► INDIA: Ethiopian Airlines eyeing Chennai, Bangalore, Kolkata with more to come.

Ethiopian Airlines (ET) is considering dramatically expanding its Indian market presence in the coming months the Star Alliance carrier's Senior Vice President for Global Sales, Esayas Woldemariam Hailu, has said.

■■ RWANDA: (Pics) A look at Kigali's proposed New Bugesera International Airport.

New Bugesera International Airport, Kigali, Rwanda

[UPDATE 14 APRIL] After the horrific aftermath of the genocide of 1994, Rwanda's economy has risen from the ashes to become one of Africa's most dynamic and fastest growing, registering at least 8 percent GDP growth in the past 5 years, with 6.9% growth projected for 2013. As part of its Vision 2020, amongst whose aims is to transform the country from a subsistence-farming based economy into a middle-income (>USD900/month) services hub, the Rwandan Government has moved to develop a vibrant private sector by investing in Roads, Rail and water transport infrastructure with the ultimate aim of dramatically reducing the cost of transport to businesses and individuals. Of the several large infrastructure projects proposed, the most economically far reaching is a new airport, Bugesera International Airport, to be built outside of the capital, Kigali.

■ LIBYA: Libyan Airlines management claims ongoing strike not affecting operations.

Libyan Airlines (LN) has denied that its operations have been curtailed by an ongoing employee strike which has now entered its second week. Online news reports had earlier suggested that the airline had ceased taking reservations though this has since been confirmed as false.

■ TANZANIA: New and improved Bukoba airport to open next month says TAA.

Bukoba Airport, situated along the southern shores of Lake Victoria, is expected to reopen next month according to the Tanzanian Airports Authority (TAA) following the conclusion of rehabilitation and extension works to the airport's runway 13/31, and rehabilitation of the terminal building.

► TANZANIA: Auric Air announces interim timetable changes effective 19 April.

Tanzania's Auric Air (H8) has announced an updated timetable to come into effect from 19 April 2013, as noted on its site. The airline operates an exclusively domestic Tanzanian service.

► COTE D'IVOIRE: Air Cote d'Ivoire set to receive third, and first own, A319 shortly.

Air Cote d'Ivoire (HF) is due to take delivery of its third Airbus A319 (MSN 1018 | HB-IPR) to supplement two other Airbus A319s leased from Air France (AF) and an Embraer E170 leased from Regional (YS). 

►► NIGERIA: Airstream Aviation starts cargo ops using wetleased B737-400F.

[UPDATE 13 APRIL] Abuja-based Airstream Aviation has launched scheduled cargo and ad-hoc charter operations on domestic routes using a wet leased Boeing B737-400F (MSN 24128 | S5-ABV).

■ ANGOLA: Renovation and expansion works at Luena Airport to be finished by June.

The rehabilitation and expansion works at Luena Airport in Moxico Province, Angola, are winding down with Angola's airport and air traffic authority Empresa Nacional de Aeroportos e Navegação Aérea (ENANA) giving June as a possible date for the overall completion of the rehabilitated passenger and cargo terminals.

►► SÃO TOMÉ & PRÍNCIPE: South African Beechcraft 1900C disappears into Gulf of Guinea in rough weather; no survivors.

A South African registered Beechcraft 1900C-1 (unconfirmed MCN UC-74 | ZS-PHL) has reportedly disappeared without trace in the Gulf of Guinea, 14km off the coast of the West African nation of São Tomé & Príncipe.

■ ZIMBABWE: Construction of new airside infrastructure at Victoria Falls Airport goes ahead as Bulawayo's nears completion.

Work on the upgrading of airside infrastructure at Victoria Falls International Airport in Zimbabwe has finally gotten under way following a ground-breaking ceremony held in the resort town on Friday, attended by Zimbabwean government dignitaries. The contractor for the USD150million project, to be financed under a China ExIm Bank loan, has been identified as China Jiangsu International Group (CJIG).

► BURKINA FASO: Cargolux to start weekly Ouagadougou flights from 16 April.

Luxembourg's Cargolux (CV) Airlines International S.A. has announced that, in addition to starting Tripoli flights from 16 April, it will start weekly Wednesday  flights to Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso, on 24 April. Often called the centre of the nation, Ouagadougou is the country’s largest city; its main industries are food processing and textiles.

■ ETHIOPIA: Qatar, Ethiopia sign BASA paving the way for possible Doha - Addis Ababa flights.

Ethiopia and Qatar have taken a significant step in repairing relations, broken off in April 2008 over alleged news bias against Addis Ababa by Qatar's Al Jazeera TV, with the signing of "various" agreements, among them an air services agreement (BASA) on 10 April following the conclusion of bilateral talks between the Emir of Qatar, Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, and Ethiopian Prime Minister, Hailemariam Desalegn. 

