• The African Aviation Tribune •

Friday, June 21, 2013

■ FRANCE: AFI KLM E&M wins MRO contracts with Air Zimbabwe, Egyptair.

Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance (AFI KLM E&M) has signed contracts with Air Zimbabwe (UM) covering component support for the Zimbabwean carrier's two Airbus A320s and has renewed an existing component support contract with Egyptair (MS) while at the same time extending its scope.

SAA Cargo, the cargo division of South African Airways (SA), are set to retire the last of their B737-200Fs, (MSN 22583 | ZS-SID), from revenue service with effect from June 25, it has emerged.

Air India (AI) is set to resume flights to East Africa in the near future, India's civil aviation minister Ajit Singh, has announced. The Indian carrier last served Nairobi in 2010, but has since reconsidered its move in light of growing trade and cultural relations between Africa and India.

Nigeria's largest carrier, Arik Air (W3), has signed a firm contract to acquire three CRJ1000 NextGen aircraft and four Q400 NextGen turboprop airliners from Canadian aircraft manufacturer, Bombardier.

Morocco's national carrier, Royal Air Maroc (AT), is planning to immediately acquire between "20 and 30 NextGen aircraft, including 15 medium-haul and 5 long-haul jets", airline Chief Executive Officer, Mr Driss Benhima, has announced.

Air Namibia (SW) has announced its planned delivery schedule for its two new Airbus A330-200 aircraft, set to replace its ageing fleet of Airbus A340-300s on its Windhoek - Frankfurt, Germany route.

Al Hayat Development and Investment Company, the big talking Omani outfit that earlier this year stated it was willing to invest USD100million (TSH160billion) into struggling airline, Air Tanzania (TC), has mysteriously vanished. The outfit had claimed that it was in the process of finalizing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Tanzanian government at the end of January.

Ad-hoc cargo charter specialists, Chapman Freeborn Africa, has launched a new scheduled service from Johannesburg to Lubumbashi and Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Tunisia's Syphax Airlines (FS), has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Airbus to buy three A320neo. The order is the first time an African based carrier has ordered the NEO and marks a significant breakthrough for Airbus in one of the world’s fastest developing markets.

► 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.

According to AirlineRoute, South African Airways (SA) will from 7 August 2013 introduce a 7th weekly frequency on its Johannesburg – Accra route. The added service, which is still subject to government approval, will operate Wednesdays using an Airbus A330-200.

●● FRANCE: The African Aviation Tribune at the Paris Air Show 2013.

Today (Monday June 15), The African Aviation Tribune will be at the Paris Air Show 2013 courtesy of ch-aviation GMBH.

As such, postings over the next week will slow to a trickle, but be sure to follow us via our Twitter feed @AfrAviaTribune for updates and photos from the show as it happens. Expected this year are British Airways' A380, the new Airbus A350-900 and many more.

Stay tuned for the pictorial post to follow as well!

[UPDATE 19 JUNE] Well everyone, it seems the gods weren't smiling upon me this time round. A combination of bad Paris weather on my inbound fight that resulted in a diversion, coupled with a flat camera battery at the actual show meant i wasn't able to provide you with the updates (or pics) mentioned above. And i really do feel bummed about that.

So, please accept my apologies on that and hopefully it'll come right next time round.

The news feed should return to normal in the coming two days, so hang tight.

Monday, June 17, 2013

► MOZAMBIQUE: LAM eyes either B737-700s or A319s as part of fleet renewal's second phase.

MEX - Moçambique Expresso, a subsidiary of Mozambique's national carrier, LAM - Linhas Aéreas de Moçambique (TM), says it has completed the first phase of its modernization through the recent acquisition of two Embraer ERJ145 in February and April of this year.

Air Kasai, a Democratic Republic of the Congo-based airline, has selected Sabena technics for the component support of its first ATR72-200 (MSN 408 | N408AT), leased from Nordic Aviation Capital.

Kenya Airways (KQ) has posted a net loss of USD92million (KES7.86billion) for its 2012/13 Financial Year, compared with a profit of USD19.39million (KES1.66 billion) a year earlier, Chief Financial Officer Alex Mbugua has announced. Losses were blamed on "harsh economic and geopolitical conditions" coupled with a global economic slowdown and volatile global oil prices. The company last reported a loss in the fiscal year ended March 2009.

Air Mauritius (MK) has reported a pre-tax loss of USD3.07million (EUR2.6million) for its 2012/13 Financial Year, on the back of oil prices that have remained high, averaging USD112 per barrel, and the global economic situation that has further deteriorated as the recession in Europe has proven to be deeper than expected. However, the result is an improvement on its 2011/12 financial results when the Indian Ocean island carrier posted a loss of USD38.96million (EUR29.2million) overall.

■ EGYPT: Works at Alexandria International to be completed in 2014 as Hurghada's second runway goes ahead.

