African Airlines have been urged to adapt to evolving customer preferences and embrace innovations for sustainable growth and development. This was said at the African Aviation Innovation Summit 2024 hosted by Kenya Airways, in partnership with the African Airlines Association (AFRAA).
The summit themed, “Diversification: Reaching New Customer Segments,” brought together stakeholders to explore the critical challenges facing African aviation industry and provided a platform for knowledge sharing and collaboration.
Speaking during the opening ceremony, Mr Allan Kilavuka, Kenya Airways Group MD and CEO, emphasised the importance of agility in the face of changing customer needs, especially with the rising influence of younger generations like Gen Z.
“Airlines should strategically position themselves to be agile, diversify, and be ready to adapt to changing customer needs,” Mr Kilavuka said. “Leveraging data and AI will be key to listening to our customers and tailoring products to meet their demands.”
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Mr Kilavuka said Africa’s aviation industry is underdeveloped, calling for unified efforts from airlines across the continent to develop long-term solutions. “African aviation is not yet considered a critical industry by many African governments. Airlines need to, therefore, come together and advocate for change, ensuring African aviation is central to our economic growth,” he noted.
Subsequently, AFRAA Secretary General Abderahmane Berthe commended Kenya Airways for its commitment to sustainability and innovation. He mentioned KQ’s “Net Zero by 2050” carbon reduction initiative, the Fahari Innovation Hub, and its participation in the recent Aviation Festival.
“Your engagement with the Aviation Festival demonstrates your commitment to embracing digital and innovation trends, investing in customer-centric technologies to improve service quality,” Berthe said. “Focus on passenger journeys and cultivating loyalty through solid partnerships is essential to shaping the future of African aviation.”
Somas Appavou, Regional Director of External Affairs & Sustainability Africa at IATA, echoed these sentiments, urging collaboration among African airlines to streamline regional tourism. He emphasized the need to address challenges such as visa issues, taxes, and government policies to boost intra-African travel. “African airlines need to work together to enhance regional tourism, tackling impediments like visa restrictions and government policies that hinder growth,” he said.
Long-term partnerships
The 2024 Africa Aviation Innovation Summit is part of Kenya Airways’ broader strategy to drive transformation and sustainability within the African aviation sector. Through the summit, KQ aims to foster dialogue around key challenges such as infrastructure development, sustainability, policy reforms, visa issues and travel fares while spotlighting the latest trends in customer engagement and technology adoption.
Kenya Airways hopes that the AAIS will act as a catalyst for long-term partnerships among African airlines, governments and other stakeholders. The airline is focused on positioning itself as a leader in innovation, customer service, and sustainability, with initiatives like the Fahari Innovation Hub and its bold Net Zero by 2050 target.
“By addressing critical challenges through collaboration and innovation, KQ aims to help shape a more resilient and competitive African aviation industry that can unlock the continent’s economic potential,” Mr Kilavuka said.
