► NAMIBIA: (Video) Air Namibia takes delivery of first of two A330s from Airbus.

Air Namibia (SW), the Windhoek based national airline of Namibia, has taken delivery of its first A330-200 (MCN 1451 | V5-ANO) from Airbus at a ceremony in Toulouse, France. The aircraft is the first of two A330s being leased by Air Namibia from US lessor, Intrepid Aviation, on 12-year contracts.

► ANGOLA: Iberia announces Luanda as first exclusive A330 destination from late October.

Spanish carrier Iberia (IB) has confirmed that Luanda, Angola will become its first international route to be served by its A330-300 exclusively, with effect from October 27. Iberia currently has four of the type in service. The wide-bodied, long-haul aircraft connects the capital cities of Spain and Angola twice a week, on Mondays and Fridays.

► NAMIBIA: (Pics) Air Namibia's first A330 being readied for delivery later this month.

Air Namibia's (SW) first brand new Airbus A330-200, (MCN 1451 | V5-ANO), has begun flight tests ahead of its planned delivery to Windhoek later this month. The aircraft is part of a pair of A330s on lease from US-based leaser, Intrepid Aviation. The second aircraft, (MCN 1466 | V5-ANP) is due for delivery in November.

► TUNISIA: Syphax Airlines deploys its A330 into revenue service on Paris CDG flights.

With its first A330-200 (MCN 345 | TS-IRA) now good to go, Tunisian carrier, Syphax Airlines (FS), has deployed the aircraft on its first revenue flights with effect from Thursday August 22. According to the airline, the first routes serviced have been its high frequency/high demand Summer high season flights to Paris CDG.

► LIBYA: Afriqiyah launches Misrata - Cairo as Libyan Airlines upgrades Istanbul, Casablanca to the A330.

Afriqiyah (8U) has launched twice-weekly flights between between Misrata, Libya's third largest city 187 km east of Tripoli, and Cairo. Flights operate on-board an Airbus A320. Despite the troubles in Egypt, the Libyan Herald says flights to Egypt are "largely fully booked".

► UNITED STATES: South Africa's Global Airways to resume Johannesburg - Miami via Cape Town; appoints Fuelstream its US rep.

With the impending relaunch of its Johannesburg - Miami via Cape Town flights, South Africa's Global Airways (QG) has appointed Fuelstream Inc. as their US Representative. Fuelstream will evaluate and recommend ground handling companies, caterers, crew transportation and services, coordinate with cargo handlers, and serve as Global's GSA for cargo in Miami. It will also work with the Aviation Department on gate assignments and ticket counters, and with all government authorities (TSA, Customs & Immigration and the local police) to ensure compliance. 

► TUNISIA: Syphax Airlines given greenlight to deploy its A330; long haul ops possibly due in autumn.

Tunisian private operator, Syphax Airlines (FS), has at long last been granted authorisation to use its A330-200 (MCN 345 | TS-IRA) by the Tunisian authorities (Office de l'Aviation Civile et des aéroports de Tunisie - OACA) following weeks of costly inactivity in Tunis where it has been undergoing scrutinization and checks.

► NIGERIA: Arik Air plans A330 London ops from July 12; Johannesburg A340 ops resume from 16 July.

As previously reported, Nigeria's Arik Air (W3) has outlined its initial Airbus A330-200 routes with the carrier's daily Lagos - London Heathrow flight set to switch from the current A340-500, to the A330 from July 12. Additionally, Lagos - Johannesburg will from July 16 see a return of the A340-500, replacing the current equipment, a B737-800.

► NIGERIA: Arik Air to take delivery of two A330s this month; plans daily JFK flights from October.

Nigeria's largest carrier, Arik Air (W3), is poised to spread its wings further both regionally and internationally with plans to at long last, take delivery of two A330-200s on lease from Irish aviation specialists, Pembroke Group, later in the month.

► TUNISIA: (Media) Syphax Airlines takes delivery of its first A330.

Tunisian private carrier, Syphax Airlines (FS), has taken delivery of its first Airbus A330-200 (MCN 345 | F-WJKG) at a ceremony held on Friday in the Tunisian capital, Tunis.

■ FRANCE: AFI KLM E&M wins MRO contracts with Air Zimbabwe, Egyptair.

Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance (AFI KLM E&M) has signed contracts with Air Zimbabwe (UM) covering component support for the Zimbabwean carrier's two Airbus A320s and has renewed an existing component support contract with Egyptair (MS) while at the same time extending its scope.

► NAMIBIA: Air Namibia commits to Intrepid Aviation for two A330s due in September and November.

Air Namibia (SW) has announced its planned delivery schedule for its two new Airbus A330-200 aircraft, set to replace its ageing fleet of Airbus A340-300s on its Windhoek - Frankfurt, Germany route.

► FRANCE: (Pics) Tunisia's Syphax Airlines' first A330 almost ready for delivery.

Tunisian private carrier, Syphax Airlines (FS), has had its first Airbus A330-200 (MCN 345 | F-WJKG) roll out the paint-shop in Toulouse in preparation for its planned delivery later this month.

►► GHANA: Royal Jordanian to start Lagos, Accra from early July..

[UPDATE 21 MAY] Jordanian operator, Royal Jordanian (RJ) is to venture into West Africa beginning late-June 2013 through the introduction of  of a twice weekly Amman - Lagos - Accra set to be operated with an Airbus A330-200.

► ALGERIA: Air Algérie details its planned Joburg, Sao Paulo and Amsterdam flights.

Algerian national carrier, Air Algérie (AH), has hinted at possible dates for its planned new routes to Johannesburg, Amsterdam and Sao Paulo. The new destinations are part of the airline's reorientation plans which will see it transform Algiers into an international hub. 

► UGANDA: Brussels Airlines A330 suffers compressor stalls on climb out of Entebbe; returns to airport safely.

The Aviation Herald writes that on May 12, a Brussels Airlines Airbus A330-200, (MSN 229 | OO-SFY), operating as flight SN465 from Entebbe to Brussels suffered compressor stalls after take off from Entebbe and was forced to return to the Ugandan airport shortly after.

► ANGOLA: Lufthansa switches Luanda to A330 ops from late October.

German carrier, Lufthansa (LH), will, from 27OCT13, switch its operational aircraft in use between  Frankfurt and Luanda from Airbus A340-300 aircraft to A330-300. Capacity remains unchanged despite the aircraft adjustment.

► LIBYA: Afriqiyah awards A330 engine MRO contract to AFI KLM E&M.

AFI KLM E&M and Afriqiyah Airways (8U) have signed an agreement covering support for the CF6-80E1 engines equipping the Libyan carrier's two Airbus A330-200s. This exclusive, longterm contract is for “Time & Materials” engine repairs. Afriqiyah Airways will shortly be taking delivery of three new A330-200s, the first by the end of this year, and the other two in 2014, and these will be automatically included in the scope of the contract.

► FRANCE: See Pics of Libyan Airlines' first A330 due for delivery next month!

Libyan Airlines (LN) is set to take delivery of its first of two Airbus A330-200 (MCN 1412 | 5A-LAR) due in the coming weeks. The order is part of a larger deal for four of the aircraft of which the other two are due in Libya in May 2014.

► TUNISIA: See Pics of Syphax's first A330 in the paint shop!

Tunisian private airline, Syphax Airlines (FS), has posted the first pictures of its first of two Airbus A330-200s (registry unconfirmed) due to join the airline's fleet in the next few weeks.