► NIGERIA: Emirates SkyCargo to start Kano flights from early October.

Emirates (EK) cargo division, Emirates SkyCargo, is set to launch a once weekly dedicated freighter flight from Dubai to the northern Nigerian city of Kano with effect from October 4, 2013. The flight will operate on board a B777F.

► KENYA: Kenya Airways eyes greater presence in Middle East, Africa as part of long term strategy.

Kenya Airways (KQ) has outlined further key developments in terms of its planned route network and fleet upgrades that form its previously announced 10 year vision, Project Mawingu.

► UNITED STATES: Ethiopian Airlines Cargo accepts its first Boeing 777F.

In a ceremony in Seattle, Washington today, Ethiopian Airlines Cargo celebrated another first in its history when it officially took delivery of their first (and Africa's first) of six Boeing 777F (MCN: 41846 | ET-APS) freighters. The first two 777Fs (i.e this one and the next) are on a 10 year dry lease contract from GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS).

► ETHIOPIA: Ethiopian Airlines Cargo set to receive its first Boeing 777F in late September.

In a press statement today, Ethiopian Airlines announced that its Cargo division, Ethiopian Airlines Cargo will, on 19 September 2012, receive its first of six B777 Freighters it ordered in October 2011, with a second due in October 2012 and the rest to come in 2014.

The two aircraft are part of an agreement signed in 2011 by Ethiopian Cargo to dry lease two Boeing 777Fs on a 10 year contract from  GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS). The other four Boeing 777F aircraft due in 2014 will be Ethiopian's outright.