► KENYA: Saudia Cargo relaunches its Nairobi hub; adds 23 new African destinations via interline deals.

Saudi Airlines cargo division, Saudia Cargo (SV), has announced the re-launch of its Nairobi, Kenya hub along with the expansion of its network coverage into sub-Saharan Africa. Saudia Cargo currently serves six other freighter destinations in Africa, namely: Addis Ababa, Johannesburg, Kano, Khartoum, Lagos and N’Djamena. Saudia also offers a Lagos, Nigeria hub focussing on West Africa.

►► KENYA: A look at Kenya Airways' updated Summer 2013 Schedule, codeshare plans with Air Burkina.

[UPDATE 2 MAY 2013] AirlineRoute writes that as per the 27MAR13 GDS timetable and inventory display, the latest changes to Kenya Airways’ (KQ) planned Summer 2013 operation, effective 31MAR13, is as follows. Further changes remain possible.

► ICELAND: Air Madagascar to transfer its A340 onto Air Atlanta Icelandic's registry in hopes of using them on EU bound flights.

Air Madagascar (MD) has entered into an agreement with Icelandic ACMI specialists Air Atlanta Icelandic (CC) which will result in Air Madagascar transferring

its Airbus A340 onto Air Atlanta Icelandic's registry. The aircraft will therefore fall under the supervision of the Icelandic Civil Aviation Authorities and will allow the Malagasy national carrier to resume flights to Europe using its "own" equipment, despite its categorization as an "Annex B" class carrier on the EU No Fly List.

► RÉUNION: Air Austral announces timetable adjustments for Hurricane Felleng.

With the imminent arrival of Hurricane Felleng, Réunion based carrier Air Austral (UU) has, as a precautionary, issued a revised timetable for the next few days.

► MAYOTTE: Air Caraïbes codesharing with Corsair on its Madagascar, Réunion, Dzaoudzi routes.

Air Caraïbes (TX), the regional airline of the French Caribbean, has since 10JAN13 expanded its codeshare operation with Corsair International (SS), which covers the latter’s France – Indian Ocean routes to Madagascar, La Réunion and Dzaoudzi (Mayotte).

► MADAGASCAR: Corsair suspends Paris - Antananarivo flights until June citing poor loads.

French carrier Corsair International (SS) is to temporarily suspend its Paris Orly - Antananarivo, Madagascar flights effective 17 January to mid June this year citing poor yields.

■ MADAGASCAR: Government courts Corsair International to resume Paris to Nosy-Be flights.

With Air Madagascar's (MD) Airbus A340-300s too big for Nosy-Be's (Fascene) Airport, the Malagasy Government is attempting to lure French carrier Corsair International (SS) back to Madagascar's largest and busiest tourist resort, as they are the only carrier with the equipment (Airbus A330s) capable of operating a direct Paris - Nosy Be flight from the airport, at this time. 

► MADAGASCAR: Air Madagascar to ask for USD9million bailout as part of 18-month plan to return to profitability.

After the ordinary and extraordinary general meetings of shareholders in the Malagasy capital Antananarivo on Thursday last week, Malagasy national carrier Air Madagascar (MD), has announced plans to pull the airline back from the brink of bankruptcy, and return it to profitability within an 18 month time frame.

► MADAGASCAR: Air Austral & Air Madagascar to codeshare from November.

In the first developments following the announcement last week of an "alliance" of sorts between Air Mauritius (MK), Air Madagascar (MD) and Réunion-based Air Austral (UU), Air Austral and Air Madagascar are to enter into a twice weekly codeshare service on the Saint Denis, Réunion - Antananarivo, Madagascar route.

► MAURITIUS: Emirates to go 14x weekly as Air Mauritius, Air Austral & Air Madagascar band together to survive.

Bucking the ongoing trend amongst European carriers of reducing their frequencies to the Indian Ocean island, Dubai based mega-carrier, Emirates (EK), has announced an increase in its weekly frequencies from 11x weekly to 12x weekly from 28 October 2012, with the route going 14x weekly from 28 November 2012.

