347. AviaDev's September 2025 Africa Connectivity Update with Sean Mendis and Behramjee Ghadially
Welcome to the September edition of the AviaDev Insight Africa Connectivity update for 2025, hosted by Jon Howell, CEO and Founder of AviaDev Africa. This month's guests are: Sean Mendis, Aviation Consultant. CONNECT WITH SEAN Behramjee Ghadially, Aviation Consultant. CONNECT WITH BEHRAMJEE Topics covered this month: Ethiopian Airlines reporting a $1.05 Billion profit on $7.6 Billion revenue ADD-ABV going 10 weekly from 28OCT25 12th weekly TNR, reducing NOS from Jan-Mar, SEZ reduction Jan-Mar. 4th daily EBB Group CEO Mesfin Tasew to retire in 2026 Rwandair report a $93m half-year loss KGL MBA ZNZ 3x weekly route launching in December 2025 An additional A330 coming from QR Tanzania's new taxes + mandatory insurance and the potential impact on demand Air Tanzania to launch Lagos from 13SEP25 3x weekly using a 737Max Uganda Airlines report a $76m loss for 2024-5 Kenya Airways report a loss of $94m for the first half of 2025 Qatar to launch a 3rd daily NBO, Lagos back to 14x weekly, JNB up to 18x, CPT 12x, upguage others like CMN FlyNAS to launch Riyadh- Nairobi from 2 October, 3 x week SAA to launch Gaborone flights in November, A330 wetlease from Hi-Fly Proflight Zambia will launch flights 3 x week from Lusaka via Livingstone to Windhoek starting March 3 2026. Airlink may suspend ticket sales in Mozambique and will increase JNB-BLZ flights to 6x weekly from October. KLM - reduces KGL and EBB from 7 to 3 weekly in NW25, CPT increasing 7 to 11 weekly (previously announced) Air Cote D'Ivoire is taking delivery of an A330 on 4th September and has loaded ADJ-CDG for sale
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346. Dressed for Success: ACMI explained through The Tuxedo Framework with Andrew Lester, Chapman Freeborn Airchartering
In this episode, I am joined by Andrew Lester, ACMI and Leasing Manager for India, the Middle East, and Africa at Chapman Freeborn Airchartering. Together, we delve into the intricacies of ACMI (Aircraft Crew Maintenance and Insurance) leasing, comparing it to renting a tuxedo for event season, and discuss its strategic advantages for African airlines facing unique market challenges. The conversation covers the benefits, common misconceptions, and regulatory hurdles of ACMI leasing, while highlighting African success stories such as Lift and Uganda Airlines. Andrew emphasizes the importance of strategic planning and partnership to maximize profitability and meet seasonal demand, advocating for a broader acceptance and smarter implementation of ACMI as part of a fleet strategy in Africa. Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn Email Andrew: Find out more about Chapman Freeborn here ACMI Leasing & Aircraft Leasing Solutions Download the brochure: Chapman Freeborn ACMI Leasing Solutions by Chapman Freeborn
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345. AviaDev's July 2025 Africa Connectivity Update with Sean Mendis and Behramjee Ghadially
Welcome to the July edition of the AviaDev Insight Africa Connectivity update for 2025, hosted by Jon Howell, CEO and Founder of AviaDev Africa. This month's guests are: Sean Mendis, Aviation Consultant. CONNECT WITH SEAN Behramjee Ghadially, Aviation Consultant. CONNECT WITH BEHRAMJEE Topics covered this month: The latest in the FlySafair pilot strike saga Virgin increasing capacity on LHR-LOS from 26 October, deploying the 397 seater A350-1000. A good move or short term strategy? Qatar Airways reducing Nigeria frequencies in W25. Why? South African Airways' new route CPT-MRU and the fallout from the restated accounts FastJet Mozambique- the latest developments FastJet to launch a new domestic route from Vic Falls to Bulawayo from 8th August 4 x week DEEP DIVE: CDG-Africa route performance of ET vs KQ TAAG Angola to launch Nairobi 3 x week from 1st Sept. What is the outlook? Flightlink open a new service to Nairobi from Zanzibar - listen to the recent podcast with Munawer, the CEO here Air india suspend Nairobi. Will it come back? ASKY's new service to Nouakchott, Mauritania. Where can they go next? Listen to the recent podcast with Date, the Commercial Director here If you enjoyed the episode, please share it with your network or leave us a review. All event sessions from AviaDev Africa 2025 and the vodcast are available on the AviaDev YouTube Channel
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344. Slow and Steady Wins the Skies: The ASKY Airlines' Journey with Martial Date Tevi-Benissan, Commercial Director
In this episode, Date and I delve into the airline's growth and future ambitions. ASKY Airlines, now operating profitably for 15 years, boasts a fleet of 14 aircraft, connecting nearly 30 destinations across Africa. Date discusses recent network expansions, the airline's strategic focus on increasing flight frequencies, and the challenges and opportunities in African connectivity. The conversation also covers the transition to a uniform fleet, the high cost of operations in West and Central Africa, prospects of long-haul expansion, and potential infrastructure developments. The episode underscores ASKY's methodical approach to sustainable growth and market adaptation. Connect with Date here Download the AFRAA taxes and charges report here
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343. Dreams Delivered: Flightlink's recent regional expansion with Munawer Dhirani, Managing Director
In this wide-ranging episode, we speak to Munawer Dhirani after the inauguration of Flighlink's new Zanzibar-Nairobi daily service, exploring why now is the right time to open the route. Additionally, we discuss fleet and network expansion objectives, Munawer's origin story, and the whole concept behind Flightlink as an airline. An inspirational story of resilience, enterprise, flexibility, and ultimately success. Find out more about Flightlink www.flightlink.co.tz To watch the sessions from AviaDev Africa, visit https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7pW7r3IP6ehOTKXB2cPE41eY8X2tBVNr&si=M-8jn4uhmPYsGPZh
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
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