AFRAA 2016 to be held in Victoria Falls

Air Zimbabwe is to host the next African Airline Association (AFRAA) annual general assembly (AGA), which will take place on 20-22 November 2016, writes Victoria Moores.

Victoria Falls was selected as the 2016 AGA venue following the appointment of Air Zimbabwe acting CEO Edmund Makona as AFRAA’s latest president, succeeding ECAir director general Fatima Beyina-Moussa in the one-year revolving position.

The 2015 AGA, held in Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo, was the largest in AFRAA’s history, attracting over 500 delegates.

Makona accepted the handover by breaking into song about “beautiful Zimbabwe” on stage during the closing ceremony, drawing a round of applause from the conference room. “We are more than excited to be hosting in the magnificent city of Victoria Falls,” Makona said.

The incoming AFRAA president went on to stress the importance of AFRAA’s vision for a globally competitive African aviation industry.

“A vision [for liberalization] is now being ignited; we are entering a new era and a new phase for AFRAA where everything has to be done yesterday. This is about the ‘now-ness’ of AFRAA. We promise nothing less than the best,” he said.

The AGA will take place between 20-22 November at the Elephant Hills Hotel, Victoria Falls. The city’s airport is currently being upgraded so it can handle widebody aircraft.