African Pilot Weekly Magazine 13:2026

George Mothema, Chief Executive Officer of the Board of Airline Representatives of South Africa (BARSA), discusses the rationale behind Destination Africa and the key challenges affecting aviation investment and connectivity across the continent.

Filmed at the BARSA Summit 2026, the discussion highlights regulatory barriers, licensing delays and implementation gaps that continue to impact airline operations and investment decisions in Africa.

Despite progress through initiatives such as the Yamoussoukro Decision and the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), implementation remains inconsistent, limiting connectivity and growth.

George also addresses the need for open skies policies, improved regulatory efficiency and stronger leadership across governments and industry to unlock trade, passenger movement and broader economic growth.

It was great to catch up with Jon Howell, CEO and Founder of AviaDev Africa, at the recent BARSA event, where he moderated two panel discussions covering infrastructure, investment and innovation, followed by leadership.

But the real focus of our conversation was what comes next: AviaDev Africa 2026, taking place in Botswana from 10 to 12 June.

Jon shares what participants can expect this year. The event will bring together more than 500 delegates from across the aviation industry, including over 50 commercial airlines of all sizes and ownership structures, alongside airports and key stakeholders, with around 1,500 pre-arranged B2B meetings.

This year also sees the introduction of a dedicated finance and leasing forum, reflecting increased participation from financiers and OEMs, and creating a focused platform for investment and aircraft financing discussions.

Alongside a packed programme, don’t forget your running shoes. See you in Botswana.