Airfinance Journal Africa 2019
06-08 October 2019
Hyatt Regency Johannesburg
Johannesburg, South Africa
Event Overview
Airfinance Journal Africa 2019
Defining the aviation conversation in Africa
Airfinance Journal Africa 2019 returns to Johannesburg over October 6th-8th 2019. An intimate gathering of the most influential players in African aviation finance, the conference will grant you access to business critical contacts and feature expert analysis from the industry’s most senior voices.
Airfinance Journal Africa is the place to develop new commercial relationships, deepen existing ones and ultimately make deals happen.
Event Features
- Hear from the industry’s most senior figures – featuring airline CFOs and treasury teams
- A multitude of dedicated networking opportunities including drinks receptions and lunches
- Networking breakfast featuring a VIP keynote speaker
- Networking dinner hosted by Airfinance Journal
- Executive meeting lounge for your all-important 1-2-1 meetings
- Dedicated networking space available throughout the conference
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Agenda
18 00 PM Networking drinks reception
08 30 AM Morning refreshments & registration
09 35 AM Chairperson's opening remarks
- Paul Jebely, Managing Partner, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman (HK) LLP
09 40 AM Navigating through markets in disconnect - A banker's view
- Laura Mueller, Managing Director, Airfinance Journal
- James Geldenhuys, Head of Aircraft Finance, Nedbank Corporate & Investment Banking
10 10 AM Is Africa an answer to lessors’ search for yield?
- With depressed lease rates on SLBs and increasing competition, is Africa a jurisdiction in which lessors can maintain a greater yield?
- What can lessors do to build more innovative and bespoke deals with African airlines?
- Should lessors consider opening operations locally on the continent?
- Fabio Miceli, Associate, Holland & Knight
- George O'Neill, Senior Vice President Sales, DAE Capital
10 40 AM Morning networking break & refreshments
11 10 AM What does Comair's expansion strategy tell us about the African airline market?
- James Geldenhuys, Head of Aircraft Finance, Nedbank CIB
- Kirsten King, Finance Director, Comair
11 40 AM Finding a way forward in African airline ownership – can there be a third way?
Government control of many African airlines is one reason cited for African airlines’ relatively poor performance and overly bureaucratic operating models. Can a greater embrace of public-private partnerships allow African aviation to reach new heights?
- Rui Carreira, Chief Executive Officer, TAAG Angolan Airlines
- Wouter Du Preez, Aviation Finance: Africa & Europe, Rand Merchant Bank
12 20 PM Networking lunch
13 50 PM Keys to success for secondary market aircraft traders in Africa
- What is the foreseeable impact of rising fuel costs on the African secondary market?
- Is there an appetite among African airlines for new technology aircraft?
- How well have the residual values of regional jets and turboprops held up?
- Russ Hubbard, Director - Aircraft Remarketing, Air Partner
- Sasha Yusufali, Vice President Marketing, Nordic Aviation Capital
- Rob Watts, Director of Advisory, ACC Aviation
14 30 PM A single African transportation market and protectionism
The signing of 23 airlines to the Single African Air Transport Market is a potentially defining moment in African aviation; however, the proof will be in the implementation. What does the continent need to get right in implementing this agreement in order to utilise its benefits to the industry?
- Miles van der Molen, Chief Executive Officer, CemAir
15 00 PM Afternoon networking break & refreshments
15 30 PM How healthy is the market for regional jets and turboprops?
- Is there a market for the Embraer E2 and Airbus A220 in Africa?
- How popular can we expect the CRJ900 to be with African operators?
- Will increased connectivity in the region allow carriers operating regional jets to increase capacity?
- Dominique Dumas, Vice President, Sales EMEA, ATR
- Francisco Moraes, Sales Director - Africa, Embraer
16 10 PM Can Ethiopian Airlines maintain its “crown jewel” of Africa status?
- Tewolde Gebremariam, Chief Executive Officer, Ethiopian Airlines
16 40 PM Chairperson's closing remarks
16 45 PM Networking drinks reception
18 30 PM Networking dinner at hotel
08 30 AM Airfinance Africa roundup: Predictions for 2020
Networking breakfast
10 15 AM Transport provided to Tambo International Airport
Speakers
Sponsors
Attracting thousands of participants annually from airlines, leasing companies, financial institutions, investment houses and government bodies, our events provide you with an unparalleled platform from which to promote your organisation’s brand, products and services.
