Immense Potential of $80 Billion African Aviation Market in the Spotlight at Inaugural Event in Dubai
First-ever
Aviation Africa to bring together world’s leading airlines, ministers
and authorities including IATA, Rwandair, CAA Ghana, to discuss untapped
market’s significant opportunities
DUBAI, UAE, May 4, 2015/ -- Aviation Africa 2015 (http://www.aviationafrica.aero)
which opens on 10th May at Le Meridien Hotel, Dubai will underscore the
immense potential of the African aviation market. The two-day event,
held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed al Maktoum,
President of Dubai’s Department of Civil Aviation and Chairman of
Emirates Airline, has been established to forge a crucial dialogue among
the aviation industry’s leading stakeholders on the social, economic
and political benefits to be gained from wide-ranging improvements to
the infrastructure in Africa.
Aviation
in Africa currently supports more than 6.9 million jobs and over $800
billion in GDP across African nations. But this is nothing compared with
what it can become. Annually, a further 155,000 jobs and $1.3 billion
in GDP can be added through the effective liberalisation of just 12 key
markets, including Ghana, Kenya and South Africa among others, according
to an independent report published by the International Air Transport
Association (IATA).
“If
you look at the sheer potential of just a handful of African airlines,
routes and airports, you realise just how enormous an impact Africa can
have on the future of aviation, and moreover you can clearly see just
how beneficial a progressive aviation industry can be for the
socio-economic future of the continent,” says Alan Peaford MBE, event
organiser and summit Chairman.
“Geographically,
it’s ideally located right next to well-established hubs in the Gulf,
and is able to capitalise on the passenger and cargo traffic already
streaming through the region.
“Aviation
Africa 2015 will fill a void in the aviation calendar and give Africa a
real chance to progress quickly, effectively and safely,” he adds.
Africa’s
prospective growth, as well as the potentially vital role the Middle
East’s aviation industry can play in the creation of a burgeoning
African market will be the focal point of the various case studies and
panels at Aviation Africa 2015.
Hon.
Dzifa Aku Attivor, Minister of Transport for Ghana, will present the
Keynote Address. The Ghanian transport minister is one in a long list of
top-level industry speakers, delegates and experts who will share ideas
and experiences with their Middle Eastern counterparts to bring
Africa’s inevitably pivotal role in the future of aviation front and
centre.
“There
are many striking similarities between the Middle Eastern aviation
market of 20 years ago and the African market of today,” says Alan
Peaford
“The
many experiences Gulf carriers, airports and regulators underwent as
they grew to become the centre-ground of the global aviation space are
bound to be similar to the issues that will arise in Africa as the
continent’s nations begin to put their efforts and resources behind
their aviation industry. Africa would do well to discuss, listen and
learn from their Middle Eastern counterparts,” Peaford adds.
Discussing
the role of the regulators at Aviation Africa 2015 will be Laila Ali
Hareb Al Muhairi, Assistant Director General for Strategy and
International Affairs, of the UAE’s civil aviation authority (the GCAA),
Dr Hamdi Chaouk, former director general for aviation in Lebanon;
Abdulai Alhassan, director general, Ghana Civil Aviation Authority and
Mohamed Rahma, Undersecretary for international affairs, Egypt.
Speakers
confirmed from African and Middle East airlines already include Girma
Wake, chairman, RwandAir (formerly CEO, Ethiopian Airlines); Yves
Naninque, CCO ECAir; Many other CEOs and COOs are attending including
Africa’s leading cargo operator Astral Aviation, South African Airlines
and Daallo Airlines.
One
session of particular note will see Ed Winter, CEO of Fastjet –
Tanzania’s low cost carrier which has been enjoying great success since
its launch in 2011 – he is on a panel with Air Arabia’s group chief
executive, Adel Ali, exploring the impact LCCs have had on the aviation
industry in the region.
Alan
Peaford, said: “We are really pleased with the support we are getting
from the industry across all levels of government, as well as airlines
of all shapes and sizes.
“This
is going to be a great networking event and an intriguing summit. Of
course there is a frisson between many African carriers and the local
airlines in the Middle East but it wasn’t that long ago that the likes
of Emirates and Qatar Airways were in the same position as the African
carriers are now and they have found many different ways around global
and regional challenges,” Peaford says.
“It’s
really exciting to see some of the new and smaller carriers represented
at the event. There is a great hunger for the knowledge that will get
this growth challenge right.”
Dr
Nicklas Dahlstrom, human factors manager, Emirates Airline, will be
discussing the challenges of multi-cultural workforces and the threat to
safety of human performance.
There
are also senior figures from aviation authorities and associations, who
include Hussein Dabbas, VP Africa & Middle East, IATA; Tawanda
Gusha, Director Airports, Civil Aviation Authority, Zimbabwe and Paul
Murphy, vice president, Africa, SITA.
The
event also features an exhibition with over 40 companies including
Boeing, Jeppesen, African Open Sky, Ethiopian Airlines and Astral
Aviation. The event is supported by AFRAA – African Airlines
Association, AfBAA – African Business Aviation Association and the Gold
Sponsors are UAE International Trip Support and DAE – Dubai Aerospace
Enterprise. For information and to register visit www.aviationafrica.aero.
Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of Aviation Africa 2015.
Media:
Media can register free of charge for the two day event. Please contact Alison@accessgroup.aero
About Aviation Africa 2015
Aviation Africa 2015 (http://www.aviationafrica.aero) will take place at Le Meridien Hotel, Dubai on May 10-11.
AVIATION
AFRICA 2015 will bring together government and civil aviation
authorities; senior airline management; business aviation operators and
specialists; financial and industry consultants and leasing companies;
airport management and service company management and leaders from
maintenance, training and flight support.
Aviation
Africa 2015 has been launched to change the perception of aviation on
the continent. The panel sessions will deal with the opportunities and
issues challenging the growth of the African aviation market, tackling
liberalisation, training, safety, human factors, finance and business
aviation.
The
summit and exhibition takes place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, The
event is designed to be a meeting place for African aviation business
and Middle East business. For press information please contact Alison
Weller Alison@accessgroup.aero +971 561162453
For more information on this new, fast-growing event and to register for the Summit please go to www.aviationafrica.aero
SOURCE
Aviation Africa 2015
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