■ TUNISIA: Government rolls out Tunisair's turnaround plan; approves initial funding for A320s.

The Tunisian national assembly has approved a bill allowing national carrier, Tunisair (TU), to secure EUR74million in funding for the acquisition of its ten Airbus A320 necessary for its renewal plan. The move is part of a raft of measures laid down by Tunis to help the struggling airline return to profitability following the events of the last three years which saw Tunisia's tourism numbers plummet.

► FLEET UPDATE BULLETIN: Afriqiyah, Libyan Airlines, Syphax Airlines, Comair, Afric Aviation, Solenta Aviation, Tassili Airlines, Air Algérie, AfricaWest, Air Memphis & Royal Air Maroc.

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: Afriqiyah Airlines (8U), Libyan Airlines (LN), Syphax Airlines (FS), Comair Ltd (MN), Tassili Airlines (SF), Air Algérie (AH), Africa West (FK), Afric Aviation (L8), Solenta Aviation, Air Memphis (E9), Royal Air Maroc (AT).

► UNITED KINGDOM: AAIB releases special bulletin on Ethiopian 787 fire as FAA moves to issue Airworthiness Directive for 787 ELTs.

The United Kingdom's Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB)has issued a special bulletin pertaining to a fire onboard a parked Ethiopian Airlines (ET) Boeing 787-8 (MSN 34744 | ET-AOP) at London Heathrow Airport last week has been released. According to the report, suspicions thus far point to the aircraft's Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) and its associated system wiring. On the basis of these initial findings and a recommendation from the AAIB, the US Federal Aviation Administration has said it is preparing to issue an Airworthiness Directive in the coming days that would make inspections of all ELTs aboard Boeing 787 aircraft, mandatory.

► ANGOLA: Air Namibia increases Luanda to daily from early August.

From 6 August 2013, Air Namibia (SW) will introduce an additional flight per week on Tuesdays on its Windhoek and Luanda route, bringing the total number of flights operated by the Namibian national carrier between the Namibian and Angolan capitals to seven weekly (i.e daily). Flights operate using an Airbus A319.

► NIGERIA: Ethiopian Airlines boosts Abuja to daily from late August.

Ethiopian Airlines (ET) will, from 27 August 2013, increase the frequency of its Addis Ababa – Abuja flights where overall service will increase from 5x weekly to daily. The new flight operates on Mondays and Thursdays on-board a Boeing 777-200LR.

■ CAMEROON: Parliament ratifies new Civil Aviation Regulations bill.

The Cameroonian parliament has adopted a Civil Aviation Regulations Bill following a plenary sitting of the Upper House in Yaoundé on July 16. The bill is based on recommendations made by the ICAO following a September 2006 audit of the country's civil aviation structures which revealed several shortcomings both in terms of legislation as well as implementation.

► SOUTH AFRICA: Cirrus light aircraft crashes just outside Johannesburg Lanseria Airport; 2 dead.

Two people were killed yesterday morning when their Cirrus SR-20 (ZS-CAP) light aircraft crashed after take off from Johannesburg's Lanseria International Airport. According to the South African Press Association, a Lanseria spokeswoman has stated that the "plane left the airport and appeared to be trying to return when it crashed on open land outside the airport."

■ SOMALIA: Somaliland lifts UN flights ban after Turkish brokered talks resolve impasse with Mogadishu.

Turkey has successfully brokered an agreement following talks between the autonomous, yet internationally unrecognised, state of Somaliland and Somalia in which United Nations aircraft will once more be allowed to resume transiting Somaliland airspace and airports, effective July 15. Mr Mahmoud Abdi Hashi, Somaliland's Minister of Civil Aviation and Air Transport, made the announcement in Hargeisa.

■ NIGERIA: Kenya, Nigeria sign revised BASA; Kenya Airways eyes Abuja flights soon.

Kenya Airways (KQ) will "soon" commence direct flights to the Nigerian capital, Abuja, Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta has announced. Mr Kenyatta made the remarks during a recently ended official visit to West Africa in which various trade and bilateral agreements were signed, among them, a revised Air Services Agreement. Speaking during a meeting with Nigerian president, Goodluck Jonathan, at State House Abuja, he pointed out that tourism was a potentially untapped market in bilateral relations between the two countries.

