AviaDev Insight Africa

Jon Howell
  • 4.8 (4)
  • AVIATION
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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

  1. 5D AGO

    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

  2. APR 2

    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

  3. MAR 27

    AviaDev's March 2026 Connectivity Update with Behramjee Ghadially and Sean Mendis

    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 risks that could lead to rationing and technical stops. They review Ethiopian's schedule changes and debate the Atlanta restart, analyze Kenya Airways' Gatwick increase alongside worsening financial results, and detail Uganda Airlines' operational crisis, leadership changes, and wet-leased Ethiopian 787 operations. The episode also critiques Air Tanzania's planned Seychelles launch, covers Air Seychelles' wet-lease adjustments, notes Air Transat postponing Toronto–Accra, highlights Africa World Airlines' move to Embraer 190s, summarizes Air Peace's West Africa network retiming and Caribbean resumption, and discusses Enugu Air's AOC transition and ambitious fleet-growth claims.  00:00 March Update Kickoff 02:40 The Impact of the Iran war on Africa 05:04 Fuel Supply Crunch and impact 10:00 Fare and Load Factor Shock 20:43 How will Gulf Carriers react? 31:23 Kenya Airways Gatwick Boost 35:06 Kenya Airways Results And Outlook 42:10 Ethiopian Airlines to launch Atlanta Debate 44:24 Uganda Airlines Turmoil 51:58 Air Tanzania Seychelles Route 57:07 Indigo XLR Pivot to Africa 01:04:48 Indigo Strategy and Leadership Shift 01:09:43 Air Seychelles Wet Lease 01:16:25 Air Transat Shelves Toronto - Accra route 01:20:12 Africa World Airlines Adds E190 01:23:55 Air Peace Regional Network Shakeup 01:33:12 Enugu Air Fleet Growth 01:37:47 Wrap Up and Next Episode

    1h 39m

  4. MAR 16

    From Reputation to Revenue: Building a strong airline brand with Rahsaan Johnson, brand expert

    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 foundation of a strong airline brand is "clean, safe, reliable." He explains how a strong brand increases the willingness to pay among schedule-sensitive travelers, and why African airlines should build brands even on monopoly routes, because competition often arrives with liberalization. 00:00 Welcome and Setup 00:47 Meet Rahsaan Johnson 01:44 What Brand Means 04:18 Building Strong Brands 06:43 Brand Drives Revenue 09:54 Why Brand Matters Africa 14:43 Common Brand Mistakes 16:01 Boarding Friction Story 19:48 Stress Before Takeoff 20:18 Customer First Decisions 21:05 Gate Anxiety Explained 22:18 United App Reduces Stress 25:43 Feedback and NPS Surveys 27:26 Modern Digital Expectations 29:08 Values and Emotional Connection 30:44 Positioning for Everyone 32:42 Sponsorships Without Polarizing 34:26 Segmenting Products Profitably 37:02 Setting Expectations Over Time 38:42 Wrap Up and Farewell CONNECT WITH RAHSAAN

    41 min

  5. MAR 9

    Live stage session at BARSA: Leadership Dialogue: Reframing Africa's Aviation Narrative with Prof. Bonang Mohale & Hamish Erskine, CEO, Dube Trade Port

    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 leadership, critiques reliance on bureaucracy as a refuge from accountability, and highlights how colonial-era boundaries and continued dependence undermine African prosperity and unity. Erskine frames bureaucracy as a tool of power that can stifle agility, urges regional and continental integration, as evidence of benefits from opening skies and trade. 00:00 Welcome and Setup 00:29 Meet the Guests 02:39 Live Session Begins 04:48 Who Tells Africas Story? 09:47 Leadership Gap and Reset 14:52 Leadership vs Management 21:13 Bureaucracy and Ownership 25:13 Open Skies Proof Points 27:28 Integration Beyond Borders 33:02 Regional Integration Lessons 36:20 Closing Takeaways

    37 min

  6. MAR 3

    Introducing Viki from ValueJet and KIU: The AI concierge revolutionizing the airline experience in Africa

    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 Juan Felipe Restrepo, Chief Product Officer at KIU System Solutions who created Viki and provide over 70 airlines worldwide with a comprehensive, cloud-based, AI-powered suite of IT services for airlines, focusing on Passenger Service Systems (PSS), Departure Control Systems (DCS), and a proprietary Global Distribution System (GDS).  The conversation delves into the challenges faced by the airline industry in Nigeria, the adoption of technology to enhance customer experience, and the significant role of AI in streamlining operations and improving service delivery. The guests also share insights on the future of AI in aviation, including potential applications in customer service, operational efficiency, and revenue management.  Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Value Jet and AI Concierge 06:42 Value Jet's Business Model and Market Positioning 12:45 The Role of AI in Enhancing Customer Experience 20:22 Industry Feedback and Adoption of AI Solutions 28:06 Future Applications of AI in Aviation 38:53 Expansion Plans and Strategic Growth for Value Jet CONNECT WITH RODGER CONNECT WITH JUAN CONNECT WITH TEMI

    39 min

  7. MAR 1

    369. AviaDev's February 2025 Africa Connectivity Update with Sean Mendis and Behramjee Ghadially

    *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 Singapore and Qatar have denied interest Ethiopian update (adding a 4th daily Dubai, second daily Bamako - Dakar, cutting Nacala) Air Congo regional expansion - speculation on Europe? Eswatini Air to add Lusaka to their Harare service QR cutting KGL frequencies United Nigeria Airlines - update on fleet and potential routes  Air India orders A321XLRs - Africa bound? Connect with Behramjee Connect with Sean

    1h 29m

  8. FEB 24

    Connecting Africa with Embraer. A recap of the top 10 unserved intra-African routes with Theo Wensink, Head of Airline Marketing, Middle East and Africa

    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, the methodology, and then we count down the top unserved routes from 10 to 1, identifying which have the best chance of being served and by whom.  Download the report here  CONNECT WITH THEO CONNECT WITH SEAN CONNECT WITH BEHRAMJEE Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Connecting Africa Report 01:23 Embraer's Footprint in Africa 08:44 Methodology Behind the Report 13:21 Countdown of Top 10 Routes: Brazzaville to Dakar 23:02 Countdown of Top 10 Routes: Douala to Dakar 28:55 Countdown of Top 10 Routes: Cape Town to Dar es Salaam 36:44 Countdown of Top 10 Routes: Abuja to Nairobi 44:00 Connecting Africa: The Abuja to Nairobi Route 44:24 Bamako to Brazzaville: Humanitarian and Diplomatic Links 53:10 Cotonou to Dakar: Trade and Student Travel 59:00 Cape Town to Lagos: Business and Leisure Dynamics 01:05:54 Dakar to Libreville: Oil and Banking Connections 01:10:46 Lusaka to Cape Town: Mining and Tourism Opportunities 01:20:37 Abidjan to Douala: The Unserved Route Potential

    1h 17m
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Ratings & Reviews

4.8
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

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

Information

  • Creator
    Jon Howell
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    375
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Jon Howell
  • Show Website
    AviaDev Insight Africa

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