Kenya Airways to Lead Advanced Air Mobility Summit in Nairobi: An International English Edition Exclusive

• Kenya Airways will be hosting the inaugural Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) conference, aiming to attract numerous industry players within the African aviation sector.
• The conference in Nairobi lasting for two days will commence on Tuesday, March 18, and conclude on Wednesday, March 19.
• This gathering will assemble policymakers, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), operators, industry experts, and aviation aficionados.

Bonface Kanyamwaya, who works for .co.ke as a journalist, boasts over a decade of expertise in covering sectors such as business, finance, economics, markets, and aviation. His work offers valuable perspectives on both Kenyan and international developments.

On Tuesday, March 18, Kenya Airways (KQ), via its branch Fahari Aviation, will be hosting the inaugural Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) conference. This event aims to gather hundreds of key players within the African aviation industry.

The two-day conference taking place in Nairobi concludes on Wednesday, March 19.

The symposium aims to gather policymakers, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), operators, industry specialists, and aviation experts to delve into the possibilities of Advanced Air Mobility within the African context.

This symposium presents a distinctive chance to develop an inclusive, sustainable, and innovative AAM ecosystem designed to meet Africa’s varied requirements.

"The assembly isn't solely focused on technological progress; it's also aimed at forming international collaborations to speed up Africa’s path towards the future of aviation," stated Hawkins Musili, the General Manager of Safari Aviation, in an official release.

This event aims to gather key players in the aviation industry who wish to create international collaborations to speed up technological progress within Africa’s aerospace sector.

Over the course of this two-day symposium, attendees will acquire knowledge from urban air mobility projects currently underway in cities such as Paris, New York, and Singapore. They will also discover ways to apply these innovations to tackle the distinct issues faced by Africa.

This event will delve into subjects including regulatory structures, infrastructure expansion, and financial prospects, thereby reinforcing Nairobi’s role as a principal catalyst for advancement across the continent.

Who is going to be at the AAM symposium?

The symposium will include keynote speeches from Abderahmane Berthe, who serves as the Secretary General of AFRAA; Allan Kilavuka, the CEO and Managing Director at KQ Group; and a high-ranking official from the Ministry of Transport. Additionally, prominent figures in the field of Advanced Air Mobility from companies such as Archer Aviation and Supernal Aero—Nikhil Goel and David Rottblatt respectively—are set to participate.

The local aviation sector will be headed by Karanja Ndegwa, the CEO of Jambojet, along with several other prominent figures who will join in, enhancing the emphasis on global regulatory collaboration.

Main subjects for debate at the AAM symposium

The conversation at the gathering will delve into the practical uses of AAM and how these innovative technologies have the potential to redefine African aviation, fostering optimism and enthusiasm for what lies ahead.

Attendees will explore effective AAM programs in key urban centers such as New York, Paris, São Paulo, and Abu Dhabi.

The purpose of these case studies is to motivate participants by highlighting their connection to African urban centers and the possibility of achieving comparable successes.

They will further take a deep dive into Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft and other cutting-edge advancements shaping the future of air transportation.

KQ aims to acquire new aircraft and launch additional routes.

The event is approaching in a few months after .co.ke it has been reported that the airline intends to purchase additional aircraft and expand its list of destination locations.

Kilavuka observed in 2024 that obtaining this asset would lead to enhanced efficiency and income for the airline.

The airline announced a post-tax profit of KSh 513 million for the six months leading up to June 2024, which represents a significant improvement compared to a KSh 23.7 billion deficit in the corresponding timeframe of 2023.