Emirates: Dubai, UAE - Port Louis, Mauritius

- EK3705/3706 operate Day 23456 from 28 October 2012 until 27 November 2012

• EK701 DXB 0310 – 0940 MRU 773 | 2457
• EK3703 DXB 0310 – 0940 MRU 773 | 136
• EK3705 DXB 1000 – 1645 MRU 773 | 1234567

• EK3706 MRU 1820 – 0110+1 DXB 773 | 1234567
• EK702 MRU 2320 – 0555+1 DXB 773 | 2457
• EK3704 MRU 2320 – 0555+1 DXB 773 | 136

Source [Airline Route]

► MADAGASCAR: Air Madagascar reduces Paris flights from October.

With effect from Winter 2012 (i.e 28 October 2012), Air Madagascar is to reduce its current Airbus A340 operated 4x weekly flights from Antananarivo, Madagascar to Paris CDG, France to 3x weekly. Its other French route, Antananarivo, Madagascar to Marseille, France, is to remain a once (1x) weekly service.

Air Madagascar A340 in Paris (Didairbus)

Air Madagascar: Antananarivo, Madagascar – Paris CDG, France

-Effective 28 October 2012

• MD050 TNR2050 – 0620+1CDG 343 1
• MD050 TNR2350 – 0920+1CDG 343 46
• MD051 CDG1620 – 0520+1TNR 343 257

 Source [Airline Route]

► MAURITIUS: Air Mauritius wants either 787s or A350s for fleet renewal; announces further Africa route changes.

Mauritian national carrier Air Mauritius (MK) has gone on record as saying it is considering finding a suitable strategic partner in the form of a larger airline "to help it" in its fleet rejuvenation plans, something akin to Air Seychelles' (HM) deal with Abu Dhabi based Etihad Airways (EY) which has already seen the struggling Seychellois carrier receiving its first A330 as part of its turnaround efforts.

Air Mauritius boss Andre Viljoen said the objective was for Air Mauritius to be rid of its A340s by 2017 at the latest, and for them to be replaced by either Boeing 787 Dreamliners or Airbus A350s.

“A strategic partner may assist with our own required future fleet requirements,” he said in the presentation, adding that new twin-jet planes will be a “game-changer,” offering a saving of as much as 30 percent over the four-engine A340s."

Read More Here [Air Mauritius]

For the recent financial year, Air Mauritius posted a €30million loss compared with a €6.3million profit a year earlier, with operating expenses rising 14 percent. Viljoen was adamant though that in order for Air Mauritius to achieve its most important short term goal of returning to profitability in 2013/2014, it would have to undergo some much needed belt tightening in the form of route cancellations and modifications amongst which Durban, South Africa.will be dropped effective October 2012.

In the meantime, Air Mauritius has announced various operational changes to its African routes effective 28 October 2012 (European Winter) 2012).

Air Mauritius' Africa Network.

 

● Air Mauritius Africa Operational Changes Winter 2012 ●

-Effective 28 October 2012

-Additional changes remain possible:

Mauritius – Antananarivo, Madagascar

- Service increases from 4 to 5 weekly, with operational aircraft changes. Previously the airline planned to operate 6 weekly flights
- Service until 27October 2012 operates 4x weekly with an Airbus A340-300

• MK288 MRU1430 – 1510TNR 343 247
• MK288 MRU1430 – 1525TNR 319 35
• MK289 TNR1655 – 1940MRU 343 247
• MK289 TNR1655 – 1940MRU 319 35

Mauritius – Cape Town, South Africa 

- Planned service increase from 2x to 3x weekly remains unchanged

• MK843 MRU0900 – 1305CPT 319 246
• MK844 CPT1355 – 2110MRU 319 246

Mauritius – Johannesburg, South Africa

- Service increases from 5x to 10x weekly. Previously the airline planned to increase flights to 14x weekly.