Find out more about our sponsorship opportunities
Silver
Nedbank CIB
One of the four largest banking groups in South Africa, Nedbank CIB delivers a full spectrum of financing, global markets, transactional, corporate and investment banking solutions. Considered to be one of the most active aviation banks in southern Africa, the bank’s Aircraft Finance team is a group of professionals with a high level of expertise in structuring, arranging and executing high-value transactions. The team assists clients in financing commercial jets for international airlines, major aircraft lessors, regional airlines and business jets, with a focus on Africa and the Middle East. Loan-to-value ratios vary according to the age and type of the aircraft. A thorough analysis of the underlying credit and asset risk is undertaken in determining the appropriate structure and pricing for each transaction, relying on a combination of the balance sheet and asset value. For limited-recourse transactions an appropriate equity investment is required to ensure that all the relevant parties’ interests are aligned. Experienced lessor companies are engaged as partners in these types of financing, ensuring that the airline is offered an attractive and competitive operating lease.
Bronze
ACC Aviation Group
One of the world’s leading aviation service providers, ACC Aviation Group provides market-leading expertise across aircraft leasing, asset management, strategic consultancy, aftermarket aircraft interiors programmes and air charter.
Through our international office network spanning the UK, mainland Europe, North America, the Middle East and Asia, we serve a diverse, global client base who trust our experts to deliver a comprehensive range of bespoke aviation solutions.
www.accaviation.com

ATR
European turboprop manufacturer ATR is the world leader in the regional aviation market. ATR designs, manufactures and delivers modern regional aircraft, with a customer base fleet encompassing some 200 airlines in nearly 100 countries. The ATR 42 and the ATR 72 are the best-selling aircraft in the market segment of 90 seats or less. With continuous improvement as a driving force, ATR produces cutting edge, comfortable and versatile turboprops that help airlines expand their horizons by creating more than 100 new routes every year. Compared with other turboprops, ATRs offer an advantage of 40% on fuel burn, 20% on trip cost and 10% on seat cost, whilst offering the lowest CO2 and noise emissions. ATR is an equal partnership between leading aerospace firms Airbus and Leonardo and benefits from a large global customer support network allowing it to deliver innovative services and solutions to its clients and operators all over the world. For more information, please visit http://www.atr-aircraft.com

Holland & Knight
Holland & Knight’s Aircraft Finance Team has earned an international reputation for transactional work involving the domestic and cross-border acquisition, financing and leasing of aircraft, engines and spare parts. Our lawyers have completed hundreds of aircraft acquisition, financing, leasing and restructuring transactions on behalf of the world’s leading leasing companies, financial institutions, manufacturers and airlines. Our team’s presence across offices in multiple time zones ensures clients that coverage is timely, responsive and serves their best interests. Holland & Knight is a global law firm with more than 1,300 attorneys in 28 offices in the United States, Latin America and the United Kingdom.
Venue
Hyatt Regency Johannesburg
Johannesburg,
ZA
Discover the cosmopolitan city from one of the best hotels in South Africa, Hyatt Regency Johannesburg. Situated in the modern suburb of Rosebank, only 25 kms from the O.R. Tambo International Airport, the luxury Johannesburg hotel is adjacent to Firs Shopping Centre and Cinemas. Guests will also enjoy easy access to the banking district of Sandton CBD, Constitution Hill, and African craft markets.
Complimentary Airline & Investor Passes
- Complimentary registration for you to attend!
- Establish relationships with lessors, financiers and service providers to understand the best options for financing future deliveries
- Signal to the industry what financing options you’re considering to enhance RFP proposals
- Meet with manufacturers to deliver the fleet solutions you need to run an efficient and profitable airline
- Understand your competition’s strategies with regards to fleet development
- Hear expert analysis that can improve your operations and financial performance
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#afjafrica
Why sponsor
In addition to exhibition and delegate packages we also offer a range of comprehensive sponsorship and advertising options.
Sponsor an Airfinance Journal event and benefit from:
Direct access to your target market
Put your brand infront of aviation finance leaders from airlines, investors, lessors, banks, manufacturers and more.
Increased exposure to our database
Your logo and messaging will be featured on our marketing emails, print material, social media and digital advertising pre, during and after the conference.
Generate hundreds of highly targeted business leads
Position your brand infront of the entire aviation industry. You will also receive your very own pre-conference marketing pack to ensure you gain maximum exposure and generate interest.
Benefit from exclusive services only available to our sponsors
Participate at the conference that puts you in the drivers seat with your own wish list of attendees and your dedicated marketing contact leading up to the conference.