Why Africa’s airlines struggle

African countries must open up their air space to each other in order to fight off intense competition from European and Middle East carriers.

Speaking at the opening of the 16th African Aviation Finance Conference at Nairobi’s Safari Park hotel, Ethiopian Airlines chief executive officer, Girma Wake said this cooperation can also help them increase their capacity.


http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/images/news/newins211107.jpg
From left, Kenya Airways managing director Titus Naikuni, African Aviation Services CEO Nick Fadugba, and Kenya Civil Aviation chief executive Chris Kuto at the aviation conference in Nairobi yesterday. Photo/CORRESPONDENT


“To address the issue of capacity, African regional carriers operators can feed to their long haul partners,” he said.

The meeting was opened by Kenya Airport Authorities chairman, Erastus Mwongera who represented Transport minister Chirau Ali Mwakwere. Other executives present included Kenya Airways managing director, Titus Naikuni, Kenya Civil Aviation Authority director-general Chris Kuto, and chairman Charles Wako. The three-day conference is being sponsored by Kenya Airways.

“Do not blame major multinational carriers for taking our dinner,” said Mr Wake, in reference to competition from the Middle East and Europe. The answer lies in opening up Africa’s skies, as advocated in the Yamoussoukro Declaration, which many African government remain reluctant to embrace. “We will gradually not be players in the industry, a factor that will negatively impact on route development,” he warned, adding that eventually, African passengers will have to go through a third continent to access their local destinations.

Most African states, he said, would rather allow foreign carriers operate in their space than the African airlines.

Statistics show that there are 38 leading non-African carriers ferrying 75 per cent of passenger traffic from Africa to the rest of the world. In contrast, African carriers together carry just 25 per cent of the traffic from the continent.

Top 15 carriers

Mr Wake, who was speaking on the topic “How to achieve true open skies in Africa” said there were only four airlines from Africa among the top 15 carriers in the world, led by Kenya Airways, South African Airways and Ethiopian Airways.

Europe leads in air traffic transport, with 66.5 per cent, followed the Middle East with 15.7 per cent, North America with 14 per cent and Asia with 3.8 per cent. This foreign dominance will increase, because Africa is yet to fully open up its air space, unlike carriers from the European Union (EU), America and the Gulf states.

http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgcontententry.asp?category_id=1&newsid=111014

Mind: Lufthansa also has a daily flight to cape Town from Munich)

NO!!! They never had flights between CPT-MUC, they only did JNB-MUC a few years ago for 2 seasons (Nov-Apr).
Currently only SAA has 4 weekly JNB-MUC
LTU has 2 weekly CPT-MUC

However from the 1st month results, its Mexico route yielded very poor numbers.I also wonder if and when they'll start up Lagos.
I read about a 13% LF.

why do you always want to keep African countries down? As for the 747-300 aircraft, they are not pretty planes, are you joking or what? I hope that TAAG will phase them out soon and substitutes them with brand new Dreamliners or A380´s.

Dude, Matthias, stop whining. We know the 747-300s are aging, but they are something nostalgic and very few remain in service (let alone regular revenue passenger service), that is why we aviation enthusiasts hold this revered aircraft close to our hearts.

Why should TAAG fly to Brazil with the same frequency as it does to South Africa, arguably a more profitable route?

BTW, TAAG has acquired one of SAA's 747-400s and it's 3rd 777-200ER is undergoing final assembly in Seattle :banana:

It has to do something with the Angolan government why are people complaining about few connections between the two countries????

Give me a break, boy!
SN brusssels flies to most cities in Africa (pretty dense network, same for KLM) on a daily basis or at least five times a week. Lufthansa only has a direct link a day to Lagos, Cape Town and Johannesburg. (Mind: Lufthansa also has a daily flight to cape Town from Munich) The rest is less than once a day.
Umm service to 15 African destinations is nothing to sneeze at, especially when you take into regard there aren't many former colonial ties between Germany and Africa!

I read about a 13% LF.



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I heard it was even lower, I think it was 9% definitely in the single digits. Problem is not a lack of demand but an unknown brand, with no marketing. In that same route Aero Mexico with a 777 is one of there most profitable routes.

Umm service to 15 African destinations is nothing to sneeze at, especially when you take into regard there aren't many former colonial ties between Germany and Africa!

I am talking about Sub-Saharan Africa, give me the 15 destnations, please?

Lagos
Abuja
Port Harcourt
Accra
Addis
Asmara
Johannesburg
Cape Town
Khartoum

So where are here 15 destinations??

You didn't specify Sub-Saharan Africa.......but here is the complete list

Abuja
Accra
Addis
Algiers
Alexandria
Asmara
Cairo
Cape Town
Casablanca
Khartoum
Jo'Burg
Lagos
Port Harcourt
Tripoli
Tunis

At any rate 9 destinations in Africa is good. Whenever you post, I get the feeling that you seem to think the whole world revolves around Africa and that Africa is number one in everything, why is that? Why are you putting down LH for not flying to Timbuktu or any other hellhole there?

At any rate 9 destinations in Africa is good. Whenever you post, I get the feeling that you seem to think the whole world revolves around Africa and that Africa is number one in everything, why is that?

This is an African forum so things have to center around Africa and not anywhere else.
As for the nine destinations in sub-Saharan Africa, it is still nothing!!! Check out older timetables from Lufthansa which destinations they all served.

Why are you putting down LH for not flying to Timbuktu or any other hellhole there?

As for Timbuktu, open your history books and read what Timbuktu once was before telling crab.


It was an important centre of science, knowledge, religion and trade looooong before you could cheerfully sip your Stakbucks coffee on a plush sofa in a snazzy downtown Starbuckcks or any themed bar while some high-bossomed girls with artificial "French-style" nails chirpily race around by asking you with their painfully sharp voices if you enjoy your creamy coffee with artificial flavour or whether you wish to swallow down one more artificial muffin! For Americans this is the end of history, the ultimate, the only sign of social "well-being" and they equate it with "development"!!

You are very ignorant, Timbuktu is not a hellhole!

Moreover, there are certainly more destinations in Africa than Timbuktu where LH could fly to....but considering what horror images Germans love to cultivate about Africa, all this doesn´t surprise me....they even conjured up the worst in a radio show this morning about South Africa´s World Cup 2010 just because someone got assasinated over there.

Matthias, take a breather. I didn't mean to offend Timbuktu or any other African centre of enriched learning, rather I used it as a random city.

Since you seem so bent on LH serving African, where do you want them to fly? Ok. maybe Windhoek, but where else? The flourishing metropolis of N'Djamena?

Oh, with regards to your starbucks rant, save it for someone else. I don't pay 4 bucks for a blended frappuccino!

Matthias, take a breather. I didn't mean to offend Timbuktu or any other African centre of enriched learning, rather I used it as a random city.

Since you seem so bent on LH serving African, where do you want them to fly? Ok. maybe Windhoek, but where else? The flourishing metropolis of N'Djamena?

So you think only Windhoek exists in Africa? What about Nairobi , Dar, Dakar, Abidjan, Libreville, Luanda, Maputo...aren´t these places of importance, too?

As for Starbucks, it is a symbol of Western "luxuries" and I sign that "you´ve made it and you are modern" while the others can perish away

So you think only Windhoek exists in Africa? What about Nairobi , Dar, Dakar, Abidjan, Libreville, Luanda, Maputo...aren´t these places of importance, too?

As for Starbucks, it is a symbol of Western "luxuries" and I sign that "you´ve made it and you are modern" while the others can perish away

The thing that you seem to ignore Matthias is that Germany does not have strong historical or cultural links to Africa. The fact that Lufthansa serves 9 sub saharan destinations I find quite acceptable.

Oh and only rich white people drink starbucks, the masses and can't waste their money on 6 dollar artificial crap. :lol:

It was an important centre of science, knowledge, religion and trade looooong before you could cheerfully sip your Stakbucks coffee on a plush sofa in a snazzy downtown Starbuckcks or any themed bar while some high-bossomed girls with artificial "French-style" nails chirpily race around by asking you with their painfully sharp voices if you enjoy your creamy coffee with artificial flavour or whether you wish to swallow down one more artificial muffin! For Americans this is the end of history, the ultimate, the only sign of social "well-being" and they equate it with "development"!!

:lol: HAHA that was so funny. I might start checking out starbucks...I might run into one of those high-bossomed girls.

So you think only Windhoek exists in Africa? What about Nairobi , Dar, Dakar, Abidjan, Libreville, Luanda, Maputo...aren´t these places of importance, too?

As for Starbucks, it is a symbol of Western "luxuries" and I sign that "you´ve made it and you are modern" while the others can perish away
Swiss has has a long tradition of serving NBO,DAR,Doula, Malabo,Yaounde, etc. Why should Lufthansa serve these destinations if their sister carrier serves them? If Africa-Europe is so profitable, then why aren't more African carriers servicing it? Lufthansa's niche isn't Africa, your going to figure that out one of these days.

And Starbucks isn't only American, they'll have 2,000 locations worldwide (minus the US), heck, they have over 100 in the Philippines.
ANYWAYS..

Air Tanzania is undergoing a major revamp that has seen it order four aircraft from European air framer Airbus (two A319 series aircraft and two A330s), and two from Canadian aircraft maker Bombardier (Bombardier Q-400s) whose deliveries are expected between 2009 and 2010.

http://www.nationmedia.com/eastafrican/current/Business/biz261120072.htm

And Starbucks isn't only American, they'll have 2,000 locations worldwide (minus the US), heck, they have over 100 in the Philippines.
ANYWAYS..

Boy, it is the concept, the lifestyle, the idea behind Starbucks that I was alluiding to


Swiss has has a long tradition of serving NBO,DAR,Doula, Malabo,Yaounde, etc. Why should Lufthansa serve these destinations if their sister carrier serves them? If Africa-Europe is so profitable, then why aren't more African carriers servicing it? Lufthansa's niche isn't Africa, your going to figure that out one of these days.


Again look at older timetables of Swiss which used to be Swissair back then. They used to have a pretty dense network in Africa, same for Lufthansa which once flew to Abidjan, Douala, Kinshasa, Nairobi, Harare, Dar Es Salaam!

Well, in short LH is still a "minnow" regarding its Africa network and if compared to AF, SN Brussels, BA or KLM. KLM is code-sharing with Air France, nevertheless, its still serves three destinations within Nigeria alone (Lagos, Abuja and Kano).

So you think only Windhoek exists in Africa? What about Nairobi , Dar, Dakar, Abidjan, Libreville, Luanda, Maputo...aren´t these places of importance, too?

As for Starbucks, it is a symbol of Western "luxuries" and I sign that "you´ve made it and you are modern" while the others can perish away

man forget starbucks. nairobi has three different coffee chains and one of them is going international, so starbucks is kept at bay atleast for a while. keeping it local keeping it kenyan
http://www.mambogani.com/forums/uploads/1161352945/gallery__63_177955.jpg
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z263/ngari_2007/1700075341_9d3e7e0e89_b.jpg

and airline business? well lets see, delta coming next year( i saw big electronic billboard advertising their new flight to nairobi it just filled me with pride to see kenya advertised in atlanta), already virgin atlantic, sabena,swiss , emirates already flying to nairobi and a new airport being built. kenya airways has most flights btn african cites than any other african airline. so if u ask me those that dont want to do business in nairobi are missing out. africa just got to wake up and realise that not unless we fix our problems and show consistent positive growth first then the big dogs will not invest, now they are flocking nairobi unlike in last decade, why? coz we fixed and still are fixing our mess they saw kenya airways profits and they were drooling and just had to come, just wait till the new terminal is finished you will all be witnesses

Air France will drop the daily Paris-Casablanca A318 service
Libyan Arab Airlines added their first CRJ-900
SAA and SAS have launched a codeshare
Sudan Airways has dropped the weekly flight to Entebbe via Juba
TAAG commenced service to ADD
Zambian Airlines will end it's daily Beech 1900D flight to Harare


TAAG/Air Zim. codeshare:

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s29/kingofthehill2/DT.jpg

The thing that you seem to ignore Matthias is that Germany does not have strong historical or cultural links to Africa. The fact that Lufthansa serves 9 sub saharan destinations I find quite acceptable.

Oh and only rich white people drink starbucks, the masses and can't waste their money on 6 dollar artificial crap. :lol:

Lufthansa wanna stars to fly to Luanda already in December, but due to the traffic and other matters that will be only possible in March of 2008. Other traditional routes like Rome and Madrid are in negotiation.

http://www.angonoticias.com/full_headlines.php?id=17459

TAAG was not able to comply with all the regulations, and continues to be blacklisted by the EU. What a joke of an airline. I really hope that Air Gemini, SONAIR, or another Angolan airline can pick up the slack left by TAAG and really offer Angolans a quality service.

http://www.angonoticias.com/full_headlines.php?id=17459

TAAG was not able to comply with all the regulations, and continues to be blacklisted by the EU. What a joke of an airline. I really hope that Air Gemini, SONAIR, or another Angolan airline can pick up the slack left by TAAG and really offer Angolans a quality service.

Forget abou that Blacklion
those companys you listed dont have the ability to fly international. They dont even have the crews to make that step of flying international. Most of the pilots that where from Sonair are now flying with TAAG. The situation its more complex than simply flie a plane, its involves government aviation laws and meseaures to control civil aviation in Angola. Has you can see on the EU comission of transport TAAG and tree international companys have made a lot of improvments in the last months after they enter the balck list. But has they also say, some important points that we dont know cose is confidential have to be improved to aloud those companys to fly on European skys.
By the way the EU comission will only inspect the improvments that TAAG(most in Luanda international airport) have made only next January; thats one of the reasons way TAAG stays on blacklist. Some experts on back stage say that even if TAAG pass the inspections in January of 2008 the EU comission will only lift the "blocage" in March of that year. And even when that happens TAAG will be on constant observation till the EU comission things its enought.

The Angola government has also creat a comission to evaluate wich national company Sonair or TAAG will be the only national and international angolan carrier. Government says that its incompatible for the state of Angola having two national airlines competing for the same skys. Government spend a lot of money with TAAG in the last year, and also with the Sonair buying planes. This according with political souces dosent make any sence at all. Doing that the government its puting money away and creating a competition that should never exists. Some even defend that the purpose of Sonair when created was to help the petroleum business and not compete with TAAG. The core business and goals of each other are completely different. So this comisson will tell the president what to do: if the government finish one or other, or if the government unite the two creating only one national and public carrier.

True Hammelkar, tens razao em alguns pontos, but u and me both know that TAAG is a deplorable airline. Let's be honest, how many times have there been inexplicable delays and cancellations? how many times have u or a family member had to give up your seat because General Something or Other is traveling with his whole contingent? Not to mention the service, or lack thereof.

U see, Ive heard reports, even on this sight I think, that Air Gemini is looking to expand internationally. Of course it will take time and wont happen overnight. I know that. But it is a possibility. And furthermore, certain sectors of Angolan society think that there might be a possible fusion between Sonair and TAAG. Go to the angonoticias page right now, it's the feature article.

The problem of Angolan aviation is that the government is extremely protective of TAAG, and as a result it completly closes and chokes the market. Meanwhile, TAAG doesnt even comply with the regulations! No matter how u coat it, it is not a very safe airline, and if it does not comply, it doesnt comply. I dont think that the EU has a vendetta agains TAAG. The fact of the matter is that its management has shown signs of imcompetence. Because of the government's proteccionism of TAAG, flights to Angola are super expensive, and a hassle. It takes me 2 days to fly from America to Angola if I take TAP and TAAG or something of the sorts. With Sonair I am there in 14hrs. THink about it, if the skies were opened, Lufthansa, KLM, and others would b able to fly to Luanda, bringing down costs and bringing in better schedules. If there was increased competition, TAAG would GREATLY improve its services. But there is none, so they do not care.

True Hammelkar, tens razao em alguns pontos, but u and me both know that TAAG is a deplorable airline. Let's be honest, how many times have there been inexplicable delays and cancellations? how many times have u or a family member had to give up your seat because General Something or Other is traveling with his whole contingent? Not to mention the service, or lack thereof.

U see, Ive heard reports, even on this sight I think, that Air Gemini is looking to expand internationally. Of course it will take time and wont happen overnight. I know that. But it is a possibility. And furthermore, certain sectors of Angolan society think that there might be a possible fusion between Sonair and TAAG. Go to the angonoticias page right now, it's the feature article.

The problem of Angolan aviation is that the government is extremely protective of TAAG, and as a result it completly closes and chokes the market. Meanwhile, TAAG doesnt even comply with the regulations! No matter how u coat it, it is not a very safe airline, and if it does not comply, it doesnt comply. I dont think that the EU has a vendetta agains TAAG. The fact of the matter is that its management has shown signs of imcompetence. Because of the government's proteccionism of TAAG, flights to Angola are super expensive, and a hassle. It takes me 2 days to fly from America to Angola if I take TAP and TAAG or something of the sorts. With Sonair I am there in 14hrs. THink about it, if the skies were opened, Lufthansa, KLM, and others would b able to fly to Luanda, bringing down costs and bringing in better schedules. If there was increased competition, TAAG would GREATLY improve its services. But there is none, so they do not care.


Senti Balcklion, offcorse the government should be protective to is companies its normal. Tha happens in all countries of the world. Right now here in Italy where i am now the government its protecting Alitalia. I Had the possibilitie to ready the balance sheet of Alitalia and what i can tell you is that the panorama its even worst or similar to the one TAAG is leaving. They faced bankruptcy last here but some how the balance sheet was positive. Well you can see on that the finger of the government. The only different between the two companys its that TAAG has now a complitely new fleet.
You argue is that TAAG has to much delays. Thats true, but did you stoped to think why? I tell you right know: passangers always late, passangers always with extraload or weight on checkin, the airport capacity in Luanda, operations delays due to some corrupt problems on tickets emissions, etc.
But on other hand if you think well almost all companies on the world have more than 30 minute of delay for each simple flight!? Why? security measures and others against terrorism like the permition to have only 150 ml of liquids onboard. And etc. One of this days i wait 3 hours and 30 minutes for a plane in rome that never arrived. We all have to take another plane. But do you think someone give us any explanation!? NO WAY. we had to make pressure to ALitalia ground services to know whats going on. Other situation occurs in Napolis already inside the plane. we have some problems with engines. We all wait inside the plane without airconditioner, without air. We all have to bag for water. So with this examples i am showing you that this can happens with any company. Some more than others due the curcunstances they are in. What i just said should not be an excuse for TAAG but hey give them a chance to improve.

I dont know :ohno:why in the last few years the Angolans start to hate so much TAAG.
TAAG never give the back to Angola and is population when they mosted needed; But now that TAAG need the support of all Angolans they give the back and just go away or say bad things of TAAG. A lot of professionals give they lives during the war to make the comunication of goods and people during the worst days of war. Give this people a chance because they deserve.
TAAG its one of the few companys on the world that has a very low presence on aviation statistics for accidents.
Think positive, im sure good days for TAAG and us will come soon.

