• The African Aviation Tribune •

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

► TANZANIA: Tanganyika Flying Co. starts flights to Serengeti Lamai airstrip.

Tanzanian domestic operator, Tanganyika Flying Co. (TFC), has launched services into Serengeti Lamai Airstrip bringing the number of airstrips that TFC serves in the Serengeti National Park, to five.

After being declared the "preferred bidder" for a stake in Malawi's now dissolved national carrier Air Malawi (QM), Ethiopian Airlines (ET) says it has officially entered into negotiations with the government regarding its 49% buy-in.

Algerian carrier Tassili Airlines (SF) has outlined its intended fleet expansion plans to aide in the roll out of its recently-launched domestic network with delivery estimated to be in late 2013/early 2014.

Following recent talks held in Turkish capital, Ankara, between Turkish Government officials and a delegation from Somaliland, an unrecognised, self-declared sovereign state that is internationally recognised as an autonomous region of Somalia, flights between Istanbul and Berbera, a port town on the Red Sea, are to begin later this year.

Saudi Airlines cargo division, Saudia Cargo (SV), has further strengthened its business relationship with Fast Forward Cargo in the UAE by increasing its frequencies to West Africa from Dubai World Central. Under an agreement signed by both parties, the new partnership will operate what is equivalent to 175 combined B747 flights between the UAE and West Africa, connecting mainly to Lagos in Nigeria and N’Djamena in Chad via Saudia Cargo’s hubs in Riyadh and Jeddah.

Emirates (EK) today operated a one-off service of its flagship Airbus A380 to Mauritius on the occasion of the island’s 45th anniversary of independence. Flight EK701 from Dubai touched down at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport at approximately 09h40L.

The UAE's General Civil Aviation Administration (GCAA) has released its final report on the 2009 crash of a Sudanese Boeing 707-330C (MSN 20123/788 | ST-AKW) operated by Azza Air (AZZ) on behalf of Sudan Airways(SD). The aircraft crashed into the desert outside Sharjah International Airport shortly after take off killing 3 passengers and 3 crew. The report blames a combination of poor aircraft maintenance, sloppy inspection standards on behalf of the Sudanese Civil Aviation Authority and inadequate crew training as the causes for the crash.

Dr. Harold Demuren, the Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), has been sacked by Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan, with immediate effect.

■ MAURITIUS: Two new hangars at SSR International Airport inaugurated.

The Airports of Mauritius Co Ltd. today inaugurated two out of the five new aircraft hangers at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport in Plaisance, Mauritius, that will be used for long-term aircraft parking. The inauguration comes as tomorrow (Tuesday 12 March), Emirates (EK) will operate a one-off Airbus A380 flight to the island to mark the 45th Anniversary of Mauritius' independence from Britain.

Press reports out of Nairobi state that British Airways (BA), having recently announced it would pull the plug on its London Heathrow - Dar es Salaam route come 31 March, will boost its daily B777-200ER Heathrow - Nairobi flights via the introduction of an additional overnight frequency.

The Nigerian Senate is to embark on a review of all Bilateral Air Service Agreements (BASA) signed with foreign countries with the Open Skies agreement signed with the US also up for scrutiny. The Senate claims that the BASAs have been heavily skewed in favour of other countries' interests at the detriment of Nigeria's and its domestic airlines.

Proflight Zambia (P0) is to resume twice daily Lusaka - Livingstone flights effective 01APR 2013. The service operates using a Jetstream J41.

Sections of the South African travel media have speculated that incumbent South African Airways (SA) CEO Nico Bezuidenhout, who is also the CEO of SAA's LCC wing, Mango, is likely to be confirmed as the carrier's de facto boss.

Algerian national carrier, Air Algérie (AH), is planning new routes to Ndjamena (Chad), Lagos, and Conakry (Guinea) during Winter'13/14 according to the airline's President and Director-General, Mohamed Saleh Bolatif.

A Russian UTAir (UT) Mil Mi-8AMT (MSN 39-10 | RA-22472) helicopter has crashed near the town of Bukavu in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. All 4 occupants (4 crew) have died as the chopper came down in torrential rain.

■ NIGERIA: Indra Sistemas completes upgrade of comms systems at 13 Nigerian airports.

As part of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA)'s effort to modernize and prioritize safety, Spanish information technology and defense systems company, Indra Sistemas, has completed the installation and testing of its voice communications system in 13 Nigerian airports.

One year on from when Abu Dhabi-based carrier, Etihad Airways (EY), signed a Memorandum of Understanding to acquire a 40 per cent stake in then struggling Air Seychelles (HM), the Seychellois airline has unofficially posted a USD1million profit.

