► KENYA: Kenya Airways launches "KQ Mobile".

Kenya Airways in conjunction with Cellulant, a leading mobile technology firm in Africa, is to launch  "KQ Mobile", a mobile based technology platform that will enable customers to conveniently access information on flight status, timetable, cargo services, ticketing and query their Msafiri Miles status. 

The service will be accessed while roaming across the 56 Kenya Airways destinations and its short code is *737#.

Read More Here [Kenya Airways]

► RWANDA: RwandAir increases flights to Johannesburg; introduces online booking and payments.

Rwandan carrier RwandAir(WB) has announced an increase in flights between Kigali and Johannesburg. In a statement via their Facebook account, the airline stated that they would be increasing their frequencies to Johannesburg to 8 weekly flights effective 10 June 2012. 

The four existing flights will be complemented by four night flights departing Kigali on Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun at 20:50 hrs and returning for Johannesburg on Mon, Tue, Thu, Sat at 01:30 hrs. 

In another development, Rwandair has also introduced online ticketing and payments for those living abroad that can’t access RwandAir's sales offices, in addition to making the booking process hastle-free for locals.  

Read More Here [RwandAir]

► MALAWI: Air Malawi struggles to get back on feet; rebuild confidence.

Having been forced to temporarily cease operations last year due to lack of aircraft, Air Malawi (QM) has been finding the going hard since re-entering the market for both regional and domestic flights.

Upon resuming flights on 29 March 2012 to Johannesburg using a leased Boeing 737-200, the airline encountered severe customer backlash as it was forced to fly a solitary passenger to Lusaka shortly after - a phenomenon not unknown to southern African airlines these days.

However, in an attempt to woe back passenger numbers on the domestic Lilongwe-Blantyre front, Air Malawi says it has carefully designed schedules for its daily flights between Blantyre and Lilongwe to serve the needs of business travellers between the two cities, using its Boeing 737 and ATR-42.

"Air Malawi's Tariffs and Industry Affairs Manager Tony Chimpukuso said the flights have  already proved useful and convenient for local travellers as it leaves early in the morning in Blantyre and returns late in the evening to enable customers do all their business assignments during the day.

The flights also operate during weekends, according to Chimpukuso."

Read More Here [The Daily Times Malawi]

The updates come as Malawi is scheduled to hold a summit of the African Union in July.

► EGYPT: Egyptair A321 tailstrike on take off; diverts to Larnaca with heavy damage.

According to the AviationHerald, an Egypt Air Airbus A321-200, registration SU-GBU performing flight MS-724 from Aleppo (Syria) to Cairo (Egypt) with 130 passengers, contacted the runway surface with its tail while rotating for takeoff from Aleppo at around 05:10L (02:10Z), the crew continued the climb to FL310. 

SU-GBU in Frankfurt (Frank Kuehne)

When the aircraft was enroute at FL310 about 85nm east of Larnaca (Cyprus) the crew decided to divert to Larnaca where the aircraft landed safely about 50 minutes after departure from Aleppo. 

The aircraft received substantial damage, and as a result, the flight was cancelled.

Read More Here [Aviation Herald]

■ ROUTES AFRICA 2012: Workshop Brochure released.

The Routes Africa 2012 Symposium, to be held in Victoria, Seychelles - 8 July 2012 to 10 July 2012, has just released its Event Brochure available here.



Billed as the bringing together of route development professionals from across Africa, the Middle East and beyond to discuss the latest developments within the region and establish potential for new air traffic routes to, from and within Africa. This annual event is the only network development forum for the entire African region and, this year, will build on the successes of previous events.

Airlines confirmed thus far are:

• Air Seychelles Ltd
• Arik Air Ltd     
• Emirates     
• Etihad Airways     
• Mega Maldives
• Nasair
• Qatar Airways
• South African Airways
• Turkish Airlines

Airport Operators confirmed thus far are:

• Aeroportos De Mozambique 
• Aeroports du Mali 
• Bangalore International Airport
• Copenhagen Airports A/S 
• Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport
• Entebbe International Airport 
• Frankfurt Airport
• Ghana Airports Company Limited
• Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport
• Tanzania Airports Authority

 For More Info & To Register for Routes Africa 2012, Click Here.