I dont know :ohno:why in the last few years the Angolans start to hate so much TAAG.
TAAG never give the back to Angola and is population when they mosted needed; But now that TAAG need the support of all Angolans they give the back and just go away or say bad things of TAAG. A lot of professionals give they lives during the war to make the comunication of goods and people during the worst days of war. Give this people a chance because they deserve.
TAAG its one of the few companys on the world that has a very low presence on aviation statistics for accidents.
Think positive, im sure good days for TAAG and us will come soon.

Hammelkar meu mano I guess we will jst have to agree to disagree on this one. The Alitalia example is jst further evidence on why governments should not interfere so much on airlines and instead let the laws of the market play their part. I also read a lot about Alitalia - the airline is in truly dire straits, and the government keeps bailing them out. There is even a (funny) website against them: Alitaliasucks.com.

Your last paragraph struck a chord tho. The thing is Hammelkar, the reasons you have offered for TAAG's lack of good service are not convincing. I think lack of good service stems from Angolan society as a whole. Im sure u will agree with me that be it in restaurants, shops, airlines, or whatever, customer service in Angola is atrocious compared to other parts of the world. TAAG is a mirror of that. I am not surprised now that many Angolans no longer revere TAAG. The national airline let us down. That is the overwhelming sentiment in all those comments u see at Angonoticias. When I was a kid i loved TAAG, because it was my national carrier and I was fascinated with airplanes. Now I run away with it. My parents as well. And many other Angolans I know. TAAG exists to serve angolans, and not for us to revere them mindlessly. They are accountable to us as their clients and thus their bread and butter.

You do make a very good point about TAAG professionals during the war (que eles descansem em paz). But that is a different matter entirely. If we use that as an excuse, then how much can Taag get away with, u know?

TAAG is a national carrier and to be banned from Europe and causing all these "transtornos" for its OWN customers is just not good enough, and shows that they have gotten lazy and irresponsible. Maybe it is because they have no competition + the unconditional backing of the gov? But ya mano those are jst my 2 cents on the matter.

Listen Blacklion there is nothing to convince here.
And the proove on that, is the choice you and your family and freinds made on flying with others international carries.

Nothing :ohno: to do about that. :)

But iam sure whem the situation cames you will "understand" what i was talking about. Some clients go others will come, thats life.

Some people think TAAG is flying to majors cities today. The company have already scaled most of this cities in the past. This shows that Comercial Aviation is a cicle that has good moments and also bad moments. Biggers companys have already gone (Varig, Pan America, Sabena, etc) but TAAG stills here.

I just hope that some day we all agree on fly TAAG on a near future.

On mean time i will keep believing that TAAG will get out of this storm very easealy and everybody will fly with Angola Air Lines again.

oss: I will keep on flying with TAAG as always i did :):cheers:

Your last paragraph struck a chord tho. The thing is Hammelkar, the reasons you have offered for TAAG's lack of good service are not convincing. I think lack of good service stems from Angolan society as a whole. Im sure u will agree with me that be it in restaurants, shops, airlines, or whatever, customer service in Angola is atrocious compared to other parts of the world.

Blacklion, if you have the US in mind or Asia, yes, but look how many decades those regions were protected from wars and the like? And bear in mind that the US is the birthplace of marketing, branding, consumer psychology...it is driven to perfection there by top and highly paid professionals and it is institutionally and culturally greatly supported...it is even a uphill struggle for European countries to meet US standards, they are still lagging (massively) behind the US.

Compare Angola within the African sub-region (leave out SA here, though) and not with the US, Singapore, Japan, UAE, Malaysia or even Brazil etc. which you eventually had in mind and considering the fact that you are currently US-based.

Don´t expect too much too quickly, Rome was not build in a day!

I can feel with your impatience, I have it, too, whenever it comes to Africa....but let´s contextualise developments.:)

Listen Blacklion there is nothing to convince here.
And the proove on that, is the choice you and your family and freinds made on flying with others international carries.

Nothing :ohno: to do about that. :)

But iam sure whem the situation cames you will "understand" what i was talking about. Some clients go others will come, thats life.

Some people think TAAG is flying to majors cities today. The company have already scaled most of this cities in the past. This shows that Comercial Aviation is a cicle that has good moments and also bad moments. Biggers companys have already gone (Varig, Pan America, Sabena, etc) but TAAG stills here.

I just hope that some day we all agree on fly TAAG on a near future.

On mean time i will keep believing that TAAG will get out of this storm very easealy and everybody will fly with Angola Air Lines again.

oss: I will keep on flying with TAAG as always i did :):cheers:

That is why I say we can agree to disagree. To each his own. I like good service so I will look elsewhere :)

Some more updates


New African routes for Yemenia
November 27th, 2007

Yemenia intends to add new African destinations in the coming years, with Nairobi, Kenya and Dakar, Sénégal being cities of interest.


New aircraft for Jetlink Express

November 27th, 2007

Jetlink Express has acquired two CRJ-100ERs. The aircraft will be used on services to Eldoret, Mombasa, Juba, Goma and Bujumbura.


A new airline for the DRC
November 27th, 2007

Belgium-based Brussels Airlines and Democratic Republic of Congo-based Hewa Bora Airways have announced the launch of a new airline to be named AirDC. The airline will operate domestic flights as well as jointly operate with Brussels Airlines on three European routes. The airline, which will be based at Kinshasa N’Djili airport, will operate BAe 146 and B737 aircraft beginning in early 2008.


EgyptAir to increase service to India
November 27th, 2007
Click to view large version!
© Julian Klein
JetPhotos.Net

EgyptAir reportedly intends to increase service to India by the end of 2008 with daily flights to Mumbai, as well as three weekly flights to Delhi and Bangalore.


Zambian Airways to pull out of Harare
November 27th, 2007

Zambian Airways will cease flights to Harare, Zimbabwe on December 1, citing high fuel costs and extreme currency fluctuations in Zimbabwe.

Kenya Airways and China Southern Airlines to cooperate
November 22nd, 2007

Kenya Airways and China Southern Airlines, both affiliated with Skyteam, will cooperate on services between Nairobi, Kenya and Guangzhou, China and beyond their respective hubs.

Kenya Airways, which currently serves Guangzhou 4x per week, plans to increase its frequency to daily by April 2008 (via Dubai or a third country), and operate the route nonstop as of 2010.


Transaero to Johannesburg
November 21st, 2007


Transaero will begin service between Moscow (Domodedovo),Russia and Johannesburg, South Africa on December 29. Flights will be operated on Saturdays using B763 aircraft.

UN887 DME - JNB: 2300 - 940
UN888 JNB - DME: 1120 - 500

Arik Air to become flag carrier of Niger
Nigeria's fastest growing private airline, Arik Air, h as been appointed the national carrier of Niger Republic, according to airline s pokesman Ggbemiga Ogunleye.

Ogunleye told PANA here Monday that ECOWAS had also approached the airline to help facilitate air travel within the sub-region.

http://www.afriquenligne.fr/news/daily-news/nigerian-airline-becomes-niger's-national-carrier-2007120312608/

Arik Air to become flag carrier of Niger

Where do you get this smud from?:ohno:

It is NigerIA and not Niger. Niger with the capital Niamey lies north of NigerIA and it has very little in common with the latter.

Look both countries up in the atlas.;)

Slow down brother, Mathias Offodile. It was according to the news story from the link posted along his comment and, of which he was right.

I think, Arik Air is really gaining ground to usurp its wide capacity of qualified experiences to bring the best to the region. It's a good thing and we have to be happy about that. It's Nigerian's indeed.

Today Delta launches its ATL-LOS service. Delta is the first major U.S airline to serve Nigeria. JFK-LOS starts in early next June. Does anyone know what aircraft they'll be flying? 767-300?

Matthias

Arik Air will become the national carrier of Niger. I can confirm this fro two different Nigerian newspapers

Today Delta launches its ATL-LOS service. Delta is the first major U.S airline to serve Nigeria. JFK-LOS starts in early next June. Does anyone know what aircraft they'll be flying? 767-300?

Good news!

As for the first major US carrier servicing Nigeria. No, it is not, World Airways served Lagos long before Delta arrived.

Good news!

As for the first major US carrier servicing Nigeria. No, it is not, World Airways served Lagos long before Delta arrived.

You mean North American Airlines (they merged) their not a "major" carrier only serve 3 or 4 international destinations I bet with Delta coming from JFK next year they'll take them out of business.

I also think we can expect in 2008 Continental coming up with a service to Lagos. Not sure if it would be from Newark or Houston.

Where do you get this smud from?:ohno:

It is NigerIA and not Niger. Niger with the capital Niamey lies north of NigerIA and it has very little in common with the latter.

Look both countries up in the atlas.;)
Stop being such a dick and read what what I posted :lol:

Harsh Words

Arik Now Niger Republic's National Carrier


This Day (Lagos)

3 December 2007
Posted to the web 3 December 2007

Chinedu Eze
Lagos

Nigeria's domestic airline, Arik Air, is now the national carrier of Niger Republic, which will now be operating both local and international flights from that country.

This was made known at the weekend by the Chairman of the airline, Sir Joseph Arumemi-Johnson, while delivering a speech to commemorate the arrival of another new aircraft for the airline, Boeing 737-700NG, at the Arik Aviation Centre, Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos.

Arumemi-Johnson also said that the airline is talking with Economic Community of West Africa (ECOWAS) to see that the airline operates in all the member countries and that the governments of Senegal and Cameroon have endorsed the airline to start operating from both nations.

He said that passenger figure of the airline has grown in the one year of its operation and apologized to passengers for any hiccups in the operation of the airline, saying that such shortcomings would stop when the airline relocates to the new domestic terminal, MMA2 soon.

The company said that the new aircraft arrived Nigeria direct from Boeing Corporation in Seattle, United States of America last Wednesday and it is one of the two B737-700NG that would be delivered to the airline, adding that the second would arrive tomorrow, which will make the total number of aircraft in the Arik fleet to eight.

The Chairman of Arik said that as part of Arik Air's long term commitment to the nation's aviation industry, the airline has placed orders for a total of 36 aircraft and these orders include five Boeings 777, seven Boeing 787-900 and they are expected to be deployed on the airline's intercontinental routes. "On October 2, 2006 Arik Air took delivery of three brand new CRJ900 aircraft, thus becoming the first Nigerian carrier in over 20 years to operate brand new aircraft. Arumemi-Johnson gave kudos to Nigerian pilots for their dexterity and their quick response in training, expressing the hope that a Nigerian pilot would handle the Dreamliner, Boeings 787-900 when it arrives Nigeria . The airline said that the 737-700 and other 737 series are short-to-medium-range airplanes that are best selling commercial airplanes that represent more than a quarter of the total worldwide fleet of large commercial jets flying in the world today.

I also think we can expect in 2008 Continental coming up with a service to Lagos. Not sure if it would be from Newark or Houston.

Yes, they have announced it more than two years back when they wanted to fly to Nigeria. Hopefully, it will be the case in 2008...

As for North American Airlines, they won´t be kicked out, more players will mean more competition and lower prices which is always good for the consumer.

Stop being such a dick and read what what I posted :lol:

I have read what you said not your quotes

you said: [QUOTE] Arik Air to become flag carrier of Niger"/QUOTE]

So I thought it wise to give you some geography lessons first, that´s all!

Niger is misleading, people think it is not Nigeria. You should have written Naija.:)

Lufthansa will soon come to Luanda, it is said. A high-level business delegation consiting of 40 business people together with German Minister "Herr Glos" visited Angola (the same that moved to Gabon yesterday)

Damn, I love the new interest in Africa...all thanks to China´s involvement! It is a golden opportunity for Africa to "play" with all the external forces to squeeze out maxium profit for the respective countries themselves:cheers:


Lufthansa va desservir Luanda

Publié le 4 décembre 2007.

La compagnie aérienne allemande Lufthansa doit ouvrir l'an prochain une liaison hebdomadaire avec l'Angola, a annoncé mardi le ministre allemand de l'Economie et de la Technologie, Michael Glos. "Luftansa se rendra chaque semaine en Angola et la compagnie aérienne angolaise TAAG volera vers l'Allemagne, cela à partir de 2008", a-t-il déclaré à la radio publique angolaise à l'issue d'un entretien avec le président José Eduardo dos Santos à Luanda.
Les dates exactes des premiers vols n'ont pas été précisées et TAAG risque de se heurter à quelques difficultés étant donné qu'elle a été placée sur liste noire par l'Union européenne pour des problèmes de sécurité.

Le ministre allemand a rendu hommage au gouvernement angolais pour avoir réussi à stabiliser l'économie après 27 ans de guerre civile, achevée en 2002 dans ce pays riche en pétrole.

Il a précisé que le président Dos Santos rencontrerait la chancelière allemande Angela Merkel ce week-end lors du sommet Union européenne-Afrique prévu à Lisbonne.

Au cours de sa visite, M. Glos a aussi signé un accord de coopération avec le ministre angolais des Finances, José Pedro de Morais, aux termes duquel l'Allemagne va prêter à l'Angola 1,1 milliard d'euros (1,6 milliard USD) pour le développement des infrastructures, des technologies et des transports.

Niger is misleading, people think it is not Nigeria. You should have written Naija.:)

Umm. Did you read what I wrote? Nothing about Nigeria.

Arik Air to become flag carrier of Niger

[QUOTE=Matthias Offodile;16909284]Yes, they have announced it more than two years back when they wanted to fly to Nigeria. Hopefully, it will be the case in 2008...

As for North American Airlines, they won´t be kicked out, more players will mean more competition and lower prices which is always good for the consumer.

The problem with North American Airlines is that it has virtually no brand recognition and its product pales in comparison to Delta. Remember this is an airline that operates only 3 weekly flights with a stop in Baltimore. Delta on the other hand will have daily direct flights from Atlanta and New York. With its extensive domestic connectivity for connections North American has no chance against Delta.

North American will always be around because they have extensive contacts within the heavily immigrant communities. NAA operates a series of travel agents in areas of high African concentration (Washington D.C area for example), as many of the people here aren't concerned about Expedia sales lol

Delta will have the benefit of an extensive network from it's hub, creating a plethora of connecting possibilities, a strong and loyal base of Frequent Flyers and a relatively strong brand recognition (was once the world's largest airline).

Finally, Lufthansa will begin flights to Angola in early 2008!!

Lufthansa to fly in Angola
AFP Published Dec 05, 2007


LUANDA - German airliner Lufthansa will begin operating weekly flights to Angola from next year, Germany’s Economy and Technology Minister Michael Glos said.

"Lufthansa will be flying weekly to Angola and TAAG Angolan Airlines will also fly to Germany all starting in 2008," Glos told state-run Radio Nacional de Angola, after meeting with Angola’s President Jose Eduardo dos Santos.

The exact date for beginning the flights was not yet known and could be complicated as TAAG is currently on a blacklist of airlines barred from flying in the European Union (EU) for safety reasons.

Glos also commended the Angolan authorities for stabilising the economy after its 27-year civil war which ended in 2002, and added that dos Santos would be meeting German Chancellor Angela Merkel this weekend at the EU-Africa summit in Portugal.

During the course of his visit, Glos inked a co-operation deal with Luanda’s Finance Minister Jose Pedro de Morais under which Germany will loan Angola 1.1 million euros to be invested in developing local infrastructure, technology and transport.

The loan would be provided by a group of German banks whose representatives accompanied the minister on the Angola trip.

http://www.thetimes.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=650386

It might be wise for NAA to fly directly from Baltimore to Lagos to cater to the Washington/Baltimore/rest of Maryland area..as well as put pressure on the NY - LOS route

Next step is to get Nigerian Airlines flying back and forth the US. this whole thing makes no sense if their is no reciprocation. Arik, Virgin Nigeria, and another international standard airline will do. Hopefully the prices come down also.

Blacklion, read the comments given by Angolan people towards Germans and Germany, very harsh and unkind words, sorry, even foolish and unreflected comments. I never read comments on "Angonoticias", I started reading them when Miss Angola won the title because I wanted to know if people are happy for her and Angola ....but to my surprise I had to find out that she was heavily attacked in her own country by various circles. Now I read the comments given by people about Lufthansa coming to Angola. Very disappointing comments which slowly start to change my earlier positive perceptions of Angolan people that I had in mind.

Here is the link:

http://www.angonoticias.com/full_headlines.php?id=17552

PICTURE: Air Service Gabon gets second new CRJ200 regional jet


http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/5120/air1am5.gif

By Max Kingsley-Jones

DATE:06/12/07


Air Service Gabon has taken delivery of the second of two new Bombardier CRJ200s. The aircraft has been in storage in Calgary, positioned through Glasgow in early December on its delivery flight to Libreville.

PS: Btw, Air Service Gabon is a private Gabonese airline based in Libreville, Gabon. It was established in 1965 and operates scheduled flights and passenger and charter services in West Africa

Royal Air Maroc announced new 3 weekly service to Lagos, starting in March.

The schedule as follows.
CMN-LOS - AT555
Thu-Sat-Sun : Dep 21.20 Arr 02.55

LOS-CMN - AT554
Mon-Tue-Fri : Dep 03.45 Arrv 07.15

[COLOR="Purple"][B]
Umm. Did you read what I wrote? Nothing about Nigeria.

do u have a link for this?

Next step is to get Nigerian Airlines flying back and forth the US. this whole thing makes no sense if their is no reciprocation. Arik, Virgin Nigeria, and another international standard airline will do. Hopefully the prices come down also.

i agree. this whole thing makes no sense without us getting our airlines to larger markets.

Royal Air Maroc announced new 3 weekly service to Lagos, starting in March.

The schedule as follows.
CMN-LOS - AT555
Thu-Sat-Sun : Dep 21.20 Arr 02.55

LOS-CMN - AT554
Mon-Tue-Fri : Dep 03.45 Arrv 07.15

It's not going to have passengers cos I don't think there are enough economic relationship between both countries to create 3 weekly schedules.

The flight schedule is a bit wacky, for what I suspect is a 5hr trip...

The early morning arrivals and departure into Lagos cannot be that convenient for travellers...

How about switch it 12hrs...ie

Dep 9:20 am from Casablanca and arrive at Lagos at 14:55 etc

The flight schedule is a bit wacky, for what I suspect is a 5hr trip...

The early morning arrivals and departure into Lagos cannot be that convenient for travellers...