Egyptian Minister of Civil Aviation, Engineer Wael El-Maadawy, says that all infrastructural development works at Alexandria International Airport will be completed next year. The airport was closed in 2010 for renovation and expansion with all traffic being transferred to Alexandria Borg El Arab Airport in the meantime.

Struggling Tanzanian LCC, fastjet (FN), has been granted rights to service routes from Tanzania to South Africa, Zambia and Rwanda it has emerged. As a result of this development, the fastjet board has taken the decision to put the July 1 launch of its domestic South African operation temporarily on hold so that it can direct all its efforts and resources to starting its international services as soon as possible

Atlantic Star Airlines is a start-up founded by three ex-British Airways (BA) pilots with plans to begin flights from the British Overseas Territory of St. Helena, situated in the South Atlantic Ocean, to the United Kingdom (possibly via Southern Europe) using a B757-200.

British Airways (BA) will increase its frequencies to the West African countries of Liberia and Sierra Leone to four weekly on the back of rising demand, the airline has stated.

EgyptAir (MS) pilots ended a 12-hour sit-in at Cairo International Airport on Thursday over pay and conditions following a meeting with Egyptian Civil Aviation Minister, Engineer Wael al-Maadawy who promised he would "study their demands and discuss terms with a staff delegation".

Qatar Airways (QR) has temporarily suspended its 4x weekly Doha - Benghazi, Libya flights following an incident yesterday at Benghazi’s Benina Airport involving a group of mostly Bangladeshi passengers who were forced back onto their flight to Doha by a group of Libyan protesters from the Ezzedine Al-Waqwaq brigade.

fastjet plc (fastjet) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Nigeria's Red 1 Airways Ltd (Red 1), to create a low-cost airline operating within Nigeria and to destinations across Africa. The MoU brings together fastjet's strong brand, reputation, management experience and economies of scale, and RED 1's extensive local market knowledge within Nigeria. The airline will be branded fastjet Nigeria strongly mimicking the airline's planned South African venture.

► LIBYA: Tunisair to start Tunis - Bayda/Al Abraq from 18 June.

Tunisair (TU), will from 18JUN13, introduce a new 2 weekly service from Tunis to Bayda/Al Abraq in Libya on board Boeing 737 or Airbus A320 aircraft.

Equato-guinean carrier Punto Azul (ZR) has begun regional operations following the arrival of one of its three Embraer ERJ145s in São Tomé from Malabo on Tuesday.

South African trade union Solidarity has embarked on a legal process on behalf of white male candidates who were excluded from the cadet programme at South African Airways (SAA), allegedly because of the colour of their skin. The trade union requested SAA to provide reasons why Daniël Hoffman, Dirk Kotze and several other white male candidates' applications for inclusion in the cadet programme had been unsuccessful.

As per the 12JUN13 GDS timetable/inventory display, Alitalia (AZ)'s planned operational changes to its Cairo, Oran, Tunis service, effective 27OCT13, are as follows.

The Ethiopian Airports Enterprise (EAE) says the opening of Addis Ababa Bole International's USD84million upgraded apron, capable of handling 44 aircraft, is expected to come online in the next few months.

► FLEET UPDATE BULLETIN: Rwandair, Haajara Airline, AeroContractors, SA Express, Afriqiyah, Kush Air, Skyward International, Tunisair.

The following is a fleet update bulletin for aircraft that are in use, have been in use or will be in use for these listed airlines: Rwandair, Haajara Airline, AeroContractors, SA Express, Afriqiyah, Kush Air, Skyward International, Tunisair.

► BOTSWANA: Kenya Airways boosts Gaborone flights; eyes Francistown, Maun next.

Buoyed by the success of its Gaborone flights, Kenya Airways (KQ) is considering introducing flights to Francistown and Maun, the airline's country manager Juliet Zintambila has announced. Both airports have recently seen upgrades allowing them to handle heavier aircraft and greater passenger volumes.

Boeing and South Africa’s Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) have announced that they will conduct joint research on ways to incorporate titanium powder into industrial manufacturing processes. This mutually beneficial research collaboration supports South Africa’s long-term economic development and could expand the supply of titanium for many industries, including aerospace.

New Zealand energy consortium, GAFO Energy NZ, appears to be in the process of setting up a new regional carrier out of Moroni in the Comoros, dubbed Gafo Air.

A completely new African aviation exhibition, African Air Expo 2014, was launched at this year’s Cannes AirShow when Didier Mary, Managing Director of AirShow organizers, Adone Events signed a protocol agreement to organize the show. Under the patronage of the President of the Republic of Ghana, Mr John Dramani Mahama and the Minister of Transport, Mrs Dzifa Ativor, Adone Events will coordinate the exhibition to be held in Ghana 9 – 11 October, 2014. The event will take place at Kotoka International Airport in Accra, capital of Ghana, and will welcome exhibitors and delegates from across the Sub-Saharan region.

Jetlink Express (J0), the bankrupt Kenyan regional operator, has attempted to offer its various creditors shares in a recovery plan, set to be funded by CFC Stanbic Bank.

