bouri, President, Middle East, Africa and Turkiye, SITA, and Daniel Muchuchuti, ICT Director, Airports Company of Zimbabwe (ACZ). The conversation explores the latest findings from SITA's IT Insights and Baggage reports and how Africa is performing and where there is room for improvement. The conversation then moves to a case study around airport...

Fastjet Zimbabwe Business CEO and Country Head Donahue Cortes joins Host Jon Howell to reflect on more than a decade of airline operations in a volatile market. They discuss how Fastjet Zimbabwe built resilience, why the Embraer 145 became a strategic strength, what the Airbus A320 trial means for the airline's future, and how new partnerships could reshape regional connectivity across Southern Af...

In this episode of the AviaDev Insight Africa Connectivity Podcast, Jon Howell is joined by Sean Mendis and Behramjee for a fast-moving roundup of the biggest aviation stories across Africa and beyond. If you want a sharp, informed take on African aviation strategy, network planning, and the commercial realities behind the headlines, this episode is packed with insight. Subscribe for monthly AviaD...

Join host Jon Howell, Founder and CEO of AviaDev Africa, joined by Regular Guests and Aviation Consultants, Sean Mendis and Behramjee Ghadially as they dive into the latest developments in African aviation. Chapters: 00:00 Intro and live welcome 03:49 Uganda Airlines Boeing order and delivery timeline 07:56 Ethiopian Airlines ready to choose its regional jet? Could it be the Max 7? 17:51 Etihad's...

Join host Jon Howell, Founder and CEO of AviaDev Africa, joined by Regular Guests and Aviation Consultants, Sean Mendis and Behramjee Ghadially as they dive into the latest developments in African aviation. Sign up to the mailing list https://www.aviadev.com/keep-me-updated TOPICS: 0:00 Introduction and welcome 3:27 Uganda Airlines' Mega Boeing order and fleet rebuild 15:42 London Gatwick to Harar...

This episode explores how Washington Dulles International Airport is positioning itself as a key gateway between Africa and the United States. Featuring insights from Ariana McKnire, Director of Airline Business Development, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, the discussion covers route development, market opportunities, and the strategic importance of Washington's demographic and geograp...

In this episode of the AviaDev Insight Africa podcast, we delve into the strategies African airports can adopt to enhance non-aeronautical revenues and attract investment. Save the below infographic for more insights and join us at AviaDev in Botswana for further discussions. Hosted by Jon Howell, this episode features insights from Nelly Alandou, Jody Appollis, and Adam Ekman Pedersen of the NACO...

Welcome to the May 2026 AviaDev Connectivity Update! Join host Jon Howell, Founder and CEO of AviaDev Africa, joined by Regular Guests and Aviation Consultants, Sean Mendis and Behramjee Ghadially as they dive into the latest developments in African aviation. TOPICS:  00:00 - Introduction and Overview 01:28 - Virgin Atlantic doubles down on South Africa 04:16 - KLM quietly grows Cape Town capacity...

In the 30th edition of the AviaDev Africa Connectivity Update, host Jon Howell is joined by usual guests, Aviation Consultants Sean Mendis and Behramjee Ghadially to review the biggest stories impacting African aviation 00:00 Welcome 02:33 Africa Market Pulse and impacts of the Iran War 13:12 Etihad's 6 new routes for Africa. Behramjee's take 24:22 Sean's take on Etihad's expansion 42:48 Uganda Ai...

In this episode, Jon Howell hosts Jonathan Appiah of Air Ghana to explain the airline's background, ownership and strategy amid strong interest from attending delegates ahead of AviaDev.  Jonathan recounts his move from HR into commercial aviation at Africa World Airlines and his route-development experience.  He clarifies Air Ghana is a 100% Ghanaian-owned private company, with global cargo partn...

In this episode, we host Capt. Thuto Toise, the newly appointed CEO of the Civil Aviation Authority of Botswana, to discuss Botswana's aviation ambitions and its strategic decision to host AviaDev Africa 2026. Capt. Toise explains how improved air connectivity can drive economic growth through tourism, trade, investment, and regional integration, and why bringing airlines and decision-makers to Bo...

In this episode, host Jon Howell hosts IATA's Regional VP for Africa and the Middle East, Kamil Al-Awadhi, to discuss why SAATM has seen little progress since its 2018 signing, citing state protectionism, limited collaboration, and slow decision-making across ministries. They explore the economics of operating airlines in Africa, including fuel accounting for about 30–35% of airline costs and bein...

In the March 2026 AviDev Africa connectivity update, host Jon Howell and consultants Sean Mendis and Behramjee Ghadially discuss how the Iran war and GCC corridor disruption are reshaping Africa-related air travel, creating short-term transit gains for Ethiopian, Kenya Airways, Uganda Airlines and Air Peace but driving major fare increases, insurance constraints, and severe jet-fuel supply-chain r...

In this episode of AviaDev Insight Africa, we speak to Rahsaan Johnson, former Managing Director of Global Communications at Delta, with 13 years at United, about what "brand" means for airlines and why it drives profitability and resilience. Johnson defines brand as the emotions and adjectives customers associate with an airline, shaped by reputation and lived experience, and argues the foundatio...

This a special podcast episode recorded on 6th March 2026 as part of the Board of Airline Representatives of South Africa Annual Conference.  In the episode, Professor Mohale argues Africa's economic and aviation story is often told by outsiders, calling for Africans to own the narrative and emphasizing leadership defined by vision, courage, and integrity. The discussion contrasts management and l...

In this episode, we explore the innovative journey of ValueJet, a Nigerian airline that has recently introduced Viki, the first AI concierge in Africa.  Temi Adjijola, the head of business program and IT at Value Jet, discusses the airline's mission to make flying accessible to more people in Nigeria, where air travel is still underutilized. Joining Temi is Rodger Whittle, Commercial Director and...

*Subscribe to our mailing list to never miss another episode and stay up to date with event news: https://www.aviadev.com/keep-me-updated In this episode, we cover the latest route and fleet developments in African aviation. Clarification on the FlySafair sale Uganda Airlines - management changes, fleet changes, route changes Kenya Airways next steps. Can they secure an investor/ partner? - both S...

In this episode, Host Jon Howell sits down with Theo Wensink, Head of Airline Marketing, Middle East and Africa at Embraer to discuss the "Connecting Africa" report which premiered at AviaDev Africa 2025.  Providing commentary and insight into the findings are regular podcast contributors, aviation consultants Sean Mendis and Behramjee Ghadially.  Together, they explore why the report was created,...

In this episode of AviaDev Insight Africa, host Jon Howell speaks with Chidozie Uzoezie, founder of the African Aviation Group (AAG), about the impact of the group on aspiring aviators in Africa. They discuss the challenges and opportunities in the African aviation industry, the launch of Mentortude, an all-inclusive mentorship platform, and the upcoming Fireside Chat event aimed at empowering the...