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Kenya Airways plans to host the 37th annual meeting of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in Nairobi in May, aiming to attract numerous aviation experts.
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The conference lasting for three days will begin on Tuesday, May 13 and wrap up on Thursday, May 15.
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The occasion, scheduled to feature prominent figures from the aviation industry, will take place in Africa for the very first time.
Bonface Kanyamwaya, who works as a journalist for SANGGRALOKA.co.ke, boasts over ten years of expertise in covering sectors such as business, finance, economics, markets, and aviation. His analysis offers valuable perspectives on both Kenyan and international developments.
On Tuesday, May 13, Kenya Airways (KQ), the nation’s flag carrier, will welcome the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Ground Handling Conference to Nairobi. This event marks the first time the conference is being held on African soil.
The IATA Ground Handling Conference in Nairobi
The three-day gathering in Nairobi will conclude on Thursday, May 15.
The conference highlights Africa’s increasing significance in international air travel and Kenya Airways’ crucial part in advancing aviation innovation and growth throughout the continent.
“As the leading airline in African skies, Kenya Airways takes pride in initiating this significant milestone. Bringing IGHC to Kenya supports our aim to promote innovation, build collaborations, and demonstrate Africa’s preparedness to influence the future of international air travel. This further underscores our dedication to progressing the sector—not only within the country but across the entire continent—with the objective of fostering growth and enhancing connections,” stated Kenya Airways CEO Allan Kilavuka in a press release viewed by
SANGGRALOKA.co.ke
On April 3rd, prior to the event.
The crucial aspect of ground handling plays an essential role in ensuring the safety, efficiency, and robustness of the global aviation sector. This year’s IGHC will emphasize the term ‘elevate.’ Our aim is to explore methods for enhancing performance within the ground handling domain,” stated IATA Director General Willie Walsh in a distinct press statement reviewed by our publication.
Kilavuka stated that the conference organized by Kenya Airways, which reported a net profit of KSh 5.4 billion for the fiscal year ending in 2024, would concentrate on updating operational processes, advancing employee skills, and strengthening partnerships to boost overall efficiency within the aviation industry.
Who will be speaking at the IATA Ground Handling Conference in Nairobi?
Kilavuka stated that key speakers at the event will consist of President William Ruto, IATA Director General Walsh, the leadership from Kenya Airways, along with several other high-ranking officials.
The conference will offer speakers a platform to explore subjects including advancements in ground support equipment (GSE), the uptake of hydrogen-powered GSE, and standardized safety training initiatives.
They will also discuss breakthroughs in real-time baggage tracking, electronic bag tags, and modern messaging standards.
The discussion will also cover tactics for fostering public-private collaborations, advances in regulation, and enhancing coordination between airports and service providers.
In a distinct press release issued on Wednesday, April 2, from Geneva, Walsh stated, ‘The conference further bolsters IATA’s Focus Africa initiative, underscoring our dedication to fostering sustainable aviation development throughout the region.’
KQ’s previous conference
Last month, KQ organized the inaugural Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) conference in Nairobi, aiming to engage with hundreds of aviation industry players across Africa.
The conference began on Tuesday, March 18 and concluded on Wednesday, March 19, lasting for two days.
The symposium gathered policymakers, original equipment manufacturers, and other aviation specialists to discuss the possibilities of AAM within the African market.