African Air Expo SA is scheduled to take place in Cape Town from February 12-15, 2024. The international event, which has been organised by Adone Events, will cover the growth of the aviation sector as well as complementary industries such as tourism, cargo, and human capital development.
African Air Expo SA
The event will feature an exceptional 3-day General Aviation static display of 90 aircraft, making it the first of its kind on the African continent.
The international exhibition is aligned with the strategy of the South African government in the aviation sector and is set to boost business tourism, with an expected estimate of over 15,000 overseas guests.
The African Air Expo SA aims to become a global gathering point for the aviation industry in a successful worldwide trade event.
The event plans to attract different skills from the aviation sector, including Commercial Aviation, MRO, Business & General Aviation, Airport Infrastructure, Human Capital Development in Aviation, Air Cargo, and eVTOL – The Future of Aviation.
The event will also focus on the latest trends, training, and recruitment within the aviation industry, empowering through training.
The African Air Expo SA aims to provide an opportunity to learn about careers, exchange ideas, address the challenges which face Human Capital Development Needs in SA, ask questions of industry experts, and enjoy a hands-on experience within the general aviation industry.
Sithembile Ntombela, Acting Chief Executive Officer, Brand South Africa commented on the proposed exhibition, saying:
“As the official custodian of the South African Nation Brand, Brand South Africa appreciates this initiative as an opportunity to position South Africa as a preferred investment destination globally as well as to showcase and profile the nation brand competitiveness.”
“As Africa’s first commercial, business, aerospace, airport infrastructure, tourism and human capital development exhibition and Conference (AAE) Brand South Africa looks forward to the economic benefit that will arise out of the AAE.”
Commercial and general aviation focus
The African Air Expo SA planned for Cape Town will target commercial & general aviation exhibitors who will come together in a static area.
The exhibition will be at the CTICC hall and will host more than 300 booths where exhibitors will showcase a full range of aviation services and products.
It is anticipated that aviation equipment suppliers, avionics companies, airport facility providers, infrastructure experts, security, and air traffic control companies, among others, will use the opportunity to present their products to the burgeoning African aviation marketplace.
Delegates will include airlines, aircraft owners, operators, pilots, aviation enthusiasts, trainees, aviation executives from across the sector, industry experts, and regulatory bodies, all wishing to learn more about the latest trends and products in the African General, Business, and Commercial Aviation sector.
Commercial aviation in South Africa
According to a pre-pandemic report by Oxford Economics, the aviation industry in South Africa contributed approximately ZAR 187 billion (USD 13 billion) to the country’s GDP and supports more than 472,000 jobs.
The report also states that the aviation industry is responsible for facilitating international trade and investment, generating tourism revenue, and promoting regional integration.
In 2019, aviation directly supported approximately ZAR 53.8 billion (USD 3.7 billion) in tourism expenditure and facilitated more than 10 million visitor arrivals to South Africa.
The report relevantly highlights the significant multiplier effect that the aviation industry has on other sectors of the economy.
For example, aviation supports the transportation and logistics industries, as well as various service industries, such as hospitality and retail.
These interrelated industries will also find the upcoming African Air Expo SA of interest.
About Adone Events
Adone Events is the only Events Management company to have created and organized prestigious aviation events on four continents.
These include the France Air Expo since 2006 – Europe, Abu Dhabi Air Expo – UAE, Air Expo India – New Delhi, and now African Air Expo SA in Cape Town.
The event organiser has also announced the upcoming Air Expo India 2023, which will be the first-of-its-kind exhibition of General Aviation and business Jets at Indira Gandhi International Airport New Delhi in December 2023.
