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Thursday, January 24, 2013

► TANZANIA: South Africa's Mango sets sights on East Africa with Zanzibar a possible launch destination.

South African Low Cost Carrier Mango (JE) is set to expand into the East African market in the coming 18 months according to Mango CEO Nico Bezuidenhout with the strongest contender on the carrier's list said to be Zanzibar, where the carrier operated a limited charter service in December.

■ SOMALIA: New Immigration building opened at Mogadishu Aden Adde International Airport.

SomaliaThe new Immigration Department building at Mogadishu's Aden Adde International Airport was officially handed over on Sunday 14, January. Built on behalf of the Somali  Department of Immigration by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the project was funded by the Japanese Government.

► LIBYA: Ryanair in negotiations with Tunisia, Egypt and Libya over possible flights.

Irish low cost megacarrier, Ryanair (FR), has announced that it is looking at starting flights to Tunisia, Libya and Egypt "over the next few years," though any potential flights would depend on the deregulation of their own aviation industries as well as the signing of an Open Skies agreement with the European Union.

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

► SOUTH SUDAN: Turkey's AtlasJet wins tender for national airline; to launch with two aircraft.

Turkey's Atlasjet (KK), is to establish a private airline in South Sudan following the opening of bids on January 23,  in the South Sudanese capital, Juba. In September, Murat Ersoy, the President of Atlasjet (KK), led a 25-member strong Turkish delegation to Juba, scouting for potential business opportunities.

■ GHANA: The outcome of talks between the GCAA and Delta Airlines over allegations of the latter's shoddy service.

GCAAThe Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has met with officials of the Delta Airlines (DL) at the GCAA Head Office in a bid to resolve complaints from passengers stemming from flight delays, cancellations and poor customer service.


■ SOUTH AFRICA: SAA, Mango, Comair all object to fastjet's 1Time licence transfer designs as Skywise's ASLC application fails.

fastjetIn a rare show of unity, South African carriers Mango (JE), South African Airways (SA) and Comair Group (owners of BA Comair (BA) and Kulula (MN)) have collectively objected to the South African Air Services Licensing Council, a state regulator set to convene next month, over fastjet's (FN) proposed transfer of 1time’s operators licence, who are applying for a Ministerial exemption in order to fast track the process.

► GHANA: Two new startups looking to start ops: Eagle Atlantic Airlines and Air Ghana.

Eagle Atlantic Airlines (EAB) is planning to launch regional operations from its Accra hub should it acquire its Air Operator Certificate (AOC). According to its website, Eagle Atlantic plans to operate a single McDonnell Douglas MD-82 to Abuja, Lagos, Abidjan, Conakry, Freetown, Monrovia, Dakar.

► TANZANIA: Air Tanzania's DHC-8-300 completes repairs in Kigoma; resumes ops to Dar es Salaam.

Air TanzaniaAir Tanzania (TC) yesterday resumed its Kigoma - Dar es Salaam route after its Bombardier DHC-8-300 (MSN 474 | 5H-MWF) was grounded in Kigoma on its début flight 10 days ago following an in-flight cracked windshield.

► ZIMBABWE: Ethiopian introduces extra 3x weekly Lusaka, Harare service from mid February.

Ethiopian Airlines
Effective 27 January 2013, Ethiopian Airlines will adjust its Zimbabwe and Zambia operations with 3 out of its 7 weekly Addis Ababa – Harare – Lusaka – Addis Ababa flights to operate as Addis Ababa – Lusaka – Harare – Addis Ababa. Then, effective 18 February, an additional 3x weekly red eye flight operated with a Boeing 737-700 will be introduced bringing the overall frequency to 10.

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

► KENYA: Kenya Airways to seek compensation over possible 787 delivery delays.

Kenya Airways
Kenya Airways (KQ) will seek compensation from Boeing regarding any possible delays in the production of its nine Boeing 787s, the first of which is due later this year, the Kenyan carrier has said in a press release.

► KENYA: Jambo Jet to possibly launch after Q1 as fastjet encounters more law suits.

Kenya AirwaysfastjetDespite being granted an Air Service Licence in October 2012 by the Kenyan Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) for the launch of its low-cost subsidiary, Jambo Jet, Kenya Airways has yet to make headway with the carrier's launch. Competitor fastjet (FN) has also not had an easy time with news that the Tanzania-based LCC is facing increasing problems with its predecessor, Fly540's, creditors.

► SAUDI ARABIA: Saudia announces changes to Addis Ababa, Cairo, Kano routes for Summer 2013.

Saudia
Initial changes to Saudi Arabian airlines Saudia (SV)’s Summer 2013 International operation are as follows, though additional changes, including planned Boeing 777-300ER service entry dates to selected markets, remain subject to change.

Monday, January 21, 2013

► TANZANIA: Emirates boosts capacity to Dar es Salaam from 1 February.

Emirates
Emirates Airlines (EK) will from 1 February 2013 boost its capacity to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania via the introduction of a daily Boeing 777-300ER. Presently, the flight operates with an A340-500.

► TUNISIA: Tunisair boss Jrad whinges about Syphax's network expansion plans calling them "unfair."

TunisairRabah Jrad, the boss of Tunisia's national carrier, Tunisair (TU), in an interview with a local Tunisian radio station has labelled as "illegal" and "unfair" the networkexpansion plans of private Tunisian private carrier, Syphax Airlines (FS).

► EGYPT: AlMasria Universal Airlines calls in AFI KLM E&M for tricky CFM56 repair job.

AlMasria Universal Airline
AlMasria Universal Airlines (UJ) has called on the services of Air France Industries/KLM Engineering & Maintenance to deal with an AOG (Aircraft on Ground) situation concerning CFM56-5B engines fitted to one of the aircraft operated by the Egyptian carrier.

► LIBYA: Tunisair to launch Tunis - Sebha flights from February.

TunisairTunisair (TU) has announced that it will start flights between Tunis and Sebha, Libya effective 1 February. The addition of Sebha will bring the number of Tunisair destinations served in Libya to four after Tripoli and Benghazi, and Misrata.

►► SOUTH AFRICA: Mega Maldives Airlines looks to start Johannesburg.

flyMega Maldives[UPDATE 21 JANUARY] Following the recent arrival of a Boeing 757-200ER, Maldivian airline Mega Maldives Airlines (5M) has announced plans to expand its international network, with Johannesburg being amongst the destinations being considered, though no specific date has been mentioned.

Sunday, January 20, 2013

► MADAGASCAR: Corsair suspends Paris - Antananarivo flights until June citing poor loads.

Corsair InternationalFrench carrier Corsair International (SS) is to temporarily suspend its Paris Orly - Antananarivo, Madagascar flights effective 17 January to mid June this year citing poor yields.

■ KENYA: Hunt on for new Kenya Airways' Commercial Director after Mohan Chandra's contract is not renewed.

Kenya AirwaysKenya Airways (KQ) has appointed its Head of Network Planning, Jimmy Kebati, as its interim Commercial Director, after previous director, Mohan Chandra's contract was not renewed upon its expiration on 18 January.

Friday, January 18, 2013