By Portus Chege
Kampala, Uganda: African Airlines Association ( AFRAA) 55th Annual General Assembly and Summit has officially opened the registration portal for the delegates.
The event was officiated by the Minister of Transport of the Republic of Uganda – Hon. Gen. Katumba Wamala, AFRAA, and Uganda Airlines.
The 55th African Airlines Association (AFRAA) Annual General Assembly (AGA) Summit will be held from 19-21 November 2023 at the Speke Resort in Entebbe, Uganda – The Pearl of Africa.
The AGA will be proudly hosted by Uganda Airlines under the high patronage of the Government of Uganda. The event is expected to attract about 500 high-profile delegates from the aviation industry in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and North America.
Speaking at the launch, AFRAA Secretary General, Mr. Abdérahmane Berthé stated “AFRAA is excited to host the 55thAGA in Uganda. This will give Uganda Airlines a unique opportunity to showcase its profile and its developing role in African aviation. Uganda Airlines being a young and vibrant player in the aviation industry in the Eastern African sub-region, staging the AGA at the airline’s home base and hub will be a great opportunity to achieve this objective. AFRAA looks forward to hosting the African air transport ecosystem stakeholders in Uganda for a memorable Assembly.”
In her speech, Ms. Jenifer Bamuturaki – Chief Executive Officer and AFRAA 2023 President said “This year, Uganda Airlines pledges to open its doors of hospitality, warmth, and service to all delegates of the 55th AFRAA-AGA. This will be no ordinary General Assembly; it will be exciting and engaging, with many learnings drawn from industry developments.”
“I believe that this year’s Annual General Assembly will embark on a journey to address these issues and fragility points that the industry grapples with. I also look forward to plenaries that will discuss industry action-based topics dear to my heart, like increasing safe spaces for women to thrive in aviation and creating optimism for the youth in the industry and beyond sustainability. The event will also bring together cross-industry players in Tourism, Regulation, and Taxation that impact the industry. Uganda Airlines is honored to host the 55th AFRAA Annual General Assembly as the official carrier.” She added.
The AFRAA AGA is the biggest aviation Summit in Africa and will be attended by Chairmen and CEOs from African airlines and decision makers from ICAO, IATA, IATA, civil aviation authorities, airport companies, air navigation services providers as well as aircraft and engine manufacturers, component suppliers, and many other service providers.
Africa’s aviation industry has steadily witnessed growth over the years with Airlines such as Ethiopian Airlines, South Africa Airways, and Kenya Airways being among the top performers. Recently Kenya Airways launched a daily flight to Newyork.
The event will discuss issues on the development of air transport in Africa in general and development opportunities for African airlines in particular. Air transport in Africa is an economic bridge – linking people, goods, and capital to markets and industries and integrating the vast continent.
In addition to statutory Assembly matters to be discussed, there will be an exhibition of products, solutions, and the latest technologies in aviation by reputable service providers from across the world. Further, the AGA also avails quality time and opportunities for networking and business meetings among African airlines, industry partners, and service providers.
Air transport leaders and decision-makers will adopt industry resolutions that will set a roadmap for transformation and the economic development of air transport in Africa at the Assembly.
Delegates can register and access more information about the event through the dedicated website.
AFRAA envisions a sustainable, interconnected, and affordable Air Transport industry in Africa where African Airlines become key players and drivers of African economic development. AFRAA membership of 50 airlines cuts across the entire continent and includes all the major intercontinental African operators. The Association members represent over 85% of total international traffic carried by African airlines.
