#aviadev2025 | The Power of Partnership Panel: 10 Key Takeaways for Unlocking Air Connectivity in Africa A powerful conversation moderated by Francis Doku, featuring @Keira Langford-Johnson ( Proflight Zambia), Charmaine Matheus (Namibia Tourism), and @Minosoa Tatamo Rakotozafy ( RAVINALA AIRPORTS MADAGASCAR). Here are few takeaways that highlight what it really takes to grow air connectivity across Africa: 1️⃣ Data is the new runway: Route development thrives on evidence-based proposals. Proflight’s Lusaka–Cape Town route was made possible by solid, data-backed collaboration from Cape Town Airport. 2️⃣ Tourism boards are route enablers: Namibia leverages targeted marketing and capacity-building (fam trips, webinars, local DMC engagement) to sustain air routes beyond their launch. 3️⃣ Airports can lead the ecosystem: Madagascar’s Emirates entry was a game-changer — driven by Ravinala Airports’ leadership and ecosystem-wide alignment (tourism board, government, stakeholders). 4️⃣ Collaborative vision isn’t easy: Different stakeholders chase different KPIs — aligning around a shared vision (e.g., 1M tourists by 2028 in Madagascar) requires negotiation and patience. 5️⃣ Cost is king, and villain: High fuel taxes, monopolistic suppliers, and airport fees drive up travel costs. Fixing affordability demands policy support and infrastructure investment. 6️⃣ Smaller airlines need tailored support: Thin routes require rightsize aircraft. Yet regulatory and infrastructure frameworks often ignore the operational realities of regional players. 7️⃣ Visa policy is make-or-break: Namibia–Ghana and Ghana–South Africa visa waivers unlocked triple-digit growth in travel. Simplified entry is an economic multiplier. 8️⃣ Seasonality can be broken: In Nosy Be, a pivot to year-round tourism through digital campaigns, influencers, and destination marketing helped fight underutilization. 9️⃣ Sustainability = retention: Route launches are only half the job. Sustained joint effort in marketing, pricing, and risk-sharing ensures longevity. 🔟 Trust, not turf wars: The most echoed point — stop working in silos. Data must flow between airlines, airports, tourism boards, governments, and regional bodies like AFRAA and IATA. Collaboration isn’t a buzzword — it’s a requirement. 📍More insights coming via NEWSAERO as we continue covering #aviadev2025 live from Zanzibar. #airconnectivity #aviationafrica #routedevelopment #africantourism #publicprivatepartnership #datadrivendecisions #zanzibar #newsaero #airlinesafrica #tourismstrategy #sustainabletravel Jon Howell ✈