Equato-guinean carrier Punto Azul (ZR) is to commence operations with its three Embraer ERJ145s leased from ECC Leasing Company Ltd, a subsidiary of Embraer, and operated by South Africa's National Airways Corp. (NAC). The first Embraer ERJ145 (MSN 145244 | PR-PSQ) was delivered to NAC in late February.

Air Namibia's (SW) has settled its outstanding debt with fuel supplier, South African based Engen. Fuel bills have continuously hurt the Namibian national carrier's coffers with an estimated 40% of revenue going to fuel related expenses alone.

AirlineRoute reports that, as per the 08MAR13 GDS timetable and inventory display, Ethiopian Airlines (ET) is to extend its Boeing 787 service cancellations until 30APR13 inclusive. Due to aircraft redeployment, a number of routes will also see aircraft changes, scheduled to be in effect until mid-June 2013.

This week (15 March), Turkish construction firms Çetin Group and Kozuva will begin building the new Turkish sponsored air terminal at Mogadishu's Aden Abdulle International Airport, following the signing of a deal in late January.

After having successfully concluded its derelict aircraft disposal operation at Lagos Murtala Muhammed International Airport, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) is now set to move into Abuja's Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport with other regional airports in Kano and Edo states to follow.

■ TANZANIA: fastjet secures additional $23.5mln in funding from New York investment firm as 1Time's liquidation postponed until October.

Tanzanian based LCC, fastjet (FN), has secured an additional USD23.5million (GBP15.68million) in funding following an agreement with Bergen Global Opportunity Fund, an institutional investment fund managed by Bergen Asset Management, LLC, a New York asset management firm.

FlightSafety International, a global aviation training company, has selected Lanseria, Johannesburg-based National Airways Corporation (NAC) to be a FlightSafety Maintenance Training Centre through which the organization will now offer training for Pratt & Whitney Canada engines in South Africa and the surrounding region.

Following a consultative meeting with President Omar Al Bashir regarding the current state and future of national carrier Sudan Airways (SD), Sudan's Minister of Transport, Roads and Bridges, Dr. Ahmed Babikir Nahar, has made mention of a 3-step government plan aimed at rehabilitating and restructuring the ailing national carrier. Nahar also added that possible punitive steps are to be taken against those fingered in an investigation into the loss of Sudan Airways' valuable landing slot at London's Heathrow airport.

■ CONGO (BRAZZAVILLE): Despite not actually operating any flights, Air CEMAC opens new swanky HQ in Brazzaville.

At a ceremony held today in the Republic of Congo's capital, Brazzaville, Congolese Minister of State for Transport, Civil Aviation and Shipping, Rodolphe Adada, officially handed over the keys of the headquarters of Air CEMAC, the planned regionally backed airline, to chairman of the board of Air CEMAC's directors, Etienne Robin Mintsa Mi Owono.

The Egyptian Airports Company (EAC) has awarded US-based Aeronautical Radio, Incorporated (ARINC) a three year contract for the installation of its vMUSE passenger processing solution at five regional airports in Egypt including Sharm El Sheikh, Luxor, Aswan, Borg El Arab and Abu Simbel.

As per the 07MAR13 GDS timetable and inventory display, Tunisian carrier Syphax Airlines’ (FS) Summer 2013 operation will include new and added flights to Paris from Djerba, Sfax and Monastir. A new Jeddah - Sfax service is also planned.

Senior Interpol, EU and Libyan officials have inaugurated the connection of an Interpol real-time passport control capacity at Tripoli International Airport as part of international efforts to improve Libyan border security. Under Interpol’s EUR2.2million Project RELINC (Rebuilding Libya’s Investigative Capability) funded by the EU, Libyan border control authorities will, for the first time, be able to directly access Interpol’s global database to detect stolen and lost passports, enabling the instant identification of persons seeking to conceal their true identity, including internationally wanted persons, suspected terrorists and transnational criminals.

As the Somali Federal Government slowly regains territory from the barbaric Al-Qaeda-affiliated savages in Al Shabaab, so life and business are beginning to show signs of revival. Unhampered by any meaningful government regulatory bodies, the country's airlines, too, have begun to exploit the demand for flights into cities such as Kismayo, Beledweyne and Baidoa, formerly no-go areas due to the ongoing civil war.

Air Seychelles' (HM) second Airbus A330-200 (MSN ? | A6-EYZ), christened Vallée de Mai, this afternoon touched down at Seychelles International Airport, Mahé. The aircraft made its first test flight in February and will now enter active service on Air Seychelles’ new international schedule, which includes new services to Hong Kong and increased frequencies to Abu Dhabi, Johannesburg and Mauritius.

