Johannesburg To Host International Air Transport Association Wings of Change Focus Africa Conference In July 2024

Thursday, May 23, 2024

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced the upcoming second edition of the Wings of Change Focus Africa Conference (WOCFA), set to take place on 2-3 July 2024 in Johannesburg, South Africa. This year’s theme, “Towards a More Resilient and Sustainable African Aviation,” aligns with the aims of IATA’s Focus Africa initiative, which seeks to enhance aviation’s role in the continent’s economic and social growth by improving connectivity, safety, and reliability for both passengers and shippers. South African Airways will host the event.

“Africa’s aviation market holds immense untapped potential, with expectations for traffic to double in the next 15 years. The Focus Africa Initiative has identified key priorities that, if addressed collaboratively and effectively, will bolster Africa’s aviation industry and enhance its socio-economic impact. A year into the Focus Africa Initiative, we have seen progress in areas such as safety, but there is still a long way to go. This year’s IATA’s Wings of Change Focus Africa Conference builds on this progress by addressing critical areas such as safety, security, sustainability, economic development, and the overall resilience of the industry,” said Kamil Alawadhi, IATA’s Regional Vice-President for Africa and the Middle East.

Professor Malesela John Lamola, Chief Executive Officer of South African Airways will deliver an Opening Keynote Address.

“We are delighted to host IATA’s Wings of Change Focus Africa Conference and welcome the aviation industry to our home, Johannesburg. Advancing the air transport industry is critical for Africa’s economic growth. The conference will allow industry leaders to join forces and drive the agenda for a stronger, more resilient African aviation industry,” said Lamola.

The conference will feature discussions led by industry experts from various sectors of aviation. Lamola and Alawadhi, along with other leaders, will address key issues through various session tracks, including:

• Safety
• Security
• Boosting Regional Traffic
• Airport Infrastructure
• Modern Airline Retailing
• Sustainability, with an emphasis on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)
• Air Cargo
• Skilled workforce

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