By Our Correspondent in Kigali.
This year’s Aviation Africa Summit and exhibition was co-located with SMIESA – the 1st World Airports event – and opened by Rwandan President, H.E. Paul Kagame on September 12, 2022 in Kigali..
The Rwandan leader sent a strong message of support for the aviation industry along with a reaffirmed determination to see Africa progress with its ‘Open Skies’ actions.
The President said in his opening speech: “The pandemic severely affected the aviation
industry’s vision worldwide and Africa is no exception,” he said.
President Kagame said Airlines and airports around the world are facing massive layoffs adding dding that travel and tourism are now getting back to normal.
He said:” Recovery means increasing connectivity, stimulating demand and creating jobs and open skies help to lead our businesses to regional and global supply chains boosting trade and investment”.
Mr Kagame said the full implementation of the symbol of the African transport market must remain a top priority for Rwanda as it continues to grow.
He said: “Rwandair serves 24 routes 19 of which are regional. We intend to continue
expanding within the continent and abroad. We are working together with our partner award winning Qatar Airways, and the new National Airport, Bugesera, which is currently under construction and will become a regional hub for passengers and cargo.”
Key guest speaker Mr Akbar Al Baker, the Chief Executive Officer at Qatar Aways, said he had huge confidence in Rwanda’s growth adding that Qatar Airways started off small but today it’s the only airline to have been awarded the coveted “Skytrax Airline of the Year” title five times.
“This is recognized as the pinnacle of excellence for the airline industry. I know Rwanda will continue to grow and it’s national airline, Rwandair, will be just as successful as expected.” he said.
The conference was attended by aviation authorities and airlines in Africa which also allowed leading aviation in the world like Boeing and Air bus to exhibit their products.
The sixth edition of the Aviation Africa Summit and Exhibition is the biggest event , with 1100 attendees from 84 countries that converged on the Kigali Convention Center.
Airline companies made presentations as they advertised their services and launched vigorous clientele promotional programs in the aviation industry.
The audience included government Ministers, air chiefs of staff and Director Generals of the civil aviation authorities with representatives from 35 African nations.
The Industry was well supported in the exhibition hall with 100 exhibitors including Gold Sponsors Airbus and DAR, Summit Sponsor Boeing and Registration sponsor Marsh.
“Rwanda was the host of the largest Aviation Africa Summit and Exhibition. We are
delighted to be back in Kigali after an extended time away and we thank our partners at Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority and Rwand Air for all their support in making the event successful,” said Mark Brown, Director, Aviation Africa.
Qatar Air is the main airline company for the 2022 FIFA World Cup to take place in Qatar from November 21 to December 18, 2022.