► GERMANY: Royal Air Maroc resumes Casablanca - Munich from December.

Royal Air Maroc (AT) will, from 7 December, resume flights from Casablanca to Munich, Germany following a 7-year long interregnum. The thrice weekly flights will be operated by Denim Air Embraer E190 aircraft.

► CAMEROON: Airbus Military delivers a CASA CN-235 transport to the Cameroonian Air Force.

Airbus Military has delivered one of its CASA/IPTN CN-235 medium-range transport planes to the Cameroon Air Force. The handover makes Cameroon the sixteenth sub-Saharan nation to operate the Airbus Military family of aircraft.

■ EGYPT: Egyptair M&E boss, Abdel Aziz Fadel, appointed new Minister of Civil Aviation.

Egypt's new interim president, Adly Mansour, on Tuesday July 16, presided over the swearing-in ceremony of his new cabinet, scheduled to last six months while fresh elections are planned, whereupon he appointed Mr Abdel Aziz Fadel, the current Chairman and CEO of  Egyptair Maintenance & Engineering, to the post of interim Minister of Civil Aviation. Mr Fadel replaces Engineer Wael El-Maadawy who was ousted along with the rest of Mohammad Morsi's government during last week's military-backed coup d'état.

► TANZANIA: AeroVista pulls plug on Tanzanian subsidiary citing excessive taxation.

Aerovista has announced that as of July 1, 2013,  it has suspended the operations of its Tanzanian subsidiary, Aerovista Tanzania Limited. The Sharjah-based ACMI specialists had obtained their Tanzanian Air Operators Certificate in September 2012 just as a lease deal with Air Tanzania (TC) for a Boeing 737-500 (MSN 27354 | 4L-AJB) fell through.

► ANGOLA: TAAG to serve either London or Paris from June/July 2014 - Carreira.

TAAG Linhas Aéreas de Angola (DT) will launch flights to either London or Paris CDG during the second half of 2014, the airline's director of operations, Mr. Rui Carreira, has disclosed. The route's launch, however, will hinge upon the delivery of a new Boeing 777-300ER, due in May 2014, he added.

■ SOUTH AFRICA: Over four-thousand SAA staff to strike today over wage dispute; allege discrimination.

Over 4000 South African Airways (SA) employees in the airline's cabin and ground crew sectors will, from today, embark on a strike proclaimed by their trade union, the South African Transport & Allied Workers' Union (SATAWU), after SAA's management "unilaterally" went ahead and implemented a 6.23% wage rise with benefits; an offer previously rejected by the union.

■■ SUDAN: See Renderings for New Khartoum International Airport to be built and financed by China.

[UPDATE 17 JULY 2013] The Arab press is reporting that the Sudanese Government has signed a USD$750million loan, with an as-yet-unspecified foreign bank, to fund the initial construction phase of the capital, Khartoum's, New International Airport. The loan will be repaid over a period of 25 years, beginning after the completion of the project. Other loans secured thus far include a USD$47million loan from the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development signed in July 2010, and another for USD$120million from the Jeddah-based Islamic Development Bank (IDB) signed in May 2010.

►► PHILIPPINES: Ethiopian Airlines cancels planned Manila, Ho Chi Minh City routes; nixes Singapore.

[UPDATE 17 JULY] According to AirlineRoute, Ethiopian Airlines (ET) plans to adjust its East Asia operations from 18JUN13, with the tentative launch of 3 new destinations: Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam), Manila (Philippines) and Seoul Incheon (South Korea).

■ SENEGAL: ASECNA secures $39million loan from the IFC for infrastructural upgrades.

The Agency for Aerial Navigation Safety in Africa and Madagascar (L'Agence pour la Sécurité de la Navigation aérienne en Afrique et à Madagascar - ASECNA) has secured a loan of USD39.43million (EUR30million) from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, to finance part of its renovation plan, which includes the acquisition of new equipment and the refurbishment of buildings. These investments will allow ASECNA to continue improving the quality of its services and to maintain its perfect safety track record. 

► SOUTH AFRICA: fastjet keen on Mozambique, Zimbabwe markets as more SA carriers eye Dar es Salaam.

