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Tuesday, December 11, 2012

► CHINA: Kenya Airways signs codeshare deal with China Eastern Airlines.

China EasternKenya AirwaysChina Eastern Airlines (MU), China's second biggest carrier by market value, and Kenya Airways (KQ), the flag carrier of Kenya, have signed a code.share deal which will see cooperation on MU's China - Thailand route and KQ's Thailand - Kenya routes, effective 1 December 2012.

► COTE D'IVOIRE: Air Cote d'Ivoire to add an Embraer E170 as further routes in West Africa are announced.

Air Cote d'IvoireAccording to Airline Route, the Ivory Coast's new national carrier, Air Côte d’Ivoire (HF), is set to receive an Embraer E170 to add to its two Airbus A319s, as the airline seeks to expand its operations.

■ GUINEA: Etihad Airways to serve Conakry via codeshare with Royal Air Maroc.

Etihad Airways (EY), the national airline of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has announced it will establish air links between the UAE and Guinea, in West Africa, by extending its existing code-share agreement with Moroccan national airline, Royal Air Maroc (AT).

► GAMBIA: Gambia Bird takes delivery of second Airbus A319; prepares to expand network.

Gambia Bird logoGambia Bird (3G) has announced the delivery of a second Airbus A319 (MSN 4691 | D-ASTB) as the fledgling carrier prepares to expand its network with the launch of flights to Abidjan, Abuja, Bamako, Douala and Ouagadougou.

Monday, December 10, 2012

► SINGAPORE: Air Mauritius maintains Singapore service from late January 2013.

Air MauritiusAccording to Airline Route, Air Mauritius (MK) will maintain its 1x weekly service to Singapore on/after 21 January 2013. The flight currently operates with an Airbus A330-200.

■ NIGERIA: AeroContractors appoints Ibru as Interim MD after Akin George resigns.

Captain Akin George, the Managing Director of Nigeria's second largest domestic airline, Aero Contractors (AJ), has announced his resignation following a restructuring exercise undertaken by the Assets Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON).

■ SOUTH AFRICA: Denel Aviation to retrench 523 as SAAF confirms contract will not be renewed.

Denel 523 aircraft maintenance specialists at Denel Aviation’s Aero Manpower Group, the MRO division of the South Africa's government-backed Denel Corporation, are to be retrenched as a result of the South African Air Force (SAAF) deciding against renewing its contract with the firm, set to lapse next year.

► CHINA: Ethiopian Airlines modifies its planned Boeing 787 China Service in Dec 2012/Jan 2013.

Ethiopian
According to the 10 December 2012 GDS timetable and inventory display, Ethiopian Airlines (ET) is postponing its planned Boeing 787 ops to China from 16 December 2012 to 31 January 2013. 
 

► ZAMBIA: DC9 crash landing this morning was just a simulation: AFP

ZambiaThose of you who follow us on Twitter will have been aware this morning of an Agence France-Presse (AFP) report coming from Lusaka, Zambia of a crash landing of a DC 9 (and in some cases, a DC 10 was even reported) with 93 people aboard at Lusaka International. It was even tweeted that "some 20 people had been rescued".

Sunday, December 9, 2012

► SUDAN: Gulf Air reduces Khartoum flights from late January 2013.

Gulf Air
Bahraini carrier Gulf Air (GF) has announced that, with effect from 21 January 2013, it will reduce its frequencies to the Sudanese capital, Khartoum from 11x to 7x weekly.

► CHINA: See Pics of Eritrean startup Massawa Airways' first MA60's delivery ceremony in Xi'an.

Eritrean startup Massawa Airways, on 29 November, officially took delivery of its first Chinese manufactured MA60 (TBD10 | E3-AAV). 

► DUBAI: Afriqiyah to launch 2x weekly Benghazi, Tripoli - Dubai flights from 20 December.

AfriqiyahAccording to their official Twitter account, Libyan airline Afriqiyah (8U) has announced that its inaugural flight to Dubai will operate from both Benghazi and Tripoli twice weekly using an Airbus A330-200.

► GABON: DHL awards Solinair logistics contract for Nigeria, Cameroon, Equat'l Guinea ops.

The South African division of DHL Aviation has awarded Ljubljana-based Slovenian airline Solinair (SOP) a wet-lease contract for cargo operations using its lone B737-4K5F (MSN 24128 | S5-ABV) . 

► CAMEROON: Camair-Co considering either Embraer EJets or Bombardier CSeries for mid range fleet; to add a possible third 787?

