► BOTSWANA: Kalahari Airways eyes flights to New York, Los Angeles and Hong Kong via its Gaborone hub.

Denis Coghlan, the chief executive officer of the ambitious Botswana-based startup, Kalahari Airways, has outlined his longterm vision for the company in which he sees the establishment of Gaborone as a regional hub for flights to Hong Kong and the United States in addition to London.

■ HONG KONG: Cathay Pacific eyeing Nigeria, Algeria as part of African expansion plans.

Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific (CX) has mentioned Africa as being part of its longterm expansion plans with the intention being to exploit the growing Africa - China market; Nigeria and Algeria in particular.

► ETHIOPIA: Ethiopian outlines initial Winter 2013/14 timetable; to start Singapore from mid December.

Ethiopian Airlines (ET) has outlined its initial changes to its timetable in time for the Northern Winter 2013/14 season. According to AirlineRoute, among the most notable changes is the incorporation of the previously postponed Singapore flight.

■ MAURITIUS: Air Mauritius selects DW International's GRPS Web UI for RAIM Predictions.

Air Mauritius (MK) has selected DW International's GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) RAIM/RNP Prediction Service Web-based User Interface (GRPS Web User Interface). Air Mauritius will be using the GRPS Web User Interface to support its Performance-based Navigation (PBN) operations, including Basic-RNP 1 as now required for Hong Kong International Airport.

►► PHILIPPINES: Ethiopian Airlines cancels planned Manila, Ho Chi Minh City routes; nixes Singapore.

[UPDATE 17 JULY] According to AirlineRoute, Ethiopian Airlines (ET) plans to adjust its East Asia operations from 18JUN13, with the tentative launch of 3 new destinations: Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam), Manila (Philippines) and Seoul Incheon (South Korea).

■ SEYCHELLES: Hong Kong, Seychelles sign Bilateral Air Services Agreement.

Hong Kong and Seychelles have announced the signing of a Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) which will provide the necessary legal framework for establishing direct air links between the two places. At present, Air Seychelles (HM) serves Hong Kong via Abu Dhabi under the auspices of a codeshare agreement.

► DUBAI: Kenya Airways acquires 5th Freedom rights on Dubai - Hong Kong sector of new Nairobi - Dubai - Hong Kong flights.

Kenya Airways (KQ) has acquired fifth freedom rights on the Dubai - Hong Kong sector of its new Nairobi - Hong Kong flights, set to begin 13JUN. The new flights will operate out of Nairobi 3x weekly.

► NIGERIA: Saudia Cargo boosts Hong Kong - Lagos flights on back of strong demand.

Saudi Airlines cargo division, Saudia Cargo (SV), has announced that it will add one additional weekly flight on its Hong Kong - Lagos route effective March 2013. Overall, the increase will result in there being 9 weekly flights from Hong Kong and 8 to Lagos, its West African hub.

► INDIA: Air Mauritius adjusts India/Hong Kong ops during September.

AirlineRoute reports that, as per the 21FEB13 GDS timetable and inventory display, Air Mauritius (MK), during the month of September 2013, is to adjust its operational aircraft in service to India and Hong Kong.

► SOUTH AFRICA: Cathay Pacific reduces 747-400 ops to Joburg from January 2014.

As per the 17 January 2013 GDS inventory display, the latest changes to Cathay Pacific’s Winter 2013/14 long-haul operation reflect its on-going retirement of the Boeing 747-400 from the Hong Kong based carrier's fleet. From January 2014, the oneWorld member will further reduce planned Boeing 747-400 long-haul services. 

►► THAILAND: Ethiopian Airlines boosts Bangkok, Hong Kong flights from late November.

[UPDATE 22 NOVEMBER 2012] Ethiopian Airlines (ET), will from 24 November 2012, increase its Addis Ababa – Bangkok – Hong Kong 767 operated service from 4x weekly, to daily. As a result, Bangkok will see an increase from 7x to 10x weekly flights.