● KENYA: Jomo Kenyatta Airport on track for New Terminal 4, CAT 1 & US flights.

As Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport continues to exceed its original designed capacity of 2 million passengers/year by almost 4million passengers/year, so the urgency for expansion and improved security and logistics mounts.

● UGANDA: Uganda to resurrect Uganda Airlines or East African Airways?

Given the strong growth seen by private airline Air Uganda in recent months, and with tourism fast becoming a major cog in the Ugandan economic wheel, would now be the most economically opportune time for Kampala to resurrect defunct national carrier Uganda Airlines?

► SEYCHELLES: Air Seychelles boosts Mahe - Abu Dhabi service to 8x weekly; joins Etihad's FF program.

Seychellois national carrier, Air Seychelles (HM), has increased its frequencies between Mahe and Abu Dhabi to 8x weekly, using codeshared flights with partner airline Etihad. The flights will be operated by four times by an Etihad A320 and four times by an Air Seychelles A330-200 leased from Etihad.

► SOUTH AFRICA: Mango offers inflight WiFi.

South African LCC Mango Airlines (JE) has started offering inflight broadband on its Boeing 737-800s. Called "G-Connect In-Flight Wi-Fi" in conjunction with Vodacom South Africa, Mango passengers can now surf the web when travelling between South Africa’s major centres.

There are three different G-Connect In-Flight Wi-Fi packages on offer. One-Way Access is priced at R50 per single sector flight with a One Day pass available at R90, irrespective of the number of flights completed during a 20 hour period. A per-minute option, billed through G-Connect online account, offers land and air convergence at R1 per minute. All three packages offer unlimited data use during the allotted time.

Mango CEO Nico Bezuidenhout stated that 80% of the fleet should be online by the end of  June, with second phase being launched thereafter, which will include IPTV and other entertainment services.

Read More Here [Mango Blog]

► 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]

► SOUTH AFRICA: Emirates to resume A380 Johannesburg service.

Emirates (EK) has announced the resumption of Airbus A380 services from Johannesburg to Dubai with effect from 11 June 2012.

Emirates A380 at Johannesburg (Robert Matthews )

The aircraft were withdrawn for inspection after Singapore Airlines and Qantas found cracks in their wings in January 2012.

► ANGOLA: TAAG to start Buenos Aires? Aerolineas Argentinas to start Luanda?

According to press reports from Argentina, President Kirchner is to lead a large delegation of bureaucrats and businessmen to the Angolan capital Luanda, to negotiate energy deals and if possible the opening of TAAG and Aerolineas Argentinas offices in each other's respective countries.

► INDIA: Jet Airways to temporarily suspend Johannesburg from June 12.

Mumbai-based Indian carrier Jet Airways (9W) has announced the temporary suspension of Mumbai - Johannesburg with effect from June 12, as it carries out a route profitability consolidation, having faced a tough Q1 in 2012.

"'Jet Airways will work closely with its interline partners and ensure that affected guests are rebooked on alternate flights for their travel from June 12 in order to minimize inconvenience caused (to the passengers)' the release said."

Read More Here [Economic Times India]

► SOUTH AFRICA: SA Express to start Durban - Lusaka from July; Zimbabwe, DRC, Malawi to follow.

The Zambian Government has approved SA Express' (XZ) application to start Durban - Lusaka from July 2012, using a CRJ-200 Regional Jet on a 3x weekly frequency with the possibility of increasing to 6x weekly, given route viability.

"Company communications manager Lulu Bam, however said dates for the inaugural flight will be announced after all is set.She said the new route is an extremely important market for the airline in view of the vast economic growth adding that, “Lusaka is a fastest growing economy with potential for growth since it has a lot of demand and it is a preferable market for SA companies.” Ms Bam said Harare, Democratic Republic of Congo and Malawi will be considered in the near future."

Read More Here[Daily Mail Zambia]

■ SOMALIA: New Terminal opened in Hargeisa as Somalia rebuilds.