► SIERRA LEONE: Leone Airways, the Arik Air-partnered initiative, hoping to start operations come June.

Leone Airways, the new Sierra Leonian national carrier formed out of a partnership with Arik Air(W3), Nigeria's largest carrier, and the government of Sierra Leone is to tentatively commence operations in June this year. Under the partnership deal signed in 2011,  Arik will provide the carrier with its initial fleet and technical skills and comes about from the airline's close relationship with Freetown after in 2009 it was designated "the national carrier of Sierra Leone", thereby allowing it to ply the Freetown - London route. 

■ MOROCCO: Aerotechnic Industries expands scope to now include overhaul of Boeing 737NG airframes; secures RAM contract.

During a ceremony attended by Mr Driss Benhima, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Royal Air Maroc (RAM) Group, and Mr Franck Terner, President, Air France Industries, the two partners officially announced a new phase in the development of their Aerotechnic Industries (ATI) joint venture. Set up in 2009, the 50/50 joint venture between the two groups is now extending the scope of its activities to the overhauling of Boeing 737 Next Generation (NG) airframes. 

► MALI: Air Mali tests the waters by operating its CRJ200 and MD87 on behalf of sister carrier, Air Burkina.

As the political situation in Mali begins to settle down, so Celestair Group's Malian subsidiary, Air Mali (I5), has taken its first steps towards resuming operations by dusting off its stored Bombardier CRJ200 (MSN 7392 | TZ-RCA) kept until recently in France. 

► KENYA: (Pics) Kenya Airways Cargo's first B737-300F officially unveiled in Nairobi.

Kenya Airways Cargo (KQ) has taken delivery of its first Boeing 737-300(F) (MSN 29088 | 5Y-KQC), recently converted in Shanghai by Boeing. The ceremony took place today at Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Under its 10-year growth strategy, Kenya Airways plans to have 12 freighters in its fleet by 2022.

■ LIBYA: Libyan Airlines selects OnAir for onboard wifi connectivity for its four A330s, with two due next month.

Libyan carrier, Libyan Airlines, (LN), set to take delivery of its first of four Airbus A330s next month, has selected OnAir to provide on-board internet broadband connectivity. The aircraft will fly on long-haul international routes to Asia and Europe.

► ZAMBIA: Mukuba Airlines outlines its planned domestic route network.

Zambia's first LCC, Mukuba Airlines, set to be operate out of the Victoria Falls town of Livingstone, has outlined its intended route network with flights set to range in cost from USD35 to USD50.

► KENYA: LCC Jambo Jet's launch delayed until "sometime this year": Naikuni

The launch of JamboJet, Kenya Airways' (KQ) planned Low Cost Carrier wing, has been pushed back to "sometime later this year", Kenya Airways CEO, Titus Naikuni has said.

► LIBYA: Cargolux to start Johannesburg via Tripoli flights from late April.

Luxembourg's Cargolux (CV) today announced that it will introduce a new air cargo service to Tripoli, Libya’s capital and largest city. The first flight is scheduled for 16 April, followed by weekly services that will operate every Tuesday on the route Luxembourg – Tripoli – Johannesburg.

► ANGOLA: More foreign carriers making a beeline to Luanda's door as calls for higher route frequencies grow louder.

RAM - Royal Air Maroc (AT) and Ethiopian Airlines (ET) have joined a growing chorus of carriers servicing the Angolan capital, Luanda, in asking the Instituto Nacional da Aviação Civil (the National Institute of Civil Aviation - INAVIC) to increase their frequencies on the lucrative route. 

► SOUTH AFRICA: LAM Mozambique boosts Johannesburg - Maputo, Beira, Tete flights; launches Nampula direct.

Mozambique's flag carrier, LAM - Linhas Aéreas de Moçambique (TM), will from 28APR13 expand its Johannesburg operations through the addition of 16 weekly flights from Maputo, Beira, Tete and new route, Nampula.

►► ETHIOPIA: Ethiopian announces operational changes to Italy, France, Belgium effective June 2013.

[UPDATE 10 APRIL] Ethiopian Airlines (ET), from 20 June 2013, is adjusting its planned European operations, which will see changes to its Italy, France and Belgium operations.

► SPAIN: Air Algérie to tentatively offer Summer flights between Oran and Madrid.

Algerian national carrier, Air Algérie (AH), is planning to offer an Oran – Madrid service from 24JUN13 to 18SEP13  though reservations are not, at present, available to general public.

■ GHANA: Government okays $100million allocation for construction of a major international airport in Tamale.

