■ EGYPT: Despite heavy sustained losses, Fadel outlines his longterm vision for Egyptair.

Egyptian Minister of Civil Aviation, Mr Abdul Aziz Fadel, says the current Egyptian government is determined to map out the future for a New Egypt by leveraging the country's aviation and tourism sectors to help kick start the stalled economy. The minister's comments come against the back drop of plunging tourist arrivals caused by the country's ongoing political and social unrest which thus far have cost national carrier, Egyptair (MS), "considerable losses". Previous reports stated the national airline's arrivals had dropped 10% since the military coup of July 3 and the ensuing civil unrest. 

► CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: (Pics) Karinou Airlines' first B737-300 rolls out the paint shop!

The Central African Republic's Karinou Airlines (U5) first B737-300 (MSN ? | TL-TSM) has rolled out the paint shop at the CAC Aircraft Services hangar in Florida. Previously due in early Q2 of this year, the aircraft is currently parked in Miami awaiting its ferry flight to Bangui M'poko International. Its exact details are not available at this time (i.e whether it is a lease or an outright acquisition).

■ CONGO (BRAZZAVILLE): Second module at Brazzaville Maya-Maya International set to become operational.

The second module of the terminal building at Brazzaville's Maya-Maya International Airport is set to come online shortly, the Congolese Minister at the Presidency for Spatial Planning, Jean Jacques Bouya, has disclosed. The works are part of the government's plan to develop Brazzaville into a strong regional hub with modern facilities.

► MAURITIUS: Transaero to operate Moscow - Mauritius from late December; eyes additional frequencies.

Russian carrier, Transaero (UN), will operate a limited Moscow (Domodedovo) to Mauritius service with effect from December 25 until January 16 (January 17 inbound). The twice weekly flights are set to use a mix of the B767-300ER and the B747-400 depending on demand.

► SOMALIA: An26 overruns runway on landing at Guri'el airstrip, impacts rock; one injured.

A Ukrainian Antonov An-26 (MCN 57314101 | EK-26818) operated by South Airlines overran the runway on touchdown at Guri'el airstrip in Somalia's central Galgadud region on Sunday, August 25, injuring one crew member. The flight, inbound from Mogadishu Aden Adde International Airport, was reportedly carrying the region's newly appointed governor, Husein Ali Wahliye, on a trip to visit Dhusamareb, Guri'el and Abudwaq.

■ SOUTH AFRICA: SAA Technical staff affiliated with SATAWU go on strike; some flights to be affected.

Employees affiliated with the SA Transport and Allied Workers Union (SATAWU) at South African Airways' (SA) MRO unit, SAA Technical, have gone on strike over a requested 12% wage increase. According to a statement by the union, the strike will go on until their demands are met.

■ NIGERIA: Nigeria One due to be presented in early October; operations now due by year end.

Nigeria One, the planned new Nigerian national carrier, will officially be unveiled to the Nigerian public on the country's 53rd Independence Day on October 1.  The carrier's core will reportedly be formed from various local airlines who are indebted to the Nigerian government via its Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON) with Aero (AJ) and the now defunct Air Nigeria (VK) listed among them.

► SOUTH AFRICA: Airlink, FedAir, Lion Sands consortium wins Skukuza upgrade contract; flights due in March 2014.

SA Airlink (4Z) is set to launch direct flights to Skukuza airport in the Kruger National Park, commencing March 2014. This will see the re-establishment of scheduled air services to one of South Africa's most visited tourist attractions, following the closure of its airport to airline traffic over a decade ago. In 2001, Skukuza Airport's licence was not renewed by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) after it failed to comply with aviation regulations pertaining to the operation of a commercial aerodrome.

►► UNITED KINGDOM: Ethiopian Cargo to start weekly ops to East Midlands Airport.

[UPDATE SEPTEMBER 4] Ethiopian Airlines (ET) freight division, Ethiopian Airlines Cargo, will launch a once weekly dedicated cargo flight between Addis Ababa and East Midlands Airport, an airport in the East Midlands of England, effective September 1. Flights operate on board a B757-200F.

