Advertise on podcast: AviaDev Insight Africa

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 Airways' return to Tanzania. Chapters: 00:00 – Welcome to the AviaDev Connectivity Update 04:35 - Kenya Airways leadership change and restructuring 09:28 - Kenya Airways fleet grounding and reliability challenges. Time to fix the fundamentals? 19:25 - Jambojet launches Entebbe. Can it stimulate a new market? 22:29 - Tanzania taxes and insurance costs impacting connectivity 30:16 - British Airways returns to Tanzania in Summer 2027 with Gatwick-Kilimanjaro-Zanzibar route 40:14 - Qatar Airways to Zanzibar, and the link to RwandAir's A330 plans 51:37 - IndiGo's Africa expansion to Dar es Salaam. A no brainer? 58:29 - Air Tanzania's Moscow service reversal 01:00:32 - Ethiopian Airlines' Durban relaunch and fleet updates 01:17:18 - ASKY's Central and West African network changes and big fleet plans 01:25:22 - Nigeria's domestic flight delays 01:31:55 - Airlink's new routes to Mauritius and Zanzibar and continued fleet growth 01:38:17 - Fastjet Zimbabwe extends its A320 lease 01:40:40 - FlySafair expands into Lusaka from February 2027 01:46:13 - Turkish Airlines suspends African routes. Will they come back? 01:52:10 - Malawi Airlines updates 01:55:14 - Africa World Airlines receives its first E190 01:56:09 – Proflight Zambia's Jetstream arrivals and fleet update 01:58:23 - Air Zimbabwe's Gatwick schedule and 737-200 Sign up to the mailing list https://www.aviadev.com/keep-me-updated #AviaDev #AfricanAviation #AirlineNews #AviationNews #Connectivity #Airlink #KenyaAirways #EthiopianAirlines #Jambojet #britishairways #FlySafair #AirPeace #RwandaAir #qatarairways

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: 01:24 - How the Middle East crisis and fuel shock has impacted African airlines 06:24 - Why fleet development and financing are now a priority for Africa's airlines 08:45 - De-risking aircraft finance through Cape Town Convention adoption and governance 10:42 - Pooling aircraft, spare parts, and engines through collaboration 13:09 - Why ECOWAS tax cuts are still not being implemented 16:24 - Blocked funds and why repatriation is critical for growth 18:18 - From SAATM declarations to real compliance and implementation 21:29 - Visa openness, trade, tourism, and the wider growth equation 23:33 - Fifth freedom rights and the role of non-African airlines 29:11 - What AFRAA wants delegates to take away from Libreville 31:33 - Why in-person aviation events still matter Find out more about the AGA https://web.cvent.com/event/89c46023-862b-4f87-b965-21844dfd32c6/websitePage:cffc9bdf-e8b7-471d-9333-36d6da24d0ab  #AFRAA #AfricanAviation #Aviation #AirlineIndustry #Africa #Gabon #AviaDev #Nairobi #libreville #flygabon Sign up to the AviaDev mailing list https://www.aviadev.com/keep-me-updated

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 flying 03:28 Domestic recovery and Jambojet's market share growth 04:21 Aircraft shortages and expansion challenges 06:13 Why Jambojet suspended its Zanzibar route 09:06 Tourism fees, taxes, and travel demand 10:52 Jambojet and Kenya Airways: partners or competitors? 12:16 Why the Q400 works for regional routes and short runways 17:00 The Q400 fleet's limits and Jambojet's growth plans 19:17 Fuel costs and Jambojet's profitability 21:09 Fleet expansion plans through 2029 22:20 Aircraft options for Jambojet's future fleet 24:22 Jambojet's financial independence within Kenya Airways 27:22 Karanja's aircraft pick #Jambojet #AfricanAviation #Aviation #Connectivity #AirlineIndustry #Africa #Kenya #AviaDev #Nairobi #Uganda Sign up to the AviaDev mailing list https://www.aviadev.com/keep-me-updated

