► CONGO (KINSHASA): See Pics of Kabila's refurbished Presidential 707 due back in Kinshasa.

The Congolese Government is set to take redelivery of its Presidential Boeing 707-138B (MSN 64 | 9Q-CLK) used by strongman Joseph Kabila for international flights. The aircraft is one of 13 unique aircraft built for Qantas (QF) in 1959 and is also a sister-ship to John Travolta's Boeing 707.

■ SOUTH AFRICA: NTM's strike enters its 12th day as SAA remains defiant.

Claims by South African Airways (SA) that a 12 day old strike by the National Transport Movement (NTM) over lack of recognition has not affected its operations, have been hotly disputed by the union's deputy secretary general, Liver Mngomezulu.

► NIGERIA: Chanchangi Airlines to acquire two more 737s in the next 6 weeks with a further 2 jets to come thereafter.

Nigerian carrier, Chanchangi Airlines (5B), having resumed operations in December last year, is now set to acquire new aircraft under the auspices of the aviation intervention fund as provided for by the Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON).

► SEYCHELLES: See Video of Air Seychelles' second A330 set to start ops in March.

Seychellois national carrier, Air Seychelles (HM), today took delivery of its second Airbus A330-200. The aircraft is scheduled to make its first test flight in February and will subsequently enter active service in March to launch Air Seychelles’ new international schedule, which includes new services to Hong Kong and increased frequencies to Abu Dhabi, Johannesburg and Mauritius.
 

► MAYOTTE: Air Caraïbes codesharing with Corsair on its Madagascar, Réunion, Dzaoudzi routes.

Air Caraïbes (TX), the regional airline of the French Caribbean, has since 10JAN13 expanded its codeshare operation with Corsair International (SS), which covers the latter’s France – Indian Ocean routes to Madagascar, La Réunion and Dzaoudzi (Mayotte).

■ KENYA: Fly540 issues statement regarding its legal battle with Lonrho Aviation.

Further to the press comment made by the UK’s Sunday Times newspaper (“EasyJet’s chairman quits after Stelios rows”, Section 3: Business, Page 1), Five Forty Aviation Ltd confirms that it has instructed its lawyers to recover an acknowledged debt of USD6.8million from Lonrho Aviation Ltd.

► SOUTH KOREA: SA Tourism looks to woo Korean Air as South Africa increasingly looks East to bolster its tourism numbers.

In a bid to woo more Asian tourists, South African Tourism, the South African department responsible for marketing the country as a tourist destination, has said it intends to lobby Korean Air (KE) to start flights between Seoul and Johannesburg and Cape Town.

■ NIGERIA: Bombardier appoints ExecuJet Nigeria as a Line Maintenance Facility for its Business Jets.

Bombardier Aerospace has named ExecuJet Nigeria in Lagos as a Line Maintenance Facility (LMF) for its line of Challenger 300, Challenger 604, Challenger 605, Global 5000, Global 6000, Global Express and Global Express XRS business jets.  The facility will complement ExecuJet’s centre in Lanseria, South Africa, which has been part of Bombardier’s Authorized Service Facility (ASF) network since 2002.

► KENYA: fastjet in talks to "partner" Jetlink Express; refutes allegations it owes money to Fly540 founder.

The "investors" bankrupt Kenyan regional operator, Jetlink Express (J0), mentioned have turned out to be none other than fastjet (FN). In a scenario that resembles its ongoing battle to acquire defunct South African LCC 1Time (T6), fastjet has mentioned that its interest in Jetlink revolves around the latter "owning the traffic rights for all local destinations, as well as a number of regional routes."

► ALGERIA: Alitalia to start Rome Fiumicino - Oran from late March.

Italian carrier Alitalia (AZ) will, starting 26MAR13, commence 3x weekly Rome (Fiumicino) – Oran, Algeria flights on board a CityLiner Embraer E175 aircraft. 

► BOTSWANA: SA Airlink to start Johannesburg - Kasane from late March.

In addition to announcing flights to Vilanculos, Mozambqiue, SA Airlink (4Z) will commence a scheduled Johannesburg – Kasane (Botswana) service, from Friday 22 March 2012. The initial schedule will operate on Days 1357 departing Johannesburg OR Tambo at 11h45 arriving back in Johannesburg at 15h50. From August 2013 the service will operate daily.

■ KENYA: Kenya Airways releases its Operations Report for Q3 2012 (October - December).

Kenya Airways (KQ) today released its Operations Report for the Third Quarter of 2012; October to 31st December 2012.

► SAUDI ARABIA: Egyptair to boost services for Summer 2013.

Egyptian national carrier EgyptAir(MS) is to tentatively expand its service to Saudi Arabia during the Summer 2013 season. Planned new routes and/or additional flights as follows.

■ NIGERIA: FAAN makes good on its threats to deal with derelict aircraft; proceeds with clean up in Lagos.

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) this week made good on its threats to remove abandoned and derelict aircraft from airport environs starting with the cleanup of Lagos Murtala Muhammed International Airport where, it is reported, 13 aircraft are awaiting disposal.

► RWANDA: Rising demand forces RwandAir to lease 737-700s, but how long until profitability and ultimately, privatization?

Riding its current wave of strong passenger figures, Rwandair (WB) are to phase out their two Boeing 737-500 in favour of the larger, more economical Boeing 737-700. Rwandair currently operates two Boeing 737-500s.

■ ZIMBABWE: Air Zimbabwe's IOSA due to be completed by the end of February.

Struggling Zimbabwean national carrier Air Zimbabwe (UM) is confident about its ongoing IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) with its completion due at the end of February, in time for UM's anticipated roll out of new regional and possibly, international flights.

► GHANA: Antrak Air to launch Kumasi - Tamale from 28 January.

Ghanaian domestic operator Antrak Air (4O) is to launch daily Kumasi - Tamale flights using an ATR72-500 effective tomorrow Monday 28 January 2013.

► MOZAMBIQUE: SA Airlink to start Johannesburg - Vilanculos from March 2013.

Following the withdrawal of Federal Air (7V) from the route earlier this month, SA Airlink (4X) is to introduce 5x weekly Johannesburg (ORTIA) - Vilanculos, Mozambique flights effective 22 March 2013. The flights will initially operate 3x weekly (Days 135) to be increased to 5x weekly (Days 12357) from July 2013.

► MAURITIUS: Air France, Air Mauritius to take their relationship to the next level?

Relations between Air France (AF) and Mauritian national carrier Air Mauritius (MK) could develop into a closer strategic and financial partnership following a state visit to France on 21 January by the Prime Minister of Mauritius.

■ CAMEROON: New boss Boertien envisages 26 aircraft, a cargo hub, maintenance and training facilities in a peek at his 5 year plan for Camair-Co.

Preliminary tid-bits regarding new CEO Matthijs Boertien's future plans for Cameroonian carrier Camair-Co (QC) have been revealed with the creation of 1'000 jobs via an envisaged fleet of 26 aircraft, a training centre, a maintenance unit, and a cargo hub being amongst the highlights. In the meantime, Boertien has moved to improve the carrier's relationship with its suppliers and staff in an attempt at rebuilding the carrier's battered morale and reputation.