► UNITED KINGDOM: Stelios Haji-Ioannou acquires Fly540's parent company Lonrho Aviation; FastJet one step closer to reality.

EasyJet founder Stelios Haji-Ioannou's Rubicon Diversified Investments today acquired Lonrho Aviation, the parent company of Nairobi-based LCC Fly540, for USD$87.5 million.

Stelios Haji-Ioannou (easyGroup)

As part of the deal, Haji-Ioannou's easyGroup Holdings Limited will own 5% of the ordinary share capital of Rubicon with the option of acquiring a further 10% in addition to receiving royalties equivalent to 0.5% of revenue. Rubicon will also avail its substantial financial resources and experience with its successful Fly540 brand, to allow for the realization of "FastJet", the soon-to-be Ghanaian startup that will service West Africa.

Lonrho Aviation t/a Fly540 is a Nairobi-based LCC with franchises in Kenya, Tanzania, Ghana and Angola, who, as of 31 December 2011 had Total Assets of US$ 83.5 million and in the 15 months to December 2011, made a loss after tax of US$ 19.0 million. The majority of these losses were predominantly due to the start-up and establishment costs of opening the Angola and Ghana operational hubs.  

"In addition to the partnership with easyGroup, a key benefit of the Transaction to Lonrho is the substantial cash resources held by Rubicon (£8.8m as at 31 December 2011) which will be available for continued investment in the airline business following Completion.  

Fastjet will focus on developing a true low cost airline for Africa based on the existing Lonrho Aviation platform which, in its existing operations as Fly540, had turnover of US$57 million and carried 525,375 passengers in the 15 months to 31^st December 2011. Passenger loads continue to increase with Fly540 carrying 53,225 for the month of May 2012."

Read More Here [Lonrho]

► NIGERIA: Air Nigeria grounded for safety checks; 787 deal likely a farce.

If its not strikes grounding Air Nigeria (VK), then its likely government departments acting too little, too late in the interests of public safety.

Ten days after Dana Air flight 9J-992's tragic crash whilst on approach into Lagos' Murtala Muhammed International Airport in which 153 people perished,  Harold Demuren, the Director-General of Nigeria’s Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) himself under heavy pressure since June 3, ordered grounded, the country's second largest carrier so as to carry out a safety audit.

"It is a routine action to enable us look at the airline’s operations before allowing it to go back to operations again, having been on strike for days. This is normal." quoted NCAA spokesman Sam Adurogboye.　

Read More Here [Panapress] 

Air Nigeria boss Jimoh Ibrahim swiftly moved to deny that his airline had been grounded insisting instead, that his airline had willingly ceased operations of its own volition, and not, as reported, under duress.

“We are not grounded by anybody, but we decided not to fly today because we just felt that we should reorganize and create particular awareness because we’re coming out of (a) strike,” Ibrahim said. He said flights should resume Thursday.

Read More Here [The Washington Post]

The whole debacle started, it seems, with the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) strike of 1 June where one of the grievances was that management had not availed enough money to the Engineers to allow them to maintain the aircraft adequately. On ending the week-long strike, NAAPE President Isaac Balami rescinded that claim, and restated that in actuality, the strike had only been about "social benefits".

Then, following the Dana Air crash, John I. Nnorom, a former Executive Director for Finance at Air Nigeria who resigned his appointment with the airline on April 1, 2012, published a stinging article in the Nigerian press, condemning Air Nigeria's safety record, and imploring people not to fly the airline for safety reasons. 

John Nnorom (MercyJohnson)

"He (Nnorom) disclosed that Air Nigeria is in financial crisis because money loaned by Bank of Industry of N35.5Billion has been diverted into Mr. Ibrahim’s NICON INVESTMENT LTD, a non-finance company popularly called wonder bank, leading to air safety being compromised, and stressed that there is a great possibility of a disastrous Air Nigeria crash, which can occur at any time.

He recalled that in Jan 2012, Licensed Engineers in Air Nigeria went on strike because they were being forced to certify unfit aircraft into the air, and another strike was averted in March 2012 following the intervention of the DG-NCAA, Demureen.  Both events, he said, were based on failure on Failure To Meet Safety Standard, and are verifiable information the public is aware of."

