Jon Howell founded AviaDev Africa upon joining Bench in July 2015.

This event is now firmly established as the leading event in the field of African air service development, attracting over 250 delegates annually.

Additionally, Jon launched AviaDev Europe in 2018, which focuses on Regional European aviation development.

In 2019, Jon launched AviaDev Consult, a boutique consultancy targeted at the European and African markets, plus the AviaDev Air service development training programme began.

Jon regularly speaks at African aviation conferences and has a deep-seated passion for Africa’s development. He co-founded the Aviators Africa Academy which delivers training, mentorship and inspiration for students across Africa addressing the human capital crisis that exists in the industry.

In 2016, Jon was appointed to the position of Global Ambassador for the Gorilla Organization, in recognition of his fundraising efforts.

Jon joined Bench in July 2015. He holds a Marketing and Management degree from the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne and is based in Manchester, England. He has over 15 years’ experience in the travel and tourism sector, with particular expertise in the B2B events sector, specifically in the field of aviation. In 2016, Jon was appointed to the position of Global Ambassador for the Gorilla Organization, in recognition of his fundraising efforts.


M: +44 7752207064
E: jon.howell@thebench.com