Rodger Foster, CEO and MD of Airlink, is to be recognised by fellow members of the aviation industry for his contribution to route development in Africa.
Foster has been named as the recipient of the 2023 Ato Girma Wake Award for an Outstanding Contribution to Route Development in Africa, presented by AviaDev.
AviaDev is the premier platform dedicated to developing air connectivity to, from and within Africa. It seeks to recognise one distinguished leader in aviation with its annual award.
Foster told Travel News that he planned to travel to AviaDev’s next annual member conference in Nairobi in June. An award presentation ceremony is scheduled to be held during the conference.
The Ato Girma Wake Award is voted for by all members of the AviaDev Africa advisory. “It is presented to an individual who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and innovation in promoting connectivity and improving the aviation industry in Africa,” said AviaDev.
Previous winners include Iata’s Regional Director, Advocacy and Strategic Relations, Africa, Adefunke Adeyemi, and Raphael Kuuchi, Special Envoy on Aero-political Affairs; Chris Zweigenthal, former CEO of the Airlines Association of Southern Africa; and Sanjeev Gadhia, founder and CEO of Astral Aviation.
Launched in 1992, Airlink operates to more than 45 destinations in 14 African countries with a fleet of more than 60 jetliners. It is the largest privately owned regional airline on the continent. The airline recently added flights between Johannesburg and Nairobi to its growing route network, and more new routes are on the horizon.
Speaking about the award and the future of aviation in southern Africa, Foster described a new era and much more financially cut-throat operating conditions for airlines in the region. He told Travel News that the game had changed considerably and today, airlines were striving for sustainability over market share. He also said shareholders and airlines themselves were holding themselves accountable and under stricter financial controls.
Foster said African carriers had needed to adapt to survive, especially due to the growing presence of Middle Eastern/Gulf carriers on the continent over time. “The way that people in southern Africa access the rest of the world has changed, with vibrant hub-and-spoke networks that have demonstrated their sustainability. Airlines have got to be much more competent as air access service providers linking southern Africa with the rest of the world.
“We have seen some watershed events that have shape-shifted the new dispensation, with a different number of players and different players. We’ve all learned lessons about what not to do. This time around, I expect that airlines will be a lot more responsible to themselves and they will be cautious.”
Foster was humble about the recognition and said AviaDev’s award was a reflection of the team at Airlink and staff’s dedication.
Foster concluded: “It’s a great honour, especially given that it is peer-based. The most important aspect for me, however, is that Airlink is the performer – it is the institution that has earned the accolade. It’s just my privilege that I am in the position that I am, leading a group of highly competent, highly professional and highly motivated individuals. At the end of the day, it is about the business.”
Ato Girma Wake, AviaDev Event Patron and Board Chairman of Ethiopian Airlines said: “I am very pleased that Rodger Foster was chosen from among many deserving aviation leaders for this award. It is our way of saying thank you for the good job he is doing as CEO to ease intra-African connections. Congratulations, Rodger – and please continue with the good work.”
Jon Howell, MD of AviaDev Africa, said: “Mr Foster's dedication and leadership in developing air connectivity in Africa are exemplary, and his efforts have made a significant impact on the continent's economic growth. He joins a list of remarkable recipients of the award and we look forward to discussing and recognising his achievements and contribution to the aviation industry in Africa when the industry convenes in Nairobi this June.”