Camair-Co
Alex Van Elk, the CEO of Cameroonian national carrier Camair-Co (QC), says the airline is considering either Embraer E-Jets or Bombardier's upcoming CSeries for its mid-range fleet, with an extra Boeing 787-8 to be added to its shopping list.

► TANZANIA: See Pics of Turkish Airlines inaugural Kilimanjaro route launch.

Turkish AirlinesTurkish national carrier, Turkish Airlines (TK), added Kilimanjaro, Tanzania and Mombasa, Kenya to its growing global network last week 5 December, when the first of its 5x weekly Boeing 737-900ER operated flights, touched down.

► SENEGAL: ASKY Airlines to start Lomé - Dakar via Bamako from mid December.

Lomé, Togo based operator ASKY Airlines (KP), Ethiopian Airlines' subsidiary in West Africa, will from 18 December 2012, commence three times weekly Lomé - Bamako (Mali) - Dakar (Senegal) flights, to be operated with a Boeing 737-700.

Friday, December 7, 2012

► MOZAMBIQUE: Kaya Airlines launches Inhaca Island, Machangulo and Zongoene flights.

Kaya AirlinesAccording to the Agência de Informação de Moçambique (AIM), Mozambican private carrier Kaya Airlines (IK) has announced the launch of flights to the resorts of Inhaca Island, Machangulo and Zongoene, likely out of its Maputo hub.

■ CANADA: South African Airways, Air Canada sign code share deal.


SAA logo
Air CanadaSouth African Airways (SA) has signed a reciprocal code-share agreement with fellow Star Alliance member, Air Canada (AC), effective 13 December 2012.



■ EU BLACK LIST: Mozambique, Madagascar lay more blame on the "operating environment" as opposed to individual airline's safety shortcomings.

EU No Fly ListFollowing the announcement by the European Commission on Wednesday on its updated Carrier Black List, Mozambique, Mauritania and Madagascar's press have responded to the news in varying ways, with the Mozambican press and Air Madagascar claiming that the Ban is not so much about their airline's respective safety records, but more about the general status quo of aviation and aviation safety in their countries.

Thursday, December 6, 2012

■ EGYPT: Snake bites passenger on Egyptair flight to Kuwait; forced diversion to Hurghada.

EgyptairA Jordanian man, who had smuggled a snake aboard Egyptair (MS) flight MS610 from Cairo (Egypt) to Kuwait City (Kuwait) with 91 passengers, was bitten by the reptile after it managed to escape the bag he was carrying it in.

■ SENEGAL: Project to twin Casablanca and Dakar as regional cargo hubs progresses.

SenegalA project aimed at streamlining trade relations and partnerships between Morocco and Senegal could soon become a reality. A project, initiated by the Moroccan Airports Authority (Office National Des Aéroports (ONDA)) that could see Dakar Senegal becoming a possible cargo feeder hub to Casablanca's Mohammed V International Airport, is at last, moving forward, with an outline of the project now on the table.

■ MALAWI: Strike by DCA workers at Lilongwe's Kamuzu Int'l Airport causes serious delays, disruptions.

MalawiGround-handling staff at Lilongwe's Kamuzu International Airport (KIA) have, since Monday, abandoned their night shifts at the airport, amidst other industrial action, in protest at unpaid overtime allowances that they claim "date back years."

► ITALY: Egyptair increases Rome frequency from Spring 2013.

EgyptairEgyptair (MS) will from 31 March 2013, increase frequencies on its Cairo – Rome Fiumicino route, with overall service to rise from 11x to 14x weekly. The service increase comes with the afternoon departure.

■ ETHIOPIA: See Pics of the new Passenger Terminal at Jigjiga Airport inaugurated in late November.

Ethiopian Airports EnterpriseAfter more than three and a half years under construction and costing USD3.76million (ETB68.4million), the new passenger terminal at Jigjiga's "Garad Wilwal" Airport, Somali Regional National State, was finally inaugurated on 24 November 2012 by SRNS President, Abdi Omer Mohammed. The airport falls under the Ethiopian Airports Enterprise's jurisdiction.

► MOZAMBIQUE: BA Comair to start Johannesburg ORTIA - Maputo flights from May 2013.

British Airways
Comair Ltd has confirmed that its British Airways franchise will start daily return flights with a double daily service on Tuesdays and Saturdays between Johannesburg ORTIA and Maputo, Mozambique from 4 May 2013 using a Boeing 737-400. Bookings are now open.

