2nd Annual Africa Airfinance Conference

8:00AM Registration and Morning Refreshments

8:45AM Chairperson’s Opening Remarks

9:00AM TAAG Airlines thrive under Emirates management

• What impact has Emirates management had on the airline?
• How did TAAG cut losses over such a short period of time?
• What role did the Angolan Government play in the turn around?

9:30AM Investors look into Congo Airways

• How do Congo Airways plan to originate a domestic market?
• What measures should airlines in high risk/unstable regions take to reassure investors?
• How do Congo Airways plan to fund future deliveries?

10:00AM Keynote address from the Ministry of Aviation, Ghana

10:15AM Morning refreshments and networking break

11:00AM Does aviation hold the key to unlock the economic potential of Africa?

• Overview of the regional economy and the state of aviation in Africa
• Drawing the link between aviation and growth
• Can the current state of African infrastructure benefit aviation?

11:30AM Evolutions from Basel 1 to Basel 4

• What are the changes from Basel 1 to Basel 4?
• What do changes in Basel regulations mean for aircraft financing?
• How might regulatory developments create opportunities for other types of financing?

11:55AM Who will fill the role of ECA financing?

• When will ECAs restrictions be lifted?
• How can African financial institutions support the demand for ECA financing?
• Do development agencies have a role to play in filling the void left by ECAs? 

12:25PM An insight into the nature of state involvement in African carriers

• What funding challenges and opportunities does state ownership present?
• How can strategic partnerships help to bridge the gap in terms of financing needs?
• What are the pros and cons of the state owned model?

12:50PM Lunch and networking break

2:00PM Are LCCs facing an uphill struggle?

• What challenges does the region’s vast diversity and complexity pose to the replication of the LCC model?
• The impact of a limited existing network, high taxes and high fuel prices on the LCC model
• Due to the high risk environment, lease rates are high and financing is expensive, how can LCCs overcome this?

2:30PM Where is airline funding coming from?

• Who are the new investors in the region and what impact are they having on existing structure tenors and leasing terms?
• Does the use of IATA receivables really add value?
• Is the market ready for foreign direct investment?

3:15PM Which aircraft are most suited to the African market’s potential for growth?

• With passenger traffic predicted to sharply increase over the coming years, which aircraft should airlines hedge their bets on?
• What restrictions and barriers does existing infrastructure present to an airline’s choice of aircraft?
• Which aircraft deliver the best economy for regional travel?

3:45PM Afternoon refreshments and networking break

4:30PM Closing keynote: How can Africa fight its competition?

• How can African carriers look to build the scale required to compete with international carriers?
• Are global alliances and partnerships the required tool to take back market share?
• Is there an argument for greater protectionism?

5:00PM Chairperson’s closing remarks

5:15PM Drinks reception

9:15AM Registration and opening remarks

9:30AM Chairperson’s opening remarks

9:45AM Opportunities for start-up carriers – Fly Blue Crane

• Making a business case to start an airline in Africa
• How do you get the passengers to start with? What are the economic factors and drivers?
• In what way does the level of assumption associated with entering a relatively untapped market pose a barrier to start-up airlines?

10:15AM Key factors impacting lessors’ strategy in Africa

• How do lessors determine lease pricing for airlines/start-up airlines in the region?
• In what way do lessors look to support airlines in the region?
• To what extent are international lessors capitalising on the secondary aircraft market in Africa?

11:00AM Morning refreshments and networking break

11:30AM The impact of oil prices and other factors on aircraft choice

• Buy vs. lease for African carriers
• Do oil prices stand to further strengthen the secondary market?
• What types of aircraft are easier/harder to remarket in the region?

12:15PM Does Africa hold a comparative advantage for MRO facilities?

• Is there a market for a major MRO facility in Africa?
• Would an increase in capacity of African MROs boost lessors’ confidence in the region?
• How can existing MRO facilities compete with external competition?

1:00PM Chairperson’s closing remarks followed by lunch and close of conference