How about switch it 12hrs...ie

Dep 9:20 am from Casablanca and arrive at Lagos at 14:55 etc

Apart from the arrival time at Casablanca being quite beneficial towards business travelers, everything else sucks big time. Arrival at Lagos at 2 in the morning?? Departure at 3:30?? Since this isn't a long enough flight (only 4hr 30min) a night flight doesn't seem possible, so a daylight service seems the best option. The time table really is crap. :ohno:

North American will always be around because they have extensive contacts within the heavily immigrant communities. NAA operates a series of travel agents in areas of high African concentration (Washington D.C area for example), as many of the people here aren't concerned about Expedia sales lol

Delta will have the benefit of an extensive network from it's hub, creating a plethora of connecting possibilities, a strong and loyal base of Frequent Flyers and a relatively strong brand recognition (was once the world's largest airline).

But do you think that NAA can actually compete with Delta? I mean were talking about a global airline, one of the largest in the world, with an extensive domestic base, against a third rate unknown "charter" like airline. I've got to give my support to the boys working for DL. :cheers:

Niger is misleading, people think it is not Nigeria. You should have written Naija.:)

Matt, Arik is the national carrier of Niger (the country).

Quote:
Originally Posted by Alex Roney
Royal Air Maroc announced new 3 weekly service to Lagos, starting in March.

The schedule as follows.
CMN-LOS - AT555
Thu-Sat-Sun : Dep 21.20 Arr 02.55

LOS-CMN - AT554
Mon-Tue-Fri : Dep 03.45 Arrv 07.15

It's not going to have passengers cos I don't think there are enough economic relationship between both countries to create 3 weekly schedules.

Its mainly correspondence passangers that they are after, not Origin and Destination traffic. These flights will essentially be cheaper than direct europe-nigeria or northamerica-nigeria flights so they are a good alternative in a sense.

Its mainly correspondence passangers that they are after, not Origin and Destination traffic. These flights will essentially be cheaper than direct europe-nigeria or northamerica-nigeria flights so they are a good alternative in a sense.

How cheap? Do you think it going to be the cheapest in the buisness?How familiar its the airline to the Nigerians or others who would be passengers to have a 3 times weekly flight?

^^ I dont know how cheap exactly to be honest. That being said, Royal Air Maroc have been quite successful in running similar ventures in neighboring countries, that is, connecting passengers from europe/north america with west and central africa. After all they do have a bi-weekly flight (i think thats the frequency) to freetown, so 3 weekly flights to Lagos should be no problem at all.

Nigeria: Arik to take delivery of two more brand new B737-700NG planes next March :cheers:



Tuesday, 11 December 2007
Ngeria’s start-up airline, Arik Air, would take delivery of two more new Boeing 737-700NG aircraft in March 2008.This will bring to six the number of this aircraft type in the airline’s fleet, as the fourth one arrived the country last week.
Arik Air Chairman, Sir Joseph Arumemi-Johnson, who disclosed this at the launch of the newest plane in the airline’s fleet in Lagos, said Arik was committed to ensuring safety through acquisition of brand new planes.

He said the airline management was anxiously awaiting the arrival of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner jet which it placed an order recently, and which the airline plans to use for some of its international operations.

Sir Arumemi-Johnson challenged Nigerian pilots in the airline to take command of at least one of the four B787 planes.

The 737 family has won orders for more than 6,000 airplanes, which is more airplanes than The Boeing Company’s biggest competitor has won for its entire product line since it began business.

The 737 - a short-to-medium-range airplane - is based on a key Boeing philosophy of delivering added value to airlines with reliability, simplicity and reduced operating and maintenance costs.

Overall, the entire 737 family is the best-selling commercial jet in history, winning orders for more than 6,866 737s through the end of March 2007. With 4,495 or more airplanes in service, the 737 represents more than a quarter of the total worldwide fleet of large commercial jets flying today.
The passenger cabin on the Boeing Next-Generation 737s has a new look, providing passengers with comfortable, aesthetically pleasing surroundings.

Operators get a cabin that is both durable and flexible. The interior floor, wall and seat materials stand up to wear and tear, and can be easily cleaned. Optional, convertible seats make it possible to quickly change the passenger cabin to accommodate a variety of airline seat configuration requirements.

As part of Arik Air’s long term commitment to the nation’s aviation industry, the airline has placed orders for a total 36 aircraft. These orders include five Boeing 777, seven Boeing 787-900 and they are expected to be deployed on the airline’s intercontinental routes.

On October 2, 2006 Arik Air took delivery of three brand new CRJ900 aircraft, thus becoming the first Nigerian carrier in over 20 years to operate brand new aircraft. In March 2007, another brand new CRJ900 aircraft arrived to Lagos to boost the operations of Arik Air.

The arrival of another brand new Boeing 737-700NG from Seattle on Tuesday will bring the total number of aircraft in Arik’s fleet to 18.

Lufthansa launches non-stop service to Angola


Lufthansa is continuing to extend its route network to growth markets in Africa. On 1 April 2008, following the introduction of the summer timetable, a new service will be launched between Frankfurt and the Angolan capital, Luanda. The non-stop route will be operated once a week by an Airbus 340-300 with 221 seats.

http://www.just4airlines.com/j4_dox/email/rss.html?./rss.mv?story_id=33134

What ever happened to Oceanair's service to Luanda? This is like the third time they give a date yet nothing happens.

TAAG's 3rd and final Boeing 777-200/ER made it's first flight 14DEC.

http://www.seattle-deliveries.com/a/1207/d2tef_141207paelb2t.jpg
http://www.seattle-deliveries.com/a/1207/d2tef_141207paelb4t.jpg
http://www.seattle-deliveries.com/a/1207/d2tef_141207paelb3t.jpg

Also...


Emirates to Cape Town

EK770 DXB - CPT: 815 - 1625
EK771 CPT - DXB: 1810 - 600

Sonair (Angola) has ordered 1x A340-500 to replace the World Airways MD11 when it's lease ends.

Saudi Arabian Airlines, effective March 30 2008 will:

Cancel

JED-ASM (currently 2x weekly M90)
RUH-KHT (currently 1 weekly 772; will turn to 2x weekly 741/743 before being dropped)

Reduce

JED-NBO to 1x weekly 772 (from 2x weekly)

Downgrade

JED-CAI to a daily M90 (from daily 747/772)
RUH-CAI to a daily 772 (from daily M90+747)

Air Namibia received the first of two Boeing 737-500s last Thursday.

"Ethiopian plans to start flights to Equatorial Gunea, Kuwait, Riyad, Toronto, South Korea, and Malaysia. The company also plans to add two additional destinations in the US."

Sonair (Angola) has ordered 1x A340-500 to replace the World Airways MD11 when it's lease ends.

Lovely news! I like it when those trash planes disappear from African skies. Good that it gets a new A340-500!!!:cheers:

Arik, Virgin Nigeria Begin Flights to U.S. Next Year

This Day (Lagos)

Two local airlines, Arik Air and Virgin Nigeria, will start flying directly to the United States of America in 2008.

Harold Demurin, the Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), told journalists yesterday that the US Federal Aviation Administr-ation (FAA) has granted waiver to the domestic airlines.

He disclosed this while fielding questions from newsmen at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos.

He said Arik, Virgin Nigeria and Bellview airlines, which was earlier designated for the route, had almost completed all the requirements to lease aircraft from an American-recognised Category One country and with the acquired aircraft they would be able to start operations to the United States.

"They must get an aircraft from a country that is already Category One. So that's what they are doing right now and I believe that Arik has already given a name of the airline it will use, I believe Bellview has done the same and also Virgin Nigeria," he said.

"You know they have already missed the busy Christmas rush. I will expect that they will be waiting for the summer peak period to start. So I believe we are right on course, making progress. At the same time, NCAA will get Category One for Nigeria, so 2008 will be very interesting, with a lot of activities," the NCAA boss added

He said one of the greatest achievements recorded this year in the aviation sector is the influx of new generation aircraft into the country and promised to get the much talked-about Category One status for the country from the FAA next year.

North American Airlines currently flies direct to New York while Delta Airlines, which recently began operations in Nigeria, flies direct to Atlanta, Georgia with a plan to also fly directly to New York from June 2008.

The destinations of Arik and Virgin Nigeria were however not revealed by Demurin.

Arik started operations last year while Virgin Nigeria is a little over two years old.

There had been a controversy over Virgin Nigeria's direct flight to the US following objections from the American aviation authorities.

Richard Branson, chairman of the Virgin Group, had been accused by the US of working against the granting of more frequencies for American airlines to the United Kingdom. Virgin Nigeria was taken as part of his group and was subsequently treated by the Americans as a backdoor strategy by Branson to increase Virgin's frequencies to the United States.

Virgin Nigeria had always insisted that it is a Nigerian, and not a British airline and was only in technical and branding partnership with Virgin Atlantic Airlines.

This controversy may have been resolved, following the positive signals from the US aviation authorities.

Also yesterday, Demuren criticised the obsolete conveyor belt at the international wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport which tends to break down too often, thereby frustrating passengers upon their arrival. They usually have to wait for hours on end before collecting their luggage.

He explained that the poor performance of the conveyor belt was due to its old age, but added that efforts were being made to expand the international airport and put modern facilities there for the comfort of passengers.

Lovely news! I like it when those trash planes disappear from African skies. Good that it gets a new A340-500!!!:cheers:

Stop with the bullshit Matthias.

The MD-11 isn't old by any means! Besides, it is in a premium configuration to cater to the oil executives and workers. It's configuration 91 business and 138 coach.

Why don't you get rid of all the old 727s/737-200s flying around in Nigeria always falling out of the sky first? Deal? :banana:

Stop with the bullshit Matthias.

The MD-11 isn't old by any means! Besides, it is in a premium configuration to cater to the oil executives and workers. It's configuration 91 business and 138 coach.

Why don't you get rid of all the old 727s/737-200s flying around in Nigeria always falling out of the sky first? Deal?:banana:

If you had followed my postings attentively , you wouldn´t have answered the way you ´ve done. I said that I want these flying coffins to disappear from Nigerian skies a couple of months ago. Meanwhile a couple of new airline policies have also been launched.

2.) MD-11 is by no means a modern aircraft. I want that African nations don´t settle for mediocrity, I hate it. We have to strive for the best possible for perfection and never rest, it will be a very long way and a constant battle........the MD-11 is no longer the best aircraft avaible on the market, we´re no longer living in the late 80´s/early 90´s but soon in 2008 . So you have to fly A-340-500´s and 600´s (even A340-200´s get sort of old and "trashy", same for the B-747-400´s, of course). The new generation aircraft are: Dreamliners, A380´s, B777´200er/300er. B737-600/700/800, CJR-900, A330-200/300, A318/319/321. MD11 is not in that league; it is mediocre at best. In my eyes, it is even old trash.

Why are you worrying? These birds and taken nutured very well and are only used on this route, no more,no less.

The aircraft belongs to World Airways (American)

Granted the MD-11 isn't the new kid on the block anymore, but in a world of antiquated 1970s and 80's vintage aircraft, the MD-11, is for the most part fairly modern.

The aircraft belongs to World Airways (American)

Granted the MD-11 isn't the new kid on the block anymore, but in a world of antiquated 1970s and 80's vintage aircraft, the MD-11, is for the most part fairly modern.


Well, Angola is now growing wealthy enough not too be dependent on the trash that the First World gives to them. I am just fed up with that, can´t it get into your head?
TAAG modernized its fleet, Sonair flies modern A319 and modern B737 series aircraft and ordered its first A340-500, Air Gemini is modernizing its entire regional fleet and is planning to get brand new long-haul aircrafts. So bye bye "old days".

Nigeria is also heading in the right direction (even Belleview is modernizing its fleet), although I wish that all the B737-200´s aircraft should be grounded and banned or landing and take-off fees should be so high for these type of aircraft that the airlines that still operate them decide to phase them out. If they don´t do it on their own, the law has to force them to do it. BASTA.

Why don't you get rid of all the old 727s/737-200s flying around in Nigeria always falling out of the sky first? Deal? :banana:

Wow. :shocked: Where did that come from.

lol, if it makes you sleep at night Kingofthehill, the coffins are disappearing from the skies, just google "Nigeria Aviation". One of the largest purchases of Aircraft on the continent is going on in Nigeria right now.

Chill out guys its Christmas lol.

Well, Angola is now growing wealthy enough not too be dependent on the trash that the First World gives to them. I am just fed up with that, can´t it get into your head?
TAAG modernized its fleet, Sonair flies modern A319 and modern B737 series aircraft and ordered its first A340-500, Air Gemini is modernizing its entire regional fleet and is planning to get brand new long-haul aircrafts. So bye bye "old days".

Nigeria is also heading in the right direction (even Belleview is modernizing its fleet), although I wish that all the B737-200´s aircraft should be grounded and banned or landing and take-off fees should be so high for these type of aircraft that the airlines that still operate them decide to phase them out. If they don´t do it on their own, the law has to force them to do it. BASTA.

I'm well aware of Angola's newfound wealth and growth (gdp leaped by 25% right?). BTW, the Sonair A340-500 is probably going to it's Chinese subsidary and is going to be used to fly executives around, just like it's A319s. However, 1 737-700 is flying domestic routes in Angola (Luanda-Benguela/Soya), and 1 more, this one a combi will join the fleet soon. What do you think about the 737-300, a 20+ year old jet just starting to replace the ageing 1st-generation jets in Nigeria's aviation scene?
Wow. :shocked: Where did that come from.

lol, if it makes you sleep at night Kingofthehill, the coffins are disappearing from the skies, just google "Nigeria Aviation". One of the largest purchases of Aircraft on the continent is going on in Nigeria right now.
Umm, I know about Arik Air (55+ planes, IIRC, major praise) and Virgin America (~8 Embraer E-jets).

But what about the rest? Airlines like Chanchangi, etc still have tons of 732s. And based on Matthias's argument, planes such as the Boeing 737-300 being implemented into Virgin Nigeria (767-200/300 too), AeroContracters, etc are old.

I'm well aware of Angola's newfound wealth and growth (gdp leaped by 25% right?).

yes, this is a normal development Angola without the war would have taken after 1975! anyway, it is just the beginning of what is to come in the next years...no matter if you like it or not.

BTW, the Sonair A340-500 is probably going to it's Chinese subsidary and is going to be used to fly executives around, just like it's A319s.

A319 flies executives around? Woow where did you get this from? The information that I have is that Sonair is an up and coming private airline linked to Angola´s well-run Sonangol company. It doesn´t belong to Chinese.

However, 1 737-700 is flying domestic routes in Angola (Luanda-Benguela/Soya), and 1 more, this one a combi will join the fleet soon. What do you think about the 737-300, a 20+ year old jet just starting to replace the ageing 1st-generation jets in Nigeria's aviation scene?

Well, many European and Asian airlines still fly B737-300, they are not really too bad although not the latest aircraft avaible.

But what about the rest? Airlines like Chanchangi, etc still have tons of 732s. And based on Matthias's argument, planes such as the Boeing 737-300 being implemented into Virgin Nigeria (767-200/300 too), AeroContracters, etc are old.

Where did I said anything about B737-300 and B767-200/300 in my earlier posting??. Read them properly! Anyway, as far as the B737-300 series are concerned, I have said it to you above. as for the 767 series, i will do it here: B767-200 is old trash, B767-300 is slightly better but still old and no longer up-to-date or truly presentable. Anyway the one jetliner Virgin Nigeria flew was leased and will hopefully be dumped pretty soon. I would prefer to see it replaced by modern A330´s jets.

I said to you that African sirlines don´t have to settle for mediocritiy but for the best...some airlines like South african airlines, ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, TAAG, Air Arik, Air Senegal , Air Ivoire are points of reference here. They modernized their fleet and are predominatly all world standard.

A319 flies executives around? Woow where did you get this from? The information that I have is that Sonair is an up and coming private airline linked to Angola´s well-run Sonangol company. It doesn´t belong to Chinese.
Not used to fly executives around, eh? (http://www.airbus.com/en/presscentre/pressreleases/pressreleases_items/07_02_05_ACJ_Sonangol_EN.html)

Picture... (http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=1308420&WxsIERv=Nveohf%20N319-115K%20PW&Wm=0&WdsYXMg=Puvan%20Fbanatby%20Vagreangvbany&QtODMg=Ubat%20Xbat%20-%20Purx%20Ync%20Xbx%20Vagreangvbany%20%28UXT%20%2F%20IUUU%29&ERDLTkt=Puvan%20-%20Ubat%20Xbat&ktODMp=Abirzore%2028%2C%202007&BP=1&WNEb25u=Wreel%20Cnat&xsIERvdWdsY=IC-ORL&MgTUQtODMgKE=&YXMgTUQtODMgKERD=341&NEb25uZWxs=2007-12-21%2020%3A11%3A01&ODJ9dvCE=&O89Dcjdg=2675&static=yes&width=1200&height=826&sok=JURER%20%20%28ZNGPU%20%28nvepensg%2Cnveyvar%2Ccynpr%2Ccubgb_qngr%2Cpbhagel%2Cerznex%2Ccubgbtencure%2Crznv
y%2Clrne%2Cert%2Cnvepensg_trarevp%2Cpa%2Cpbqr%29%20NTNVAFG%20%28%27%2B%22fbanatby%22%27%20VA%20OBBYRNA%20ZBQR%29%29%20%20beqre%20ol%20cubgb_vq%20QRFP&photo_nr=2&prev_id=1308543&next_id=1306806)

There is Sonair Angola, and there is China Sonangol. The latter uses Airbus ACJs, Falcon 900s, and soon the A340-500 to fly executives in and out of China (jets are in VIP configuration). You were right about Sonair, they do public obligation routes (flying to small communities with Beech 1900Ds and DHC-6 Twin Otters), some scheduled charter routes (with Boeing 737-700 and 727s on routes such as Luanda-Benguela) and lastly they do pure charters and flights catering to the oil industry.

Where did I said anything about B737-300 and B767-200/300 in my earlier posting??. Read them properly! Anyway, as far as the B737-300 series are concerned, I have said it to you above. as for the 767 series, i will do it here: B767-200 is old trash, B767-300 is slightly better but still old and no longer up-to-date or truly presentable. Anyway the one jetliner Virgin Nigeria flew was leased and will hopefully be dumped pretty soon. I would prefer to see it replaced by modern A330´s jets.
You labeled the MD-11 as obselete, so in the same breath, similar vintage 737-300/76S are obselete too. The Motherland deserves better, no?