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 to new business models, why policy certainty matters for investment, and what needs to change at Wilson Airport and across Kenya's airstrip network.  Chapters:  00:00 — Kenya's Air Operators and the Changing Aviation Landscape  01:50 — How Operators Are Navigating Disruption  05:18 — Growth and Optimism in Kenyan Aviation  07:10 — Aviation Taxes, Spare Parts, and Policy Certainty  12:06 — Kenya's Aviation Infrastructure Challenge  19:18 — How KAO Represents Kenya's Air Operators  23:34 — Building Stronger Industry Connections  #KAAO #AfricanAviation #Aviation #AirlineIndustry #Africa #Kenya #AviaDev #Nairobi Sign up to the AviaDev mailing list https://www.aviadev.com/keep-me-updated

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 airline's fleet and cargo ambitions, and how digital transformation and customer data could improve the passenger experience.  Julius also explains why getting the fundamentals right, especially punctuality, route relevance, and disruption recovery, is essential to the airline's next chapter.  Chapters  00:00 — Kenya Airways' turnaround and 50-year legacy  04:32 — Stabilization, strategy, and the grounded fleet  07:48 — Profitability, growth, and Nairobi as a hub  13:02 — Customer experience and the gap between promise and reality 17:49 — Fleet targets and the cargo opportunity  19:41 — Passenger priorities and reliability challenges  24:03 — Network changes and improving operational reliability 28:14 — Disruption recovery and customer accountability  29:04 — Digital transformation and customer data 33:39 — Growth strategy, investment, and profitability  39:15 — Kenya Airways' key markets and future priorities  #KenyaAirways #AfricanAviation #Aviation #CustomerExperience #AirlineIndustry #Africa #Kenya #AviaDev #Nairobi Sign up to the AviaDev mailing list https://www.aviadev.com/keep-me-updated

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 IT Investment, with the Airports Company of Zimbabwe, outlining how a collaborative approach to investment in technology upgrades aims to benefit the passenger and airline customer. Chapters: 00:00 — Why airport IT investment matters for Africa 02:14 — Africa's uneven airport technology investment 04:53 — Passenger processing and border management priorities 07:50 — Why coordination matters more than technology 10:18 — Who must collaborate to modernize African borders 14:54 — The high cost of mishandled baggage 15:57 — How baggage tracking works across the industry 16:26 — Why one mishandled bag costs $260 17:23 — Africa's baggage challenge and connecting flights 18:19 — How automation can reduce baggage mishandling 20:25 — Zimbabwe's airport technology transformation 22:40 — Building a standardized, common-use airport platform 25:59 — Convincing airlines to share the investment 30:08 — The case for integrated, future-proof technology 31:34 — Shared payment and shared responsibility 35:32 — A new investment model for growing African airports 38:32 — Advice for airport technology leaders 40:30 — Why long-term IT investment will shape future growth Resources: SITA's baggage insights: https://www.sita.aero/resources/surveys-reports/sita-baggage-it-insights/ SITA's 2025 Air Transport IT Insights report: https://www.sita.aero/resources/surveys-reports/air-transport-it-insights-2025/airports/

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 Africa. The conversation also explores business class demand, route development, aviation liberalization, and Donahue's view of leadership as stewardship. CHAPTERS 00:00 - Welcome and introduction to Fastjet Zimbabwe's 10-year story 02:42 - What is the key to surviving and growing in African aviation? 07:43 - How fundamental was the initial single-aircraft strategy? 12:43 - Why did Fastjet Zimbabwe introduce the Airbus A320? 19:39 - Did customers create the demand for business class? 23:28 - Where could Fastjet Zimbabwe expand its network? 29:28 - How will the Etihad interline change network planning? 35:55 - Is aviation liberalization delivering its intended results? 41:14 - Where will Fastjet Zimbabwe be in five years? 43:16 - Why does Donahue see leadership as stewardship? 46:13 - Closing thoughts on African aviation connectivity Sign up to the mailing list to stay up to date on all things AviaDev https://www.aviadev.com/keep-me-updated #AviaDev #FastjetZimbabwe #AfricanAviation #AviationLeadership #AirlineIndustry #RouteDevelopment #AirlineStrategy #AviationConnectivity #Zimbabwe #SouthernAfrica #AirbusA320 #Embraer145 #AirlineManagement #AviationPodcast