The Ghanaian Parliament has greenlighted the allocation of USD100million needed for the construction of a major international airport in Tamale, capital of  the Northern Region. The Ghana Airports Company (GACL), who will ultimately be responsible for the running of the facility once it is open, are still to approve the project's final designs, currently being done by an unnamed Brazilian firm, before construction can begin.

► GUINEA BISSAU: TACV suspends Praia - Bissau flights citing poor load factors.

TACV Cabo Verde Airlines (VR) says it has suspended flights to Bissau, the capital of Guinea-Bissau, owing to the route's poor returns. The move is effective 3 April.

■ MAURITIUS: Air Mauritius selects the Aerostream XP1 for its A330/A340 IFE suite.

Air Mauritius (MK) has placed a contract with Airline Services Ltd for the company's new enhanced definition digital video player - the Aerostream XP1. The IFE system has been selected for their Airbus A330 and A340 fleet and installation of an initial 40 units will begin this year.

► BRAZIL: Philippine Airlines considers Johannesburg, Cape Town and Addis Ababa as stopovers on planned São Paulo flights.

Philippine Airlines(PR), who are planning to launch flights from Manila to the Brazilian metropolis of São Paulo in early May (the signing of a Bilateral Air Services Agreement pending) could be considering the African hubs of either Johannesburg (possibly Cape Town) or Addis Ababa as a transitory point.

■ NIGERIA: Ghana's Minister of Transport decries Nigeria's double-talk regarding the granting of traffic rights.

Ghana's Minister of Transport, Dzifa Attivor, has bemoaned Nigeria's inaction in granting Ghanaian airlines rights to operate into Nigerian airports, despite the fact that Nigeria is a signatory to the Yamoussoukro Agreement which concerns the liberalisation of access to air transport markets in Africa (the Yamoussoukro Decision) and which entered into force on 12 August 2000. The Yamoussoukro Decision takes precedence over any multilateral or bilateral agreements on air services between States Parties which are incompatible with the Decision.

■ ETHIOPIA: Deadbeat Chanchangi Airlines given one last chance to repay debt owed to Ethiopian Airlines.

In yet another case of a deadbeat airline failing to pay its dues, Nigeria's Chanchangi Airlines (5B) has been given 30 days to pay Ethiopian Airlines (ET) its debt of USD772'000 for maintenance rendered to an unspecified Chanchangi aircraft (possibly a B727) and engine back in February 2004.

► SOUTH SUDAN: Turkey's AtlasJet pulls out of South Sudanese joint venture.

Atlasjet (KK) has announced it is to abandon plans to set up a joint national carrier with the Government of South Sudan. The Turkish carrier originally won a tender in January for a 49% stake in the airline which the Government hopes, will boost its regional presence as well as safety.

■ KENYA: Travelport launches new direct presence in Nairobi following closure of Kenya Airways franchise deal.

Travelport, a provider of critical transaction processing solutions and data to the global travel industry, has announced the launch of a new direct Travelport commercial presence in Kenya, one of Africa’s fastest growing travel markets.  In a clear demonstration of its commitment to the region, this new direct operation for travel agents in the country marks the latest milestone in Travelport’s investment strategy in Africa.

► ETHIOPIA: Ethiopian revenue on course for 2013 target as Ministry prepares final air transport liberalization law.

Ethiopian Airlines (ET) has, in the first 8 months of its 2012/2013 Financial Year, generated USD1.35billion (ETB25.1billion) in revenue the Ethiopian Minister of Transport, Diriba Kuma has said.

► MAURITIUS: Air Mauritius to start Beijing, resume Durban flights from July, to reduce Johannesburg from

Confirming our previous post, Air Mauritius (MK) is to start once weekly Mauritius - Beijing flights effective 06 July, while Mauritius - Durban flights, speculated about here, are to resume with a twice weekly service beginning July 5. In addition, Air Mauritius is to discontinue its night time flights from Johannesburg from May 2, though supplementary night flights will be introduced during peak periods to accommodate demand.

► 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.

► RWANDA: Rwandair announces further Summer 2013 schedule changes.

Following on from our previous post, Rwandair (WB) will, according to the 08APR13 GDS timetable and inventory display, adjust a number of its operations from 01JUN13 in preparation for the Summer 2013 season.

■ SUDAN: SCAA releases final report on Sudan Airways A310 crash in Khartoum in 2008.

The Sudanese Civil Aviation Authority has released its final report on its investigation into the 2008 crash of a Sudan Airways (SD) Airbus A310-300 (MSN: 548 | ST-ATN) at Khartoum International Airport which killed 30 of 214 occupants on board. The Airbus had touched down on Khartoum's runway 36 at 20h26L before longitudinally overrunning the runway by some 200m and bursting into flames on its right side. The report blames the long flaring distance (900 meters from R/W  threshold) on a wet slippery runway and various piloting oversights as the primary causes of the crash.