With construction having begun in 2010, the first part of the renovation of Hargeisa's International Airport is complete, with the opening of the new Arrivals Terminal. Also in the pipeline is the laying down of the foundation for new taxiways and a new runway.

● MALAWI: Joyce Banda: I can do without a Presidential Jet.

In stark contrast to her Swazi counterpart, King Mswati III who this week welcomed a "gift" McDonnell Douglas MD-87 despite his country's grinding poverty, new Malawian President, Joyce Banda, has put the issue of keeping her country's presidential jet - a Dassault Falcon 900- to her cabinet for debate.

Bought amid great criticism from locals and donors, the Dassault Falcon 900 was thought to have cost the Malawian taxpayer USD$13.26 million. Ultimately, the purchase caused the United Kingdom's Department for International Development (DFID) to slash aid funds to the country.

Read More Here [NyasaTimes]

► UNITED STATES: United Airlines to drop Accra - Washington DC from 4th July 2012.

Reports from Ghana state that US airline, United Airlines, is to axe its Accra - Washington DC route with effect from 4th July 2012, due to poor yields and returns.

United Airlines thus becomes the second airline after North American Airlines to cancel its service to Accra.

Read More Here [GhanaWeb]

► ZAMBIA: Zambezi Airlines loses court battle against NAC.

Defunct Zambian airline, Zambezi Airlines, has lost a court battle with Zambia's National Airports Corporation, over premises located at 3 of Zambia's International airports: Kenneth Kaunda (Lusaka), Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula (Livingstone) and Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe (Ndola) airports.

► SOUTH AFRICA: After heavy losses, new 1Time CEO outlines plans to turn around airline.

Following the resignation of Rodney James from both his posts as CEO and executive director of South African Low Cost Carrier 1Time (T6) after the airline posted a record USD$18million loss for 2011, new CEO Blacky Komani along with his managerial staff have, since the last quarter of 2011, adjusted airline scheduling, and  restructured 1time's Jetworx maintenance subsidiary to achieve higher operational efficiencies.

"It is continuing with plans to expand its route network into other parts of Africa. Chief executive Blacky Komani said it was considering three new destinations and expected to launch the first of its new services by June. 1Time was preparing to overcome protectionism that had been preventing cross-border services in Africa by forming partnerships with indigenous airlines in the three countries." 

Read More Here [BusinessReport SA]

Losses, mostly blamed on sharp increases in fuel and airport charges, and the weakening South African Rand, have been the primary factors that have hampered the industry for the year 2011. Passenger numbers were lower than budgeted for and average ticket prices were under pressure due to fierce competition from airlines like Comair BA, Kulula, Mango, SAA and the now grounded LCC Velvet Sky. 

Both 1time & Comair (who fly under Kulula & British Airways brands in South Africa) will be outcompeted by SAA, Mango & South African Express; if the SA government continues to underwrite their losses.

► ERITREA: Eritrean Airlines to start Johannesburg & Cape Town from May.

South African agents for Eritrean Airlines (B8), AviaReps, reports via Twitter that flights between Asmara and Johannesburg & Cape Town will start on 7th May 2012, with 4x weekly frequencies. 

► MAURITIUS: Air Mauritius increases seats despite rumours of serious trouble ahead.

Following in the footsteps of Air Seychelles who dropped London, Paris, Milan and Rome before entering into a strategic alliance with Etihad Airways, Air Mauritius has axed 7 International destinations with effect from May 2012 (From 31st May 12: Milan, Sydney, Melbourne and Frankfurt, Munich, Geneva and Durban.from 31 October 2012), whilst increasing seating capacity on its remaining flights by 3% to 1,943,946 seats from 01 April 2012 to 31 March 2013, in an attempt to consolidate its market base.

In a statement on its Facebook, Air Mauritius stated:

The following destinations have been retained: Paris, London, Nairobi, Johannesburg, Cape Town, St Denis, St Pierre, Antananarivo, Rodrigues, Perth, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore and Chennai.

