AviaDev, the only dedicated aviation route development forum for Africa, has unveiled its agenda for 2017.

The event has secured leading industry speakers and unique networking opportunities with the aim of “inspiring a fresh perspective” in a sector that is facing a challenging operating environment.

Organised by Bench Events, AviaDev takes place in Kigali, and, like last year, will run alongside the Africa Hotel Investment Forum, bringing together leading executives from the worlds of aviation and hotels, with top government officials and politicians.

Founder of AviaDev, Jon Howell, said: “This year was stated as the year that the skies in Africa would open and we would experience liberalisation, but once again this seems to be no more than an empty promise.

“The theme of AviaDev 2017 is about challenging the status quo and inspiring a fresh perspective when it comes to building the African air routes of the future.

“That is why we are delighted to be hosting the event in Rwanda as it is actively shaping its future by investing in a new airport, new planes and view aviation as an economic catalyst, not just a means of transport or an industry that delivers tax revenue.”

AviaDev attracts representatives from over 20 countries across Africa, Europe and the Middle East, as well as Africa’s largest airlines.

Among those attending: RwandAir, ASKY, AWA, Air Djibouti, Air Mauritius, Brussels Airlines, Coastal Aviation, Ethiopian, 540, FlyART, Kenya Airways, Nile Air, Royal Air Maroc, Smile Air and South African Airways.

The conference facilitates pre-arranged one-to-one meetings between the route planners of the above airlines and those involved in building air services to, from and within Africa, and it has already seen new deals emerge.

Leading speakers include: Girma Wake, chairman, RwandAir; Sabine Reim, InterVISTAS; Paul van den Brink, Cape Town Air Access; Manish Shrivastava, Travel Commerce Solutions and Marcel Langeslag, NACO airport consultants.

Jon Howell concluded: “AviaDev is made possible because it’s supported by those in the African aviation industry that want to see the region realise its potential and thrive.”