Skywise, the nascent South African LCC run by former 1Time (T6) executives, was on Monday its air service licence by the South African Air Services Licensing Council. The new airline is now in the process of acquiring its AOC (air operator certificate) from the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) with Johannesburg - Cape town ops due to launch in H2 of this year.

In the latest episode in the fastjet vs Don Smith soap opera, the Tanzanian LCC has now moved to take legal proceedings against Mr Smith, owner of 540 Aviation, seeking "a declaration that it has fulfilled its obligations under the Sale and Purchase Agreement" regarding Mr Smith's shares in Fly540.

► NAMIBIA: Former BBC filmmaker, Namibian pilot die in Sesfontein crash.

The wreckage of a Jabiru J400 light aircraft (MSN ? | ZU-EWR) carrying Namibian pilot Mike Berry and Emmy award winning South African filmmaker and photographer, Richard Mathews, was found yesterday morning in the rugged and highly mountainous area north of Purros near Sesfontein in Namibia's north-western Kunene Region. There were no survivors according to Namibian Police.

Air Seychelles (HM) and the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at increasing Seychelles’ visibility as a destination around the world by leveraging the airline’s expanding international network and growing number of airline partners.

Following on from our previous bulletin yesterday, Air Zimbabwe's (UM) planned route expansion and fleet utilization plans have been unveiled. AirlineRoute writes that as per the 06MAR13 GDS timetable and inventory display, as well as OAG Schedules iNet, Air Zimbabwe’s planned Northern Summer 2013 operation are as follows, effective 31MAR13. Amongst the routes being introduced are Bulawayo - Victoria Falls, and tentatively Harare - Lagos - Accra - Harare and Harare - London Gatwick. No mention has been made of the Embraer ERJ135s.

National Airports Corporation Limited (NACL) Zambia

Prince Chintimbwe, the director of airport services at Zambia's National Airports Corporation Limited (NACL), has dispelled reports alleging that the new terminal at Livingstone's Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport was "sinking", claiming his remarks had been taken out of context.

AirlineRoute writes that Royal Air Maroc (AT), from 19APR13, will resume its service to Zurich, after an 18 month service suspension. The airline will operate a 3x weekly Casablanca – Zurich service on board a Boeing 737-700 aircraft.

kulula (MN), the South African LCC known for its edgy advertising campaigns and humour, has taken it a step further by rebranding itself as "The Most South African Airways", a development likely to cause some backlash from South African Airways (SA), with whom parent company, Comair Ltd, is currently in court with, disputing the legality of SAA's bailouts.

As prognosticated by The African Aviation Tribune in November 2012, Air CEMAC, the planned regional carrier to link Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Congo (Brazzaville), Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Chad and São Tomé & Príncipe, has indeed been forced to delay its intended January 2013 launch date, this time, to November/December 2013.

Algeria's Tassili Airlines (SF) new domestic timetable routing has been released following the launch of the airline's inaugural Algiers to the Saharan oases of Adrar and Tamanrasset on Saturday 2 March.

The Swaziland Government is set to force national carrier, Swazi Airlink (SZL) to use Sikhuphe International Airport come its opening due in either "August or September 2013." Works are scheduled to be completed in April with a three month staff testing familiarization period planned thereafter.

Air Botswana (BP) has officially opened its new lounge at Gaborone's Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (SSKIA). Dubbed the Pula Lounge, after Botswana's national currency, the Pula, the facility will be available to members of Air Botswana's frequent flyer scheme, Teemane Club.

► UNITED KINGDOM: Air Zimbabwe pushes back planned launch of London flights to July.

Air Zimbabwe (UM) has delayed its planned launch date for international operations to London Gatwick to 1 July as its pushes to consolidate its domestic and regional operations first. Previously, the carrier had mentioned March as a possible date.

Lufthansa Systems, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Lufthansa Group that provides consulting and IT services for selected industries, today announced that Libyan Airlines (LN) has signed a five-year contract for its Lido/Flight flight planning solution as well as its Lido/RouteManual and Lido/eRouteManual navigation charts.

China Sonangol, the joint venture between the Hong Kong based China International Fund (or the 88 Queensway group) and Angola's state-owned oil company Sonangol, has denied a report by whistle-blower site, 100Reporters, alleging that its Airbus A319 (MSN 2706 | VP-BEX) was being used to "smuggle" diamonds from Zimbabwe's controversial Marange diamond fields.

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Monday, March 11, 2013

Sunday, March 10, 2013

Friday, March 8, 2013

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Tuesday, March 5, 2013