The following additional weekly flights have been added:
With effect from April 2012:

• Mumbai + 1 frequency to reach 4 frequencies

With effect from beginning of June 2012:

• Perth + 1 frequency to reach 2 frequencies

With effect from end of October 2012:

• Nairobi + 1 frequency to reach 3 frequencies
• Johannesburg + up to 7 frequencies to reach up to 14 frequencies
• Cape Town + 1 frequency to reach 3 frequencies Antananarivo + 2 frequencies to reach 6 frequencies
• Kuala Lumpur 3 nonstop frequencies

However, rumours still abound that the Mauritian carrier, Air Mauritius (MK), is in for rough next few months. Recently, the Mauritius Ministry of Tourism signed a major strategic partnership with Emirates to bring traffic via Dubai on its 11x-weekly services to the island in a move that will put even greater pressure on the airline. This comes at a time when even the larger European carriers have cut frequencies to Port Louis, given the economic slowdown seen in Europe.

Sources claim that recently the airline sold its headquarters building, its hotel interests as well as its helicopter division in order to remain buoyant for the short term, though for how much longer is uncertain.

Watch This Space.

► ZIMBABWE: Air Zimbabwe resumes flights with 3 passengers as High Court blocks share sell off.

It seems years of mismanagement, poor planning and lack of customer service have once again come back to haunt Zimbabwe's national carrier Air Zimbabwe (UM), as reports state that the airline carried just 3 passengers between Harare and Bulawayo on its first day back in the air, after an hiatus of nearly 3 months.

"State Enterprises Minister Gorden Moyo confirmed the flight, but said he was surprised the airline had resumed operations when the government is still looking for an investor to partner the company, saddled with a $140 million debt.

The airline’s Boeing 737-600(sic), with a capacity of 126 passengers, left Bulawayo with only three people on board. Air Zimbabwe is planning to have three flights a week between Harare, Victoria Falls and Bulawayo.

Moyo cautioned the move may backfire as the national airline does not yet have the capacity to embark on such operations due to lack of funds and a crippling debt. "

Read More Here[VOA News]

This is not the first time the airline has caused controversy by flying near empty aircraft. In 2005 Air Zimbabwe jet flew 6,000 km (3,728 miles) from Dubai with a solitary passenger aboard.

To add insult to injury, the High Court in Harare also blocked the attempted sale of Air Zimbabwe's shares in National Handling Services, pending determination of an Air Zimbabwe's workers’ application for the airline to be placed under judicial management, and thus, allow them to recover some USD$40 million still owed in back wages.

At present, Air Zimbabwe owes creditors over USD$100 million, resulting in the airline ceasing foreign operations following attempted seizures of Air Zimbabwe aircraft in both Johannesburg and London Gatwick.

"While an application to place Air Zimbabwe under judicial management over debts to the tune of $140 million was pending, the workers picked up information that there was Government communication directing the company’s group chief executive to transfer the shares to a Government nominee firm. 

That did not go down well with the workers who felt the move was meant to strip Air Zimbabwe of its assets and frustrate the pending court application. Air Zimbabwe owes the workers $35 million and other creditors over $100 million.

Transport, Communication and Infrastructure Development Permanent Secretary Mr Patson Mbiriri wrote the letter on March 26 this year advising the firm to transfer the shares. Part of the letter read: “Pursuant to the Cabinet decision of Air Zimbabwe Holding Private Limited dated 28 February 2012, Air Zimbabwe Holdings should immediately transfer its shareholding in National Handling Services to a nominee company wholly owned by the Government, which nominee company will hold Government shares in NHS."

 Read More Here [The Herald]

● SWAZILAND: New International Airport a flop as dubious origins of Mswati's "gift" MD-87 aircraft revealed.

Despite having been scheduled to be open for the FIFA 2010 World Cup held in South Africa, Swaziland's Sikhuphe International Airport is still incomplete, with no known completion date at hand. Condemned from the very beginning by the IMF as being byzantine and unnecessary (the airport will ultimately have facilities to handle an Airbus A380) the project was to be partly financed by the Taiwanese Government to the tune of USD$22million, whilst the rest of the funds - USD $185 million - were to have come from the Swazi Taxpayer's Pocket.

But democracy activists have criticised the project and its apparently bottomless budget.

