African Airlines Urged to Innovate for Sustainable Growth at Aviation Summit
During the African Aviation Innovation Summit 2024, hosted by Kenya Airways in collaboration with the African Airlines Association (AFRAA), stakeholders emphasized the urgent need for African airlines to embrace agility, customer-centricity, and collaboration to achieve sustainable growth.
The summit, themed “Diversification: Reaching New Customer Segments,” provided a platform for industry leaders to address the critical challenges facing African aviation and explore innovative solutions. Allan Kilavuka, Group Managing Director and CEO of Kenya Airways, stressed the importance of adapting to shifting customer preferences, particularly those of younger generations like Gen Z. “Airlines should strategically position themselves to be agile and ready to adapt,” he said, highlighting the role of data and AI in tailoring services to meet customer demands.
Kilavuka pointed out that Africa’s aviation sector remains underdeveloped, calling for unified action from airlines across the continent. He urged stakeholders to advocate for a greater recognition of aviation’s role in economic growth, noting, “African aviation is not yet considered a critical industry by many African governments.”
AFRAA Secretary General Abderahmane Berthe praised Kenya Airways for its commitment to sustainability and innovation, referencing its “Net Zero by 2050” carbon reduction initiative and the Fahari Innovation Hub. Berthe emphasized the need for a focus on passenger journeys and building loyalty through partnerships, stating, “Cultivating loyalty is essential to shaping the future of African aviation.”
Somas Appavou, Regional Director of External Affairs & Sustainability Africa at IATA, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the need for collaboration among African airlines to enhance regional tourism. He pointed out that challenges such as visa restrictions and government policies need to be addressed to foster intra-African travel.
The summit is part of Kenya Airways’ broader strategy to drive transformation and sustainability within the African aviation sector. It aims to facilitate discussions on critical issues like infrastructure development, policy reforms, and the latest trends in customer engagement and technology adoption.
Kenya Airways hopes the African Aviation Innovation Summit will catalyze long-term partnerships among airlines, governments, and other stakeholders, positioning the airline as a leader in innovation, customer service, and sustainability in the African aviation industry.
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