Rodger Foster, CEO and MD of Airlink, has been awarded the Girma Wake Lifetime Achievement Award.

He was to receive the award at the latest Aviadev Africa 2023 Conference held in Nairobi last week, but unfortunately was unable to travel due to a (mild) illness.

The award was accepted on Foster’s behalf by Linden Birns, PR consultant and owner of Plane Talking.

Girma Wake himself (Chairman of Ethiopian Airlines) was present, and he congratulated Foster heartily on his exceptional achievement.

“When you start an organisation with your own money and then continue to build that organisation for 31 years, that is a big achievement. Congratulations to Rodger for lasting 31 years in this demanding job, and for building an organisation which has made it possible for over 2 000 employees to earn their living from it. Not only that, but for serving South Africa’s local travellers, and for Southern Africa, even extending to Tanzania and Uganda – that is very hard work! And it takes a lot of dedication,” said Wake.