The African Business Aviation Association (AfBAA, Booth W43) is set to officially launch the AfBAA Commercial General Aviation Symposium next week at EBACE 2018. This symposium—to be held in Nairobi, Kenya, from November 21 to 23—will be the association’s first meeting focusing on flight operations in the turboprop hub of East Africa.
It will also feature sessions and workshops focused on the operational needs of rotary-wing aircraft, remotely piloted aerial systems, and business jets. The variety of missions and the huge spectrum of aircraft serving the humanitarian, tourism, medevac, agricultural, and industrial sectors in East Africa have defined the parallel-session format, AfBAA said.
Each session will address specific topics, and attendees will be encouraged to debate and discuss relevant issues currently affecting those operating in the sectors, according to AfBAA. The symposium will also build a platform for smaller suppliers and operators to interact with local, regional, national, intercontinental, and international colleagues.
AfBAA is partnering with Nairobi-based The Aero Club of East Africa, which has been supporting aviation in Kenya since 1927. The club will provide the venue for pre- and post-event networking activities, as well as host the table–top exhibition.
“As far as we know this type of format has not been undertaken previously for an aviation event in Africa. We’re delighted that our first Kenya event will focus on the aviation workhorses of the region,” said AfBAA CEO Rady Fahmy. “Unlike West Africa, which maximizes the capabilities of longer-range jets, East Africa depends on the flexibility, versatility and off-road capabilities of the smaller turboprop and helicopter machines. We are very excited to set this event in motion.”
Meanwhile, the association has confirmed that it will hold the second edition of its African Business Aviation Conference and Expo (AfBAC) in the second quarter of 2019. The inaugural AfBAC was held from November 29 to December 1 at Johannesburg’s Lanseria Airport in South Africa and attracted more than 1,000 delegates. South Africa will once again be the host venue for AfBAC 2019.
“Last year’s event was met with such enthusiasm that we have chosen to make this a biennial event, offering the market an opportunity to exchange information and update themselves on new regulations,” said Fahmy. “The African business aviation sector is extremely dynamic, continuously changing, and adapting to the market needs. We need to be sure to serve the hunger for information, provide reliable data and supply invaluable research. The next event will be bigger and better than our first and we are already signing up sponsors and speakers.”
AfBAC will include presentations, panel discussions, interactive debate, and workshops covering targeted subjects pertinent to the African business aviation industry. There will also be training sessions, with topics focused on safety regulations.