With the launch of Johannesburg - Dar es Salaam flights said to be approaching "soon", fastjet says once operations are in place, it would like to get in on the difficult to access, albeit very lucrative, South Africa - Mozambique and South Africa - Zimbabwe markets.

.

■ EU BLACK LIST: Who's hot, who's not in Guinea, the DRC, Libya, Madagascar, Mauritania, Mozambique and Sudan.

The following is an extract from the latest Official Journal of the European Union detailing the group's most recent decisions and activities, with particular reference paid to the latest updates made to its ominous Banned Operators List. Among the countries that argued their cases to be struck off the list in Brussels (and in one instance, chose to remain on the list) were the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Guinea, Libya, Madagascar, Mauritania, Mozambique and Sudan. The extract lists the various changes, including carriers that have now been either certified or struck off the countries' respective verified operator's lists, that each regulatory authority has implemented with respect to EU & ICAO minimums.

► SPAIN: Royal Air Maroc starts Casablanca - Tenerife Nord from late October.

Royal Air Maroc (AT) is set to begin flights from Casablanca to Tenerife Nord with effect from 29OCT. The three times weekly flights will operate using an ATR72. Canary Islands-based carrier, Binter Canarias (NT) currently serves Marrakech from Tenerife Nord.

■ NAMIBIA: NAC planning to add a new terminal, runway at Windhoek Hosea Kutako International Airport.

The Namibia Airports Company (NAC) has announced plans to construct a new passenger terminal and a second runway at the Windhoek's Hosea Kutako International Airport as part of its five year strategic plan. Speaking in Windhoek during the handing over of two apron buses for use at the airport, Chairwoman Ms Ndeuhala Katonyala said that while the NAC is currently focussed on extending the current passenger terminal at Hosea Kutako to ease the flow of passengers, a new terminal would be required to meet anticipated long term growth.

► SAUDI ARABIA: Kenya Airways to boost Jeddah to 4x weekly from September to November.

Owing to an expected surge in demand during its Hajj & Umrah operations, Kenya Airways (KQ) from 03SEP13 to 10NOV13 is increasing the frequency of its Nairobi – Jeddah service, where it’ll operate 4 weekly flights instead of the current two. The operational aircraft will also change from an Embraer E190 to a Boeing 737-800.

► SOUTH AFRICA: Thai Airways cuts Johannesburg flights from late July 'til September.

Thailand carrier Thai Airways International (TG), will from 27 July until 19 September, temporarily reduce its Bangkok – Johannesburg operation. With the loss of Friday flights during the period, frequencies will drop to 3x weekly from the current four.

■ KENYA: Construction of Nairobi JKIA's second runway to start in November.

Construction of Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport's much needed second runway is set to begin in November this year after Kenyan Infrastructure Cabinet Secretary, Michael Kamau, gave the go ahead to ensure that the project is completed by 2017.

■ CONGO (BRAZZAVILLE): Equatorial Congo Airlines selects Zodiac's Rave IFE system for its 757s.

Zodiac Aerospace has announced that Equatorial Congo Airlines (LC), the Brazzaville-based Congolese operator, has selected Zodiac Inflight Innovations' Rave Inflight Entertainment (IFE) System to be installed on its two B757-200 aircraft.

► MALAWI: Lengthy certification process could result in long wait for Malawi Airlines to get airborne.

While on a visit to the Malawian capital, Lilongwe, last week, Ethiopian Airlines' CEO, Tewolde Gebremariam, stated that despite the announcement earlier this month of the formation of Malawi Airlines in which his carrier owns a 49% stake, it will still be "some time" before the carrier begins operations.

► UGANDA: Government proposal for Uganda Airlines 2.0 to go before cabinet shortly.

Uganda's Works & Transport Minister, Abraham Byandala, says a government drawn-up proposal for the re-establishment of Uganda Airlines (QU) will shortly go before Cabinet for consideration marking the first tentative steps taken by Kampala to re-enter the domestic and regional aviation scene.

■ NIGERIA: Purported fleeting plans for Nigeria One unveiled; eyes 50 aircraft by Q4 2014.