I said to you that African sirlines don´t have to settle for mediocritiy but for the best...some airlines like South african airlines, ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, TAAG, Air Arik, Air Senegal , Air Ivoire are points of reference here. They modernized their fleet and are predominatly all world standard
I'm well aware of that...maybe you should check out my monthly African Aviation thread (http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=1308420&WxsIERv=Nveohf%20N319-115K%20PW&Wm=0&WdsYXMg=Puvan%20Fbanatby%20Vagreangvbany&QtODMg=Ubat%20Xbat%20-%20Purx%20Ync%20Xbx%20Vagreangvbany%20%28UXT%20%2F%20IUUU%29&ERDLTkt=Puvan%20-%20Ubat%20Xbat&ktODMp=Abirzore%2028%2C%202007&BP=1&WNEb25u=Wreel%20Cnat&xsIERvdWdsY=IC-ORL&MgTUQtODMgKE=&YXMgTUQtODMgKERD=341&NEb25uZWxs=2007-12-21%2020%3A11%3A01&ODJ9dvCE=&O89Dcjdg=2675&static=yes&width=1200&height=826&sok=JURER%20%20%28ZNGPU%20%28nvepensg%2Cnveyvar%2Ccynpr%2Ccubgb_qngr%2Cpbhagel%2Cerznex%2Ccubgbtencure%2Crznvy%2Clrne%2Cert%2Cnvepensg_trarevp%2Cpa%2Cpbqr%29%20NTNVAFG%20%28%27%2B%22fbanatby%22%27%20VA%20OBBYRNA%20ZBQR%29%29%20%20beqre%20ol%20cubgb_vq%20QRFP&photo_nr=2&prev_id=1308543&next_id=1306806):)

There is Sonair Angola, and there is China Sonangol. The latter uses Airbus ACJs, Falcon 900s, and soon the A340-500 to fly executives in and out of China (jets are in VIP configuration). You were right about Sonair, they do public obligation routes (flying to small communities with Beech 1900Ds and DHC-6 Twin Otters), some scheduled charter routes (with Boeing 737-700 and 727s on routes such as Luanda-Benguela) and lastly they do pure charters and flights catering to the oil industry.

Then show to me relevant news in Angola´s press namely, that there are only flying oil excecutives on Sonair between Angola and China with their new A340-500, I have been checking the news daily for a long a while now and there is no menetion of it.
Anyway, Sonair (Angola!! and not China) is still a young airline which will surely grow big in the future because Sonagaol is not a "banana-republic run company" but a company that works highly efficiently and successfully along international standards. FT.com featured an article about it which I placed on the Angola thread, too.:)

You labeled the MD-11 as obselete, so in the same breath, similar vintage 737-300/76S are obselete too. The Motherland deserves better, no?

Read what I said, I didn´t say that B737-300 series are new but Western European Airlines are still flying it, so it can´t be too bad as opposed to the MD11 (apart from Lufthansa Cargo and Martinair, for all I know. Martinair is really wack!). Moreover, airlines should offer the best of service to passengers travelling on long-haul routes and the MD11 is all but comfortable to journey in. B737-300 are just for short haul flights. it is ok. for it!

I'm well aware of that...maybe you should check out my monthly African Aviation thread:)

Civil avaition has interested me for a very long time now since I was a boy. moreover, I vist airliner.nets and myavaition.net frequently.:)

Stop with the bullshit Matthias.
...
Why don't you get rid of all the old 727s/737-200s flying around in Nigeria always falling out of the sky first? Deal? :banana:

Stop the ignorance. If your Nigeria aviation info is 10 years old, then better not speak rather than make a fool of yourself!

Here are the RAW facts, no airbrush, no doctoring, and certainly no politics:

As at Dec 1st 2007 the following 727-200/737-200s are operational in Nigeria:

Chanchangi: 2x 737-200, 2 x 727-200
Bellview Airlines: 2 x 737-200

Total: 6 "old" aircraft

umm...That's it !!!!!!!!!!
These airlines were all banned last year:
ADC, EAS, Fresh, Nicon, Sosoliso, and Spaceworld (all flying 737-200/MD83s)
Albarka (used to fly 727-200s prior to 2006).

In contrast, there are over 16 737-300/400/700s flying in Nigeria right now. In addition to 5x CRJ-900/200s, 8x DASH 8-300 (brand new), 1x ATR42-320, and 2x Beechcraft 1900Ds. Chanchangi is replacing its fleet with 4 x 737-400s next year.

Please, before you rush to make hasty comments, consider HOW MANY 727/737-200s are actually flying in Nigeria before making biased comments!

Merry christmas :)

No youre figures are wrong. The airlines you mentioned werent banned, they successfully recapitalised, so continued with their operations.

Bellview has 4 737-200s
Chanchangi has 4 727-200 and 5 737-200
IRS has 3 Fokker 28 (They are old)
Nicon has 2 737-200

Thats 18 just above, I am sure there are far more old narrow body palnes in operation in Nigeria. I am not saying these planes are unsafe however, if they are well maintained they are to all intents of purpose as safe as more modern aircraft.

Sir, check facts through actual and reliable research (as opposed to armchair research using wikipedia or other old data).

Read my lips: The following airlines were BANNED and no longer fly:

Albarka, ADC, Sosoliso, Fresh, Nicon (previously "EAS"), Spaceworld. POINT. If you don't believe me just check at the domestic terminals in Lagos.

They were banned due to a variety of reasons but mostly because they failed to recapitalize to the minimum stipulated sum. in the case of EAS, Sosoliso, and ADC, they were banned due to technical non-adherance to safety and maintenance standards. The NCAA, following legislation last year that made it independent from government interference, is finally starting to do its job and that includes effective safety oversight and sanctioning of "airlines" that cut corners.

Bellview Airlines has 2 737-200s O/G (on ground due to lack of maintenance funds), this means only their GECAS-leased 737s (two of them) are currently flying.

Chanchangi's magnificent fleet of 9 geriatric aircraft: Only 4 are currently operational and this MORE THAN meets their flight program. For your info these a/c are well-maintained, this is one of the reasons why Chanchangi has survived the rise of Arik, Virgin Nigeria, etc.

NICON: Read above.

IRS: You're right, but ONLY one F28 is in service. The other a/c are a BRAND NEW Embraer 145 leased from Bauchi govt. and another relatively newer Fokker 100.

So there you go, 7 "oldish" aircraft currently flying.

FG Approves Expansion of Abuja Airport

From Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja, 01.07.2008



Federal Government said it has given approval for the expansion of facilities at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport and improve its service capacity to enable it match the increasing volume of air traffic operations in the country.
The decision to expand the Abuja airport came just as the Management of the National Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), said the installation of high-tech radar system at the Abuja and Lagos airports would be completed by second quarter of the year.
The Minister of State for Air Transport, Dr. Felix Hassan Hyat who spoke to Aviation Correspondents while on an unscheduled inspection tour of facilities at the Nnamdi Azikiwe airport in Abuja over the weekend, said a directive has been given to the Federal Airports
Authority (FAAN) to see what can be done to increase the airport space. “We realised that the airport has room for expansion and we have already started looking into what should be done to actualise it. Already FAAN has been directed to see what can be done increase the space available at the airport”, he said.
The Minister said there is fear that the nation might face serious challenges of airport capacity in the very near future considering that most airline companies are bringing in more new aircrafts to beef up their operations.
“When we went to the Airport Tower and we looked at the spaces available and how the facilities can be expanded. The danger is that if we have increase in aircraft in the future, there would be no parking space for them”, he said.
According to him, it appears the development achieved by airlines is far ahead of similar efforts at fixing the physical development of airports in the country.
This is major challenge and government needs to address it seriously. He said Federal Government has been pursuing a deliberate policy to encourage these airline companies to acquire new aircrafts and as such it has to be saddled with the responsibility providing adequate space for them to operate. He said government is looking at it very critically to see what it can do to cope with the development. The inspection team was however jolted by the ent of rot and facility decay at the Abuja airport. There were cobwebs almost everywhere; pure water sachets and other waste materials were seen littering the immediate surroundings of the airport. The Minister braved his way to take a look at the toilet area despite unpleasant odour oozing out there.
The entrance doors to some of public conveniences have pulled out with multiple holes on them. The entourage also got to know that the airport central air conditioning system has since packed up and that even an alternative split system air conditioners put in its place have developed problems. A visibly shaken Minister could not hide his discountenance over the decaying facilities that he immediately gave instructions to the Airport Manager,
Mr. Zakari Muhammed to ensure that the cleaners responsible for the facilities sit up. The Minister said there is fundamental error in the manner toilets and public conveniences were designed at the airport which leaves no much space for free flow of air thereby causing unpleasant odour ooze out
from the place. For instance, there are no sufficient doors and windows for ventilation, he said. He directed the Director of Engineering at the
Ministry to take immediate measure to rectify the anomaly.
The Minister decried the terrible state of some of the facilities, saying the airport needs to undergo a lot of improvement on its facilities both in size and
service delivery capacity. He said this is particularly important as the Airport serves as a major gateway to the nation’s Federal Capital, Abuja.
Regarding the rot and filthy airport environment, the Hyat said there has been some degree of carelessness on the part of those charged with the cleaning and proper up-keep of the facilities.
While directing that immediate steps be taken by the management to ensure the neatness at the airport, the Minister advised passengers to avoid the practice of littering place with waste materials. He said there is an existing maintenance contract with Julius Berger Plc but that it ran into some problems. He said the Managing Director of FAAN has been given approval to take steps to restore the maintenance contract with Julius Berger.
“We have already started talks with the maintenance company and we believe that now that festivities are over, everything will take-off immediately to ensure that there is overall improvement in service delivery at the airport”, he said.
Hyat also directed the MD of FAAN to ensure that the central air-conditioning system at the airport is put back to functional position within the shortest period of time. Managing Director of NAMA, Capt. Ado Sanusi who was in the Minister inspection team said the manufacturers handling the supply and installation of radar facilities at the Abuja and Lagos airports has brought in the facility and that work on the installation would commence before the end of the month. “The Manufacturers have finished primary and secondary aspects of the radar and the radar is already within the shores of the country. The company is expected to begin installation at Lagos before the end of the month. Abuja airport will do airport acceptance also before the end of the month. We are looking at Abuja and Lagos coming on stream by latest second quarter of the year”, he said.
The Airport Manager while explaining the challenges posed by the power situation said an arrangement has been made for PHCN to connect a dedicated power line to the airport, adding that work on the power link is expected to be completed before the end of the month.

Continental Airline Flight to Nigeria Still on Hold

From Constance Ikokwu in Washington, D.C., 01.08.2008


Continental Airlines is still unable to secure necessary authorisation to commence direct flights from the United States, (US) to Nigeria, THISDAY can reveal.
Earlier reports had it that the Airline would start operations this month.
But in an interview with THISDAY in Washington, D.C., Spokesman for the Airline, Nick Britton, said the airline at present, has no plans to operate flights to the country.
Britton explained that the plan was suspended, “due tocircumstances beyond the company’s control.” Con-tinental first mooted the idea of flying to Nigeria in 2004, announcing that operations will start in the summer of 2005. That was not to be, as it announced in April 2005, that it was suspending its plans indefinitely.
At that point, the company said it hoped to revive its plans at a later date, should circumstances change. Late last year, reports said Delta and Continental airlines would become two major airlines, apart from North American Airlines, to resume direct operations to Nigeria – one in December and the other in January this year. All other airlines travel to the US via Europe, making it compulsory for passengers to secure transit visas. Delta has since started a non-stop flight from Atlanta to Lagos.
Pressed further on the difficulties faced by Continental in sealing a deal with the Nigeria Aviation Authorities, Britton simply said, “we have made no further announcements about Nigeria service since then (2005) and we decline to commentfurther. Continental Airlines has no plans at present tooperate flights to Nigeria. Thanks for yourinterest,” he concluded.

airDC, the new airline of the DRC has just launched its company logo. Very nice!

http://www.luchtzak.be/forums/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=44736

BAe146s and B737-300s will form the basis of the fleet. Flights start in March.

It seems as if Delta might pull out of its JFK-DKR-NBO (Nairobi) route due to the current violence engulfing the country. Delta recently applied with U.S DOT to operate the JFK-DKR-CPT (Cape Town) service 8x instead of the 4x previously expected. It looks as if Cape Town has taken Nairobi's 4x weekly frequency.

It seems as if Delta might pull out of its JFK-DKR-NBO (Nairobi) route due to the current violence engulfing the country. Delta recently applied with U.S DOT to operate the JFK-DKR-CPT (Cape Town) service 8x instead of the 4x previously expected. It looks as if Cape Town has taken Nairobi's 4x weekly frequency.


This better be temporary because if they permanently pull out, then they would lose a market...

Is Kenya Airways flying to US, if not this is an opportunity...

I am confident that the recent turmoil in Kenya will be resolved soon

This better be temporary because if they permanently pull out, then they would lose a market...

Is Kenya Airways flying to US, if not this is an opportunity...

I am confident that the recent turmoil in Kenya will be resolved soon

It stands as long as the situation continues the way it is. Delta could operate in a country under its current conditions, too much risk. But if you go to the DELTA website Nairobi is still bookable.

Kenya Airways currently does not fly to the U.S.

Btw anyone got the stats for airport traffic in African airports for 2007? Just saw the top 20 in Latin America in the a.net and it was fascinating to see the huge growth.

TAAG Angolan Airlines buys three new Chinese aircraft for demestic routes

http://www.angonoticias.com/full_headlines.php?id=18155

Btw anyone got the stats for airport traffic in African airports for 2007? Just saw the top 20 in Latin America in the a.net and it was fascinating to see the huge growth.

This is for the 12 months up to Oct'07

http://img238.imageshack.us/img238/5125/africarankgo8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

New Lufthansa connection to Equatorial Guinea
Thrice weekly non-stop to Malabo from summer 2008

01.02.08
With the introduction of the summer flights schedules, Lufthansa is commencing its first flights to Malabo, the capital of Equatorial Guinea, from 1 April 2008. Utilising the existing connection from Frankfurt to Abuja (Nigeria), the airline will stop off en-route at Malabo. Lufthansa will operate the route thrice-weekly with an Airbus A330-300.

Malabo is alongside Luanda (Angola) the second new African destination to be added to the coming Lufthansa summer timetable. As in Angola, the economy in Equaorial Guinea is largely dependent on the production and export of oil. With the newcomers in the summer timetable, Germany’s biggest airline is expanding its route network in Africa to a total of 15 destinations in twelve countries, served by 67 weekly connections. “The new destination is in fast and easy reach of Frankfurt on flights lasting a good six and a half hours. Lufthansa is the only airline to offer First-Class accommodation to Malabo, alongside Economy and Business Class,” said Dr. Karl-Rudolf Rupprecht, Head of Hub Management Frankfurt.

Equatorial Guinea consists of a portion on the African mainland and several offshore islands. The Country achieved independence in 1968 and has a population of over half a million. The official languages are Spanish and French. The capital Malabo lies on the island of Bioko in the Gulf of Guinea and is surrounded by extensive oil reserves. Blessed by a growing economy in recent years, the Country’s maintains numerous international trade relations, principally in the energy sector.

SWISS is also optimising its flight schedules to West Africa. In the summer timetable 2008, the Swiss carrier is discontinuing its services to Malabo analogous to the new Lufthansa connection and is instead adding an extra flight ex Zurich to Douala (Cameroon) as well as increasing its services to Yaoundé (Cameroon) with a further two flights to three weekly. The new flights will greatly improve services to Cameroon.

Information can be obtained and flight reservations made on our website www.lufthansa.com, at the Lufthansa Call Center on phone 0180 – LUFTHANSA (0180 5 83 84 26), Lufthansa travel agency partners or Lufthansa airport ticket counters.

New connections at a glance

Frankfurt – Malabo (Equatorial Guinea)

Airport/
Three-letter code/
Time zone (Summer)
Frankfurt, Terminal 1 (FRA); GMT +02:00 hours.
Saint Isabel Airport (SSG); GMT +01:00 hours.



Timetable
(all times in local time;
summer time)
NEW from 1 April 2008 (first flight)
Flights: Tuesdays, Thursdays, Sundays
LH 562 Frankfurt 12.20 hours – Malabo 18.05 hours -
(Malabo 18.55 hours – Abuja 20.15 hour)

Flights: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays
LH 563 (Previous day: Abuja 21.55 hours –Malabo 23.15 hours)
Malabo 00.05 hours - Frankfurt 07.50 hours


Flight duration
(average)
Frankfurt – Malabo: 6 hours 45 minutes
Malabo - Frankfurt: 6 hours 45 minutes

Distance
5,153 kilometres / 3,202 miles

Aircraft type
Airbus A330-300

Cabin configuration
First Class 8 seats
Business Class 48 seats
Economy Class 165 seats

http://konzern.lufthansa.com/en/html/presse/pressemeldungen/index.html?c=nachrichten/app/show/en/2008/02/789/HOM&s=0

Good news, but wouldn't it be better to stop in Abuja first? Considering that its in the way to Malabo. But it seems that were seeing a little Africa expansion on Lufthansa's part, Luanda to be added during the summer. :banana:

@Greg thanks bro, you got any stats for 2007 that takes into account November and December? It's awesome to see such great growth from both JNB and CAI despite having the continent's two biggest airports, shows that the market ain't saturated.

New Lufthansa Service to Malabo

This is a suprise indeed, LH flying to Malabo.:eek2:

This is a suprise indeed, LH flying to Malabo.:eek2:

how so? SSG has demand from the oil sector, they've similarly served Port Harcourt, too

how so? SSG has demand from the oil sector, they've similarly served Port Harcourt, too

Yeah, but Nigeria is something different to EQG! You cannot compare almost 150 million to 500 000 inhabitants!

Anyway, good for EQG!:cheers:

This is a suprise indeed, LH flying to Malabo.:eek2:

A couple of other European airlines fly to Malabo - Air France, Iberia, Spanair, Swiss Airlines

This is for the 12 months up to Oct'07

http://img238.imageshack.us/img238/5125/africarankgo8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


Nice growth on Addis

A couple of other European airlines fly to Malabo - Air France, Iberia, Spanair, Swiss Airlines

As for Air France, it is only a special service, they fly on a specially modified - but small-bodied - version of A319 jetliners. On these airplanes it is purely business and just one single luxury class! They established the same service to Pointe Noire and Doha Qatar. As for Malabo, there are no regular flights, for all I know (unless they added some).

