First African aviation supplier’s conference to take place in Nairobi, 7-9 March

February 16, 2012 flight2000it

African aviation supply chain management will receive a boost with a planned conference by the African Airlines Association (AFRAA) scheduled for Nairobi Safari Park Hotel, from 07-09 March 2012. Dubbed the “Aviation Suppliers and Stakeholders Convention 2012”, the conference will be the first of its kind on the African continent and is aimed at bringing together airlines, airports, civil aviation organisations and air traffic and navigation service providers on the one hand and aircraft/engine manufacturers, component suppliers, IT and other service providers to the industry.

According to the Secretary General of AFRAA, Dr. Elijah Chingosho, the conference aims to “foster dialogue, build sustainable networks in supply chain management, create a competitive environment and ultimately improve the aviation support base in the continent. In addition, the event will also provide “an outstanding profile building, networking and direct sales opportunities for suppliers of equipment, components, solutions and services,” according to Dr. Chingosho.
AFRAA plans to help improve the industry supply chain efficiency and capacity as part of efforts to support the rapidly growing aviation business in Africa. Currently, Africa is one of the fastest growing aviation markets in the world with a 12.9% growth in 2011. African aviation is projected to grow by over 7.5% year-on-year over the next 10 years. This growth would require enormous investments and an efficient and well-coordinated supply chain system to ensure that the necessary resources, components and inputs are readily available and competitively priced to support this growth.
Convened under the theme “Harnessing aviation growth opportunities in Africa”, the Convention is the only strategic Conference of its kind bringing together an authoritative audience of aviation services, solutions providers and industry experts across Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia Pacific and North America to share best practices in improving supply chain management, optimizing various aviation operations and evaluating new products and services. “This is a unique opportunity for airlines, airports and other aviation leaders to present and benchmark their services with peers and discover new solutions that will improve passenger experience, cost and quality service,” according to Dr. Chingosho.
The event is approved by the Executive Committee of AFRAA and endorsed by the Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Kenya and so far registered many airlines, suppliers and exhibitors from across Africa, Europe, the Middle East and North America. Online registration is still open till the end of February 2012 at the event website: https://www.afraa-asasconvention.com/Register.html. The conference also offers opportunities for sponsorship and exhibitions by interested organisations.
Confirmed speakers at the Convention include: the Regional Director of ICAO, Meshesha Belayneh, IATA VP for Africa, Mike Higgins, CEO of Aircraft Leasing and Financing, Cornwell Muleya, CEO of Astral Aviation, Gadhia Sanjeev and Director General of Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), Colonel (rtd) Hilary K. Kioko. Others are: Lufthansa Consulting Partner, Alexander Manakos, VP Middle East and Africa of Sabre Airline Solutions, Maher Koubaa, Vice President of Servair, Claude Deorestis and Regional Director of SITA, Eta Motlhabi. The Ministry of transport of Kenya will officially open the event. The convention has so far attracted sponsorship from Servair, KCAA, Aero Industrial Sales (AIS), IFE Services, FLYHT, Worthington Aviation and Mapfre Asistencia.
The Aviation Suppliers and Stakeholders Convention will be held annually in Nairobi in the month of March.

Source: AFRAA