AviaDev Insight Africa

This episode explores how Washington Dulles International Airport is positioning itself as a key gateway between Africa and the United States.
Featuring insights from Ariana McKnire, Director of Airline Business Development, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, the discussion covers route development, market opportunities, and the strategic importance of Washington's demographic and geographic advantages in African aviation connectivity.
CHAPTERS
00:00 - Introduction to Washington Dulles as a US-African gateway
01:38 - Demographics and market size in Washington DC
05:09 - Business climate and travel demand
08:31 - Focus on unserved routes and development prospects
12:21 - Connecting unserved African markets
14:52 - South African Airways' re-entry plans
16:46 - AviaDev and strategic partnerships
19:10 - Ariana's approach to route development
20:12 - Airport and airline collaboration for connectivity
21:15 - Final thoughts and upcoming events
Resources & Links:
Aviadev Africa: www.aviadev.com
Airbus Market Analysis Report https://www.airbus.com/en/about-us/our-worldwide-presence/airbus-in-africa-and-the-middle-east/airbus-in-africa
Washington Dulles International Airport https://www.mwaa.com/
Connect with Ariana

In this episode of the AviaDev Insight Africa podcast, we delve into the strategies African airports can adopt to enhance non-aeronautical revenues and attract investment.
Save the below infographic for more insights and join us at AviaDev in Botswana for further discussions.

Hosted by Jon Howell, this episode features insights from Nelly Alandou, Jody Appollis, and Adam Ekman Pedersen of the NACO team.
Discover how African airports can diversify revenue streams and become economic hubs.
Chapters:
0:00 - Introduction
01:21 - Meet the NACO Team
02:42 - Revenue Stream diversification
04:17 - Non-Aeronautical Revenue opportunities for airports
06:18 - Real Estate Opportunities for Airports
08:28 - Economic Feasibility and Investment
11:15 - Network Positioning and Connectivity
14:37 - Land Use Planning Challenges
17:23 - Governance and Economic Infrastructure
22:26 - Upcoming Aviadev Panel Discussion
If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, and share to help spread the word about the rising opportunities in African aviation.
CONNECT WITH JODY
CONNECT WITH ADAM
CONNECT WITH NELLY

Welcome to the May 2026 AviaDev Connectivity Update! Join host Jon Howell, Founder and CEO of AviaDev Africa, joined by Regular Guests and Aviation Consultants, Sean Mendis and Behramjee Ghadially as they dive into the latest developments in African aviation.
TOPICS: 
00:00 - Introduction and Overview
01:28 - Virgin Atlantic doubles down on South Africa
04:16 - KLM quietly grows Cape Town capacity
08:43 - South African Airways: new CEO, fresh cuts
16:56 - Airlink launches Cape Town–Zanzibar nonstop
25:27 - Turkish Airlines slashes African routes
 35:43 - Qatar Airways' Return to Africa
39.24 - Air Tanzania's big ambitions
51:58 - Uganda Airlines' Operational Challenges
58:43 - Kenya Airways: what's new and next?
66:05 - Jambojet's low-cost regional push
76:16 - Air Botswana's Operational Issues
81:57 - Africa World Airlines eyes Conakry
83:54 - Ethiopian Airlines expands globally/ Air Congo's rapid expansion in the DRC/ Malawi Airlines adds Lubumbashi
93:49 - Air Peace cuts long-haul, buys narrowbodies
103:28 - United Nigeria eyes Johannesburg (exclusive)
106:29 - Air Côte d'Ivoire's Johannesburg Route

In the 30th edition of the AviaDev Africa Connectivity Update, host Jon Howell is joined by usual guests, Aviation Consultants Sean Mendis and Behramjee Ghadially to review the biggest stories impacting African aviation
00:00 Welcome
02:33 Africa Market Pulse and impacts of the Iran War
13:12 Etihad's 6 new routes for Africa. Behramjee's take
24:22 Sean's take on Etihad's expansion
42:48 Uganda Airlines fleet and route update
46:28 SalamAir's new routes to Kigali and Mogadishu
52:16 ASKY Hints at a new Route
01:00:01 Turkish Airlines Boosts Mauritius frequencies
01:04:30 Ethiopian Eyes Mauritius
01:07:04 Air Tanzania to Seychelles update and reflections
01:10:46 Ethiopian increases Moscow service and firms aircraft order
01:16:30 Ethiopian's Gulf Recovery
01:18:10 The reality of Air Congo's Expansion
01:24:33 SAA leadership changes amidst audit fallout
01:29:27 Kenya Airways Bailout Rules
01:32:01 Air Peace new routes
01:40:43 Wrap Up and farewell

In this episode, Jon Howell hosts Jonathan Appiah of Air Ghana to explain the airline's background, ownership and strategy amid strong interest from attending delegates ahead of AviaDev. 
Jonathan recounts his move from HR into commercial aviation at Africa World Airlines and his route-development experience. 
He clarifies Air Ghana is a 100% Ghanaian-owned private company, with global cargo partnerships, a Ghanaian AOC and designation as a national cargo airline, investments in cold-chain/perishables, and leadership in the Ghana Airport Cargo Centre. We dive into Air Ghana's plans to launch domestic passenger services to address capacity and fare issues, targeting late 2026 or early 2027. 
00:00 Intro
01:54 Jonathan's Aviation Journey
05:44 What is Air Ghana and what is it not? 
10:43 Air Ghana's passenger airline plans
15:20 Why choose a Boeing 737?
18:01 Airport Infrastructure improvements
23:20 The operating environment in Ghana
29:11 Air Ghana's AviaDev Goals
34:17 Closing