Aviation is a multi-faceted industry supported by an eco-system that offers the opportunity for a wide range of careers.
There is no magic pill solution to the problems hampering the growth of African aviation, however what is for sure is that a holistic approach is key. Leadership can be the difference between success and failure and this has largely been the case across the continent.
In order to address our challenges at the top, we have to develop the best talent and empower them with the tools necessary for success
The African Aviators Webinar Series enters its fourth episode this week on the 11th of December and touches on this important aspect of our industry – Management. The series was started by AviaDev, The African Aviation Group (on facebook) and Airspace Africa in order to inspire and empower the next generation of African aviators. It is the first of its kind on the continent and is powered by Embraer
This episode brings together seasoned aviation experts who are current and former executives in the industry as well as an aviation management academic with the hope that the next generation will find inspiration from their stories, get better educated about their roles and receive practical advice on how to navigate their way to the top
Meet the panelists:
Dr Eric Tchouamou Njoya
Senior Lecturer and Course Leader in Air Transport Economics and Management @University of Huddersfield, UK
Dr Eric Tchouamou Njoya is a Senior Lecturer and Course Leader in Air Transport Economics and Management. He has strong expertise in air transport and tourism impact modelling, having written several papers on the economic impact of air transport and tourism using among others computable general equilibrium models and conducted several projects on air transport and tourism for various institutions including among others the European Commission, the European Investment Bank, Avinor, the European Subsea Cables Association, and the Korea Transport Institute. He serves as Deputy Director of Huddersfield’s Future Mobility Lab and Cluster Director at the Behavioural Research Centre of Huddersfield Business School. His work has appeared in Transportation Research Part A, Journal of Travel Research, Tourism Management, Transport Policy, Journal of Transport Geography, amongst others. He is an associate editor of the Journal of Aerospace Technology and Management.
Sean Mendis
Aviation Expert – Independent
Sean Mendis returned to Ghana in 2018 as Chief Operations Officer of Africa World Airlines, resuming a role he had previously held from 2010 to 2012 during the airline’s startup. From 2005 to 2010, Sean was part of the launch management team of Ghana International Airlines. In 2013, he moved to Somalia to manage Mogadishu’s Aden Abdulle International Airport for SKA International Group under contract from the Somali Federal Government. Between 2014 and 2018, he helped launch multiple aviation business lines for SKA, including a jet-fuel terminal in the UAE, and a cargo airline based in Uganda.
Sakhile Reiling
Interim Executive:Operations @South African Airways
Sakhile Nyoni-Reiling is a Zimbabwean-born pilot living in Botswana. She was the first female pilot in Botswana and the first woman to serve as general manager of Air Botswana. In 1988, Nyoni became the first female pilot in Botswana, working for Air Botswana. Sakhile has also served as a board member for the Civil Aviation Authority of Botswana and is the CEO of Saxon Wings Consulting who provide compliance solutions including the production of operational manuals and training. Currently, Sakhile is serving as Interim Executive: Operations at South African Airways In 2011, she became the first woman to serve as general manager of Air Botswana.
Registration for episode 4 can be done for free HERE