"We are spending hundreds of millions on an airport we do not need and cannot afford to run," said Musa Hlophe, from the Swaziland Coalition of Concerned Civic Organisations. He lamented the lack of investment in job creation in a country in which 67% of the population lives in poverty and 40% is out of work.

Read More Here [M&G]

But that's not the only aviation related scandal to have hit Swaziland in recent days.

According to numerous news outlets, the gift MD-87 aircraft allegedly given to Swaziland's King Mswati III by "anonymous sponsors" has been found to have had its origins "laundered" in a bid to conceal the aircraft's true source.

King Mswati III of Swaziland.

Reports by investigative journalists "AmaBuhgane" from South Africa's Mail & Guardian Newspaper are claiming that the aircraft in question has a market value far above that stated by the Swazi government, of USD$2million.

Mswati's MD-87 in Johannesburg (JSymons)

"The investigation also strongly suggests that the price of the refitted aircraft is likely to have been much higher than the maximum $2-million estimated by experts last week. One knowledgeable plane-spotter believed it could have cost up to $20-million (R157-million). 

The MD-87's earlier history is also tinged by controversy. It appears to have been sold to the Grandmax Group, a company registered in the British Virgin Islands and owned and controlled by Nina Tantiprasongchai.

Nina is the wife of Udom Tantiprasongchai, who runs Thailand's low-cost Orient Thai airline. Controversial for its safety record, Orient Thai's One-Two-Go OG269 crashed in Phuket, Thailand on September 16 2007, killing 88 passengers.

Online registration records show that in early December 2007, the aircraft was ferried from Tokyo to Hong Kong to Bangkok.

Grandmax appears to have been an intermediary, because the same records show that the aircraft was bought by Aircraft & Engine Support LLC on February 19 2008."

Read More Here [M&G]

This is not the first time the thorny issue of Business Jets have caused the Swazi Government embarrassment. In 2002, the Swazi Senate called for the arrest of Prime Minister Sibusiso Dlamini over the cabinet's use of development funds to purchase a $45 million luxury jet for King Mswati III, amid a food crisis that threatened one quarter of the population.

► UNITED KINGDOM: British Airways announces changes to Accra, Cairo , Luanda, Algiers, Johannesburg.

British Airways (BA) has announced changes to its Winter Schedule for Accra, Cairo , Luanda, Algiers, Johannesburg, effective 28 October 2012.

London Heathrow – Accra 

• First Class service on 777-200ER is only available on Thursdays and Fridays in W12

London Heathrow – Cairo 

• Boeing 747-400 replacing 777-200ER from 01OCT12

London Heathrow – Luanda 

• Service continues to operate with 4-class Boeing 777-200ER twice a week. Previously 1 of 2 weekly to be operated with 3-class aircraft 

London Gatwick – Algiers 

• Service reduces from daily to 5 weekly in Winter 2012 (1 Daily in W11) 

 London Heathrow – Johannesburg 

• Service to continue to operate 14x weekly. Planned 17x weekly service cancelled

Read More Here [AirlineRoute]

► 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]

► NETHERLANDS: KLM announces changes to Kilimanjaro, Dar es Salaam, Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Cairo, Khartoum, Addis Ababa, Lusaka.

KLM (KL) has announced changes to their summer timetable effective 4th May 2012.

Amsterdam – Kilimanjaro – Dar es Salaam – Amsterdam 

• 17MAY12 – 31MAY12 Increase from 6 weekly to Daily, A330-200 operating
• 01JUN12 – 30JUN12 Airbus A330-300 replaces A330-200, Daily 
• 01JUL12 – 31JUL12 Boeing 777-200ER operates Daily 
• 01AUG12 – 27OCT12 Boeing 777-300ER replaces -200ER on Day x245

 Amsterdam – Lagos  

• 28MAY12 – 30JUN12 Airbus A330-200 replaces -300, daily operation

Amsterdam – Abuja – Kano – Amsterdam

• 3 weekly service cancelled from 03JUN12

Amsterdam – Cairo

• Service reduced from daily to 3 weekly, 777-200ER operating

 
Amsterdam – Khartoum – Addis Ababa eff 18MAY12

• Operational Day change from Day 2 4 6 to Day 2 5 7 

Amsterdam – Lusaka eff 15MAY12

• Service resumption with A330-200, 3 times a week

Read More Here [AirlineRoute]

► MOROCCO: Air Arabia Maroc to start Nador - Palma Mallorca.

