► 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.

► NIGERIA: (Pic) Azman Airlines first B737-300 rolls out the paintshop in Norwich.

Azman Air, the Kano-based startup run by entrepreneur, AbdulManafi Yunusa, has seen its first B737-300 (MSN 28570 | 5N-?), formerly with bmi baby, roll out the paint shop in Norwich in the United Kingdom.

► NIGERIA: Ethiopian Airlines now eyes a return to Kano as more carriers show interest.

With recent inauguration of 4x weekly flights from Addis Ababa to the south-eastern Nigerian city of Enugu, Ethiopian Airlines has now stated it plans to resume flights to Kano, suspended over ten years ago.

► NIGERIA: Turkish Airlines to start 4x weekly Ndjamena via Kano flights from December.

In line with an announcement made in mid-March during the commissioning of the newly renovated and expanded international terminal at Malam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Turkish Airlines (TK) are set to begin 4x weekly flights from Istanbul to Ndjamena, Chad via Kano, Nigeria with effect from December 12. Flights will operate using a Boeing 737-800.

► NIGERIA: Med-View Airlines leasing a 747-300 for Hajj/Umrah flights; 767s a possibility.

Nigeria's Kano-based Med-View Airline (VL) has leased an B747-300 (MSN 23032 | TF-AME) from Icelandic ACMI specialists, Air Atlanta Icelandic (CC), with plans to add two B767-300s for use on Hajj and Umrah flights this year.

■ CHINA: Nigeria finalizes $500mln deal with CCECC for construction of four new international air terminals.

With a high-powered state visit to China led by Nigerian president, Goodluck Jonathan, about to come to a close, Chinese and Nigerian government officials have finalized several loan and Memoranda of Understanding agreements valued at over USD1.1billion with various Chinese institutions and contractors.  Among them is the Chinese construction conglomerate, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), who have now been tasked with the construction of four new international airport terminals to be completed within 20 months.

► NIGERIA: Kabo Air eyes domestic, international service resumption.

Fresh from the delivery of its first B747-400, Nigerian Hajj specialist, Kabo Air (N9), has now announced plans to enter the domestic Nigerian market with additional plans to go regional.

■ NIGERIA: Government to move ahead with planned Aerotropolises in Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt.

The Nigerian Government will move ahead with plans to develop aerotropolises (an urban plan in which the layout, infrastructure, and economy is centred around an airport) in Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt. Currently the four cities' airports handle the bulk of Nigeria's passenger & cargo traffic.

► NIGERIA: Kabo Air takes delivery of its first B747-400 in Kano.

Nigerian Hajj specialist, Kabo Air (N9), recently took delivery of its first B747-400 (MSN 26878 | 5N-MDK) at a ceremony held at its base at Kano Mallam Aminu International Airport.

■ NIGERIA: Thirteen airports to have dedicated perishable cargo facilities says FAAN.

Thirteen airports in Nigeria - Abuja, Akure, Calabar, Ilorin, Jalingo, Jos, Kano, Lagos, Makurdi, Minna, Owerri, Port Harcourt and Uyo - have been singled out for the construction of perishable cargo terminals, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN has announced.

► NIGERIA: Saudia to drop Jeddah - Kano from September.

Saudi Arabia's national carrier, Saudia (SV), will from September 1, 2013 cancel its twice weekly Jeddah – Kano service. The flight operates with a Boeing 747.

► NIGERIA: Emirates, Turkish Airlines granted rights to Kano; flights to begin by end of March says Princess Stella.

Turkish Airlines (TK) and Emirates (EK) will commence services to the northern Nigerian city of Kano before month-end according to Nigerian Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah. Princess Oduah made the remarks during the recent opening of the newly renovated and expanded international terminal at Malam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA).

► NIGERIA: Arik Air signs ACMI deal with Emirate Touch Aviation for two B737-300s.

Nigeria's Arik Air (WB) has signed an ACMI lease agreement with Kano-based Emirate Touch Aviation Services Limited for the use of two of Arik's stored Boeing 737-300s for cargo ops.

■ NIGERIA: FAAN set to move into Abuja, Benin, Kano airports for next phase of aircraft boneyard cleanup.

After having successfully concluded its derelict aircraft disposal operation at Lagos Murtala Muhammed International Airport, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) is now set to move into Abuja's  Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport with other regional airports in Kano and Edo states to follow.

► COTE D'IVOIRE: Egyptair to start Abidjan via Accra from June; boosts Kano, Tunis capacities.

AirlineRoute reports that Egyptair (MS) is to start daily flights from Cairo to Abidjan via Accra with effect from 1 June 2013. In addition, the Star Alliance carrier will also boost capacity to Kano, Nigeria and Tunis also effective 1 June.

► NIGERIA: Azman Airlines, JedAir looking to start domestic, regional ops in H1.

Two carriers are looking to start domestic operations in Nigeria shortly: Azman Airlines and Jedair, a former charter airline that has reportedly entered into an ACMI deal with a Canadian firm.

► SAUDI ARABIA: Saudia announces changes to Addis Ababa, Cairo, Kano routes for Summer 2013.

Initial changes to Saudi Arabian airlines Saudia (SV)’s Summer 2013 International operation are as follows, though additional changes, including planned Boeing 777-300ER service entry dates to selected markets, remain subject to change.

■ NIGERIA: Kaduna Airport to be ready by April: FAAN

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) says the Kaduna Airport remodelling project, located in the Northen Nigerian state of Kaduna, will be completed in three months. The airport was among the first 11 major domestic Nigerian airports scheduled for remodelling under the Nigerian Government's transformation programme.

► TURKEY: "Leaked" document purportedly shows Turkish Airlines' planned Africa route expansion plans for 2013.

A leaked document (and we use the term "leaked" in the loosest possible way) purporting to show Turkish Airlines' (TK) intended route expansion time line has been published on the web. According to the document, TK is planning an aggressive expansion into West and Central Africa though Southern Africa appears to remain largely neglected for the foreseeable future.

■ NIGERIA: Arik Air celebrates 6th birthday, plans large network expansion.

Nigeria's largest carrier, Arik Air (W3), celebrated its 6th birthday at an event held at its corporate headquarters in Lagos, Nigeria.