► RWANDA: RwandAir announces modifications to its NW 2012/2013 schedule.

RwandAirRwandair (WB) has implemented various modifications to its operations following the launch of its 2012/13 Northern Winter season schedule on 28 October 2012. 

■ SOUTH AFRICA: Wreckage of missing SAAF C47 found in the Drakensburg; 11 dead.

South African Air ForceThe wreckage of a South African National Defence Force C47TP Dakota (the military version of a DC3) belonging to 35Squadron, that went missing in heavy weather on Wednesday near Nelson Mandela’s home town of Qunu, en route from Pretoria's Waterkloof Air Force Base to Mthatha, Eastern Cape, has been found in the Drakensburg Mountain range near Ladysmith, with no survivors aboard.

■ NIGERIA: Dana Air, Skyjet Aviation awarded AOCs by Civil Aviation Authority.

NCAAThe Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), on Wednesday, issued new Air Operator's Certificates (AOC) to Dana Air (9J) and Kaduna-based Skyjet Aviation. 
 

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

■ BELGIUM: EU removes Mauritania from Ban List; adds all Eritrean registered carriers. Libya voluntarily retains restrictions on Libyan registered carriers.

European Commission
The European Commission has announced the 20th Revised Update to its Banned Operators Air List which has seen some "promotions" and "demotions" for African airlines as a whole. All operators from Mauritania have been removed from the Ban List. Air Madagascar (MD) is still only allowed to operate into the EU albeit under strict conditions (as per the previous No Fly List). All Rwandan carriers have been removed from the list. Libya has agreed to maintain the voluntary restrictions applicable to all air carriers licensed in Libya whilst an operating ban on all air carriers certified in Eritrea has been imposed.
 

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

► KENYA: Freedom Airline Express set to receive second Embraer 120ER Brasilia.

 Freedom Airline ExpressKenyan air charter and scheduled ops company, Freedom Airline Express Ltd, is set to receive a second Embraer 120ER Brasilia (MSN 247 | 5Y- ?) as it seeks to expand its operations.

► GUINEA: Eagle Air to get a second Let 410.

Eagle Air Guinea SA logoEagle Air (EGR), the Guinean charter flight specialist, is set to receive its second Let 410 (MSN  871816 | 3X-GHP) according to German site Skyliner.de

■ NIGERIA: Dana Air claims lack of correct paperwork submissions as cause for delayed payments to flight 9J-997's victims' families.

Dana AirGrounded Nigerian carrier Dana Air (9J) has issued a response to recent reports in the Nigerian press claiming that Dana Air and its insurers had refused to pay statutory compensation to the families of victims of the Dana Air 9J-997 tragedy in Lagos in June.

■ ALGERIA: Swissport awarded ground-handling contract for Oran airport.

Swissport Algeria, a division of Swissport International, a global provider of airport ground services, has been awarded a 5-year ground handling licence for Oran International Airport (Ahmed Ben Bella), Algeria by the Etablissement de Gestion des Services Aéroportuaires d’Oran (EGSA Oran) Tender Commission.
 

► NIGERIA: Egyptair boosts capacity to Abuja over December/January period.

EgyptairEgyptian national carrier, Egyptair (MS) will, over December 2012 and January 2013, increase its capacity on its Cairo – Abuja, Nigeria route with an Airbus A330-200 operating for selected periods instead of the usual Boeing 737-800 aircraft. 

■ KENYA: Reinstated workers reject Kenya Airways' "compulsory leave" directive; threaten to sue Naikuni and airline if not properly reinstated.

Kenya AirwaysThe 455 reinstated Kenya Airways (KQ) staff, whose claims of unfair dismissal were yesterday vindicated by an industrial court in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, today rejected a directive by the Kenyan carrier to send them all on compulsory paid leave until further notice.

■ SOUTH AFRICA: fastjet officially in talks to acquire 1Time Airline.

fastjetFollowing recent speculation in the South African press, fastjet (FN) has announced that it is indeed currently in negotiations with the management, directors and provisional liquidator of 1Time (T6), the South African LCC that ceased trading last month.  The negotiations, which have not yet concluded, and are subject to Board, parent company, and Regulatory approval, would allow fastjet to purchase 1time Airline from its parent company, 1time Holdings. 

Monday, December 3, 2012

► DUBAI: Emirates eyes fastjet as potential feeder airline in Africa.

EmiratesEmirates (EK) has confirmed its interest in partnering recently launched Tanzanian based LCC, fastjet (FN) having previously allured to a possible deal in the past, albeit only in broad terms.

