The Algerian government has forged ahead with its previously mentioned plans of transforming Houari Boumediene International Airport in the Algerian capital, Algiers, into an international hub. In an interview with Algerian paper Tout sur l'Algérie, the airport's CEO Tahar Allache allured to a new terminal to be built by 2018 and which will accommodate 10 million passengers per year, in addition to extra-wide-bodies such as the Airbus A380.
Nigerian airline, Aero Contractors (AJ), will from 1 December 2012, commence daily Boeing 737-500 flights between Abuja and the south eastern city of Calabar, Cross River State.
Fresh from announcing better pax uptake and stronger financials for November 2012, Tunisair (TU) will, starting 2 April 2013, expand its Boeing 737-600 operations from the Tunisian city of Sfax to Libya.
From 1 March 2013, South African LCC, kulula (MN), will launch flights
between Johannesburg ORTIA and the coastal Eastern Cape city of East London. The airline says it will operate two return flights a day on the one-hour trip, using its new 189-seater Boeing 737-800.
With the first of its fleet of Airbus A319s having now having arrived in the Tanzanian capital, Dar es Salaam, nascent low-cost carrier fastjet (FN) has been granted full approval to operate the aircraft by the Tanzanian Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA). Its team of 35 pilots, 65 cabin crew and 7 maintenance specialists on the ground actively preparing for launch, the carrier has outlined its regional expansion plans as demand for its flights has totalled to more than 8'000 bookings in their first week on sale.
As mentioned in our previous post, Air Libya (7Q), the private Libyan carrier formerly known as Tibesti Air Libya, is set to receive its first BAe146-300/ARJ100 (MSN: 3234 | 5A-FLB) in the carrier's new corporate identity and livery.
Infamous Irish LCC, Ryanair (FR), have
confirmed the resumption of two London - Marrakech, Morocco routes to its winter
schedule, with 8 weekly flights to/from London Stansted (4 per week) and
London Luton (4 per week) from February 2013, as late additions to its
winter 2012-13 schedule
Fresh from last week's announcement of direct Shanghai flights from 2013, Air Mauritius (MK) will from 2 July 2013 add a 3rd weekly flight on its Mauritius – Hong Kong route. The 3rd weekly flight is expected to be maintained into the Northern Winter 2013/14 season as well.
The Nigerian Airspace Management Authority (NAMA) has, effective 15 November 2012, switched from the analogue method of preparing flight plans to an automated flight plan system, that can be accessed here. In addition, the system is compatible with changes announced to the ICAO model flight plan
form and ATS Messages (Amendment 1 to 15th Edition of PANS ATM Doc 4444) which came into effect on 15 November 2012.
The season for go slows and strikes appears to have hit the African aviation scene this week with 4 countries reporting industrial action, either planned, or ongoing.
As previously reported by The African Aviation Tribune, the original founders of defunct South African LCC 1Time have indeed revealed that they are planning to launch a brand new low-cost carrier, called Skywise, in South Africa during the first 3 months of 2013.
Ethiopian Airlines (ET) has opened the first phase of its new business class (Cloud Nine) lounge at its main
hub, Addis Ababa Bole International Airport. The phase now features modern facilities and amenities and is available exclusively to premium travellers.
[UPDATED 20 NOVEMBER 2012] The search for two South African pilots who went missing on 27 October as they flew home to South Africa is to be called off Friday.
Singapore Airlines Cargo (SQ) has announced various changes to its world cargo routes, in addition to the announcement of a new direct Singapore - Johannesburg, South Africa dedicated terminator service. The changes have been in vigour since 28 October.