MM2: FG Approves Expansion Plan

By Chinedu Eze, 02.05.2008



The concern about space and safety issues expressed by Virgin Nigeria on the new domestic wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, are being addressed by the Federal Government, THISDAY has learnt.
Following last week’s directive by the Federal Government that Arik Air and Virgin Nigeria should move their domestic operations from the international wing of the airport to MM2, the new domestic terminal, Virgin Nigeria had secured an order from the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, retraining the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) from forcing it out of the international terminal.
The national carrier complained that it was a violation of its fundamental basis of its formation, “which is creating a hub in Lagos as stipulated by the Federal Ministry of Aviation and its technical partners”, while also alleging that an International Air Transport Association (IATA) report has not given MM2 “safety operational status”.
However, the Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Dr Harold Demuren, has told THISDAY that there are plans to expand the new terminal in order to accommodate all the airlines and address the issue of space constraint, adding that the terminal currently has six aprons.
The NCAA building, he said, would be demolished to create more space for the terminal, while the whole General Aviation Terminal (GAT) – which is primarily for private operations – would also be made part of the terminal.
“At the end, it would be large enough to accommodate both existing and future airlines in the country,” he said.
On the IATA report, which Virgin Nigeria is referring to in its newspaper adverts, Demuren asked the public to be cautious in alluding to it “because its authenticity is questionable”.
He said: “We have to be very careful about that. “IATA very soon will make a statement. We should be very careful about that. It is very contentious. There was a report like that but it is very contentious. A lot of people believe that the report is suspicious. So we need to wait. It will soon be settled. But you have to understand one thing: IATA is talking of the level of operation that will take place there. That is, if all the airlines move to the place as it is now, it will become unsafe.”
He also cautioned against frustrating Bi-Courtney Aviation Services, operators of MM2, which is the first public-private partnership project successfully executed in the industry, remarking that it was the same government that signed the memorandum of understanding with Virgin Nigeria that also signed an agreement for the building of the terminal – and it is also the same government that asked the airline to move its domestic operations to the domestic terminal.
“There was no GAT before. The airport was burnt; government or Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) could not raise money to build another one, and this private investor built one. That is what we have to understand. They have to recover their investment. That’s how we came into the agreement. You have to understand that they invested so much money into that place so they have to recover their money. If not, Nigeria, this industry, will never have PPP again and it is very important that it should be encouraged. PPP is a great idea. It is a way to go. It is a great opportunity and if we miss it, it is going to affect development in this country,” Demuren said, expressing the hope that there would be an amicable settlement of the problem

Yeah, but Nigeria is something different to EQG! You cannot compare almost 150 million to 500 000 inhabitants!

Anyway, good for EQG!:cheers:

Their both similar in the sense that they are markets driven by demand in the oil/natural gas/energy sector. Population size plays no role in this comparison.

-1 for you.

Ethiopian Airlines Purchases New B737NG Flight Simulator

http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/4317/b737nextgenerationns9.jpg
B737NG flight simulator installed at Ethiopian Headquarter

Source: Ethiopian Airlines

The new B737NG flight simulator enables Ethiopia to train its pilots at home base and to avail training for regional operators.

Ethiopian Airlines, the aviation pioneer in Africa, purchased B737 Next Generation (NG) flight simulator from Flight Safety International (FSI), a company based in Oklahoma, USA.

The new B737NG flight simulator enables Ethiopian to train more pilots at home base and to avail training to regional operators. The simulator which is recently installed at Ethiopian head quarter in Addis Ababa is fully operational and has been approved by the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority to a level D standard, the highest in the industry.

The new B737NG simulator is installed in the big hall adjacent to the airline’s B767/B757 simulator. Ethiopian B767/B757 simulator has been serving the airline as well as various operators mainly from Africa and Middle East for 15 years now.

http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/8130/b737nextgenerationinterbo5.jpg
B737NG flight simulator interior view

Both the B757/B767 and the recently installed new B737NG simulator in combination with the recently organized Virtual Procedure Trainer, a computerized fixed base trainer that gives an initial ‘glass cockpit’ experience and Flight Management Computer familiarization for fresh pilots will continue to enhance the standard of training at Ethiopian.

The new B737NG Simulator was inaugurated today February 05, 2008 at 16:00 hours. The guest of honour H.E Ato Junedi Sado, Minister of Transport and Communications officially inaugurated the Simulator by cutting the ribbon.

At the inauguration ceremony the CEO of Ethiopian Airlines Ato Girma Wake said, “This simulator is not only for Ethiopian Airlines, there are also a lot of sisterly African carriers that will be able to make the best use out of it.” He added that by having the B737 simulator in Addis Ababa, Ethiopian will be saving at least 800,000 USD per year compared to its previous expense of crew training abroad.

Invited guests including CEOs of different airlines Mr. Titus Naikuni-Kenya Airways, Dr. Peter S. Chikumba - Air Zimbabwe and Mr. Kayode Odukoya-Bellview Airlines, Boeing officials, ambassadors of various countries, captains of many airlines, foreign and local journalists and other guests witnessed the inauguration ceremony.

Ethiopian training facility has built up a reputation since its inception in 1956 providing modern training to many African carriers in addition to fulfilling the local demand.

While installing modern equipments, Ethiopian Aviation Academy envisions to always providing quality training that ensures safe operations of the airline.

About Ethiopian Airlines

Ethiopian Airlines, www.ethiopianairlines.com, one of the largest airlines in Africa made its maiden flight to Cairo in 1946. The airline currently serves 50 destinations around the globe of which 30 are in Africa. Ethiopian will be the first airline to operate the Dramliner-B787 in Africa, Middle East and Europe.

In 2006/07 Ethiopian was presented three awards from the African Aviation Journal, The African Times/USA, and the Government of Ghana for its best performance in the air transport service. It was also a proud moment for Ethiopian when all the hard work was repaid as the airline received the IOSA operator certificate a year ago.

PR & Publications
Posted on February 06, 2008

^^WOW. that simulator is awesome!

KingoftheHill, only partly true what you say!

Another view of Ethiopian Airlines new simulator:

http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/2400/78977279dx6.jpg
**credit goes to: Addis Fortune.com

Gabon Airlines - the new private airline - opens its first inner-African route to Pointe Noire

before it only had domestic routes and an intercontinental route to France.



Gabon: Transport aérien: Gabon Airlines ouvre à Pointe-Noire sa première desserte africaine

Libreville, 15 février (GABONEWS) – Après la capitale française, Paris déjà desservie par la Compagnie Gabon Airlines, créée en juillet 2006 sur les cendres d’Air Gabon, l’ancienne Compagnie nationale, Pointe-Noire au Congo-Brazzaville devient la première desserte de la nouvelle Compagnie aérienne sur le continent africain, ce qui devrait considérablement accroître son taux de remplissage qui oscille entre 55 et 60% au moins à l’heure actuelle dans chacun de ses vols.

PS: Hopefully more will follow!

some updates thanks to africanflyer.com


Air Algérie to increase summer capacity to Montréal

February 14th, 2008

Air Algérie will increase capacity between Algiers and Montréal with the introduction of a third weekly frequency between June 29 and September 27.



RAM takes delivery of a B738

February 14th, 2008

Royal Air Maroc took delivery of a B738 this week. Two other similar aircraft will be delivered before year’s end.


Highlights of Kenya Airways’ summer operations

February 11th, 2008

According to posted schedules, Kenya Airways’ summer operations (beginning July) will see the following changes:
- Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: 6x per week, up from the current four. The additional flights will leave Nairobi in the evening, operated by E170s
- Lagos, Nigeria: daily from the current five weekly (two leave Nairobi in the morning, the rest in the evening)
- Accra, Ghana: daily from the current six weekly
- Dubai, UAE: 2x daily from the current 11 weekly
- Bangkok, Thailand: 6x per week from the current three.
- Guangzhou, China: 5x per week, from the current four
- Hong Kong: 4x per week from the current three


Fly540 to Juba

February 11th, 2008

Fly540, Kenya’s first low cost airline:cheers:, inaugurated daily service between its Nairobi base and Juba, Sudan. Flights are operated using ATR 42-320 aircraft

If anyone is interested in Nigerian aviation, here's thread dedicated to it in airliners.net. http://www.airliners.net/discussions/general_aviation/read.main/3771909/#menu51

This is for the 12 months up to Oct'07

http://img238.imageshack.us/img238/5125/africarankgo8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Luanda is nu. 24 with 20,9% growth. So probably, this year will grow even more with the starts of flights to Frankfurt (lufthansa), Sao Paulo (oceanair), Gaungzhou (china southern airlines), Beijing and Dubai (hainan airlines), London (Taag).

^^ Wow the passenger growth for those cities is amazing!!! I didn't realize how big cape town Int was until seeing those statistics. it's the third largest airport in africa, considering that most of south africa's and southern africa's flights go into Jo'burg! how many airlines fly to cape town, and also is their a cape town airport thread??
sorry for going off topic,
rirwi4

There is a cape town airport thread under the "airports" section.
Domestically there is SAA, SA Express, Airlink, Nationwide, BA/Comair, Kulula, 1Time and Mango...domestic being the majority of pax (around 7million)...10 destinations (JNB,DUR,PLZ,ELS,GRJ,BFN,KIM,UTN,MQP,HLA)

Internationally year-round is SAA (LHR,FRA), BA (LHR), KLM(AMS), LTU(Munich), Singapore Airlines(SIN), Malaysia Airlines (KUL and Buenos Aires), Air Mauritius (MRU), Air Namibia (WDH, Luderitz), SA Express (WDH and Maputo), Turkish (Istanbul), Qatar Airways (DOH). Seasonally there is Lufthansa (FRA), Virgin (LHR), LTU(DUS,DUB), BA double daily LHR, MyTravel (Copenhagen).

Now the best part of this is, that growth will probably be a bit higher in the coming year with Emirates starting daily flights to DXB from 30March and Delta starting 3 weekly flights to JFK from June...also more capacity domestic.

Readers of Global Traveler Magazine Name South African Airways ''Best Airline to Africa''

South African Airways (SAA), South Africa's flagship carrier and the continent's most awarded airline, has been voted by the readers of Global Traveler Magazine as "Best Airline to Africa" for the 4th consecutive year.

The magazine, whose readership is made up of discerning, high-frequency travelers, polls readers and reports on their preferences in its
annual "Best of" issue. The features of SAA's Premium Business Class that have earned the loyalty of global travelers include 180 degree, fully-flat bed, 24-inch-wide seats with fluffy down pillows and plush duvets, individual on-demand entertainment systems, an award-winning selection of premium South African wines and cuisine, and warm, welcoming and attentive service that is distinctly and proudly South African. In addition, SAA offers the only non-stops to South Africa from the U.S., the only non-stops from New York to Dakar, Senegal, and the most connections to points throughout South Africa and Southern Africa, making the airline the fastest, most comfortable and convenient way to fly to the continent.

"We admire and respect the service that Global Traveler Magazine affords its readership with its annual 'Best of' issue, given that the readers are well-traveled individuals who expect only the best," said Marc Cavaliere, executive vice president - North America for South African Airways. "It is with anticipation that we await the survey results each year, and we are grateful that our efforts to offer the best service to Africa have once again been recognized by Global Traveler and its readers."

"As one who has flown South African Airways frequently during my career, I know that the readers voted SAA best for their fine service and business class. It is only a hand full of airlines that have won an award for four consecutive years from our reader survey and I think that says a lot about the consistency of their service," said Francis X. Gallagher, publisher and CEO of Global Traveler Magazine.

South African Airways also has won "Best Airline to Africa" awards from Business Traveler Magazine, World Travel Awards, Skytrax and OAG, among other notable travel opinion leaders.

South African Airways features the only nonstop service from the U.S. to South Africa with daily departures from Washington as well as daily direct service from New York that offer travel convenience and award-winning service. SAA's service to Dakar is the only non-stop to the destination from New York. Customers in premium class enjoy 180 degree flat-bed seats with individual entertainment systems, and customers in economy class enjoy the most legroom versus competitors and individual on-demand entertainment systems. SAA's unrivalled network, featuring connections to more than 20 destinations within South Africa, and more than 20 cities across the continent, make the airline the savvy traveler's "gateway to Africa." As a recent member to the worldwide Star Alliance, South African Airways is now able to offer its customers 855 destinations in 155 countries and more than 16,000 flights daily. Members of Star Alliance partner United Airlines' Mileage Plus program are able to earn miles on all South African Airways flights. For more information on South African Airways, please call (800) 722-9675 or visit www.flysaa.com.


http://www.pr-inside.com/readers-of-global-traveler-magazine-name-r403515.htm

Some bad news... it seems that Delta's JFK-LOS and JFK-DKR-NBO services have been pushed back to December 2008 instead of June. JFK-LOS will commence December 11 while JFK-DKR-NBO December 8.

Also North American Airlines will discontinue their services to Africa due to high fuel prices. The introduction of Delta I bet also killed their business, same goes for the announce route to Georgetown, Guyana a big money maker.

Alex Roney, please can you provide the link and the news article you get this from? This is frustrating to hear.

December 2008?? my God in China they build entire cities in the meantime and we in africa seem to be unable to get a simple fucking direct flight from the USA to Nigeria or Kenya.

...Yes, one step forward and three steps backwards.

It seems that some of this might now have been allocated to fly to Cape Town as well. Originally CPT was suppose to be starting off with 3 weekly flights to JFK, then a few weeks ago when things in Kenya seemed that it might be a bit of an obstacle, Delta applied for 4 additional flights to CPT.
On Amadeus it now shows CPT to have 5 weekly flights...

Alex Roney, please can you provide the link and the news article you get this from? This is frustrating to hear.

December 2008?? my God in China they build entire cities in the meantime and we in africa seem to be unable to get a simple fucking direct flight from the USA to Nigeria or Kenya.

...Yes, one step forward and three steps backwards.

Here's the artice stating that North American will discontinue its African routes. Regarding the flights being pushed back I got it from airliners.net http://www.airliners.net/discussions/general_aviation/read.main/3851334/?threadid=3851334&searchid=3852199&s=DL+NBO#ID3852199 the information is quite reliable

Scheduled Service To Be Discontinued in May

In the face of high fuel costs and increasing competition, all North American scheduled service is being suspended effective May 19, 2008. The changes are being made to allow the company to place the aircraft in other profitable military and charter service.

"This decision was made only after careful consideration," said COO Jeff Wehrenberg. "We will still operate all of our routes for the next 90 days, and it is imperative that we continue to focus on quality service up to the last day. We certainly regret that these economic conditions have forced us to discontinue our scheduled service."

Fuel costs have increased 60 percent since the start of Africa service in 2005, which made the routes untenable based on costs even though revenue performance was within what the company anticipated. The same cost issues are true for Georgetown, which North America has been serving since 1999.

In addition to the high fuel costs, Delta Air Lines has entered North American's West Africa markets and has indicated it intends to expand its Africa service in the coming years. Delta also has announced preliminary plans to begin serving Georgetown, Guyana as part of its global expansion.

"We had to watch Delta when they entered the Accra and Lagos markets until we knew what their plans were," said Wehrenberg. "It is obvious now that they intend to remain in these markets and expand their presence in Africa, as well as other destinations like Georgetown. We were proud to serve Georgetown for nine years and to have been the only U.S. carrier providing non-stop service to Africa for a time, but now we must redirect our aircraft and our resources into more profitable service."

Anyone whose job is directly affected by this change has been notified.
Information also is being provided to customers who had reservations beyond May 19th, so they can make appropriate changes.

"I'd like to underscore that this decision was not the result of a failure on the part of the professional men and women of North American Airlines. We provided quality service to these markets with noteworthy customer appreciation and solid ridership. The high cost of fuel, which is not anticipated to improve, the introduction of long-term competition from an established legacy carrier, and our ability to quickly redeploy the associated assets into more profitable flying were the fundamental considerations," Wherenberg added.

It seems that some of this might now have been allocated to fly to Cape Town as well. Originally CPT was suppose to be starting off with 3 weekly flights to JFK, then a few weeks ago when things in Kenya seemed that it might be a bit of an obstacle, Delta applied for 4 additional flights to CPT.
On Amadeus it now shows CPT to have 5 weekly flights...

Doesn't that still mean that Nairobi still has two weekly services? It would be stupid of Delta to completely scrap Nairobi, theirs 10 months between now and December. It really isn't hard to believe that the situation could improve by then.

I understand Arik, Bellview and Virgin Nigeria were allocated the flights to the USA and I also understand they are under a wet lease clause in order to fly to US

I wonder why the US is imposing the wet lease clause..sounds like a stalling tactic for allowing US flights to stake a claim on the routes

And what is the Nigerian govt and all those airlines doing to at least fill the void created by NAA

I understand Arik, Bellview and Virgin Nigeria were allocated the flights to the USA and I also understand they are under a wet lease clause in order to fly to US

I wonder why the US is imposing the wet lease clause..sounds like a stalling tactic for allowing US flights to stake a claim on the routes

And what is the Nigerian govt and all those airlines doing to at least fill the void created by NAA

The U.S doesn't historically have a protectionist policy and in all fairness Delta is one of the largest companies in the world, if they were to imply such a policy it would be against a big European or Asian carrier and not an African one. Doesn't really pose much of a threat, probably a security precaution given Nigeria's aviation safety record.

From the Daily Trust: Aviation union frowns at airports’ sale PDF Print E-mail
Written by Nahimah Ajikanle Nurudeen, Lagos
Thursday, 21 February 2008

A coalition of aviation unions under the aegis of Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) has kicked against the impending sale of the six viable airports in the country by the Federal Government, saying that such move would draw the industry backward.

Speaking to journalists during a peaceful protest staged against the move in Lagos yesterday, the President of ATSSSAN, Comrade Benjamin Okewu, warned the government against the sale of the airports and FAAN, saying that if it went ahead with the move, it would not hesitate to mobilize workers against the government.

According to him, the liquidation of the former national carrier; Nigeria Airways Limited (NAL), which they alleged did not follow due process, was still affecting the growth of the industry, adding that if the government had pumped in the needed resources to save the then national carrier, it would have been able to cater for itself by now.

He said when the workers were protesting the liquidation of the former national carrier, the government did not hearken to their voice, adding that today the government would have to cough out N26.9 billion to pay the liquidated staff their gratuities.

Okewu said having seen the trauma the ex-workers of NAL went through, the union had vowed not to allow a repeat of the sad experience.

"It is sad that the fate that befell the former national carrier is about to happen in the industry through the sale of six viable airports and FAAN. All hands must be on deck against these impending moves of the federal government. I wonder why the private operators are not interested in the operations of unviable airports and they are focusing on the viable ones", he said.

Okewu said as a result of the need to act proactively, the association would issue a 21 day ultimatum by Monday to serve as warning to the government because the destiny of workers lies in their hands.

He explained that it wss the duty of every stakeholder in the aviation industry to maintain and sustain international standards in the sector, maintaining that the N19 billion intervention funds spent by the government as a meager amount when compared to what governments in Ghana , Tanzania and Turkey have been spending on their airports.

He called for proactive step from workers against some unpopular policies from the government and that ATSSSAN was not against privatization programmme of the Government, but workers should be carried along as they are also stakeholders in the industry.

