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AviaDev Insight is the first podcast dedicated to the African aviation industry.

We bring prominent industry voices to the table to establish the "ground truth" in an informal and candid fashion.

The podcast was created by Jon Howell, Founder and Managing Director of AviaDev Africa, Africa's premier event dedicated to developing air connectivity.

Find out more about AviaDev Africa, www.aviadev.com 

Mar 16, 2025

In this episode, we hear Rodger Foster's farewell speech to the industry ahead of his retirement. 

 

Rodger is CEO and Managing Director of Airlink, and the speech reflects on his career and the evolution of Airlink since its founding in 1992.

He reflects on the journey through significant political and economic changes in South Africa, detailing the challenges and achievements in the aviation industry.

Rodger discusses the current state of the industry, emphasizing the need for updated regulatory frameworks, better infrastructure, and more collaborative approaches to unlock Africa's aviation potential.

He criticizes the inefficacy of the Single African Air Transport Market (SATAM), and addresses issues like unfair economic regulations, outdated airport services, and the need for modernized weather services and digitalization. Ultimately, Rodger advocates for fundamental growth changes and greater unity across the industry to ensure a sustainable future.

Watch Rodger's lifetime achievement award interview here