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 AviaDev connectivity updates and analysis. Chapters:  00:00 Intro and episode overview 03:18 Airlink flypast in Cape Town   16:09 Airlink's new domestic route, Qatar codeshare, and E2 route updates  28:19 Kenya Airways results and leadership changes 38:34 South African Airways leadership churn and strategy 44:15 FlySafair launches third daily Johannesburg–Harare 53:53 FlySafair acquisition and competition concerns 01:00:18 Malawi Airlines adds more Johannesburg frequencies  01:02:08 Canada–Nigeria bilateral signed and the Air Canada opportunity on Toronto-Lagos 01:17:11 Air Peace's West Coast growth and Lagos–São Paulo on the radar 01:19:59 ValueJet's Boeing 737 additons and potential network expansion  01:24:15 Africa World Airlines relaunches Abidjan  01:26:53 Ethiopian Airlines winter network changes  01:35:22 Mesfin Tasew leadership extension and fleet strategy  01:37:51 Tewolde GebreMariam joins Air India 01:40:33 Air Congo opens Paris via Brussels 01:42:24 RwandAir considers Manchester  01:44:36 Etihad increases Zanzibar to double daily 01:49:17 Zambia Airways new CEO 01:51:23 ProFlight Zambia adds Jetstream 41s 01:52:26 Jambojet launches Nairobi–Entebbe 01:55:17 Uganda Airlines announces Accra and Kigali 02:0212 Air Sierra Leone Gatwick relaunches 02:04:23 TAG Angola adds Dakar–Praia and Latam codeshare 02:1303 Wrap-up and closing remarks #AviaDev #AfricanAviation #AirlineNews #AviationNews #Connectivity #Airlink #KenyaAirways #EthiopianAirlines #SouthAfricanAirways #Safair #AirPeace #RwandaAir #UgandaAirlines

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 Africa partnership signing tour with Africa World Airlines, fastjet and Air Peace and broader interline strategy 26:24 AWA's Abidjan launch and market dynamics 36:57 Emirates cuts new Ghana frequencies after 3 days 41:00 Ethiopian Airlines continued network expansion Mauritius upgraded to 787, Maldives BASA with 5th freedoms, increasing LOS to 3x daily, increasing Chengdu 54:42 China Southern to serve Addis from CAN/CSX 59:26 Turkish Airlines adds JNB/CPT frequencies 01:08:39 Air Zimbabwe launches Gatwick 01:16:53 Fastjet Zimbabwe's A320 wet lease from Global 01:22:11 FlySafair ownership update 01:25:51 Airlink's new 2-class E2 deliveries (first in July, second in Aug), HLA-HRE from December, filed for CPT-NBO/JNB-MRU/JNB-JRO 01:37:26 Namibia Air proposed launch 01:46:55 ASKY's expansion and continued fleet growth 01:52:32 Air Côte d'Ivoire drops Johannesburg before launch 01:53:38 Air Congo's Brussels and Paris strategy 01:56:20 CAA Congo launches Luanda or does it? 01:58:01 Seychelles' x 2 Airbus A321XLR order 02:01:52 IndiGo's route changes and Mumbai-Dar es Salaam plans If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe for more African aviation insights and network strategy analysis. Topics discussed: * African aviation route development * Airline network strategy * Long-haul and intra-African connectivity * Fleet planning and aircraft deployment * Market demand, yields, and fifth freedom traffic * New route announcements and capacity changes If you follow African aviation news, airline route launches, airport connectivity, and network planning, this episode is for you. #Aviation #AfricaAviation #AirlineNews #RouteDevelopment #AviaDev #Airlines

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 Harare to finally be served? Air Zimbabwe looking to deploy a wet leased aircraft, but when? 28:05 TUI's new Gatwick–Zanzibar route for Winter 2027. 40:17 Emirates to add four additional weekly flights to Accra 48:48 Kenya Airways network cuts. Douala and Abidjan impacted, plus deploying the B777 on a domestic route 57:33 Airlink's exclusive Cape Town–Mauritius announcement from AviaDev, deploying the Embraer E2 01:08:02 TAAG Angola's management changes as they launch Luanda–Guangzhou and receive clearance for the 787-9 from EASA 01:20:30 Air Peace's ambitious intra-Africa growth plans, approvals to launch Brazil and could Manchester be this year's new route of the year? 01:31:57 ASKY's intra-African network adjustments 01:37:41 Air Tanzania's Muscat service and 787 deployment on Cape Town 01:40:49 Discover, Edelweiss, and Condor's Namibia capacity growth Topics discussed: African aviation route development Airline network strategy Long-haul and intra-African connectivity Fleet planning and aircraft deployment Market demand, yields, and fifth freedom traffic New route announcements and capacity changes If you follow African aviation news, airline route launches, airport connectivity, and network planning, this episode is for you. #AfricanAviation #AviaDev #AirlineNews #AviationNews #RouteDevelopment #AirlineStrategy #ConnectivityUpdate #UgandaAirlines #AirZimbabwe #Emirates #KenyaAirways #Airlink #AirPeace #ASKY #AirTanzania #Namibia