The MMA2 controversy
28 February, 2008 12:00:00 Ik. Muo


The new MMA2 is marvelous. The structures are solid,the environment is neat and the facilities are all working-even the taps are automated.
The first day I boarded a plane there, it was raining in the typical Lagos style but we walked straight from the departure lounge into plane without having a compulsory bath! I also need to say that you pay dearly-and without any options-for everything except, maybe, exchanging pleasantries. But the beauty and expensiveness of MMA2 is not the issue 'before us' today. Our concern is the increasingly complex controversy that has enveloped the beautiful edifice. Of course, that project is not new to controversy. I recall that two builders once laid claims to the project while it's hotel aspect also raised a serious bout of dusts.
The recent wave of controversy originated from the reluctance of certain airlines to patronize the MMA2. Consequently, the Government ordered all operators to relocate to the new terminal. While some operators complied, Virgin refused and rather went to the courts. The first court was the judicial court where it sought to restrain the government from enforcing the relocation order since it was against the Memorandum of Understanding, MOU it has with the government. It then went to the court of public opinion stating emphatically that the MMA2 has serious safety question marks and would constrain its operations. Arik relocated to the old domestic wing-probably as an evidence of good faith-but has also protested the MMA2 order raising safety issues, exploitative charges, logistic inadequacies and insurance-related problems. Its effort to secure a space at the place has met with volatile financial demands while their insurers have threatened to withdraw cover or raise premium if they moved to MMA2. Arik states unequivocally that the situation is 'strangulating' and it is considering relocating to a neighbouring country where the investment climate is more favourable.
Public-Private-Partnership encourages the private sector to invest in specified areas of the economy-especially those areas previously under government control and which require substantial capital outlay. Terms are usually agreed that would ensure adequate returns for the investor while protecting the interest of other stakeholders and the society at large. PPP is not meant to replace public monopoly with private monopoly. This is because monopoly-by whatever name and whoever practiced- is never optimal. The private partner is also expected to operate under the influence of market forces, providing excellent services and charging economic rates but not engage in profiteering and rent-seeking activities!
While the details of the PPP agreement on MMA2 are not public-and it should be a public document-, the condition that BCC would own it for 36 years and that no other operator can run another terminal during such a period may be too stifling and restrictive. For sure, the fate of all airline operators in Nigeria-since they cannot do without Lagos- lies in the hands of Barrister Babalakin and his business associates. What if they become exploitative, fail to deliver, sabotage their clients or even lack the capacity to accommodate the airlines? Why in the first instance were the airlines reluctant to move to such a wonderful terminal? Why didn't BBC market its services and persuade the operators? Why should a government order be needed in a private-sector driven business venture where the level of service would have been the USP? Why did they not position the MMA2 as the place to be so that the operators would be the ones lobbying for spaces there?
As at now, the situation is getting more complex. The court has asked Virgin to explore the arbitration option while Virgin has appealed. Nothing has been said about the old terminal which is under FAAN. What becomes of the facilities there as well as other private terminals belonging to other investors? What of the threat of Arik to relocate and what about the safety and logistic issue raised over MMA2? Is it normal for the industry to become hostage to MMA2 concessionaires for the next 36 years and how will the diverse interests be protected during this long period. Court cases, executive orders and inflammatory statements will not solve this problem!.
In the last 8 years, a lot of very unusual things happened. The exclusive right granted to Virgin to operate from the international wing and to fly the US route was one of such things. That was immediately breached when the same 'exclusive right' was granted to Arik. And now a 36 year monopoly tenure was granted to BCC. Incidentally, the three parties involved in this controversy are all Obasanjo creations. It may be pertinent for the government to undertake a comprehensive review of this agreement. Other privatisation, commercialisation, concessioning and PPP agreements signed in the past four years should also be comprehensively reviewed once and for all. That will save us from unnecessary controversies and the need to keep on continuously reversing everything that was done by the last government.

Angola
Brazilian airline OceanAir starts flights to Luanda in April
Mar 03, 2008
Luanda, Angola – Brazilian airline OceanAir is due to start flights between Sao Paulo and Luanda in April, carrying out three flights per week the Brazilian ambassador to Angola, Afonso Cardoso said in Luanda Friday.

During the ceremony for investiture of the new board of the Association of Brazilian Businesspeople and Executives in Angola (Aebran), the ambassador said that the Angolan airline would also carry out the same route.

OceanAir’s flights will be run on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, transporting cargo and passengers.

On 23rd February 2007, Angolan news agency Angop, citing newspaper Brasilturis, said that OceanAIr would start flighst to Angola using a Boeing 767, as of 15th March.

The following month, OceanAir announced it had been given permission by the sector authorities to start flights to Mexico, Angola and Nigeria.

The company also said in May that it would start daily flights to Luanda using Boeing 737-ER300 aircraft, with 180 passengers in economy class and 32 in executive class.

OceanAir is a Brazilian airline with headquarters in Sao Paulo and was set up in 1998 as an air taxi company to serve oil companies in the Campos basin in Rio de Janeiro.

In 2002 the company began a cargo business and is no considered to be the number one Brazilian regional airline, operating in 36 cities and 14 states in Brazil.

OceanAir owns Colombian airline Avianca and 49 percent of Ecuador's Wayraperu and Vipsa, as well as being a shareholder in Nigeria's Capital Airlines and OceanAir Taxi Aéreo.

http://www.eturbonews.com/1555/brazilian-airline-oceanair-starts-flights-lua

This is the third time Oceanair makes such an announcement. This time last year they made a similiar promise than it was moved up to April. As April went by nothing happened. In August they started flying to Mexico City with awful loads. Though things have improved loads have gone above 50%. In November they announced to fly to Angola in december, nothing happened. So perhaps 3rd time lucky? However using a boeing 737 for such a long route? Doesn't seem pleasurable, at least theirs executive class for business passengers. I would keep the brand new 767's on the route and scale back the frequencies. Also good to hear that Nigeria still in their plans, yet nothing concrete.

You should have added that TAAG will open up a new route from Luanda - Sao Paulo, too. this will bring their destinations in Brazil to two. I am sure that only more will follow in the years ahead.

Here is the link:http://portal.correiodigital.info/noticias.php?idnoticia=5789

It is said that Brazil considers Angola as a neighbour country!!:cheers::cheers:

Here about the information between Angola´s TAAG flying from Luanda to Sao Paulo in the future:cheers:

http://portal.correiodigital.info/noticias.php?idnoticia=5806

FG to Hand Over Four Airports to Concessionaires


From Juliana Taiwo in Abuja, 03.04.2008



As exclusively reported by THISDAY last month, the Federal Government has confirmed that four of the nation’s international airports will soon be handed over to private concessionaires to manage.
The airports include the Murtala Muhammed Internatio-nal Airport (MMIA), Lagos; Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja; Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano; and the Port Harcourt International Airport (PHIA).
The Minister of State, Air Transportation, Felix Hassan Hyatt, told State House correspondents after a meeting with President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in Abuja yesterday that the four airports which would be upgraded to meet international standards would be handed over to concessionaires after a modality had been worked out.
Hyatt said following Federal Government’s inability to shoulder the management of the airports alone, hence its resolve to call on the private sector to inject funds into its management, especially in the upgrade of facilities.
According to the minister, “You see we are talking of updating the first four international airports to bring it up to standard. People are making mistake that we are privatising airports but that is not the issue.
“The issue is that we have agreed that government does not have the funds to uplift the standard of these airports to international standards within the period of five years. We know this because it is capital intensive. But by our experiment in Lagos in the local terminal, it is possible for private entrepreneur to come in and within a short period of time develop the facility to acceptable international standards.”
He said though the private sector would be wholly responsible for the management of the airports, the government would provide security.
“The security remains in the hands of government and that is what everybody is worried about. But what we are saying is that with the infrastructural set up there right now, everybody knows it is not the standard expected. So what do we do? Get involved with somebody and under what condition? That is what we are going to work out.
“We cannot operate international airports without thinking of the security implications because a lot of people will be coming from outside the country whose character we do not know. Everything will be put on ground to ensure safeguarding the interests and sovereignty of our country,” he explained.
Hyatt said President Yar’Adua had given directives that the concession must be done within the laws of the land.
“He wants development of airports that would not affect the laws of the land. He is interested in the whole airport in the country because the whole country is his constituency. He is interested in the legal setup and the security of every inch of Nigeria,” he minister said.
Hyatt said due process would be strictly followed in arriving at the terms of agreement before a final decision is taken on the matter.
“All you need to do is that you do not allow them to rip off the society. You have to incorporate the interest of the society. If you bring me a proposal, you will expect me to subject it to scrutiny And the first thing that I have found out which was lacking is that if you bring a design, we must have a joint expert to look at the designs.
“You don’t just bring a design that has been in operation somewhere. Our own local conditions must be taken into consideration. Two, you don’t say it is going to cost us N100 million to develop it. How do I know that it is going to cost N100 million? I must have my own quantity surveyor in that joint committee who will either confirm the cost or give me a different estimate.
“Then I must also have an expert who will confirm that it will take five years to build the airport and not 10 years. At the end of the day, I need a financial expert who will work out the financial analysis to tell me this is going to be the financial flow year and convince me that for the contractor, for him to raise funds, develop and recover his money it will take him two, three or five years. These are the basic things you require before you go into any agreement, “ Hyatt said.

You should have added that TAAG will open up a new route from Luanda - Sao Paulo, too. this will bring their destinations in Brazil to two. I am sure that only more will follow in the years ahead.

Here is the link:http://portal.correiodigital.info/noticias.php?idnoticia=5789

It is said that Brazil considers Angola as a neighbour country!!:cheers::cheers:

Here about the information between Angola´s TAAG flying from Luanda to Sao Paulo in the future:cheers:

http://portal.correiodigital.info/noticias.php?idnoticia=5806

In all honesty I see TAAG flying to Sao Paulo has the more likely scenario. Will Angolan authorities give Oceanair 3 frequencies knowing full well TAAG's intention to fly to the same destination? Personally if it had to be one or the other I'd pick TAAG, we get a new airline into GRU plus they offer a better product. If both Oceanair and TAAG end up flying the same route even better, though I doubt it.

SO this sounds of much much more to come!!!

Brazil Property News: Brazilian airline launches flights to Luanda



3rd March 2008 03:36

Property investors in Brazil may be pleased to hear that OceanAir will begin operating flights between Sao Paulo and Luanda this April.

The Brazilian ambassador to Angola, Afonso Cardoso, announced in Luanda last Friday that OceanAir will operate three flights per week between the two destinations.

Flights will be run on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, transporting both passengers and cargo.

OceanAir's headquarters are in Sao Paulo and the airline was established in 1998 as an air taxi company to service oil firms in the Campos basin in Rio de Janeiro.

It launched its cargo service in 2002 and is now considered by some as Brazil's number one regional airline, flying to 36 cities and 14 states in Brazil.

Last week the founder of JetBlue Airways announced its intentions to launch a new air service in Brazil.

David Neeleman met with Brazil's Civil Aeronautics Agency in Brasilia to discuss the possibility of launching a new domestic airline in Latin America's biggest nation.

For more information on Brazil property investment and to find out about uv10's latest projects, contact uv10 on 0845 643 1036 or email info@uv10.com or visit our website: http://www.uv10.com

I placed an article in Englsih so that everybody can read it!

Did I hear this right, Ocean Airlines want to fly from Brazil to Angola with a 737-300?..I mean wow???, that must be an interesting flight with low leg room

Also, I saw on Wikipedia that Japan Airlines is to fly to Lagos starting May,,,I have not seen any article or press release confirming this, so for now Im just on the fence on this one..

Did I hear this right, Ocean Airlines want to fly from Brazil to Angola with a 737-300?..I mean wow???, that must be an interesting flight with low leg room

I know its total bull crap, they'd be retarded to do that but with Oceanair you never know.

LOL, it is a 767-300!! and not a 737-300!! the latter would just nose-dive somewhere into the ocean on its way from Brazil to Angola, you can´t fly the route with a Boeing737!!

well Matt even a 737-300 can make this trip, although with at list one or two stops.:cheers:

Arik may become national carrier to four nations

FOUR African governments have commenced talks with management of Arik Air towards making it their national carrier, just as the Sokoto State government and the Sultan of Sokoto, Mohammed Sa’ad Abubakar III, lauded the alternative the airlines has provided the people of the state by its decision to fly into the city.

Those already discussing with the airlines are Sierra Leone, Cameroun, Ghana and Niger.

Managing Director of Arik Air, Mr. Michael McTighe, who disclosed this in Sokoto during the airlines inaugural flight to the city, said Arik Air was currently weighing the possibility of taking up such a challenge.

According to him, the airlines, with a current capacity of 17 aircraft, can cope with the task of serving the four countries in addition to Nigeria.McTighe said the airlines was now at the stage of collapsing its domestic operations into regional ones.

The Arik boss also disclosed that its officials and representatives of the federal government would meet with the British government in London between march 25 and 26 to fashion out a new bilateral air services agreement that would make it possible for the airlines to operate direct flights to London.

Is there any substance to the JAL schedules to Lagos begining in May?, I have not seen any sources beyond Wikipedia

HAMMELKAR, but where do you want to stop between Brazil and Angola, there is only ocean!

HAMMELKAR, but where do you want to stop between Brazil and Angola, there is only ocean!

In Recife (Brazil) Matt, cose from that point you can easy cross the Atlantic to reach the Africa continent, passing if needed in S. Tome e Principe

Still no news on this JAL flight to Lagos starting May 29...can wikipedia be believed?, it is on the MMA fwikipedia page as well as Narita and JAL

Nigeria: Aero Begins Flights From MMA-2



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Leadership (Abuja)

10 February 2008
Posted to the web 11 February 2008

Ime Akpan
Lagos

Aero Contractor Airline has concluded plans to Commence regional flights from the Murtala Mohammed International Airport Lagos beginning from tomorrow. By this development, the airline becomes the first carrier to begin flights to its regional routes from the new terminal.

The managing director of the airline, Koen Neven said the company had got approval from the appropriate authorities to commence regional flights from the terminal. "Therefore passengers for our Monday morning flights to Accra, Ghana and Monrovia, Liberia will be checked in from the Terminal 2 of the airport, instead of the international wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport" he stated.


Neven said all the agencies concerned were aware of the first regional flight from the terminal while "we look forward to having easy, convenient check in, departure and arrival of passengers at the terminal 2."

Presently, the airline operates to Abidjan, Cote'd Voire; Accra, Ghana; Bamako, Mali; Libreville, Gabon; Malabo, Equatorial Guinea; Monrovia, Liberia and Sao Tome.

So terminal 2 is not exclusively a domestic terminal

In Recife (Brazil) Matt, cose from that point you can easy cross the Atlantic to reach the Africa continent, passing if needed in S. Tome e Principe

He's right, if you have a stop in the North East a 737 could easily cross the atlantic into Angola. Cities like Salvador along with Rio have become popular with Angolan tourists. During November and December TAAG ran daily services Luanda-Rio de Janeiro-Salvador.

So terminal 2 is not exclusively a domestic terminal

As with the old domestic terminal, Aero operated regional flights. I assume MMIA is for Cross Atlantic or there about

Still no news on this JAL flight to Lagos starting May 29...can wikipedia be believed?, it is on the MMA fwikipedia page as well as Narita and JAL

I would say that 90-95% of the aviation related articles in wikipedia are accurate. Things like fleet size, destinations, terminals with specific airlines, ect tend to be accurate. However this is the first time I hear of JAL planning on serving Lagos. Considering that this would be JAL's first African destination it probably would have made the news. Finally is their actually any demand for a direct service? Japan is the world's 2nd largest economy but does it have any real economic presence in Nigeria?

well Sudan airways had seen better days,and had a lot of financial and hard time,but lately they 've been doing good job,here is some pictures.
http://www.airfleets.net/picture/50000/50212.jpg

http://wassch71.tripod.com/sudancom.jpg
http://www.fokker-aircraft.info/sudan-stalo.jpg
http://www.fokker-aircraft.info/sudan-staln.jpg
http://members.at.infoseek.co.jp/bluecat_ly/kaigai/london2001/others/f_odtk-lhr2001.jpg

VAALCO: Big Exploration, Development Plans for Gabon and North Sea


VAALCO Energy Thursday, March 13, 2008

VAALCO Energy's current exploration and development schedule includes up to seven wells to be drilled in Gabon, and the North Sea over the course of the next six to eighteen months.

"We hope to extend the size of the Ebouri field with a delineation well this summer, which could add approximately 24 million gross recoverable barrels to our reserve estimates," Gerry added. "We also anticipate drilling two new prospects offshore Gabon, and at least two prospects onshore in Gabon by year-end.

Each of the offshore prospects has gross reserve potential in excess of 50 million barrels, while the onshore targets range in potential from 10 to 20 million barrels."

Sorry, this one the wrong thread!

Here's the year end ranking for Africa's busiest airport. Overall an exceptional year for pax growth in Africa. An indication of the huge potential that exists.

http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/1146/africarankpp3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Thanks, Grepz....

but there is still no reason to smile...

Lagos should at least have 15 million pax a year, this could give me reason to rejoice!

Abuja should at least hit 5 million pax a year

With the rapid development plans in the country as a whole, this figure should go up by at least 10% this year.

Thanks, Grepz....

but there is still no reason to smile...

Lagos should at least have 15 million pax a year, this could give me reason to rejoice!

Abuja should at least hit 5 million pax a year

Nigeria needs a better developed domestic network with just a few strong players (not multiple airlines with only a handful of aircraft). Once some strong low cost airlines startup domestic passengers could grow at around 40% a year.
Internationally Lagos should be a dominant hub but isn't due to restrictive aviation policies and its negative image in the sector. If these obstacles can be overcome (with some genuine commitment from government) then we should start seeing Lagos airport moving up to the sort of levels it should be at.

Ethiopian and Lufthansa set to Launch Codeshare Flights


Ethiopian Airlines is pleased to announce to its esteemed customers the commencement of codeshare flights with Lufthansa German Airlines as of March 30. These flights will operate on the Addis Ababa-Frankfurt route. “The new code share agreement marks a significant landmark as we are now in the position to offer our customers daily connections from Addis Ababa to Lufthansa’s hub in Frankfurt with convenient onward flights”, noted Mr. Tewolde G.Mariam, Chief Operating Officer of Ethiopian.

With this agreement, the two carriers jointly provide daily frequency on the Addis Ababa-Frankfurt route. Ethiopian presently provides three weekly services from its home base Addis Ababa to Frankfurt on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, while the in-bound services to Addis Ababa are on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Lufthansa currently flies to Frankfurt four times weekly (Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays). The cooperation will provide to customers in terms of more choices of services.

Mr. Girma Wake, CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, and Mr. Wolfgang Mayrhuber, Chairman and CEO, Lufthansa German Airlines signed the main agreement on June 2nd, 2007 in Vancouver, Canada and various operational agreements have been signed subsequently to facilitate the implementation of the codshare agreement.

