Events

Africa’s Travel Indaba 2025, takes place from 12 to 15 May 2025 at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.

The 3-day trade show is preceded by the Business Opportunity Networking Day (BONDay), a platform for thought leadership, knowledge sharing, and insights into global trends and local expertise. Developed in collaboration with global tourism organisations, continental experts, and industry associations, BONDay sets the stage for meaningful industry engagement.

As a leading platform for African tourism exhibitors, the event showcases offerings to international and local buyers, destination marketing companies, and leisure tourism partners. Hosted by the City of Durban, Africa’s Travel Indaba underscores the region’s role as a hub for African travel and tourism.

The IATA Aviation Energy Forum (AEF), a merger of the Fuel Forum and the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Symposium, serves as a premier industry meeting for the global aviation fuel community.

The next edition of AEF will take place on May 13–15, 2025, in Baku, Azerbaijan.

It provides a unique platform for airline representatives, fuel and SAF suppliers, and other IATA Strategic Partners to discuss industry priorities, align on actions to enhance efficiency and productivity, and explore the implications of the airline commitment to achieving the net-zero 2050 pledge.

Attendance at AEF is by invitation only for IATA Members and IATA Strategic Partners.

The IATA Ground Handling Conference (IGHC) is an annual event that brings together industry leaders from airlines, airports, ground service providers, and manufacturers to discuss and implement industry standards, policies, and procedures.

The IGHC 2025 edition will take place in Nairobi, Kenya, from May 13–15, 2025, with Kenya Airways as the host airline. This year’s theme, “Elevate,” focuses on uplifting people, enhancing ground handling and baggage practices, and advancing innovation and automation.

IATA emphasises that diversity and inclusion are their strengths, and they believe that collaborative efforts among airlines, ground handlers, airports, regulators, and solution providers are essential to addressing and solving complex challenges.

The conference will be officially opened by His Excellency Dr. William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya.

The Africa Tourism Fair 2025 (ATF25) aims to integrate the African continent’s tourism potential into the global tourism network.

The event brings together the African tourism sector and international investors to promote strategic development of the continent’s tourism industry.

The fair will take place in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, on May 22-23, 2025.

The 4th African Air Forces Forum serves as a premier platform for fostering collaboration among African and international air force leaders, defense officials, and industry experts.

With the theme “Strengthening Collaborations in Advanced Aerospace Technologies for Enhanced National and Regional Security,” the forum will explore the evolving landscape of military aviation, emerging technologies, and strategic defense partnerships.

Bringing together key decision-makers, the event facilitates high-level discussions on air force modernisation, operational readiness, and technological advancements shaping the future of airpower in Africa.

It also provides a unique opportunity for industry leaders to showcase cutting-edge solutions, enhance cooperation, and contribute to the region’s defense and security objectives.

The 10th Edition of AFI Aviation Week will take place from May 26-30, 2025 at Elephant Hills Resort, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, bringing together aviation policymakers, industry leaders, and international organisations to discuss strategies for advancing Africa’s air transport sector.

The annual event welcomes high-level officials from Member States with policy-making authority, alongside global aviation stakeholders, to address key issues such as regulatory development, connectivity, and sustainability.

Exhibition and Sponsorship Opportunities

Running alongside the conference, the AFI Aviation Week Exhibition will highlight technologies, services, and solutions that support the aviation industry’s progress.

Organisers invite stakeholders to explore sponsorship and exhibition opportunities, providing visibility within Africa’s evolving aviation landscape.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) 81st Annual General Meeting (AGM) and World Air Transport Summit (WATS) will take place on June 1–3, 2025, at the Bharat Mandapam Convention Centre in New Delhi, India, with IndiGo as the host airline.

The 81st IATA AGM and WATS brings together top leadership from airlines, the aviation value chain, and governments as the aviation industry navigates complex and dynamic operating, business, and geopolitical environments.

Attendance at the IATA AGM and WATS is by invitation only.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) 81st Annual General Meeting (AGM) and World Air Transport Summit (WATS) will take place on June 1–3, 2025, at the Bharat Mandapam Convention Centre in New Delhi, India, with IndiGo as the host airline.

The 81st IATA AGM and WATS brings together top leadership from airlines, the aviation value chain, and governments as the aviation industry navigates complex and dynamic operating, business, and geopolitical environments.

Attendance at the IATA AGM and WATS is by invitation only.

The ICAO Aviation Climate Week will take place from June 2-4, 2025 at the ICAO Headquarters in Montréal, Canada.

Under the theme “Skyward Action: Realising Aviation’s Sustainable Future,” this global event will bring together aviation leaders, industry experts, and policymakers to address critical topics, including:

• ICAO’s progress on climate and environment since adopting the Long-Term Aspirational Goal (LTAG).
• Sustainable aviation practices, non-CO2 emissions, green airports, and climate-resilient infrastructure.
• Updates on the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) and other environmental initiatives.

