The regional event was organized by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), and is taking place at the Skylight Hotel in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Major aviation stakeholders from Africa, the Middle East and the rest of the world have been brought together to drive the advancement of the sector in collaboration.

Topics such as aeronautical information management, intra-African connectivity, airport infrastructure, biometrics and security, modern airline retail, sustainability and skilled labor will be covered over two days.

IATA Director General Willie Walsh, Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mesfin Tasew, Ethiopian Minister of Transport and Logistics Dhenge Boru, African airline CEOs and aviation industry leaders, in addition to decision-makers, aircraft manufacturers, international and regional airline associations, government institutions of the sector and other interested parties participated in the inauguration.

Tasew stressed in his speech that unleashing the full potential of African aviation brings immense socio-economic benefits, but warned that they and the unique operation of the industry continue to be misunderstood by most African lawmakers and authorities. He urged changing those approaches to unlock the continent’s aviation potential.

Boru, affirmed that the Ethiopian government is committed to participate in the initiatives that the African Union advocates to ease the movement of people and deregulate trafficking rights.

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