"The new code share agreement will further strengthen Ethiopian's position in Germany and other European markets by creating additional possibilities to access traffic through the extensive network of Lufthansa", said Mr. Wake, CEO of Ethiopian Airlines. He added that the agreement will pave the way for Ethiopian to further strengthen its co-operation with Lufthansa and other Star Alliance member airlines.

Since last October 28th, Ethiopian’s ShebaMiles members have been able to earn and/or use their award miles on the international route network of Lufthansa. Likewise Lufthansa’s ‘Miles & More Members have started utilizing Ethiopian’s services to accrue and redeem award miles on all its international and domestic scheduled flights.

Ethiopian has been partnering with LSG Lufthansa Service, world’s biggest airline caterer and provider of integrated in-flight solutions which assist Ethiopian in managing and upgrading its catering division.

PR & Publications
March 21, 2008

Royal Air Maroc to Kinshasa

Royal Air Maroc will begin new service between its base in Casablanca, Morocco and Kinshasa, DRC. Flights will operate 2 per week on Thursdays and Saturdays using B738 aircraft.

AT289 CMN - DLA: 1650 - 2300
AT289 DLA - FIH: 0010 - 200
AT288 FIH - DLA: 255 - 455
AT288 DLA - CMN: 555 - 955

BELLVIEW AIRLINE MOVES TO MMA2

Bellview Airline commenced test domestic flight operation from the new domestic terminal, Murtala Muhammed Airport 2 on 19th March with flight 208 to Abuja.The Airline is expected to operate a test flight daily from the new terminal until 1st of April when full operation will take off.The head of Corporate Affairs and Communication, Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Mr Biodun Bakare formally welcome Bellview to MMA2 assuring the airline of world class services in a safe and secure terminal. With the coming of bellview the number of Airlines operating from MMA2 has increased to four. Aero was the first airline to move to the new terminal on the 6th of September, 2007 while IRS and Chanchangi Airlines joined two weeks after.The Station Manager of Bellview, olasubomi oluwabiye stated that the airline will commence full operation after using the test flights to study and understand the new terminal.It will be recalled that IATA visited MMA2 and declared the terminal safe for flight operations two weeks

Can anyone (King of England or any Angolan) tell me if Oceanair has/will begin operating Sao Paulo - Luanda? I'm getting conflicting reports On earlier article it says service begins in April, while a more recent one (13 days back) says it starts March 24, which was Monday!! Now in the actual Oceanair website they have a set schedule, 3 weekly operating on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Yet on amadeus.net it doesn't appear on the system, am I missing something?

Btw here's the article saying that services will commence on March 23rd. It's coming out of the CEO's mouth. http://www.macauhub.com.mo/en/news.php?ID=5020 Theirs also serious interest to fly to both Nigeria and South Africa.

Addis Abeba to Frankfurt Daily!




Ethiopian Airlines (EAL) is to launch a daily flight from Addis Abeba to Frankfurt as of March 31 following a code share flight agreement with Lufthansa German Airlines (Lufthansa).


Girma Wake, CEO of EAL and Wolfgang Mayruhuber, chairman and CEO of Lufthansa signed the agreement on June 27th, 2007 in Vancouver, Canada and various operational agreements have been signed subsequently to facilitate the code share agreement.



“The new agreement marks a significant landmark as we are now in a position to offer our customers daily connections from Addis Abeba to Lufthansa’s hub in Frankfurt, with convenient onward flights,” stated Tewolde Gebremariam in a press release that the national flag carrier issued on March 21.



In accordance with the agreement, the two carriers will jointly provide daily frequencies on the Addis Abeba Frankfurt route. ELA currently provides three weekly services from its home base in Addis Abeba to Frankfurt on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays while the inbound services to Addis Abeba are Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Lufthansa currently flies to Frankfurt from Addis Ababa four times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The cooperation, according to ELA, will provide customers with more flight choices.


“The new code share agreement will further strengthen Ethiopia’s position in Germany and other European markets by creating additional possibilities to access traffic through the extensive network of Lufthansa,” said Girma. The agreement will pave the way for ELA to further strengthen its cooperation with Lufthansa and other star Alliance member airlines.

Ethiopian Airlines has been in partnership with LSG Lufthansa Service, the world’s biggest airline caterer and provider of integrated in-flight solutions, which has assisted Ethiopia in managing and upgrading its catering division.

i flew with johennesburg last month.. it was quite nice!

i flew with johennesburg last month.. it was quite nice!

haha.. who's johennesburg?

Lufthansa will also start nonstop flights between Frankfurt and the African cities Luanda/Angola and Malabo/Equatorial Guinea this summer.

Malabo: 3 times a week
Luanda: every Tuesday

...Two new destinations in Africa, Malabo in Equatorial Guinea and Luanda in Angola, provide customers from the mineral oil and raw materials industry, in particular, with comfortable direct connections from Frankfurt.
These services link the two African energy capitals to Lufthansa’s global route network....
http://konzern.lufthansa.com/en/html/presse/pressemeldungen/index.html?c=nachrichten/app/show/en/2008/03/801/HOM&s=0

VNA Press release



27 March 08

VIRGIN NIGERIA COMMENCES FLIGHTS INTO LONDON HEATHROW AIRPORT

Lagos, Nigeria: 27 March 2008: Effective March 29, passengers travelling aboard Virgin Nigeria to London will have the option of either flying direct to London Heathrow or London Gatwick airports, as Virgin Nigeria now operates into both airports in the United Kingdom.

London Heathrow airport is the renowned hub for world travel and is London and Europe’s busiest airport for passenger traffic as it handles flights to over 180 destinations in more than 90 countries.

The commencement of direct flights to London Heathrow is a major breakthrough for Virgin Nigeria as it is the only airline from Nigeria, offering the option for Passengers to arrive at the two principal airports in the UK
Speaking on the commencement of scheduled direct flight operations to London Heathrow Airport, the CEO of Virgin Nigeria, Conrad Clifford expressed delight that Virgin Nigeria’s objective of offering more travel options to its numerous Customers who live either side of London has now materialised. These Customers can now easily access Virgin Nigeria’s flights from either airport, where they can make onward connections to their final destinations.

“The needs of our Customers are always at the forefront of our business decisions and we have been working to secure the rights to fly into London Heathrow” Mr Clifford stated.

Business class passengers aboard the Lagos to London Heathrow service will have access to Virgin Atlantic Airways’ award winning clubhouse as well as the option of chauffeur pick-up service and other thrills offered on the Gatwick route.

Virgin Nigeria is commencing flights to London Heathrow with a weekly daytime flight departing Lagos on Saturdays by 1325 hours and the inbound flight depart will depart London Heathrow same day at 2205 to arrive Lagos on Sundays by 0555. Virgin Nigeria will retain its normal flights from Lagos to London Gatwick. Flights from Lagos into London Gatwick are six times a week, departing Lagos at 2359 to arrive next day while inbound flights will depart London Gatwick at 1015.

Virgin Nigeria plans to increase flight frequency into London Heathrow airport as soon as it is allocated more slots by the British Airport Authority.

Mozambique to invest $150m in national airline

By: Reuters
Published: 2 Apr 08 - 17:32

Mozambique's national airline, LAM, will invest $150 million over the next three years to upgrade its service and expand its fleet of aircraft, the company said on Wednesday.


LAM chief executive officer Jose Veigas said the airline would buy new planes to upgrade or replace some of its current fleet of four Boeing 737s and six other light aircraft.

"As of April, we project an investment of some $150 million to renew our fleet and for modernisation over the next three years," he said, without specifying the number and types of aircraft the airline planned to buy.

It would also invest in training new pilots and technicians.

"We are looking at the country's needs to determine the exact number of aircraft to be purchased, but quality of service is on top of our agenda given the 2010 World Cup football event in neighbouring South Africa where we hope woo a number of visitors to Mozambique."

Mozambique's government owns 80 percent of the company, with the balance controlled by employees.

LAM, which last made a profit in 1999, operates routes in Africa and one to former colonial power Portugal. It was established in 1936, making it one of the oldest airlines on the continent.

Nigeria: Virgin Nigeria Gets Approval On U.S. Route





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This Day (Lagos)

6 April 2008
Posted to the web 7 April 2008

Chinedu Eze
Lagos

Virgin Nigeria has been granted ap-proval by the United States Department of Transp-ortation (DOT) to commence direct commercial flights from Lagos to various destinations in America.

Virgin Nigeria is one of the three airlines approved by the Federal Government to fly to the United States but they must secure the approval of the United States government's DOT to fly directly to the US. Virgin is the first among the three to get the approval.


Other airlines are Arik Air and Bellview Airlines.

According to a statement made available by Virgin Nigeria, the approval was signed by the director, Office of International Aviation, Mr. Paul Gretch.

"The approval confirms that Virgin Nigeria Airways Limited (Virgin Nigeria) has formally been granted the foreign air carrier permit and is financially and operationally qualified to perform the services authorized", the statement noted.

The statement also explained that DOT approval authorises Virgin Nigeria Airways Limited to use aircraft wet leased from a duly authorised and properly supervised U.S. or foreign air carrier.

The Chief Executive Officer of Virgin Nigeria, Mr. Conrad Clifford described the approval for the commencement of direct flights to America as a boost for the Nigerian aviation industry as a whole.

"Our commitment to fulfill the 'American dream' of our trans-Atlantic customers has today come to fruition and in a few months time, we will unveil our blueprint for the operations into the USA " Clifford said.

Virgin Nigeria also said that prior to now the airline had gone into partnership with a marketing company, Discover the World, to sell Virgin Nigeria in the United States as well as its existing interline agreements which it had been using to connect passengers on the American route.

Relevant Links

West Africa
Economy, Business and Finance
Nigeria
Transport and Shipping
United States, Canada and Africa



"This approval is based on the open skies agreement between Nigeria and the US to operate non-stop flights between both countries. Virgin Nigeria has since December 2005 filed an application with the US Department of Transport to provide scheduled passenger air transportation between the United States and Nigeria and has vigorously pursued the process in the last two and half years," it stated.

Virgin Nigeria and the two other airlines designated to US will only be able to fly their own branded aircraft to that country after the auditing of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) by US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or another express approval by the body for the airlines.

FAA had started auditing the nation's aviation regulatory body since last year and the Director-General of NCAA, Dr Harold Demuren, expresses the hope that the agency will also secure approval from FAA before the end of this year.

:banana::cheers::)

Angola: Brazil’s OceanAir postpones launch of flights between Sao Paulo and Luanda indefinitely [ 2008-04-07 ]


Luanda, Angola, 7 April – Brazilian airline OceanAir has indefinitely postponed the launch of flights between Sao Paulo and Luanda, which had been due to begin in May.

Company officials currently in Luanda said that the postponement was for technical and operational reasons.

OceanAir had said it would launch flights between Brazil and Angola on 5 May.

OceanAir, which is the third largest Brazilian airline, said it would carry out three flights per week (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays) after carrying out feasibility studies for the potential market.

“Angola is a country that is growing rapidly on an economic level, attracting Brazilian investments and increasing the travel of workers of companies that set up in the country,” said German Efromovich, chairman of OceanAir.

OceanAir’s flights are due to use a Boeing 767-300 ER, with capacity for 203 passengers.

Created in 1998, OceanAir has three Boeing 767-300 aircraft. 3 Boeing 737a, 1 Boeing 757, 15 MK-28 jets, 5 Fokker-50s and 4 Brasilias.

In 2007 the company acquired 28 Airbus aircraft, 14 A319 jets, which will be used for domestic and Latin American flights, seven A320 jets also domestic and Latin American flights and seven A330s to operate international routes. (macauhub)

http://www.macauhub.com.mo/en/news.php?ID=5148

Apparantly their going to leave the international market completely, pulling out of Mexico city and Cancun. As well as scrapping plans to fly to Lagos and Los Angeles which were in the cards for later this year.

Arik Air gets DOT’s nod to fly direct to US


Air travellers between Nigeria and the United States of America, now have a choice as Nigeria’s leading domestic carrier, Arik Air, has been given approval to commence direct commercial flights into the U.S.

The U.S. Department of Transport (DOT), in a letter to the airline, said the Nigerian flag carrier has satisfied all requirements and thus qualified to fly direct into any part of the U. S. The letter dated April 4, 2008 was signed by the Director, Office of International Aviation, Paul L. Gretch.

According to the approval letter from DOT, Arik Air has been found to be operationally and financially qualified to conduct its proposed operations, and is substantially owned and effectively controlled by citizens of Nigeria.

“We also note that the applicant is properly licensed by its homeland to perform the proposed services”, the letter reads noting that the basis of approval is the bilateral air service agreement between the two countries.

However, Arik Air will be expected to operate the scheduled commercial flight into the U.S. using only a wet leased aircraft from a duly authorized and properly supervised U.S. or foreign air carrier.

Arik Air had on October 29, 2007, filed an application with the U.S. DOT to engage in scheduled foreign air transportation between Lagos, Nigeria and specified U.S. points.

Some of the U.S. destinations Arik Air is expected to service are Houston, Los Angeles and Atlanta.

An elated Arik Air Managing Director, Mr. Michael McTighe said of the U.S. DOT approval: “We have patiently waited for this approval and it is another confirmation of our resolve to run a safe, reliable and efficient airline that will be internationally acclaimed”.

“Having established our airline as number one on the domestic route, it is now time to replicate that achievement on the international route”.

McTighe promised Nigerians living in the U.S. that Arik Air will be ready in December 2008 to fly them home for the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

Arik Air in its short time of existence has won the Airline of The Year, Thisday Award 2008.

The airline currently services 24 domestic routes from 15 airports and one regional route and has been designated the national carrier of Republic of Niger.

Arik Air is a wholly owned Nigerian airline with a commitment to the people of Nigeria to deliver new standards in aviation. The airline commenced commercial operation on October 30, 2006 with three brand new Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft, thus becoming the first airline to fly new aircraft in Nigeria for over 20 years

Oceanair is just crap!

Hopefully TAM will take up Angola and Nigerian routes soon!

Nigeria: Lufthansa Resumes Operations At Port Harcourt Airport


Leadership (Abuja)

11 April 2008
Posted to the web 11 April 2008

Ime Akpan
Abuja

Lufthansa Airlines has concluded plans to re-launch its operations from the Port Harcourt International Airport (PHIA) as soon as the ongoing repair work at the airport is completed.

Addressing journalists in Lagos on Thursday, the managing director, West Africa, Herbert Reichle, said PHIA used to be one of the airline's prime destination until the repairs started.He noted that the Nigerian market was also instrumental to the airline's 1.7 billion euros profit margin in 2007. Like many other carriers in the world, Reiche said the airline would be confronted with lots of challenges.

He, however, added that the airline was prepared to handle the envisaged challenges. Thereafter, he announced that the airline and Ethiopian Airlines had signed a code-sharing agreement in which passengers could fly with both airlines on routes between Frankfurt and Addis Ababa, Ethiopian capital.

The cooperation agreement was signed by Ato Girma Wake, chief executive officer of Ethiopian Airlines, and Lufthansa, chairman and chief executive officer, Wolfgang Mayrhuber. He explained that the code-sharing agreement and the cooperation between Lufthansa and Ethiopian Airlines would establish the basis for further collaboration.

Moreso, he said an extension of the code-sharing deal for flights from Frankfurt to European and US destinations as well as from Addis Ababa to destinations in Eastern and Central Africa was already under discussion.

"This code-sharing agreement will benefit the customers of both airlines. It will boost Lufthansa's flight offering in Africa and also give passengers from Ethiopia access to our global route network via our Frankfurt hub," Mayrhuber

The frequent flyer programmes of both airlines came on stream since October 2007. Under the arrangement, members of the Lufthansa Miles and More programme and Ethiopian Sheba Miles can earn and redeem miles on any of the partner airline's flights. Ethiopian Airlines has partnered with LSG Sky Chefs, which has assisted in managing and upgrading the airline's catering division by improving the production standards.

"The code-share flights between Addis Ababa and Frankfurt mark the beginning of a stronger cooperation to come as both airlines are planning to cover other markets in the future," remarked Wake.

The code-share flights, offer customers greater flexibility and a wider choice of connections. A Lufthansa Airbus, A300-60, will depart from Frankfurt for Addis Ababa four times weekly, with a stopover in Khartoum. Ethiopian Airlines, on the other hand, will operate a thrice-weekly Boeing 767 service on the route.

Angolan Airlines Start Flying to Douala

Luanda, 04/14 - The Angolan Airlines (TAAG) will start next Tuesday flying to Douala, Cameroon, announced Monday here the institution`s spokesperson, Carlos Vicente.

The official told ANGOP at "4 de Fevereiro" International Airport that the opening of this route happens in the light of the programme of expanding the commercial network, which is being implemented by the institution.

According to the source, the flights from Luanda, scheduled for Tuesdays and Saturdays at 07am, will follow the course Luanda/Point Noire/Brazzaville/Bangui/Douala, with a Boeing 737-700 aircraft.

Carlos Vicente also explained that, on May 09, TAAG will start flying to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, twice per week, on Monday and Friday at 05pm, with a Boeing 777 aircraft.

As from Tuesday (April 15), the daily flights to Lisbon, which used to leave Luanda at 01:30pm, will start taking off at 10:00pm, due to the summer season being experienced in Europe.

PS: TAAG can sometimes be riduclous, nothing against Cameroon here but why for heavan´s sake have they chosen Douala.:ohno: Why not Lagos? I really don´t understand!!! The planning looks chaotic and I begin to understand Blacklion´s critic voiced in the past

OTOH, one can ask why Virgin Nigeria is not considering the Luanda route

Air France is re-introducing flights to Port Harcourt from May 4x weekly using A319.

Isnt that too small for a 6+hr flight?

The range of the A319 with max. load is 6,800km, making the Port Harcourt-Paris flight an easy nonstop one...

nothing special, it is just a stupid oil flight, they have the same to Pointe Noire (in Congo-Brazzaville)

Ethiopia - Addis Ababa Bole International Airport wins “African Airport of the Year 2007” award


Ethiopia's Addis Ababa Bole International Airport has been awarded as "African Airport of the Year 2007.” at the 17th Annual African Aviation Conference and Exhibition held in Cairo, Egypt from March 31-April 2, 2008.

General Manager of the airport Hailaye Gebretsadik and Ethiopian ambassador to Egypt, Ibrahim Edris have received the award.

Speaking at the occasion Hailaye said the airport has won the award as it uses latest technology; increases number of passengers, enhances efficiency in providing services to passengers.

The number of airlines operating to and from Addis Ababa Bole International Airport has grown from nine in 2003 to 15 in 2007, the manager said.

In the past five years annual passenger growth is over 20 percent in effect the number of passengers has grown from 1.3 million in 2003 to 2.8 million in 2007. The airport has also enhanced capacities of handling of cargos.