 Read More Here [SaharReporters]

Naturally, Air Nigeria moved to rebuff Nnorom's claims by labelling him an "illiterate in the maintenance of aircraft and a criminal".

Then, Nigerian Press investigations revealed that Air Nigeria's claims to have signed a deal to buy four Boeing 787 Dreamliners for $887 million through a loan with the U.S. Export-Import Bank was denied to The Associated Press by officials at both Boeing and the bank 

So, could there be an element of truth in Nnorom's claims? Or is he simply a butthurt ex-employee out to smear his former employers?

In the end, the age old dictum that states "there are three sides to every story: Yours, mine and the truth" is most relevant, though when dealing with Nigeria one can only be assured of ever hearing the "Yours and Mine" part; the Truth? Well good luck with that one...

► RÉUNION: Air Austral restructures Africa routes.

Troubled French carrier, Air Austral (UU), who last month announced the cancellation of several of its Provence France destinations as well as its Australia and New Caledonia routes, is to reorganize several of its African destinations, as it fights back from a miserable 2011 Financial Year, which saw it cancelling its order for two Airbus A380s.

A rendering of Air Austral's A380 (flightglobal)

The announced changes:

Air Austral

St. Denis de la Reunion – Dzaoudzi (Mayotte FOT) – Moroni (Comoros):

Twice weekly service moves from Tuesday & Sunday to Monday & Thursday.

• UU255 RUN1100 – 1210DZA1310 – 1350HAH 738 14
• UU256 HAH1450 – 1530DZA1650 – 1950RUN 738 14

St. Denis de la Reunion – Johannesburg (South Africa):

Operational schedule changes for the two weekly flights, moving from night-time to afternoon/evening hours, as well as moving from Thursday & Sunday to Monday & Thursday.

• UU341 RUN1515 – 1725JNB 738 4
• UU311 RUN1515 – 1725JNB 738 1
• UU342 JNB1825 – 0015+1RUN 738 4
• UU312 JNB1825 – 0015+1RUN 738 1

St. Denis de la Reunion – Nossi-Be (Madagascar) – Dzaoudzi (Mayotte FOT/Comoros)

Service increases from 2x to 3x weekly

• UU203 RUN1100 – 1150NOS1235 – 1320DZA 738 257
• UU204 DZA1520 – 1605NOS1650 – 1930RUN 738 257

St. Denis de la Reunion – Seychelles

Twice weekly service moving from Thursday & Saturday to Wednesday & Friday.

• UU431 RUN0900 – 1140SEZ 738 3
• UU451 RUN0900 – 1140SEZ 738 5
• UU432 SEZ1230 – 1505RUN 738 3
• UU452 SEZ1230 – 1505RUN 738 5

St. Denis de la Reunion – Toamasina (Madagascar)

Service reduces from 3x to 2x weekly.

• UU555 RUN1530 – 1620TMM AT7 5
• UU515 RUN1530 – 1620TMM AT7 1
• UU556 TMM1705 – 1950RUN AT7 5
• UU516 TMM1705 – 1950RUN AT7 1

Dzaoudzi (Mayotte FOT) – Mahajanga (Madagascar)

Twice weekly service moving from Wednesday & Friday to Wednesday & Saturday.

• UU244 DZA1310 – 1355MJN 738 36
• UU245 MJN1445 – 1530DZA 738 36

 Read More Here [Airline Route]

► KENYA: Gulf Air reduces Nairobi service from October.

Bahrain-based carrier Gulf Air (GF) will reduce its Bahrain - Nairobi, Kenya service from 6x weekly, to 5x weekly effective Winter 2012 (i.e 28 October 2012).

Gulf Air started services to Nairobi last year in July. 

Of late, the carrier has had viability problems on some of its Africa routes, most notably Entebbe, Uganda, which was axed after just 4 months in service.

A Gulf Air Airbus A319 (DJ)

Gulf Air: Bahrain – Nairobi, Kenya
 - Effective 28 October 2012, service reduces from 6x to 5x weekly

• GF715 BAH1005 – 1515NBO 319 23
• GF717 BAH2120 – 0230+1NBO 319 456

• GF718 NBO0315 – 0805BAH 319 567
• GF716 NBO1600 – 2050BAH 319 23

Read More Here [Airline Route] 

■ MOROCCO: Bombardier to build plant in Casablanca.