Spurred on by Africa’s rapid economic growth amid increased trade with Asian economies, the Middle Eastern carrier is looking to connect the bulk of the continent’s travellers to the rest of the world through its Dubai hub with budget airlines set to "feed" it with cargo and passengers via major cities like Nairobi, Dakar and Luanda.

► CHINA: Ethiopian Airlines reduces China ops over Chinese New Year 2013.

Ethiopian
Ethiopian Airlines (ET) will, during the month of February 2013, reduce its operations to Beijing and Guangzhou during the Chinese New Year period. 

 

► ZIMBABWE: Air Zimbabwe to launch further regional ops shortly as Minister dismisses any KLM partnership as a "dream".

Air ZimbabweTroubled Zimbabwean national carrier Air Zimbabwe (UM) has announced further route developments and equipment changes as it looks to resume international operations in the new year.

■ KENYA: Court orders Kenya Airways to reinstate 455 axed employees effective immediately.

Kenya AirwaysAn industrial court in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, has ordered Kenya Airways (KQ) to reinstate some 450 employees, effective immediately, who were laid off in August/September as part of spending-cuts at the carrier.

► BELGIUM: brussels airlines announces changes to its West & Central Africa network from February 2013.

Brussels AirlinesBelgian carrier brussels airlines (SN) has announced various changes to its West and Central African route networks, effective late-February 2013.

Sunday, December 2, 2012

► CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: Ethiopian Airlines axes Bangui.

Ethiopian
In another blow to the region of central Africa following Kenya Airways' (KQ) termination of Ndjamena, Chad flights last week, Ethiopian Airlines (ET) has dropped Bangui, Central Africa Republic from its schedule. Its Lomé, Togo-based subsidiary, ASKY Airlines (KP), however, will still continue to operate there.

● UGANDA: Golden Jubilee Airshow set for Entebbe from 15-16 December.

UgandaUganda’s Civil Aviation Authority, together with Air Uganda, Eagle Air and the Kampala Aeroclub amongst others, are working together to put on the Golden Jubilee Airshow to be held on the 15th and 16th of December 2012 at Entebbe International Airport. The airshow is being held on the occasion of Uganda's 50th Anniversary of Independence, gained from Britain in 1962.
 

► IRAQ: Air Austral's unwanted Boeing 777-200LR finds a home with Iraqi Airways.

Air Austral
Respite has come to Réunion-based carrier Air Austral (UU) who, at last, have found a solution to the nagging problem of an unwanted Boeing 777-200LR (MSN 40993 | F-OLRB) that has been sitting idle in Seattle, awaiting delivery. Unable to pay for the aircraft, Air Austral have now been able to find a willing buyer in the form of the Iraqi Government who will then lease the aircraft out to Iraqi Airways (IA).

► LIBYA: (Pics) Libyan Airlines takes delivery of a new A320 as EU lifts ban on LN's CRJ900s from January 2013.

Libyan Airlines logoLibyan Airlines (LN) has taken delivery of yet another Airbus A320 (MSN 5373 | 5A-LAO) sporting its new redesigned livery. The aircraft is the first of two due this year with two A330s due in Q1 of 2013. The ceremony took place at Misrata Airport, Libya.

Saturday, December 1, 2012

► CONGO (KINSHASA): Arik Air starts Lagos - Kinshasa from 5 December.

Arik AirNigeria’s largest commercial carrier, Arik Air (W3), has announced the start of twice weekly flights from Lagos to Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo effective 5 December 2012.

► CONGO (BRAZZAVILLE): Aéro Service Ilyushin IL76 skids off runway during heavy storm at Brazzaville; at least 30 dead.

Aéro-ServiceInternational news-wires are reporting that a AéroService (BF) Ilyushin IL76 (MSN 073410300 | EK-76300) cargo plane has overrun the runway at Brazzaville's Maya Maya Airport before crashing into houses located beside the runway, leaving 30 dead. The accident is said to have occurred at 18h00L during a heavy storm.

Friday, November 30, 2012

► RÉUNION: See Pics of Corsair International's sexy new A330 at Roland Garros!

Corsair InternationalRéunion, the French Overseas Territory in the Indian Ocean, was the first recipient of Corsair International's (SS) recently delivered Airbus A330-300; the first of two with the second due in late January 2013. The new aircraft are part of a renewal programme that follows a EUR300million recapitalization of the carrier by parent company, TUI, the largest tourism group in the world.