Top players in the global aviation industry convened in Nairobi last week for talks aimed at strengthening collaboration, improving safety, and enhancing efficiency in air transport. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) Ground Handling Conference drew airlines, policymakers, and aviation experts from around the world.
The three-day forum focused on finding practical solutions to support a more resilient, connected, and sustainable aviation sector. Speaking at the event, IATA Director General Willie Walsh pointed to Africa’s promising future in aviation, with the market expected to expand by 3.7 percent over the next 20 years. “This growth will bring enormous economic and social opportunities, from job creation to technology transfer,” Walsh said.
However, he added that achieving this potential would demand efficient, affordable infrastructure, a skilled workforce, and a firm commitment to reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Walsh also highlighted Kenya’s new Electronic Travel Authorization system as a step forward, saying it could greatly enhance the country’s profile as a business and tourism destination.
Kenya Airways CEO Allan Kilavuka, meanwhile, shared insights into the local sector’s economic footprint. According to Kilavuka, Kenya’s aviation industry contributed 425 billion shillings, roughly 3.3 billion U.S. dollars, to the economy in 2023 through supply chain operations, employee spending, and tourism-related activities.
He underscored the importance of modern, efficient airport infrastructure in positioning Kenya as a leading aviation hub in East Africa. Timos Korosis, Ground Operations Product Manager at Aegean Airlines, said that expanding services beyond passenger transport, particularly in cargo and other travel-related areas, would strengthen airlines’ financial resilience in a competitive market.
Kenya’s aviation industry contributed Ksh425 billion (USD 3.3 billion) to the country’s GDP and sustained 460,000 jobs in 2023, according to a newly published study by IATA.