Since April 1st 2012, Air Arabia Maroc (3O) has been operating a weekly Nador – Palma Mallorca service on a scheduled charter basis, that is planned to operate until March 2013, using an Airbus A320.

► CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: New startup Africa Airlines acquires Boeing 737-200.

Karinou Airlines (KRN), formerly Africa Airlines, a new start from The Central African Republic (CAR), has commenced operations using a Boeing 737-200 acquired from an undisclosed Lebanese operator. the carrier currently serves Carnot, Berberati, Bambari, Bria with plans to start international operations soon.

► CAPE VERDE ISLANDS: Condor increases Banjul/Ilha do Sal/Boa Vista frequencies from Winter 2012/13.

German charter company, Condor (DE), has announced a new weekly service each to Ilha do Sal and Boa Vista (Cape Verde Island). Both flights will operate via Banjul, Gambia on the inbound sector with effect from from Winter 2012/13.

► GHANA: Starbow Airlines leases BAe146-300; To start Cotonou, Abidjan, Monrovia, Abuja, Ouagadougou.

Starbow Airlines (S9), a Ghanaian airline that commenced operations in 2011, has announced the lease of a BAe146-300 from Fair Aviation of Lanseria Airport, Johannesburg, South Africa.

● UGANDA: Ugandan CAA seeks partners to develop Entebbe Airport; Plans to build second runway.

With the rapid growth occurring in the Ugandan civil aviation field, it stands to reason that the country's infrastructure would have to be up standard, in order to stand any hope of being a player in the region, given Kenya's dominance.

 

Uganda's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)’s Corporate affairs Manager, Mr Ignie Igunduura stated that Uganda’s Aviation will perform better in the next twelve months and coming years provided the economy sustains its growth.

“We have been growing and expect to sustain this growth. Air transport does not work in isolation. It facilities the economy and in turn, the economy facilities it. Provided the indicators of growth are still present and bearing results in our economy, Aviation will also keep growing,” Mr Igunduura said.

Read More Here [The Monitor, Uganda]

It seems that for once, a government run department is taking the initiative to lead the field, instead of playing a game of catch up. Recently, the Ugandan Civil Aviation Authority issued a tender in the Ugandan Investment Authority's website seeking partnerships with foreign companies for the following projects at the Entebbe International Airport: 

• Design and construction of new cargo centre
• Renovation and refurbishment of general aviation terminal for domestic use 
• Development of an export processing zone at the airport, similar to the Freeport at Dubai International Airport
• Construction of an in-flight catering services unit
• Development of a ferry port at Entebbe airport area
• Construction of an aircraft maintenance hanger
• Construction of passenger loading bridges 
• Provision of airline business operations

"The Civil Aviation Authority has a five-year strategic plan to expand Entebbe Airport that includes remodelling the car parking lot to a multi-levelled one, and double the aeroplane hangars from the current 11 to 22. It is also planning for a second runway to accommodate bigger planes like those owned by Qatar and Emirates Airways."

Read More Here [TradeInvestAfrica]

► EGYPT: Egyptair profits fall 75% in 2011; considers 787s & A350s for renewal.

After a very turbulent year in the country and the region as a whole, Egyptair's (MS) profits for 2011 unsurprisingly fell over 75% to USD$13.6million.  

The chairman of EgyptAir, Hossam Kamel, said the airline's operations were severely interrupted during the Egyptian Uprising of 2011, forcing the cancellation of numerous flights, thereby leading to a decline in tourism (Egyptian tourism was down 32% on 2010 according to official statistics). Additionally, the global rise in the price of oil as a direct consequence of the Arab Spring also ate into profits, as did a partial strike in September by EgyptAir Ground Services employees at Cairo international airport, following rumours that concessions they had previously won by strike actions would not be implemented.

A similar trend has been seen in neighbouring Arab airline Royal Jordanian, whose operations have been severely hampered by the civil unrest in neighbouring Syria, and previously, in Egypt.