► HONG KONG: Air Mauritius to go 3x weekly to Hong Kong from July 2013.

Fresh from last week's announcement of direct Shanghai flights from 2013, Air Mauritius (MK) will from 2 July 2013 add a 3rd weekly flight on its Mauritius – Hong Kong route. The 3rd weekly flight is expected to be maintained into the Northern Winter 2013/14 season as well.

► MALAYSIA: Air Mauritius modifies codeshare with Malaysia Airlines; launches interline with Virgin Australia.

Air Mauritius (MK) has since October 28, been operating a modified codeshare agreement with Malaysian Airlines (MH).

► HONG KONG: Air Seychelles to start 3x weekly Hong Kong via Abu Dhabi flights from 2013.

Seychelles national carrier (HM), today announced intentions to start flights between Mahé, Seychelles and Hong Kong (SAR) China via Abu Dhabi, UAE effective February 2013.

► 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]

► SOUTH AFRICA: Cathay Pacific introduces Premium Economy Class on Johannesburg route from December.

Hong Kong based carrier Cathay Pacific (CX) will from 3 December 2012, introduce a Premium Economy Class on its Boeing 747-400 service between Hong Kong - Johannesburg, South Africa.

Cathay Pacific 747 in Johannesburg (ascendent)

Cathay Pacific: Hong Kong - Johannesburg, South Africa.

- Introduction of Premium Economy on 747-400 aircraft, operating between 03DEC12 & 31JAN13 Day 13 from HKG, Day 24 from JNB from 01FEB13 to 30MAR13 Daily.

• CX749 HKG 2345 - 0700+1 JNB EQV 1234567
• CX748 JNB 1230 - 0745+1 HKG EQV 1234567

Source [Airline Route]

► MALAYSIA: Ethiopian Airlines launches Kuala Lumpur from late October 2012.

As reported by The African Aviation Tribune in late July, effective 31 October 2012, Ethiopian Airlines (ET) is to start a 3x weekly service from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia via Bangkok, Thailand using a Boeing 767-300ER. 

Ethiopian Airlines 767 at Bangkok, Thailand (AJori)

The existing Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – Bangkok, Thailand – Hong Kong service is to be reduced from 5x to 4x weekly. Consequently Bangkok will see a daily service once again.

Ethiopian Airlines: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – Bangkok, Thailand – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

-Effective 31 October 2012

• ET618 ADD0025 – 1320BKK1430 – 1900KUL 763 357
• ET619 KUL2150 – 0125+1BKK0240+1 – 0750+1ADD 763 357

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – Bangkok, Thailand

• ET608 ADD0040 – 1335BKK1435 – 1845HKG 763 x357
• ET609 HKG2150 – 0100+1BKK0210+1 – 0725+1ADD 763 x357

Source [Airline Route]

► SOUTH AFRICA: SAA pilot incapacitated during flight from Hong Kong to Johannesburg.

A South African Airways pilot was incapacitated during a scheduled flight from Hong Kong's Chek Lap Kok Airport to Johannesburg on 30 April.

► ETHIOPIA: Ethiopian brings forward SE Asia route changes.

Ethiopian Airlines (ET) has brought forward the changes to to Bangkok, Guangzhou and Hong Kong that it had originally intended to implement in August, to 16 May 2012.

Addis Ababa – Guangzhou
- Planned daily nonstop service due to start 16August 2012, will commence 16 May 2012.

• ET606 ADD0005 – 1500CAN 763 D
• ET607 CAN0135 – 0715ADD 763 D

The airline currently remains on track to operate Boeing 787-8 aircraft on this route, starting 16AUG12

Addis Ababa – Bangkok – Hong Kong
- Overall service to Bangkok reduced to 4 weekly, Hong Kong remains unchanged.

• ET608 ADD0025 – 1315BKK1415 – 1815HKG 763 x357
• ET609 HKG2230 – 0040+1BKK0140+1 – 0610+1ADD 763 x357

Planned 5th weekly service is to start from 15 August 2012

 Read More Here [Airline Route]