Korongo Airlines (ZC) CEO Christophe Allard says his airline is expecting to add an additional 737 (type unspecified) and a 50-seater turboprop to its fleet before the end of the year. Funding arrangements are to be confirmed.

David Lenigas has resigned as chairman of struggling Tanzanian LCC, fastjet (FN) with immediate effect and has been replaced by Chief Executive Officer, Ed Winter, on an interim basis, until a permanent successor is found.

■ KENYA: Fly540, Qatar Airways sign interline deal.

Fly540 Kenya (5H), has announced the expansion of its flight network with the signing of its first international interline agreement with Qatar Airways (QR) which will initially entail providing an inbound interline service for passengers arriving in Kenya.

Controversy has been sparked following the unveiling by the Lagos State government of a cenotaph at the site of the crash of Dana Air 9J977 at Iju-Ishaga in Lagos in which the names of the crew were omitted and a poorly built, mangled aircraft model used to replicate the doomed McDonnell Douglas MD83. The disaster, which occurred on June 3 last year, claimed the lives of all 153 passengers on-board with a further 10 on the ground.

fastjet (FN) has scrapped its convertible arrangement with New York-based asset management firm Bergen Global Opportunity Fund, because of the "potential adverse impact on the share price."

Theo Namases, the Managing Director of Air Namibia (SW), says a lack of collaboration between the airline and fellow parastatal, the Namibia Airport Company (NAC), is adversely affecting the former's operations.

La Réunion's Air Austral (UU) has announced a turnaround in its fortunes, roughly one year on from the appointment of Mr Marie-Joseph Malé as new CEO of the company. For its 2012/13 Financial Year which ended on March 31, the carrier posted losses of USD35.8million (EUR27.06million), an improvement of 40% on last year's numbers (USD50.8million loss).

Morocco's national carrier, Royal Air Maroc (AT) is set to join the growing number of African carriers jostling for a share of the growing South America - Africa market when it resumes flights to Brazil from December this year. Swiss aviation newswire, ch-aviation, reports that flights from Casablanca to Sao Paolo will operate 3x weekly using a 767-300ER effective 20 December.

► MALAWI: See Video of Proflight Zambia's inaugural Lusaka - Lilongwe flight.

Proflight Zambia (P0) débutted its regional operations with direct Lusaka to Lilongwe, Malawi flights on Tuesday June 4. According to the airline, the return flight is timed so that it can provide smooth connections to Emirates (EK) daily service from Harare to Dubai via Lusaka. Flights will initially operate with Proflight’s 29-seater Jetstream 41 aircraft.

Tunisia's national carrier, Tunisair (TU), has apparently backed out of plans to acquire three Airbus A350-800s, the shortest fuselage version in Airbus' new A350 XWB family of mid-sized widebody airliners, after the European aircraft manufacturer failed to list the order in its May 2013 orders summary.

Ethiopian Airlines (ET) is eyeing closer ties with fellow Star Alliance carrier, Singapore Airlines (SQ), as a means of entering the Australian market, airline CEO, Tewolde Gebremariam has disclosed.

Tanzanian operator, Precision Air (PW), has announced it is in the process of reviewing its operational 5-year plan as part of its expansion and business review. According to CEO, Sauda Rajab, her airline intends to review its operational and fleet expansion measures while reassessing its current position on the Tanzanian and regional markets.

South African aviation group, Comair Ltd, the parent company of both kulula.com (MN) and its British Airways-franchise, BA Comair, says it expects its headline earnings and earnings per share for the first nine months of the year to June 2013 to be over 20% higher than last year, but did not, however, quantify the extent of its results.

Egyptian Minister of Civil Aviation, Engineer Wael El-Maadawy, has announced that Egyptian national carrier, EgyptAir (MS), is expected to see an improvement in its business climate with losses for the current 2012/13 fiscal year decreasing 57% compared to last year. Additionally, the Egyptian Holding Company for Airports and Air Navigation (EHCAAN) is expected to see a 15% rise in its profits on the back of the increased use of Egyptian airports as transit points.

Following the finalization of modalities, a revitalized Air Malawi (QM) operating in conjunction with Ethiopian Airlines is due to begin operations by the end of this month (June), Malawian Minister of Transport and Public Works, Sidik Mia, has disclosed.

► TANZANIA: Flightlink to begin Embraer E120 ops from July.

Tanzanian scheduled operator Flightlink will début its first, and Tanzania's first, Embraer E120ER operations with effect from July 1.

► SEYCHELLES: Air Austral axes Réunion - Mahé flights from June.

As part of its route rationalization initiative, Réunion-based carrier, Air Austral (UU), will terminate its now weekly St. Denis de la Reunion – Seychelles service with effect from June 5.

Friday, June 21, 2013

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Monday, June 17, 2013

Friday, June 14, 2013

Thursday, June 13, 2013

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Monday, June 10, 2013

Friday, June 7, 2013