AVIATION PLAYERS TO CONVERGE IN KIGALI – RWANDA FOR THE 5TH AVIATION STAKEHOLDERS CONVENTION, 07-09 MAY 2016      

AVIATION PLAYERS TO CONVERGE IN KIGALI – RWANDA FOR THE 5TH AVIATION STAKEHOLDERS CONVENTION, 07-09 MAY 2016

Kigali, Rwanda – 10 March 2016: Aviation stakeholders will meet in Kigali, Rwanda from 07-09 May 2016 at the 5th Aviation Stakeholders Convention. The conference is being organised by the African Airlines Association (AFRAA) in partnership with RwandAir with the view to fostering dialogue, building sustainable networks in supply chain management, creating a competitive environment for aviation business in the continent.

Convened under the patronage of the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure of the Republic of Rwanda, this important industry event in Africa has been endorsed by Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority and Rwanda Development Board and is expected to bring together about 400 participants consisting mainly of airlines, Civil Aviation Authorities, airports, Air Navigation Service Providers, ground handlers, regulators, aircraft/engine manufacturers, component suppliers, service providers in the aviation industry and other aviation stakeholders.

According to IATA’s 20-year passenger forecast, Africa is set for strong expansion in air connectivity with passenger growth expected to average 4.4%. This growth in both passenger and cargo is spurred by huge economic growth and investments in many African countries. Aviation supports 6.9 million jobs and $80 billion in GDP in Africa and its important role in the continent cannot be understated. Building partnerships for the mutual benefit of the aviation industry is necessary in order to exploit the opportunities in Africa and overcome the huge challenges that abound in the continent.

“AFRAA aims to bring together the suppliers of the whole range of aviation products and services and the potential customers of these products and services at one venue annually for purposes of networking, knowledge exchange, business negotiations and forging of win-win business relationships,” AFRAA Secretary General, Dr. Chingosho said. He added that the forum is a platform that facilitates the exploitation of opportunities in the continent by the various stakeholders with the view to ultimately improve the aviation support base in the continent. He paid tribute to RwandAir noting the airline’s important role in connecting the country to the African continent and indeed to the rest of the world.

RwandAir Chief Executive Officer Mr. John Mirenge thanked the Association for choosing Remarkable Rwanda as the venue for the Convention. He said, “RwandAir is an important player in the aviation industry in the region. Staging the Convention at RwandAir’s home base and hub will be a great opportunity to further strengthen Rwanda’s place as an aviation country in the region.” He added that hosting the convention in Kigali is a great opportunity to showcase the country’s infrastructure and natural attractions for business, tourism, personal travel as well as a preferred destination for conference tourism.

Convened under the theme “Winning Together through Innovation and Collaboration”, the conference is structured to incorporate presentations and panel discussions on trendy subjects in aviation on one hand and on the other, the event shall allow for networking opportunities, one-to-one appointments and masterclasses facilitated by industry experts. There will also be an exhibition of products, solutions and services by aviation suppliers in different categories. Suppliers and/or service providers will benefit from the outstanding visibility, networking and direct sales opportunities by displaying their products and interacting with delegates at the conference. The Convention will also provide an outstanding brand visibility and business opportunity for industry partners and suppliers of equipment, components, solutions and services.

RwandAir is the official carrier of the event and is granting discounts on air travel for all delegates attending the Aviation Stakeholders Convention for all flights throughout its network. More information about the event and registration for participation is available on the dedicated event website: .

Among the proud event sponsors and exhibitors include: African Aerospace, Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS), Bombardier, EgyptAir Training Center and MRO, Ethiopian Airlines MRO and Aviation Academy, Hahnair, Kenya Airways MRO and Training Center, Kenya Civil Aviation Authority, MTU Maintenance, Sabre Airline Solutions, SITA, South African Airways Technical and Training, Tunisair Technics, VIVO Energy Uganda and Wirecard Technologies GMBH.

Notes for Editors
The African Airlines Association, also known by its acronym AFRAA, is a trade association of airlines from the member states of the African Union (AU). Founded in Accra, Ghana, in April, 1968, and headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, the primary purposes of AFRAA are to foster commercial and technical co-operation among African airlines and to represent their common interests.

AFRAA membership cuts across the entire continent of Africa and includes all the major intercontinental African operators. The Association members represent over 85% of total international traffic carried by African airlines.

For further information, please contact:
The AFRAA Secretariat
P. O. Box 20116 – 00200
Nairobi, Kenya
Tel:+254 20 2320144/48
Email:afraa@afraa.org
Website: www.afraa.org

About RwandAir:
From Kigali as its hub in the heart of Africa RwandAir, well reputed for an excellent on time performance operates one of the youngest fleet on the African continent, and reaches out to seventeen cities in Western, Eastern and Southern Africa and the Middle East.

The airline is a certified IOSA operator and an IATA member airline; it is also undergoing the certification process for the IATA Safety Audit for Ground Operations (ISAGO) for which the completion is expected by June this year.

As part of RwandAir expansion strategy, this year the airline will expand its operations to Asia and Europe with the delivery of two brand new triple class Airbus A330s and one brand new dual class B737-800NG; and another Boeing 737-800NG will join the young fleet next year. The Boeings will enable the airline to increase frequencies on some of the existing routes and start new routes on the continent.

For more information, please contact:
RWANDAIR Head Office
Kigali International Airport
P.O. Box 7275 Kigali
Tel: +250 788 177 000
Email : communications@rwandair.com
Website : www.rwandair.com