Canadian aircraft manufacturer, Bombardier Aerospace, has announced plans to open an assembly plant in an Export Processing Zone (EPZ) in Casablanca, Morocco, pending Moroccan Government approval.

Located near Casablanca's Mohammed V International Airport, the Nouaceur MidParc EPZ offers investors a 5 year tax-free honeymoon period, after which the rate rises to 8.75% for the next 20 years.

Last year, Bombardier signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Moroccan Government  with the

intention of investing approximately USD$200 million in equipment, buildings and start-up costs over the next eight years though it has only now decided on an actual site.

A nearly-completed Q400 in Montreal (Steelhead)

Scheduled to be implemented in phases starting in 2012, Bombardier Aerospace’s new Moroccan facility will initially include sub-assembly capabilities for simple structures. The new facility is scheduled to start manufacturing in 2013. Details on the type of components to be manufactured will be finalized in the coming months.

By the end of 2020, employment at the Morocco facility is expected to reach 850 skilled and trained workers. Bombardier Aerospace anticipates that there will be no impact on its current workforce level at other sites as a result of this announcement.

Read More Here [Bombardier]

Morocco's economy has seen a minor boom in recent years thanks to free trade deals with international partners, amongst whom there is French car manufacturer Renault who, in February, opened a massive USD$1.5billion plant in a similar EPZ in Tangiers.

► ETHIOPIA: Ethiopian further delays 787 service to Harare & Lusaka.

With Ethiopian Airlines (ET) having to wait longer and longer for the delivery of its Boeing 787 Dreamliner, so too has it had to postpone its subsequent use on its introductory routes.

Previously, Ethiopian announced delays in the 787s introduction on its Addis Ababa - Johannesburg and Addis Ababa – Dubai, and this has now been followed by an announcement of delays on the Addis Ababa – Harare and Addis Ababa – Lusaka routes.

Originally planned for entry into service on 16 September 2012, so Zimbabwe and Zambia will now have to wait until 28 October 2012 before catching a glimpse of the Dreamliner. Until then, the present status quo will be maintained i.e Addis Ababa - Harare - Lusaka - Addis Ababa will be operated with a Boeing 767-300.

Ethiopian Airlines: Addis Ababa - Harare - Lusaka - Addis Ababa
Until 27 October 2012

• ET873 ADD0920 – 1245HRE1335 – 1435LUN1525 – 2025ADD 763 D

From 28 October 2012
Addis Ababa – Harare

• ET873 ADD0920 – 1245HRE 738 246
• ET873 ADD0920 – 1245HRE 787 x246
• ET872 HRE1440 – 1955ADD 738 246
• ET872 HRE1440 – 1955ADD 787 x246

Addis Ababa – Lusaka

• ET883 ADD0910 – 1215LUN 787 246
• ET883 ADD0910 – 1215LUN 738 x246
• ET882 LUN1500 – 2005ADD 787 246
• ET882 LUN1500 – 2005ADD 738 x246

 Read More Here [Airline Route] 

► SOUTH AFRICA: Emirates adds A380 to Johannesburg for duration of June.

Emirates (EK) has issued a slightly revised June schedule for its Dubai - Johannesburg, South Africa service.

From 11 June to 24 June 2012 and again on 30 June, EK761 & EK762 will be operated with an Airbus A380, instead of the planned Boeing 777-300ER.

Emirates' A380 in Johannesburg (Bianca Renz)

  

 Emirates: Dubai - Johannesburg, South Africa

• EK761 DXB0440 – 1050JNB 388 D
• EK763 DXB1015 – 1625JNB 77W D
• EK765 DXB1440 – 2050JNB 77W D

• EK762 JNB1410 – 0010+1DXB 388 D
• EK764 JNB1915 – 0515+1DXB 77W D
• EK766 JNB2220 – 0820+1DXB 77W D

As previously reported, the A380 remains on schedule to operate a regular daily service from 1 October 2012.

Read More Here [Airline Route]

► NIGERIA: Air Nigeria again postpones Johannesburg service.

Nigerian carrier Air Nigeria (VK), has again put back the date of its intended Lagos - Johannesburg, South Africa service, this time 'til 1 July 2012.

