Aviation Africa reveals conference agenda for 2017 in Rwanda

Aviation Africa 2017 will take place 22-23 February 2017 in Kigali, Rwanda. The event is a two-day conference and exhibition focused on all aspects of the aviation industry including commercial, military, business, infrastructure, regulatory and safety. The event is supported by the Rwandan Government, including the Ministry of Infrastructure, Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority and RwandAir. Rwanda has committed to supporting Aviation Africa 2017 and ensuring that aviation related events grow in the country. Speaking on behalf of Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority, Colonel Silas Udahemuka, director general, said: “Rwanda, a country of a thousand hills, is really excited to be hosting Aviation Africa in Kigali in 2017. Aerospace and aviation are extremely important sectors for our country and we are investing heavily in this sector through our airline, airport infrastructure and our people. “We are confident that Aviation Africa will attract large numbers of participants and visitors through our invitation programme and look forward to welcoming the global aviation industry to Rwanda.” Times Aerospace, organisers of the 2017 event, has announced that the independent Flight Operations Services Operator NEXUS will be the host sponsor. NEXUS, which launched in 2010 and is based in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, has opened a regional office in Rwanda. The organisation will participate in the exhibition along with companies who have already signed up early including Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation, Skyplan, EgyptAir Training Centre, Ethiopian Airlines MRO, Ethiopian Aviation Academy, Akagera Aviation and Aerotask.  The full list of exhibitors is available on the website. Meanwhile the conference programme is attracting names including Girma Wake, chairman of board of directors RwandAir and former CEO Ethiopian Airlines, Dr Elijah Chingosho, chairman, AFRAA, Temel Kotil, CEO, Turkish Airlines and Jerome Maillet, deputy chief executive officer, Congo Airways. Flight safety and pilot evaluation are key topics for African aviation at this time of rapid growth and pilot shortages. Rwanda has a uniquely open visa policy for all African and international visitors, operating a visa-on-arrival service. It has a strategic geographical location, a large investment in tourism and hospitality and high levels of security plus an aviation-friendly environment. According to IATA’s latest forecast Rwanda is one of the 10 African countries who’s aviation market is expected to grow by 7-8% each year on average over the next 20 years, doubling in size each decade.