► EGYPT: Air Memphis forced to suspend Tehran flights after just 1 week following sectarian protests.

Just one week after having launched Egypt and Iran's first direct air link in over 30 years,  Air Memphis (MHS), the Egyptian charter operator, has been forced to suspend the flights after protests broke out at the Iranian ambassador's residence in Cairo just prior to Saturday's inaugural flight.

►► CUBA: TAAG increases Luanda - Havana, Beijing frequencies from late March.

[UPDATE 8 APRIL] Angolan flag carrier TAAG Linhas Aéreas de Angola (DT), is to increase its frequencies from its Luanda, Angola hub to Havana, Cuba and Beijing, China effective 31 March.

■ KENYA: Experienced-pilots shortage a headache to Kenya Airways and a possible dampener to Project Mawingu.

Kenya Airways (KQ) expansion plans, as outlined in its ambitious 10 year vision, Project Mawingu, could be hampered by a lack of adequately trained personnel, most critically among them, experienced pilots.

■ TUNISIA: Air BP, AGIL sign agreement covering 7 major airports.

Aviation fuel supplier, Air BP is to enter the Tunisian aviation fuel sector through the signing of a Commercial and Technical Service Agreement with the Société Nationale de Distribution des Pétroles (AGIL), Tunisia's national oil distribution company. The agreement, effective immediately,  includes service coverage at seven airports in Tunisia including: Tunis Carthage, Djerba, Enfidha, Tozor, Tabarka, Monastir and Sfax.

■ ETHIOPIA: Ethiopian Airlines in talks with international firms over construction of a 4* hotel in downtown Addis Ababa.

Ethiopian Airlines (ET) is reportedly in fresh talks with unnamed international companies regarding the design, construction, vendor finance and management of a proposed four-star (previously 5 star) hotel it wants to build on 40'000sqm of prime real estate in downtown Addis Ababa on the newly revamped African Avenue.

■ UGANDA: Cornwell Muleya appointed CEO of Air Uganda.

Meridiana Africa Airlines (Uganda) Limited, also known as Air Uganda(U7), has announced the appointment of Cornwell Muleya to the position of CEO. He joins Air Uganda from Kenyan outfit ALS - Aircraft Leasing Services (K4), where he has been CEO for the last 3 years. An Engineer and Chartered Accountant by trade, Mr Muleya spent the early part of his career in audit and financial consulting with Deloitte and PriceWaterHouseCoopers.

► KENYA: Mombasa Air Safari, Safarilink announce their proposed high season routes.

Safarilink (F2) has announced the addition of two new routes to its network; the long awaited reverse service from Masai Mara to Laikipia, and an afternoon service from Laikipia to Wilson, commencing on June 15, 2013.  It will operate from 3 airstrips in Masai Mara to Nanyuki, Samburu, Loisaba and Lewa Downs. Mombasa Air Safari (RRV) will also launch flights into the Mara from Nairobi Wilson effective from July.

► CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: Kenya Airways suspends Bangui flights 'til early May likely due to political situation.

Kenya Airways (KQ) has suspended its flights to the Central African Republic, effective immediately. CH-Aviation reports that the Kenyan national carrier had previously operated a 3x weekly flight to Bangui with an onward sector to Douala, Cameroon. Flights have been tipped to resume in early July, though this date is still speculative.

► NIGERIA: "United Nigeria": new Nigerian Air Force airline takes delivery of a B737-500.

The Nigerian Air Force could soon venture into the commercial flights sector following the delivery of a Boeing 737-500 (MCN 25791 | NAF916) this week. The revelation was made by the Managing Director of Aeronautical Engineering & Technical Services Ltd (AETSL), Air Vice Marshal Alkali Mamu last week.

■ TURKEY: First group of Somali ATCOs completes course in Trabzon.

Turkish-Somali relations took yet another step forward last week with the completion of a training course in Trabzon, Turkey by Somali air traffic controllers (ATCOs). Two new controllers, Dahir Mohamed Gure and Mohammed Ali Nur, graduated and will be part of a new compliment of ATCOs bound for Mogadishu where works on a renewed terminal at Aden Adde International are underway.

► KENYA: SafariLink to only accept passengers with prevalidated visas on Kilimanjaro - Masai Mara flights from June.

Safarilink Aviation (XLK), the Kenyan regional airline based at Nairobi's Wilson Airport, has announced that from 15 June, owing to lengthy delays in the issuance of visas at Nairobi Wilson Airport, it will only guarantee a connection on its Kilimanjaro - Masai Mara service to arriving passengers who already have a valid visa in their passports.