The first purported fleeting plans for Nigeria's tentative new national carrier, Nigeria One, have been revealed with an overall goal of acquiring fifty aircraft from various manufacturers before the end of next year.

■ EGYPT: Cairo's Top Aviation to roll out iPort's Departure Control System across Egypt.

Cairo-based Top Aviation has become the latest ground handling services provider to deploy the web-based iPort airline departure control system (DCS) following the signing of a multi-year agreement.

► MALAWI: Ethiopian Airlines unveil Lilongwe as Southern African hub.

In a predictable follow on to its recent announcement of the launch of a renewed Malawian national carrier, dubbed Malawi Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines (ET) has officially unveiled Lilongwe as the location for its Southern African hub.

■ SOUTH AFRICA: FlightSafety International now offering Embraer ERJ145 training in South Africa.

FlightSafety International has announced that it now offers training for the Embraer ERJ 145 aircraft in Johannesburg, South Africa. The Embraer ERJ 145 full flight simulator, is installed at FlightSafety’s Learning Center in Johannesburg.

■ ZIMBABWE: CAAZ looking for $400mln to upgrade Harare International to cope with future traffic growth.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ) will need USD400million overall to proceed with plans to expand Harare International Airport, which is anticipating a rise in traffic over the coming 10 years.

► CAMEROON: Turkish Airlines hurting Camair-Co on Europe-bound traffic - Perchat.

Camair-Co (QC) says Turkish Airlines' (TK) recent entry into the Cameroonian market is having a serious effect on the carrier's international traffic with almost 50% of the Paris-bound market having been lost to the Turks, Camair Commercial Director, Christian Perchat, has disclosed.

► SÃO TOMÉ & PRÍNCIPE: Newly installed runway lighting at São Tomé paves the way for night-time flights in August.

São Toméan carrier, STP Airways (8F), and the various other carriers that serve the island nation, could begin to offer better international and regional connecting flights beginning this August after the recent successful installation and testing of runway lighting at the carrier's home base of São Tomé International Airport.

► UNITED KINGDOM: Fire aboard Ethiopian 787 parked at London Heathrow; carrier to continue 787 ops despite incident.

An Ethiopian Airlines (ET) Boeing 787-8 (MSN 34744 | ET-AOP) has been grounded at London Heathrow airport following an on-board fire which broke out while the aircraft was parked at a remote stand on Friday, July 12, 2013. The aircraft was empty when the incident was observed.

■■ SENEGAL: (Pics) Dakar's new Blaise Diagne International Airport now delayed until Q4 2014.

Blaise Diagne International Airport, Diass, Senegal

 

[UPDATE 12 JULY 2013] After a bold declaration last year by the then Senior Senegalese Minister in charge of International Cooperation, Air transport, Infrastructure and Energy, Karim Wade, that the capital Dakar's new Blaise Diagne International Airport (AIBD) in Diass would be ready this year, Senegal's Prime Minister, Abdoul Mbaye, today announced the country's second international airport would only be commissioned in the first quarter of 2014. He, however, did not provide a reason for the delay. [UPDATE 12 JULY 2013] Completion of the airport has now been delayed until November 2014. Senegalese paper, Libération, is quoted as saying a dispute between the Bin Laden Group and Dakar which threatened to derail the project has since been resolved with works now back on track.

■ LIBYA: FedEx resumes operations in Libya through Takween for Airfreight Services.

FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) and the world’s largest express transportation company, has expanded its global network by re-launching its express solutions in Libya through Takween for Airfreight Services.

■ 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.

■ SOUTH AFRICA: Bombardier sets up a Regional Support Office and Parts Depot in Johannesburg.

Canadian aircraft manufacturer, Bombardier Aerospace, has opened a new Regional Support Office (RSO) and parts depot in Johannesburg, South Africa. The office and depot will anchor regional support capabilities for Bombardier business and commercial aircraft customers in Africa. Both the Johannesburg RSO and parts depot are co-located at Bombardier’s Business Aircraft Authorized Service Facility (ASF) at ExecuJet South Africa’s facility at Johannesburg's Lanseria Airport. It will be the 11th parts facility in Bombardier’s network.

► GHANA: Report claims pilot error partly to blame for the 2012 Allied Air Cargo 727F crash in Accra.

