AviaDev Insight Africa

Jon Howell

AviaDev Insight Africa is the number one podcast dedicated to the African aviation industry. Established in 2018, we bring prominent industry voices to the table to establish the "ground truth" in an informal and candid fashion, along with monthly connectivity updates, summarising the route and fleet developments within the African aviation industry

  1. 1 day ago

    June's AviaDev Connectivity Update with Sean Mendis and Behramjee Ghadially

    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 developmentAirline network strategyLong-haul and intra-African connectivityFleet planning and aircraft deploymentMarket demand, yields, and fifth freedom trafficNew 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

    1hr 58min

  2. 27 May

    380. Washington Dulles International Airport. The natural gateway between Africa and the United States?

    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

    21 min

  3. 25 May

    379. From Runways to Real Estate: Unlocking Airport Investment Opportunities in Africa with NACO (Netherlands Airport Consultants)

    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

    27 min

  4. 22 May

    378. The May 2026 AviaDev Insight Africa Connectivity Update with Sean Mendis and Behramjee Ghadially

    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

    1hr 53min

  5. 23 Apr

    377. AviaDev's Connectivity update for April 2026. Etihad's 6 new Africa routes and key airline moves

    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

    1hr 42min

  6. 16 Apr

    376. Air Ghana: Exploring new horizons with Jonathan Appiah, Head of Corporate Affairs

    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

    35 min

  7. 7 Apr

    375. Gateway to Opportunities: Botswana's connectivity ambitions with Capt. Thuto Toise, CEO, Civil Aviation Authority of Botswana (CAAB)

    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 Botswana enables meaningful route-development discussions. He outlines the Botswana Air Access initiative, launched in August 2024, which unites CAAB, tourism and hospitality bodies, travel agencies, investment authorities, and Air Botswana to deliver a coordinated, data-driven approach including incentives, market intelligence, and joint marketing. They explore priorities such as stronger domestic networks, expanded links to Africa, and direct long-haul services, while highlighting Botswana's unique landscapes, culture, and hospitality for visiting delegates.  01:08 Meet Captain Toise 02:24 Why Host AviaDev 2026? 05:05 An introduction to Botswana Air Access 07:00 Botswana's Air Connectivity Priorities 10:10 Botswana's Pitch to Airlines 13:20 The delegate experience in Botswana 16:39 Closing

    18 min

  8. 2 Apr

    374. Focus Africa: IATA's Kamil Al-Awadhi's vision for a brighter aviation future

    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 being around 17% higher in Africa, plus rising airport, airspace, and API/PNR charges that can add up to $50 per leg and deter tourism. Al-Awadhi describes IATA's advocacy efforts, claiming about 75% success in reducing or stopping fee increases, and argues that Africa does not have too many airlines, but needs better intra-African connectivity and partnerships. They preview the IATA Focus Africa event in Addis Ababa (29–30 April), highlighting SAATM discussions and two safety initiatives aimed at reducing Africa's higher accident rate. 00:00 Welcome and episode preview 01:05 Meet Kamil Al-Awadhi 02:05 SAATM progress and frustrations 06:12 IATA's role in convincing African governments to open their skies 11:34 The ongoing bilateral grind and headwinds impacting airlines 13:53 High operating costs in Africa: fuel, taxes and fees and where IATA is making progress 19:29 IATA's work to push back on new charges 21:12 Airline partnerships and market fragmentation 26:09 Focus Africa goals and safety push 28:38 Who should attend Focus Africa and closing remarks Find out more about Focus Africa

    31 min
See All (382)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

AviaDev Insight Africa is the number one podcast dedicated to the African aviation industry. Established in 2018, we bring prominent industry voices to the table to establish the "ground truth" in an informal and candid fashion, along with monthly connectivity updates, summarising the route and fleet developments within the African aviation industry

Information

  • Creator
    Jon Howell
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    382
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Jon Howell
  • Show Website
    AviaDev Insight Africa

You Might Also Like