Air Nigeria flights to Joburg

Initially, the service had been slated to start on 16 May, that date was then delayed until 17 June, before finally being put back to July 1. Whether this new delay has anything to do with the only recently ended Pilots & Engineers Union NAAPE strike, which took its toll on the airline punctuality-wise, is uncertain.

► TANZANIA: Precision Air further delays Harare & Lilongwe to August amid strong growth.

Tanzanian carrier Precision Air (PW) over the weekend announced that its planned new routes to Harare, Zimbabwe and Lilongwe, Malawi, would only begin "in August this year" instead of early July as originally planned as the airline intends to await the arrival of more aircraft prior to servicing the new routes.

► MALI: Air Mali signs code-share with Air France.

Following on from last week's code share agreement signing with Air Burkina of Burkina Faso, Air France announced today, the signing of another code share agreement, this time with Mali's Air Mali (I5). The agreement will see Air France selling Air Mali a quota of seats on its daily flights from Paris to the Malian capital, Bamako.

► BOTSWANA: Bluesky Airways gearing up for service?

From info garnered from Botswanan charter company Bluesky Airways' website, it appears that  Air Botswana could be in for a run for its money in the very near future. Having recently performed proving flights with its leased Boeing 737-200 to Maun for the Civil Aviation Authority of Botswana (CAAB), and with a new website on its way for a 9 July launch, the airline seems to be gearing up for scheduled operations, given the green light from the CAAB. At present, the airline only offers a charter service.

► BENIN: Westair Benin to start Libreville, Abidjan, Niamey, Ouagadougou shortly; to acquire various aircraft.

Beninois start-up Westair Benin (WH) is to planning to use a Bombardier CRJ-200 on flights between the capital, Cotonou, and Libreville (Gabon), Niamey (Niger), Abidjan (Cote d'Ivoire) and Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) with other destinations to be added in future.

Founded in 2002, the airline has maintained a relatively low profile thus far, though it is considering a Boeing 737-300 for use in future operations.

Read More Here [CH Aviation]

► FRANCE: Air France announces various Africa changes for Winter 2012.

French carrier Air France (AF) has announced various operational equipment changes to its Africa network, effective 28 October 2012 (i.e Winter 2012).

Air France Equipment Changes (Effective 28 October 2012)

• Paris CDG – Bangui (Central African Republic)1 weekly service operates with A330-200, replaces A340-300
• Paris CDG – Niamey (Niger) – Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) 4 weekly service operates with A330-200, replaces mix of A330/340

Other Equipment changes announced previously: 

Air France 777 over the Sahara (Ken Iwelumo)

• Paris CDG – Antananarivo (Madagascar) 3-class Boeing 777-200ER operating, replaces A340-300 in W12.
• Paris CDG – Douala (Cameroon) – Malabo (Equatorial Guinea) Boeing 777-300ER replaces -200ER, daily operation
• Paris CDG – Mauritius 3-class “COI” Boeing 777-300ER operating, replaces 747-400 in NW11

In Northern Winter 2012/13 season, Air France’s Airbus A340-300 and Boeing 747-400 operational frequencies continue to be reduced on following routes:

Airbus A340-300

• Paris CDG – Bamako (Mali)1 Daily
• Paris CDG – Cotonou (Benin) 5 weekly
• Paris CDG – Lome (Togo) 4 weekly

Boeing 747-400

• Paris Orly – St. Denis de la Reunion 3 weekly

 Read More Here [Airline Route]

► SOMALIA: Ethiopian to start Berbera from July; delays Hargeisa service.

Press reports out of Somaliland state that Ethiopian Airlines (ET) is to commence a daily Q400 service from the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, to the city of Berbera, on the Somaliland Red Sea coast, effective 1 July 2012. There will be 3 morning and 4 afternoon flights.

Originally built with Soviet aid, Berbera Airport got a new departures terminal in 2010 at a cost of USD$110'000.

Berbera Airport, (Somaliland) Somalia (Mitya Aleshkovsky)

Meanwhile, in another Somali-related development, Ethiopian has had to postpone indefinitely, its Addis Ababa - Hargeisa, Somaliland originally planned to start on 10 June 2012, due to the ongoing renovation of the runway there, started on 27 May 2012. The wait, however, could be prolonged, as there are allegations of incompetence and poor workmanship on behalf of the Chinese contractors 'China Hono Group'.