■ BURKINA FASO: Ouagadougou calls for talks with AKFED over Air Burkina's future.

The Government of Burkina Faso, in its most recent Council of Ministers meeting held in late July, has resolved to hold talks with the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED) &  Industrial Promotion Services (IPS), the majority shareholder in Air Burkina (2J), regarding its future.

► KUWAIT: Egyptair Express starts 3x weekly Sohag - Kuwait City flights.

Effective Saturday, August 24, Egyptair Express (MSE) has launched three times weekly flights between Sohag, a city in central Egypt that lies on the west bank of the Nile, and Kuwait City. Flights operate onboard an Embraer E170.

► TUNISIA: Syphax Airlines deploys its A330 into revenue service on Paris CDG flights.

With its first A330-200 (MCN 345 | TS-IRA) now good to go, Tunisian carrier, Syphax Airlines (FS), has deployed the aircraft on its first revenue flights with effect from Thursday August 22. According to the airline, the first routes serviced have been its high frequency/high demand Summer high season flights to Paris CDG.

► EGYPT: Egyptair outlines further changes to its Winter 2013/14 schedule.

Further to the last post on the subject, AirlineRoute reports that Egyptair (MS) has unveiled further planned changes & developments to its Winter 2013/14 Timetable set to come into effect from October 27.

► FLEET UPDATE BULLETIN: Gomair, Ghadames Air Transport, Air Niamey, AV Cargo and the Cameroon Air Force.

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: Gomair, Ghadames Air Transport (0G), Air Niamey (A7), AV Cargo (Z3) and the Cameroon Air Force.

► TANZANIA: fastjet to embark on a staff-cutting exercise in bid to ease financial pressure.

Struggling LCC fastjet (FN), is set to become the second major Tanzanian carrier to embark on a redundancy drive following reports that it is in consultations with its employees regarding pending staff cuts aimed at trimming its head-count by 12%. 

■ CONGO (KINSHASA): Government once more looking for a strategic partner in its planned national carrier.

Its back to the drawing board for Kinshasa so far as finding a strategic partner for its renewed national carrier is concerned. Accordingly, the country's Minister of Transport, Mr Justin Kalumba, Congo has reissued a tender for interested parties & carriers which closes on August 31.

■ SOUTH AFRICA: SAA renews, expands contract with ARINC for its Aircraft Comms systems.

South African Airways (SA) has signed a five year exclusive data link contract with US-based Aeronautical Radio, Incorporated (ARINC) for its GLOBALink Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System (ACARS) Services. This new agreement configures ARINC for all VHF, HF and Satellite ACARS traffic. ARINC also provides cabin connectivity on South African Airways long haul flights. 

► GUINEA BISSAU: ASKY Airlines eyes a mid September launch date for Bissau flights.

As the saying goes, better 2 months late than never, ASKY Airlines (KP) has at long last unveiled a possible launch date for flights to the capital of Guinea-Bissau, Bissau. Operations should commence from September 15 with a 2x weekly flight extending the current Lome - Accra - Monrovia (James Spriggs Payne Airport) route flown by a Q400.

► NAMIBIA: Air Namibia issues further amendments to timetable for early - late September.

Namibian national carrier, Air Namibia (SW), has issued yet another advisory regarding an impending reorganization of its flights over the period September 9 to 23. In a statement, the airline said the move is necessary as one of its Airbus A319s and another Embraer ERJ135 are due to undergo mandatory maintenance over the period.

■ SOUTH AFRICA: mango seals deal with Acro Aircraft Seating for its 737 fleet.

South African LCC, mango (JE), has sealed a contract with UK-based passenger aircraft seat manufacturer, Acro Aircraft Seating, for the manufacture and installation of its Ultra R seats aboard mango's entire fleet of Boeing 737-800 aircraft. The deal, which includes six shipsets and equates to 1116 economy class seats, marks the first major African client for the Redhill, Surrey-based manufacturer.