What is the Aviation Climate Week?

• The ICAO Aviation Climate Week encompasses the 2025 ICAO LTAG Stocktaking, providing a response to the 41^st Session of the ICAO Assembly request to monitor progress towards the achievement of the collective LTAG of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. 
• It will also focus on the implementation of the ICAO Global Framework adopted by the Third Conference on Aviation and Alternative Fuels (CAAF/3) 
• It will also share the outcomes and recommendations from the 13^th Meeting of ICAO’s Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection (CAEP/13). 
• This event will address multiple environmental topics: the implementation of CORSIA, non-CO2 aviation emissions, green airports, biodiversity, circular economy, climate adaptation and infrastructure resilience.

The IATA Wings of Change Focus Africa (WOCFA) 2025 gathers aviation leaders, regulators, and subject matter experts to discuss key challenges and opportunities in air transport.

They collaboratively formulate future strategies to enhance air transport as a catalyst for economic and social development in Africa.

The 2025 edition of WOCFA will take place in Dakar, Senegal, from July 8-9, with over 400 leaders, decision-makers, and influencers from airlines, airports, government agencies, air navigation service providers, international and regional associations, aviation suppliers, aircraft manufacturers, and other stakeholders.

The Third ICAO NGAP Global Summit (NGAP/3), convenes from 12 to 14 August 2025 in Durban, South Africa, at the Durban International Conference Centre.

Co-hosted by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA), under the leadership of the Department of Transport, this summit is a pivotal event for the aviation community to collaboratively secure the future of aviation talent.

Attracting, educating, and retaining the next generation of aviation professionals is a high priority for ICAO and a key pillar of its long-term strategic plan. As the aviation industry continues to evolve in response to innovation and global connectivity, the Summit will provide a vital platform to shape the future workforce that will lead this transformation.

Guided by this year’s theme — “The Flight Plan for Future Aviation Talent: Innovate, Educate, Inspire – Building the workforce for the skies ahead” — the NGAP Global Summit 2025 will bring together policymakers, industry leaders, education and training experts, regional and international organisations, and youth to explore innovative solutions, share knowledge and best practices, and foster strong partnerships.

Over the three days, the Summit will feature high-level plenary sessions and an Aviation career exhibition, concluding with an exciting airshow open to all participants, a moment to celebrate aviation excellence, connect across generations, and be inspired by the future of flight.

Key Activity Schedule

The 9th Aviation Africa Summit & Exhibition will be held at the Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Centre in Kigali, Rwanda, from September 4-5, 2025.

This 2-day event, themed “Collaborating to Unlock Africa’s Growth,” will be hosted by the Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority and RwandAir, and organised under the auspices of the Ministry of Infrastructure.

Read more…

The Airlines Association of Southern Africa (AASA) will host its 55th Annual General Assembly, a premier aviation event, from October 16 to 19, 2025.

The event will take place at the Ciêla Resort and Golf Club near Lusaka, Zambia, with Proflight Zambia serving as the host airline.

IATA’s World Sustainability Symposium (WSS) brings together industry and governments to debate and discuss the key enablers for aviation’s successful decarbonisation.

The aim of WSS is to gather and support the global community of sustainability experts needed to address aviation’s biggest challenge yet.

The next edition of WSS will take place on October 21–22, 2025, in Hong Kong (SAR), China, with Cathay Pacific as the host airline.

The Central Africa International Tourism Fair (FITAC-GE) is set to take place in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, from October 27 to November 2, 2025.

It serves as a platform for tourism marketing and communication, bringing together international exhibitors from Equatorial Guinea, Africa, and beyond. Participants include national and regional organisations, private tourism offices, airlines, hotel chains, tour operators, travel insurance companies, and international tourism bodies.

Strategic Partnership with Lufthansa Group

The Lufthansa Group has signed a strategic collaboration agreement with FITAC-GE to support international participation. As part of this agreement, registered exhibitors and attendees will have access to exclusive airfare discounts across Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, and Eurowings.

The Central Africa International Tourism Fair (FITAC-GE) is set to take place in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, from October 27 to November 2, 2025.

It serves as a platform for tourism marketing and communication, bringing together international exhibitors from Equatorial Guinea, Africa, and beyond. Participants include national and regional organisations, private tourism offices, airlines, hotel chains, tour operators, travel insurance companies, and international tourism bodies.

Strategic Partnership with Lufthansa Group

The Lufthansa Group has signed a strategic collaboration agreement with FITAC-GE to support international participation. As part of this agreement, registered exhibitors and attendees will have access to exclusive airfare discounts across Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, and Eurowings.