• SA851 MRU0915 – 1150JNB 343 246
• SA851 MRU0915 – 1150JNB 319 x246
• SA847 MRU2040 – 2315JNB 319 246
• SA848 JNB0005 – 0605MRU 319 357
• SA852 JNB1335 – 1935MRU 343 246
• SA852 JNB1335 – 1935MRU 319 x246

Mauritius – Durban, South Africa 

- Service ceases from 28 October 2012.

Mauritius – Nairobi, Kenya

- Planned service increase from 2 weekly to 3 weekly remains unchanged

• MK534 MRU0855 – 1215NBO 319 246
• MK535 NBO1305 – 1820MRU 319 246

Read More Here [Airline Route]

► FRANCE: Air France announces various Africa changes for Winter 2012.

French carrier Air France (AF) has announced various operational equipment changes to its Africa network, effective 28 October 2012 (i.e Winter 2012).

Air France Equipment Changes (Effective 28 October 2012)

• Paris CDG – Bangui (Central African Republic)1 weekly service operates with A330-200, replaces A340-300
• Paris CDG – Niamey (Niger) – Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) 4 weekly service operates with A330-200, replaces mix of A330/340

Other Equipment changes announced previously: 

Air France 777 over the Sahara (Ken Iwelumo)

• Paris CDG – Antananarivo (Madagascar) 3-class Boeing 777-200ER operating, replaces A340-300 in W12.
• Paris CDG – Douala (Cameroon) – Malabo (Equatorial Guinea) Boeing 777-300ER replaces -200ER, daily operation
• Paris CDG – Mauritius 3-class “COI” Boeing 777-300ER operating, replaces 747-400 in NW11

In Northern Winter 2012/13 season, Air France’s Airbus A340-300 and Boeing 747-400 operational frequencies continue to be reduced on following routes:

Airbus A340-300

• Paris CDG – Bamako (Mali)1 Daily
• Paris CDG – Cotonou (Benin) 5 weekly
• Paris CDG – Lome (Togo) 4 weekly

Boeing 747-400

• Paris Orly – St. Denis de la Reunion 3 weekly

 Read More Here [Airline Route]

► MADAGASCAR: Air Madagascar announces Asia operational changes for Summer.

Air Madagascar (MD) has announced that it will introduce its Airbus A340-300 on its Asian routes for the duration of 5 July to 27 October 2012. Presently, the airline operates a Boeing 767-300ER on its Antananarivo – Bangkok – Guangzhou and Antananarivo – Bangkok routes.

Air Madagascar's A340 "F-GLZL" (Didairbus)

The Madagascan carrier signed a 6 year lease with Air France for two Airbus A340-300s in March of this year, with the option of buying the two aircraft when the lease expires. Previous attempts in May of last year to modernize the fleet with other Boeing 767s ran into a brick wall as the planes were added to the European Union's Banned Operator's List.

Antananarivo – Bangkok – Guangzhou

• MD010 TNR1625 – 0540+1BKK0720+1 – 1110+1CAN 343 15
• MD011 CAN1355 – 1555BKK1730 – 2205TNR 343 26
• MD012 TNR1850 – 0805+1BKK 343 3
• MD013 BKK2315 – 0350+1TNR 343 4

 Read More Here [Airline Route]

► MAURITIUS: Air Mauritius to increase Madagascar and Kenya from 28 October 2012.

Air Mauritius (MK) will boost its winter-time service to Nairobi & Antananarivo effective 28 October 2012.

Mauritius – Antananarivo Service increases from 4 to 6 weekly, with operational aircraft changes

• MK288 MRU1435 – 1515TNR 343 247
• MK288 MRU1435 – 1530TNR 319 135
• MK289 TNR1655 – 1940MRU 343 247
• MK289 TNR1700 – 1940MRU 319 135

Service until 27OCT12 operates 4 weekly with A340-300

Mauritius – Nairobi Service increases from 2 weekly to 3 weekly

• MK534 MRU0855 – 1215NBO 319 246
• MK535 NBO1305 – 1820MRU 319 246

Read More Here [AirlineRoute]