The closure of Hargeisa's Airport has forced people to use Berbera Airport, 160kms away, which is the most likely mitigating factor in Ethiopian's decision to open the Addis Ababa - Berbera route.

"The resumption of flights to Hargeisa, the capital of Somaliland, scheduled for June 10, 2012 has been differed as renovation of runway at Hargeisa airport has not been completed. Once the renovation at Hargeisa airport is completed, Ethiopian plans to start flights immediately."

Read More Here [TigraiOnline]

► SOUTH AFRICA: SAA boosts Perth service from August.

South African Airways (SA) will, from 16 August 2012, increase its frequency between Johannesburg and Perth from 6x weekly, to daily using an Airbus A340-300.

► TANZANIA: Precision Air to restart Arusha from July; postpones Lubumbashi & Lusaka.

With renovations to the runway at Arusha's International Airport nearing completion, Tanzanian private carrier Precision Air (PW) has announced the resumption of daily flights to Arusha with effect from July 10. For the duration of the renovation works, passengers have had to use Kilimanjaro International Airport - 50 km away. 

► MADAGASCAR: Air Madagascar announces Asia operational changes for Summer.

Air Madagascar (MD) has announced that it will introduce its Airbus A340-300 on its Asian routes for the duration of 5 July to 27 October 2012. Presently, the airline operates a Boeing 767-300ER on its Antananarivo – Bangkok – Guangzhou and Antananarivo – Bangkok routes.

Air Madagascar's A340 "F-GLZL" (Didairbus)

The Madagascan carrier signed a 6 year lease with Air France for two Airbus A340-300s in March of this year, with the option of buying the two aircraft when the lease expires. Previous attempts in May of last year to modernize the fleet with other Boeing 767s ran into a brick wall as the planes were added to the European Union's Banned Operator's List.

Antananarivo – Bangkok – Guangzhou

• MD010 TNR1625 – 0540+1BKK0720+1 – 1110+1CAN 343 15
• MD011 CAN1355 – 1555BKK1730 – 2205TNR 343 26
• MD012 TNR1850 – 0805+1BKK 343 3
• MD013 BKK2315 – 0350+1TNR 343 4

 Read More Here [Airline Route]

► MOROCCO: Lufthansa starts Berlin & Dusseldorf to Marrakech from November.

German carrier Lufthansa (LH) has announced Berlin Tegel to Marrakech, Morocco and Düsseldorf to Marrakech both of which will start from 3 November 2012.

The flights are both once weekly, and will be served with an Airbus A320.

A Lufthansa Airbus A320 (Lasse Fuss)

Dusseldorf – Marrakech effective 3 November 2012

• LH3476 DUS1105 – 1350RAK 320 6

• LH3477 RAK1450 – 1940DUS 320 6

Berlin Tegel – Marrakech effective 3 November 2012

• LH3478 TXL2105 – 0020+1RAK 320 6

• LH3479 RAK0205 – 0715TXL 320 6

Note that from 17 March 2013, Berlin Brandenburg Airport will come on line.

Read More Here [Airline Route]

► BURKINA FASO: Air Burkina signs code-share with Air France.

Air Burkina (2J), the Burkinabe regional airline, is to extend its coverage to include France, with the recent signing of a code sharing agreement with Air France.

Effective 1 June, Air France has been allocating Air Burkina an unspecified number of seats on Air France's daily flight between Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Ouagadougou that is operated by either an Airbus A330 or A340.

Air Burkina's Route Map

"Dominique Patry, Vice President International Affairs and Alliances Air France, stated “this partnership agreement fits into a long-term cooperation perspective. It offers an additional illustration of Air France’s strategy in Africa, aiming to work with local partners. Our ultimate ambition is to offer our customers new regional destinations operated by Air Burkina”. "

Read More Here [Air France]

Currently, Air Burkina flies to 11 cities around West Africa and will provide KLM/Air France with an important foothold into the fast growing West African aviation scene and is a development which KLM/Air France hopes to implement on other routes in West and Central Africa as well as in France and Europe.

► COTE D'IVOIRE: First pics of Air Cote d'Ivoire's A319 here!

The Ivory Coast's soon-to-be national carrier, Air Cote d'Ivoire, is set to receive its first aircraft - an Airbus A319 prior to commissioning services in July, as reported earlier by The African Aviation Tribune.