The chairman of the investigative committee for the June 2, 2012 crash of a Nigerian Allied Air (4W) cargo B727-200F (MSN  22540 | 5N-BJN) at Accra Kotoka International Airport which killed 10 people on the ground, has presented the final report to the Ghanaian Ministry of Transport for consideration. Among the findings by Captain Alec Grant Sam and his committee are that the pilots of the 727 "were partly to blame" for the accident, having touched down too far along runway 21 to allow them to stop safely.

► SOUTH AFRICA: Mango to boost local frequencies with arrival of first leased 737-800 in August.

South African LCC, mango (JE), is planning to boost its local capacity by over 30 weekly flights following the introduction of the first of two B737-800s leased from Safair in August CEO, Mr Nico Bezuidenhout, has confirmed.

► FLEET UPDATE BULLETIN: Arik Air, Tunisair, Air Algérie, Aeolus Air, Comair.

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: Arik Air (W3), Tunisair (TU), Air Algérie (AH), Aeolus Air (AAZ) and Comair South Africa.

■ ETHIOPIA: Bombardier appoints Ethiopian Airlines MRO an Authorized Service Facility for commercial aircraft.

Bombardier Aerospace has named Ethiopian Airlines (ET) as an Authorized Service Facility (ASF) for commercial aircraft. Bombardier has signed a Letter of Intent to authorize the airline to perform line and heavy maintenance on Q400 and Q400 NextGen turboprop aircraft. The agreement is expected to take effect by late August.

► SOMALIA: Turkish Airlines says strongest performing route is Mogadishu.

Turkish Airlines (TK) has announced a marked growth in the number of passengers flying to Turkey and onward to its other international destinations.  Between January and June 2013, Turkish Airlines saw a 25.8 percent increase in global ticket sales over the same period in 2012, a total of more than 22.4 million passengers with African traffic accounting for a significant proportion in that increase.

■ EU BLACK LIST: Libya chooses to remain blacklisted as Air Madagascar is stuck in Annex B.

The European Commission has updated for the 21st time, the European list of airlines subject to an operating ban or operational restrictions within the European Union, better known as "the EU air safety list". While both Philippine Airlines (PR) and Venezuela's Conviasa were taken off the restrictive list, there were no changes for any of the African countries, or their carriers.

► SOMALIA: (MEDIA) Air Uganda touches down in Mogadishu.

Air Uganda (U7) on 8 July 2013, launched its 3x weekly service between Entebbe and Mogadishu, Somalia using a CRJ200. On hand to see in the arrival were Government officials from both Somalia and Uganda who welcomed the Air Uganda jet with the symbolic “water canon salute”.

► FRANCE: Equatorial Congo Airlines has begun a weekly Pointe Noire - Paris CDG service.

Brazzaville-based carrier Equatorial Congo Airlines, better known as EC Air Congo (LC), on June 29, launched a weekly service connecting the Congolese petroleum hub of Pointe Noire with Paris CDG using a B757-200. EC Air also connects Brazzaville with the French capital.

► MAURITIUS: Emirates to deploy A380 to Mauritius from mid December.

After the successful one-off operation of the jet to Mauritius earlier in the year, Emirates (EK), will from 16DEC13, introduce the Airbus A380 into service between Dubai and Mauritius route, where it’ll operate 1 of the 2 daily flights, replacing the current Boeing 777-300. 

► UNITED KINGDOM: AV Cargo Airlines to add second MD11F shortly; to expand African network further.

A second MD11F freighter, on lease from Boeing Capital Corp., is to be delivered to AV Cargo Airlines (Z3) within the next two weeks and will enter service in early September. AV Cargo, the UK-based scheduled air cargo and charter company plans to use its expanding fleet to further its route network which already extensively covers West Africa.

► MALAWI: Malawi Airlines to launch with a B737-800, Q400; outlines planned network.

Malawi Airlines, successor to the now defunct Air Malawi Ltd, has outlined its planned initial route network and its fleet, which has now been revealed to consist of a Boeing 737-800 and a Bombardier Q400. The aircraft are to be sourced from majority shareholder Ethiopian Airlines (ET).