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 geographic advantages in African aviation connectivity. CHAPTERS 00:00 - Introduction to Washington Dulles as a US-African gateway 01:38 - Demographics and market size in Washington DC 05:09 - Business climate and travel demand 08:31 - Focus on unserved routes and development prospects 12:21 - Connecting unserved African markets 14:52 - South African Airways' re-entry plans 16:46 - AviaDev and strategic partnerships 19:10 - Ariana's approach to route development 20:12 - Airport and airline collaboration for connectivity 21:15 - Final thoughts and upcoming events Resources & Links: Aviadev Africa: www.aviadev.com Airbus Market Analysis Report https://www.airbus.com/en/about-us/our-worldwide-presence/airbus-in-africa-and-the-middle-east/airbus-in-africa Washington Dulles International Airport https://www.mwaa.com/ Connect with Ariana

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 team. Discover how African airports can diversify revenue streams and become economic hubs. Chapters: 0:00 - Introduction 01:21 - Meet the NACO Team 02:42 - Revenue Stream diversification 04:17 - Non-Aeronautical Revenue opportunities for airports 06:18 - Real Estate Opportunities for Airports 08:28 - Economic Feasibility and Investment 11:15 - Network Positioning and Connectivity 14:37 - Land Use Planning Challenges 17:23 - Governance and Economic Infrastructure 22:26 - Upcoming Aviadev Panel Discussion If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, and share to help spread the word about the rising opportunities in African aviation. CONNECT WITH JODY CONNECT WITH ADAM CONNECT WITH NELLY

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 08:43 - South African Airways: new CEO, fresh cuts 16:56 - Airlink launches Cape Town–Zanzibar nonstop 25:27 - Turkish Airlines slashes African routes  35:43 - Qatar Airways' Return to Africa 39.24 - Air Tanzania's big ambitions 51:58 - Uganda Airlines' Operational Challenges 58:43 - Kenya Airways: what's new and next? 66:05 - Jambojet's low-cost regional push 76:16 - Air Botswana's Operational Issues 81:57 - Africa World Airlines eyes Conakry 83:54 - Ethiopian Airlines expands globally/ Air Congo's rapid expansion in the DRC/ Malawi Airlines adds Lubumbashi 93:49 - Air Peace cuts long-haul, buys narrowbodies 103:28 - United Nigeria eyes Johannesburg (exclusive) 106:29 - Air Côte d'Ivoire's Johannesburg Route

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 Airlines fleet and route update 46:28 SalamAir's new routes to Kigali and Mogadishu 52:16 ASKY Hints at a new Route 01:00:01 Turkish Airlines Boosts Mauritius frequencies 01:04:30 Ethiopian Eyes Mauritius 01:07:04 Air Tanzania to Seychelles update and reflections 01:10:46 Ethiopian increases Moscow service and firms aircraft order 01:16:30 Ethiopian's Gulf Recovery 01:18:10 The reality of Air Congo's Expansion 01:24:33 SAA leadership changes amidst audit fallout 01:29:27 Kenya Airways Bailout Rules 01:32:01 Air Peace new routes 01:40:43 Wrap Up and farewell

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 partnerships, a Ghanaian AOC and designation as a national cargo airline, investments in cold-chain/perishables, and leadership in the Ghana Airport Cargo Centre. We dive into Air Ghana's plans to launch domestic passenger services to address capacity and fare issues, targeting late 2026 or early 2027.  00:00 Intro 01:54 Jonathan's Aviation Journey 05:44 What is Air Ghana and what is it not?  10:43 Air Ghana's passenger airline plans 15:20 Why choose a Boeing 737? 18:01 Airport Infrastructure improvements 23:20 The operating environment in Ghana 29:11 Air Ghana's AviaDev Goals 34:17 Closing