To help bring the airline's profitability back up, Mr Kamel stated that cost cutting measures had already been implemented, whilst the airline would focus more on increasing frequencies to served destinations, as opposed to opening new routes. He added that Egyptair would press ahead with its new Cairo-Toronto route in 2013, and that "several other destinations" were under consideration.

With regards to future fleet renewal, he added that Egyptair is considering replacing its Boeing 777s and Airbus A330s with 787s and A350s between 2020-2025.

Negotiations are underway with fellow Star Alliance partner Ethiopian Airlines to create a new base or a new joint carrier based in Accra, Ghana, where Ethiopian currently has a presence under its ASKY Airlines brand.

Read More Here [ATW]

► DUBAI: Air Tanzania to lease B737-500 from AeroVista.

As previously reported in this post, Air Tanzania (TC) is to lease a B737-500 from AeroVista, an aircraft leasing outfit based in Dubai and Georgia.

► ANGOLA: AirJet Angola adds Jetstream 41 to its fleet.

Angolan outfit AirJet, based in Luanda, has announced it is adding an ex-Angola Air Services Jetstream 41 aircraft to its current fleet of four Embraer-120s.

● IATA: Africa March passenger traffic up 14.3% on March 2011.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has released its global traffic figures for the month of March 2012, with passenger traffic in Africa showing an increase of 14.3% on last year, whilst cargo traffic has only marginally grown by a minuscule 0.1%.

► QATAR: Qatar Airways boosts Algiers, Cairo, announces Kilimanjaro, Mombasa; Zanzibar to come.

Qatar Airways (QR) has used the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) forum in Dubai to announce daily services to Kilimanjaro (Tanzania) and Mombasa (Kenya) with effect from 25th July 2012 and 15th August 2012 respectively. Algiers will see an increase from seven to 11 services each week.

Kilimanjaro will operate as tag-ons via Nairobi, whilst Mombasa will operate via the Tanzanian capital Dar es Salaam.

Also at the forum, Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker unveiled plans for a new service to Zanzibar in the near future.

"Having introduced two extra weekly flights on the Doha – Cairo route last month to take frequency up to 11 each week, capacity will be stepped up further next month with the addition of one extra flight a week.

And in Africa, more capacity will be introduced on the double daily Doha – Dar es Salaam route from next month. With seven services operating via Nairobi, these will become non-stop to Dar es Salaam effectively providing more seats direct to the Tanzanian capital."

Read More Here [Qatar Airways]

► ZAMBIA: Proflight Zambia attempts to cast off EU Blacklist stigma.

Proflight Zambia (P0), the domestic Zambian carrier with aspirations to start regional services to both Harare and Lubumbashi, has welcomed efforts by the Zambian government to help remove the airline from the European Union's Banned Operators List, a move that will help the airline shake off the stigma of being 'unsafe', a label that has damaged the airline's image amongst foreign tourists in particular.

► CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: We need to improve our air traffic with Ethiopia - CAR Aviation Minister Theodore Jousso.

The Central African Republic (CAR), not quite a country that makes headlines day in/day out, has reached out to Ethiopia and requested assistance in improving its bilateral air services with Ethiopia.

Whilst on a visit to the Ethiopian capital Addis-Ababa, CAR Civil Aviation and Air Transport Minister Theodore Jousso stated that his country was "desirous to further strengthen its relations with Ethiopia in the area of air transport."

In response,  Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi assured the Minister that every possible thing would be done to further enhance the air transport links between the two countries.

At present Bangui M'Poko International Airport, the principle airport of the CAR, is served by Air France, Camair-co, Ethiopian Airlines, Interair, Kenya Airways, Royal Air Maroc, TAAG Angola Airlines and, Toumaï Air Tchad.

Once a shareholder in the now defunct Pan-African airline Air Afrique, the CAR does not currently possess a national air carrier. There are, however, 2 small domestic operators: MinAir and Via-air based out of Bangui.

► UGANDA: Air Uganda ups frequencies to Kigali, Bujumbura, Mombasa; shows strong growth.

