Abderahmane Berthé, Executive Director of the African Aviation Association (AFRAA), praised Kenya Airlines for making its innovative aviation initiative a major statement in his opening remarks at the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) event in Nairobi.
“Innovations driven by new groundbreaking technologies are rapidly disrupting a variety of global economic sectors. Advanced aviation mobility embeds many future innovations,” Berthé said.
The first event in Africa was organized by Kenya Airlines' subsidiary Fahari Aviation on March 18-19, 2025 under the theme (Africa Advanced Air Mobility Ecosystem Development).
Urban Air Mobility (UAM) transports passengers and cargo at lower altitudes in urban areas. AAM broadens the concept of UAM by including out-of-city applications such as point-to-point passenger shuttles and inter-urban freight transport, which, according to a release from AFRAA, offers the advantages of cost-effective, efficient and fast delivery.
Berthé says AAM is still in the research and development phase, but it is leading the way in which it can create innovative opportunities in the aviation industry. “Three categories of enablers will drive the implementation of AAM use cases in the coming years: social acceptance, operational potential and financial viability.
“Trust acts as the basis of social acceptance. Both perceived safety and concrete social interests are essential. Operational potential is also essential for implementing AAM. Technology is progressing well enough to ensure safe and reliable operations. Regulations need to evolve to ensure trustworthy certification of new systems and promote standardization within ecosystems.”
Application Opportunities
Adoption of AAMs enhances existing transportation methods and offers benefits to a wide range of industries, including:
*Medical, emergency, healthcare operations and services.
*Wildlife protection;
*Remote logistics (last mile delivery);
* (Sub)City passenger transport.
*Local transportation services. and
*Business Aviation.
Berthé has urged stakeholders to implement an implementation roadmap designed to enhance and accelerate the adoption of AAMs and massive commercialization in Africa.
