The Air Traffic and Navigation Services SOC Limited (ATNS) will be hosting the highly anticipated eighth annual AVI AFRIQUE Innovation Summit held from 23 – 25 October 2019 at the Canvas Riversands in Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa.   AVI AFRIQUE has undoubtedly become a highlight on the aviation industry calendar and will this year again play host to the exciting AVI AWARDS, now in its fifth year. 

The AVI AWARDS provides an all-important platform for innovators to turn their aviation-related innovation into commercially viable products and services. The awards recognise those individuals who contribute to innovation, elevate the aviation industry through intelligent design of products and processes, and enhance the capabilities of the aviation industry.   

ATNS is encouraging all innovators - who meet the entry criteria - to submit their designs by Sunday, 15 September 2019 and stand a chance to win prizes worth in excess R200 000.  Prospective entrants can obtain more information and enter by visiting: www.atns.com/aviawards/

“The AVI AWARDS encourages innovators to develop relevant aviation-related ideas, products and services that will in turn address the challenges faced by the industry and also improve existing services and technologies,” comments ATNS interim CEO, Thomas Kgokolo.

“Each year we look forward to the various entries and amazing innovations in the various representative categories. The AVI AWARDS has become such an exciting part of ATNS mandate to develop the aviation industry through the provision of a platform that encourages innovation from all walks of life,” he says.

The AVI AWARDS feature five highly contested categories: Student Innovator; Emerging Innovator; Professional Innovator; SMMEs; Media; Women; and High School (a closed category). 

Entries will be judged on the following criteria:

• A clear description of the product/process;
• The problem the product/process aims to address and the extent of the problem;             
• The differences between the product and other available products or solutions and how these differences enhance the efficiency and/or effectiveness of the product and/or process;
• The envisaged commercial and social impact of the product and/or process; and
• The stage of development of the product and/ or process

The Media category will be judged on concept, therefore uniqueness, newsworthiness and relevance; coverage which includes factual accuracy and societal benefits; and writing which encompass language and style.

The AVI AFRIQUE Innovation Summit’s theme: Developing future aviation minds in Africa aptly describes what delegates can look forward to when attending the three-day event.  The summit will feature a host of industry experts covering pertinent topic such as:

• How specialised education can captivate and shape future aviation minds;
• Disrupters in the aviation industry; and
• The development of an intuitive and imaginative framework for aviation through specialised learning centres and educational academies.

For more information on the AVI AFRIQUE Innovation Summit please visit: www.atns.co.za/aviafrique\ 

Notes to editor: 

About ATNS

As a South African state-owned company, Air Traffic Navigation Services (ATNS) provides air traffic, navigation, training and associated service within South Africa and a large part of the Southern Indian and Atlantic Ocean, comprising approximately 10% of the world’s airspace. ATNS existence is based primarily on providing safe and efficient air traffic management solutions while also anticipating industry opportunities and challenges, resolving or addressing it with our peers