► 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.

► KENYA: Astral Aviation signs lease deal with Atlas Air Worldwide for one B747-400F due shortly.

Kenyan cargo carrier, Astral Aviation (8V), has signed a deal with US-based ACMI specialists Atlas Air Worldwide for the lease of one B747-400(F), Astral's first widebody freighter, for use in expanding its Africa-Europe cargo operations.

► NIGER: Air Force's two Diamond DA42s' upgrade to be footed by the US Navy.

The US Navy will reportedly foot the bill for an upgrade to the Nigerien Air Forces' fleet of two Diamond Aircraft DA42 surveillance aircraft, (MSN ? | 5U-MRX) & (MSN ? | 5U-MRZ), used for border surveillance missions to inhibit smuggling and to protect critical infrastructures.

► KENYA: First photos of Kenya Airways' first B777-300ER emerge.

The first photos of Kenya Airways' (KQ) first B777-300(ER) (MSN ? | 5Y-KFA) have emerged with the airliner now set to undergo painting and a B1 test flight ahead of its planned delivery to Nairobi next month. The aircraft, one of two on 12 year-leases with General Electric Capital Aviation Services (GECAS), is set to début operations with a Nairobi - Guangzhou flight due on November 19. 5Y-KFA will feature 28 Business Class seats in a 2-3-2 layout and 369 Economy Class seats in a 3-3-3 Layout. The second B777-300ER is due in May 2014.

► SENEGAL: South African Airways' Johannesburg - New York goes via Dakar once more from late October.

With Summer on hand in the Southern Hemisphere, South African Airways (SA) has announced its daily outbound Johannesburg - New York JFK service will once more incorporate a stopover in Dakar, Senegal with effect from October 27. The inbound remains direct.

► COMOROS: New Qatari-American start-up, Ola, also eyeing the Indianocéanie market.

The Indian Ocean region is set to see a battle of the start-ups with news that a new Qatari-American backed carrier, Ola, is planning to pre-empt the launch Air Austral's (UU) own start-up, Ewa. Ewa is set to take to the skies in November of this year using an ATR72-500.

■ EGYPT: Various airlines issue travel advisories, suspend services to Egypt in the wake of ongoing unrest.

Owing to the precarious political and social situation in Egypt, the following countries and airlines have issued advisories regarding their current and future operations into the North African country: Belgium, Egypt, Germany, Italy, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland, Slovenia, the UAE, the United Kingdom, the US.

► 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. 

■ UNITED STATES: Jetcraft Corporation acquires ExecuJet Aircraft Trading.

Jetcraft Corporation, a new and pre-owned business aircraft sales, acquisitions and trades company, has announced the acquisition of the aircraft brokerage activities of ExecuJet Aircraft Trading (EAT), the business aircraft sales division of ExecuJet Aviation Group, of Zurich, Switzerland.

■ SIERRA LEONE: Transport Ministry pitches Freetown to Delta Airlines in bid to lure more US carriers.

Sierra Leone’s Transport and Aviation Minister, Mr. Leonard Balogun Koroma, says his country has submitted all the necessary documents and information to Delta Airlines (DL) in the hopes of luring the US carrier to the capital Freetown. Delta's West African network currently consists of Dakar, Monrovia, Lagos and Accra.

■ ETHIOPIA: US ExIm Bank okays $130million in financing to Ethiopian Airlines.

The Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) has authorized nearly USD130million in financing to support the export of General Electric-powered, Boeing long-range aircraft to Ethiopian Airlines (ET).

■ NIGERIA: US-based Flight Source International, AvonHeli Systems planning to establish MRO facility in Nigeria.

US-based Flight Source International, in cooperation with Nigeria’s Avon Heli System West Africa Limited, is planning to establish a helicopter and aircraft MRO hangar facility in Nigeria, Avon CEO, Mr. Ajayi Aremu, has said.

►► ETHIOPIA: Ethiopian expecting "pleasant surprise" from Boeing in Addis next week; plans Dubai as first 787 destination from 25 April.

[UPDATE 17 MAY] Believing Boeing will have a "pleasant surprise" in store for the global aviation community next week, Ethiopian Airlines (ET) has tentatively scheduled its Boeing 787-8s to resume operations from April 25 with Dubai lined up as the Dreamliner's first potential destination.

► NIGERIA: Allied Air Cargo to replace B727Fs with B737-400Fs.

Allied Air Cargo (4W) of Nigeria has selected Aeronautical Engineers, Inc. (AEI), to provide two firm B737-400SF 11 Pallet Configuration conversions, with an option for one additional conversion. The first aircraft is a high gross weight B737-400 (MSN 26081) built in 1993 and will undergo freighter modification in June 2013 at AEI’s Authorized Conversion Centre in Jacksonville, Florida.

► UNITED STATES: Five ex-Royal Air Maroc B737-500s sold on to Vx Capital Partners.

ACMI specialists, Airstream International Group, have announced the onward placement of five former Royal Air Maroc (AT) Boeing 737-500s by Vx Capital Partners, a US based private investment firm.

► ETHIOPIA: Ethiopian secures lease with ALC for two 777-300ERs due to arrive in mid-2015.

Los Angeles-based Air Lease Corporation has announced the signing of a 12-year lease agreement with Ethiopian Airlines (ET) for two new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. The aircraft are scheduled for delivery in May and June 2015.

■ NAMIBIA: Air Namibia allegedly tries to back out of A330 deal with Intrepid; Government served with $130million bill.

The Namibian press reports that the Government has been served with a Notice of default following national carrier Air Namibia's (SW) attempt at cancelling a USD130million deal signed last year for two Airbus A330-200s with US-based Intrepid Aviation, a privately held commercial aircraft lessor.

■ UNITED STATES: Air Namibia switches its GSA in the US, UK and France to APG.

Effective April 1, Air Namibia (SW) has changed its General Sales Agent (GSA) in the USA, UK and France and has appointed APG as its new GSA in all three countries.

► UNITED STATES: Egyptair reduces Cairo - New York JFK ops for duration of April.

Egyptair (MS), during the month of April 2013,  is temporarily reducing its Cairo – New York JFK operations, where overall service is being reduced from daily to 5 weekly. A Boeing 777-300ER aircraft operates on this route.

■ UNITED STATES: Quest Aircraft Company names SkyQuest International its Kodiak sales agent for Africa.

Idaho-based Quest Aircraft Company, the manufacturer of the Kodiak 10-seater turboprop aeroplane, has named SkyQuest International, LLC as an authorized Kodiak dealer to represent the company’s sales activities in Africa.