Ugandan national carrier, Air Uganda (U7), has announced an increase in flight frequencies between Kigali-Entebbe-Kigali to twice daily every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The other days will remain at once daily service according to their Facebook page. Bujumbura has moved from three flights to four times a week.

Entebbe-Mombasa-Entebbe will also see an increase in frequency to five times weekly from Tuesday to Friday and Sunday to cater for the growing demand on the route. Figures released show a substantial growth of 39% in passenger numbers on the route in the last quarter of this year, attributed to increased trade between Kenya and Uganda, with the Mombasa port being a key entry point for goods within the East Africa region.

Also in the pipeline is service to Kisumu, Kenya, which is still under consideration by the Kenyan authorities.

► SOMALIA: Jubba Airways Antonov AN-24 crashlands at Galkayo; No Casualties.

A Jubba Airways (6J) Antonov AN-24 landing at Abdullahi Yusuf International Airport, Galkayo, Somalia en route from Hargeisa, Somalia with 32 passengers and 4 crew aboard, blew both landing gear boogies on touchdown, thereby tearing off the entire wing assembly, before veering off the runway. 

Puntlandi.com, a local Somali news site, reports that all passengers were safely evacuated by the airport rescue team. Though the accident occurred during the rainy season, no direct correlation between weather and the cause has yet been established.

Jubba Airways is a Mogadishu based Somali airline that operates a fleet of Boeing 737s throughout Somalia and the Middle East/Arabian Peninsula.

Read More Here [Aviation Herald]

► ZIMBABWE: Air Zimbabwe to return to the skies, but only domestically.

It never rains but it pours for ailing Zimbabwean national carrier, Air Zimbabwe (UM). One week, there are reports of its imminent demise and cessation of operations, the next, it pulls a Lazarus and is magically resurrected.

Once again the soap opera that is UM takes another twist with an announcement in the state media to the effect that Air Zimbabwe will restart flights, albeit only be 3x weekly domestically between Harare and Bulawayo, with no mention of equipment in use.

"Zimbabwe Tourism Authority chief executive officer Karikoga Kaseke told the media that the flights would be on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

“From the 2nd of next month (May) Air Zim will be resuming flights between Harare and Bulawayo,” he said.
 

“If it happens with consistence(sic) it is better than nothing although it is not enough. We need two flights daily.” Kaseke said the tourism sector was the worst affected by the demise of Air Zim."

Read More Here [New Ziana]

This news comes in the wake of an announcement today by local start-up "Sol Air" that it is planning to commence operations in the near future using a leased Bombadier CRJ 900 aircraft.

► ZIMBABWE: Startup "Sol Air" gets IATA code; plans to lease CRJ 900.

With the slow demise of Air Zimbabwe, a vast gap has been left in the Zimbabwean domestic market. Aside from South Africa's Solenta Aviation, and a few charter companies flying between Harare and the main tourist/safari areas (Bumi Hills, Hwange Park, Kariba and Victoria Falls) there has not been a regular large-scale service between Zimbabwe's two main cities - Harare and Bulawayo - for quite some time.

However, it was announced  recently by Managing Director, Nkosilathi Sibanda, that local start up "Sol Air" has obtained an IATA code (ZS) in addition to an operating licence from the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ), awarded in February of this year. 

According to it's licence mandate, Sol Air has been designated the Bulawayo-Francistown-Gaborone, Harare-Bulawayo, Bulawayo-Victoria Falls and the Harare-Masvingo-Buffalo Range routes, which Sibanda said, would likely be serviced with a leased Bombardier CRJ 900.

Claiming international financial backing to the tune of  USD$3.5 million, Mr Sibanda was also quoted as saying the airline was "in talks with two companies in Dubai and South Africa to lease us three 70-seater aircrafts and the talks will be concluded with a month" (sic).

The question many people want to know is the answer to though, is will this airline survive where so many others have failed? In a market renowned for much talk and little substance, the Zimbabwean domestic airline scene is littered with the corpses of failed airlines like Zimbabwean Express Airlines, flyKumba, Vic-Falls Airways, Expedition Airways, Zambezi Airways and Mid Airlines, all of whom were unable to break the Air Zimbabwe monopoly.