The African Business Aviation Association (AfBAA) welcomed more than 160 delegates from over 60 international companies to the first African Business Aviation Conference (AfBAC) in Cape Town, South Africa, on November 17-18.
The conference was focused on innovation, with presentations covering a number of topics, such as landing in conflict areas and the psychological considerations; operational challenges for emergency deliveries; big data collected by omnipresent chips and how they will affect the future of aviation; and how Microsoft’s HoloLens technology may change the future of training through the use of augmented and virtual reality.
During the conference, AfBAA also announced the launch of Africa’s first forum dedicated to remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) technology. The forum provided a chance for delegates to learn about the possibilities for RPAS use in Africa. The highlight of the forum was a presentation about Zipline, a company using RPAS technology, in association with the Rwandan government, to deliver urgently needed medical supplies across Rwanda.
AfBAA CEO Rady Fahmy used the conference as a platform to announce an expanded AfBAA collection of events. The AfBAA Regional Symposium 2017 will take place in Nigeria with a focus on West African business aviation. This event will be run in collaboration with the annual Nigerian Business Aviation Conference. Furthermore, the newly established Country Round Tables, which has already spawned the Ethiopian Chapter of AfBAA, will provide an option for specific nations to discuss the themes and topics affecting their business aviation industry. Kenya and Nigeria were announced as the next locations. Access Africa will also be run alongside international events. Designed for companies eager to grow their business in Africa, the session will include presentations from leading African organizations that will impart local know-how and expertise. EBACE 2017 on May 22-24, 2017, Geneva, will be the venue for Access Africa’s first outing.
AfBAC chair, Alan Peaford, concluded, “AfBAA is not just a talking shop about ideas, the association is beginning to make moves as reflected in this conference. We have touched on areas that haven’t been touched before. AfBAA has made great steps.”