Hailaye said "the award encourages us to work hard and make a concerted effort to full fill our vision ..' to be the leading world class airport service provider in Africa'. "

Lufthansa will also start nonstop flights between Frankfurt and the African cities Luanda/Angola and Malabo/Equatorial Guinea this summer.

Malabo: 3 times a week
Luanda: every Tuesday


http://konzern.lufthansa.com/en/html/presse/pressemeldungen/index.html?c=nachrichten/app/show/en/2008/03/801/HOM&s=0

Addis Abeba to Frankfurt Daily!
Awesome!! Looks like Lufthansa is getting more involved in Africa and working in partnership with
Ethiopian Airlines as well. thats great news.

Kenya Airways is increasing flights to Lusaka to 14x a week using 737, 767 and 777 aircraft. I'm surprised there's so much demand on this route!

Angolan Airlines Start Flying to Douala



PS: TAAG can sometimes be riduclous, nothing against Cameroon here but why for heavan´s sake have they chosen Douala.:ohno: Why not Lagos? I really don´t understand!!! The planning looks chaotic and I begin to understand Blacklion´s critic voiced in the past


Well Matt first of all the flight its not directly. The route is like this:
Luanda-Point Noire-Brasaville-Bangui-Doulala. TAAG by opening this route is covering the lack of connections on these countries. May be for an Angolan passanger its not interesting but for others passangers on the route is vital.
By the way on 9 of May Taag will start flying to Dubai. The route will have two flights every week.
An finaly im sure that if there is a market Taag will start flying to Lagos or Abuja.:cheers:

Also both TAAG and Hainan Airlines have suspended services Beijing-Luanda. TAAG will then just do a non stop service to Dubai as opposed to continuing on to Beijing.

It seems both TAAG and SAA is now allowed 5 flights weekly JNB-LAD.

It seems both TAAG and SAA is now allowed 5 flights weekly JNB-LAD.

Theirs a lot more demand than just that, the problem with any airline trying to fly to Luanda is the ridiculous protectionist measures the Angolan government takes. Which is why frequencies tend to be so low. Heck apart from TAP what European airline has more than 3 weekly frequencies?

TAP was aming to bring its frequency to twice daily but was just granted a daily flight!

The Angolan market is huuuuge, normally there should be five daily flights between Lisbon and Luanda 8offered by TAAG, TAP and other private Angolan airlines)
daily flights between Luanda-Rio
AT LEAST daily flights between Rio-Sao Paulo
several flights a week between smaller cities in Brazil like Porte alegre

thrice daily flights between Luanda and Johannesburg

daily flights a week between Lagos, Cape Verde, Maputo, Cairo, Beirut, Dubai, Kinshasa, Abidjan and Dakar and Luanda

daily flights a week to Paris, London, Rome, Madrid, Amsterdam and Frankfurt

daily flights or more to Asian cities like Shaghai, Singapore, Delhi or Tokyo

daily flights to the USA (major cities)

..Hopefully, Angola will get to this stage in the next 10-15 years to come!

TAP was aming to bring its frequency to twice daily but was just granted a daily flight!

The Angolan market is huuuuge, normally there should be five daily flights between Lisbon and Luanda 8offered by TAAG, TAP and other private Angolan airlines)
daily flights between Luanda-Rio
AT LEAST daily flights between Luanda-Sao Paulo
several flights a week between Luanda and smaller cities in Brazil like Porte Alegre or Salvador de Bahia

thrice daily flights between Luanda and Johannesburg

daily flights a week between Lagos, Cape Verde, Maputo, Cairo, Beirut, Dubai, Kinshasa, Abidjan and Dakar and Luanda

daily flights a week to Paris, London, Rome, Madrid, Amsterdam and Frankfurt

daily flights or more to Asian cities like Shaghai, Singapore, Delhi or Tokyo

daily flights to the USA (major cities)

..Hopefully, Angola will get to this stage in the next 10-15 years to come!

Matthias,

Just a kind reminder that air services exist where a market exists. Sure, Luanda "should" be linked to the outside world through regular and frequent flights.

Generally speaking, you need economic, financial, and cultural trade between two interconnected points, and yes, Angola is fast recovering.

That sounds like a lot to expect Matthias! Even more established countries don't have that frequency on the continent.
In 10-15 years, sure, but it's too much for now. I highly doubt there's as much demand as implied by your suggestions.

Theirs a lot more demand than just that, the problem with any airline trying to fly to Luanda is the ridiculous protectionist measures the Angolan government takes. Which is why frequencies tend to be so low. Heck apart from TAP what European airline has more than 3 weekly frequencies?

The problem its not "the ridiculous protectionist measures the Angolan government takes". Instead if you think who is making protection is the european market. Taag should be already flying London, Frankfurt and Paris with own planes, but with the political decision of puting TAAG on the black list dosent help. But funny is even with blacklist TAAG increased the number of flights to Lisbon, and SA. open news routes and is making more profit. Only with state of the art planes, the Europeans imposed a embarg to Taag planes of enter they air space. Another big problem is the capacity of our international airport. Two big planes at same time and the arrival terminal jams. Thats why for example Lufthansa arrives at 4 am at Luanda international to avoid trafic. Its not like our government wants to block. Big companys desapear but TAAG small continues here so TAAG isent worry about competition.:cheers::cheers: Do you know how many companys compete with TAAG every day??:cheers:

That sounds like a lot to expect Matthias! Even more established countries don't have that frequency on the continent.
In 10-15 years, sure, but it's too much for now. I highly doubt there's as much demand as implied by your suggestions.

Not for now, it is for the future, when Angola reaches this stage, we can say that it is an integrated country, enjoying the fruits of a globalised world economy.

Anyway, demand far outstrips supply allover Angola (and this starts with flights):)

Just reported yesterday that TAAG is to start service to Cotonou, Maputo and Bissau in the next few months...

The problem its not "the ridiculous protectionist measures the Angolan government takes". Instead if you think who is making protection is the european market. Taag should be already flying London, Frankfurt and Paris with own planes, but with the political decision of puting TAAG on the black list dosent help. But funny is even with blacklist TAAG increased the number of flights to Lisbon, and SA. open news routes and is making more profit. Only with state of the art planes, the Europeans imposed a embarg to Taag planes of enter they air space. Another big problem is the capacity of our international airport. Two big planes at same time and the arrival terminal jams. Thats why for example Lufthansa arrives at 4 am at Luanda international to avoid trafic. Its not like our government wants to block. Big companys desapear but TAAG small continues here so TAAG isent worry about competition.:cheers::cheers: Do you know how many companys compete with TAAG every day??:cheers:

With all due respect it has more to do with safety measures than your typical European protectionism. What some people forget is that buying new planes isn't the only component that needs to be taken into account but maintanence is equally as important. TAAG or any African airline for that matter doesn't threaten huge European airlines like BA or Air France if they'd impose any quotas it would be against a U.S or Asian airline. I'm sorry but it has nothing to do with "over crowding", TAAG is government owned and its protecting its own business by limitting competition. If it was a question of "space" they'd allocate certain flights for different times. Why only give BA or Lufthansa one or two frequencies? You should be as annoyed as I am, this sort of bs keeps prices up and the ones screwed over are the passengers themselves.

Arik Air, Boeing officials meet in Seattle

By Kelvin Osa- Okunbor
The management of Nigeria’s leading domestic carrier, Arik Air, is scheduled to meet with officials of aircraft manufacturing giant, Boeing Corporation of United States next month, to discuss issues of mutual interest.

According to the Media Officer of the airline,Banji Ola,the meeting, which will hold in Seattle , U.S.A. base of Boeing, will, among others, discuss the configuration of the Boeing 777 aircraft ordered by Arik Air.

Arik Air has placed orders for two B777-200LR and three B777-300ER aircraft due for delivery in 2010 and 2011.

Chairman of Arik Air, Sir Joseph Arumemi-Johnson, who is expected to lead the team to Seattle, said the airline is proposing a four-class seat configuration of presidential, first, business and economy for the new aircraft.

Sir Arumemi-Johnson disclosed that when delivered, the aircraft will be deployed to the airline’s long haul routes.

Already, Arik Air has been granted approval by the U.S. Department of Transportation to commence direct commercial flights into the U.S.

Arik Air will be expected to operate the scheduled commercial flight into the U.S. using only a wet leased aircraft from a duly authorised and properly supervised U.S. or foreign air carrier.

This arrangement will subsist until Nigeria attains the Category One Status which will enable Arik Air and other designated Nigerian carriers fly into the U.S with their own aircraft.

Arik Air is one of Boeings major partners in Africa .

The Nigerian carrier had last year bought four brand new Boeing 737-700NG from the Boeing Corporation.

Prior to the ferrying of the first set of B737-700NG aircraft to the Arik Aviation Centre in July last year, Sir Arumemi-Johnson had led a delegation of Arik Air team to Seattle to take delivery of the aircraft.

With all due respect it has more to do with safety measures than your typical European protectionism. What some people forget is that buying new planes isn't the only component that needs to be taken into account but maintanence is equally as important. TAAG or any African airline for that matter doesn't threaten huge European airlines like BA or Air France if they'd impose any quotas it would be against a U.S or Asian airline. I'm sorry but it has nothing to do with "over crowding", TAAG is government owned and its protecting its own business by limitting competition. If it was a question of "space" they'd allocate certain flights for different times. Why only give BA or Lufthansa one or two frequencies? You should be as annoyed as I am, this sort of bs keeps prices up and the ones screwed over are the passengers themselves.

I still think that the decision to put TAAG on the EU blacklist was not political, but rather safety related. Apparently the manuals were not up to date, and there were other discrepancies. The Angolan government has already admitted to this.

The problem is that TAAG is A JOKE. It is run as a JOKE but it is our state company. I hope that whoever the new transportation minister is, that he at least treats TAAG with respect and dignity. Because the one that was just fired, WAS A JOKE. Even after repeated inspections by the EU, TAAG has still not passed the safety test. Buying shiny new planes is not the only consideration to take...people's lives are at stake every time they step on a plane.

Another problem is that many Angolans (in the gov and not) have some sort of superiority complex, and think that whenever some sort of measure is taken against the angolan government, it is some sort of hidden political agenda to undermine our glorious nation. that is not the case. there are norms that have to be followed...if they are not, there will b consequences.

As for the new routes they are opening, I dont know what to say. Not in a million years wud I think these routes would b profitable, but hey, im not an aviation specialist. If TAAG has studied these routes and think that flying to BANGUI is profitable, then by all means, they should. They bought expensive new planes and have to use them somewhere. They are already flying to the bustling cosmopolitan metropolis that is NDJAMENA, CHAD, yet have not yet opened a route to Maputo. But to each his own.

As for wat Roney was saying, YES TAAG's measures needlessly LIMIT COMPETITION and make tickets to Angola expensive as hell. That's what frustrates me the most. It is still possible to be a reputable, PROFITABLE, state run company without such dubious policies.

(...)As for the new routes they are opening, I dont know what to say. Not in a million years wud I think these routes would b profitable, but hey, im not an aviation specialist. If TAAG has studied these routes and think that flying to BANGUI is profitable, then by all means, they should. They bought expensive new planes and have to use them somewhere. They are already flying to the bustling cosmopolitan metropolis that is NDJAMENA, CHAD, yet have not yet opened a route to Maputo. But to each his own.

Blacklion, this comes from a mouth of a true Angolan and not out of a mouth of a "would be " Angolan that we have here every now and then... so your words can be given credit to.

Well, BlackLion TAAG may be a "joke" as you said, but this joke still alive despite some dramtic problems.
And if you think well most of those problems are external. Like bad airport facilities, bad handling services, bad aeronautic services, bad runways all around the country. To give you an idea, Angola has more 300 runways for aviation purposes, but only 30 are paved and from those 30 only 10 or 7 are in good conditions for normal operations.
Other problem for TAAG is the unfair competion by other airliners operating in Angola. Most of them dont respect the safety conditions and are not registed in IATA. Even Sonair its not registed in IATA.
If you see the historic data of TAAG the company is one of the most safety in the world in terms of ratio: number of flight hours and incidents.
Recently the company was added to a blacklist for aviation in EU air space. The claims were made by air france with the support of the France Government. The problems pointed were: actualization of flights books, some problems with engineer and mantainance and normal land operations in airports used by TAAG. The funy thing is that most of these problems never appear to disturb the EU comission for passangers safety till TAAG acquired the new Boeings.
Any way we are already in April and all most May, and according to some experts TAAG has already full fill the lacks that once exists in its operations. But even worst is that two weeks ago came out on newspaper in Portugal that despite the problems the company may haded those problems arent enough to put TAAG on the blacklist according to EU Comission standards specialy full "block" of TAAG flights to Europe. Even TAP supported that. The problems that TAAG were of level 1 and 2 and no level 4 the worst level. Some experience pilots of other countries including EU difended that even with not updated flights books the operations of the company wouldnt suffer serial problems until TAAG change them.
Any way this problems the company is facing are puting the company at high levels of performing enhancing is quality and services. Even with this problems the company submit it self for an international audition to certify the company with standards required by the ICAO(International Civil Aviation Organization), an organization that is more important than the EU comission. Meaning that when TAAG full fill this requirement till December of this year, the company will be able to operate where ever she wants to go for two years, until the next audition.
By the way on the last visit in Luanda of the EU inspectors they got surprised by the amount of improvemnts that TAAG made since the last visit; TAAG went further from what was required by them. And they couldnt believe according with some sources that all that was made by angolans.
The real problem now for TAAG is the INAVIC, because since the new law for aviation was aproved they cancel for all companies the operation certificates, given them a provisory certificate. So this provisory certificates are against the article 6 of Chicago Convention that says that dont exists this kind of provisory certificates in comercial aviation.
Thats way for example Sonair certificated all planes outside Angola, and now with new law is thinking to use Windoek as HUB. But the new diploma says that all national companys must be certificated in Angola to operate in Naional air space.
The frenchs are now traying to help TAAG fly to Europe again, because according with some experts a company that enters on the blacklist even with all measures needed take and all improvement, will be a long time on the list due to the bad publicity.
Some say now that in June the company will be out of the black list. But that depends now on the EU comission, because TAAG made everything and even more to full fill all europe standards. That will also depend on the capacity of INAVIC to certificate TAAG again in a short period of time. Others says that TAAG still on the list because French president wants like that due to some politica issues between Paris and Luanda. Who cares. We will see.
All this and still have more to say, to show you that TAAG subject its not that simple as you may thing Blacklion.

The company is now expanding its operation to east Africa and central africa, because others asked for the service, and also due to the lack of flights conecting countries of these regions daily. For us that prefer and also got money to go distance like Europe or America, its easy to criticize but for the people of these regions its a blust of fresh air coming to their faces. Mid East is also on the company plans. Dubai route isto open in May. But in Taag main route like Lisbon, Johansburg, Rio, Paris, Windoek, profits continue to rise every day, and more flights are claimed. But that dont depend only on the company but also on INAVIC and airport capacity and facilities. Soon Angola, may be on the CAN will have at least 3 international Airports, due to the amount of trafic and demand that grows every day. Butwe dont have this capacity yeat so we have to wait to see for example a Luanda and Abuja conection, or Luanda - Capetown conection, etc.

Anyway its your opinion, i have another, and others may desagree or agree with us, etc.

Lots of company came to the business very day,some resist in the market like TAAG and persist, others go bankrupt after few years easely, because aviation its not a business for all. The company as more than 60 years and was one of the first in the world to join IATA. Dosent matter who have more planes, more new planes, if it is Boeing or Airbus; its all a matter of resources mangement. Just take the example of companes that once where big and today are nothing: Sabena, Pan America, Alitalia, Varig, etc.:cheers::cheers::)

Here's the ranking for internatonal passengers at African airports. The list is heavily dominated by north African airports which entice European package tourists. It's for 2006 (the complete 2007 list isn't available yet but there's unlikely to be much of a change in the ranking). Figures are in millions.

http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/6643/africaintlzg9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Nairobi does very well in the international passenger side. Shows how well Kenya Airways
and the tourism authorities in Kenya have performed in turning that country into a tourism jewel in Africa.

Respect to Egypt, pretty much dominates the top 5. That said having flown domestically in Egypt (Aswan-Cairo) the domestic market is no where near that of Joburg. Heck roughly 2/3 of all pax flying in and out of Cairo are intl, while in Joburg its around 40%.

Respect to Egypt, pretty much dominates the top 5. That said having flown domestically in Egypt (Aswan-Cairo) the domestic market is no where near that of Joburg. Heck roughly 2/3 of all pax flying in and out of Cairo are intl, while in Joburg its around 40%.

I think the North African countries tend to do well due to their proximity to Europe and the Middle East, which makes it cheaper to fly there compared to the rest of Africa. Well-done to Egypt and where is Hughada, never heard of that City before?

Nairobi does very well in the international passenger side. Shows how well Kenya Airways
and the tourism authorities in Kenya have performed in turning that country into a tourism jewel in Africa.

Nairobi's geographic position and the fact that its a commercial hub for the region may also be factors. I hope the trend continues.:)

I think the North African countries tend to do well due to their proximity to Europe and the Middle East, which makes it cheaper to fly there compared to the rest of Africa. Well-done to Egypt and where is Hughada, never heard of that City before?

Hughada is in Egypt on the Red Sea. Not much of a town but masses of resort hotels with great diving.

btw some of the other more obscure places are Jerba and Monastir are in Tunisia, Agadir in Morocco, St Denis in Reunion and Sharm el Sheikh in Egypt.

Bad news! Delta has cancelled its plans to fly from New York to Nairobi and Lagos :ohno:
The routes were due to be launched in December.

I see this as an opportunity for Kenya Airways,Arik and Virgin Nigeria to get some tranche in this market

Africa's first A380 purchased....by a Ugandan!!

Sounds like it'll spend most of its time in Dubai but maybe Entebbe will get some of the action...

Uganda: Ezra's Latest Toy
The Monitor (Kampala)
6 May 2008
Posted to the web 6 May 2008


The phenomenon that is Michael Ezra continues to grow, and so does the mystery.

Daily Monitor has learnt that the 34-year-old tycoon has ordered an Airbus A380 (Prestige) private jet and reportedly paid a mind-boggling $260m for it.


Ezra is currently in the French city of Toulouse, the home of Airbus, where he made the payment on April 30th. David Velupillai, Airbus' Marketing Director for Executive and Private Aviation, confirmed that the French aeronautical giants had embarked on building a private aircraft for Mr Ezra.

"We have met with Michael, have had discussions with him and come to a preliminary agreement," an initially reluctant Velupillai told Daily Monitor yesterday.

Supply is limited yet there are many orders, so people have to wait," Velupillai added on further prompting. "We never reveal the details of individual deals, all I can say is that the least price for an Airbus A380 is $320m. However, it is different for private customers."

Mr Ezra's plane is expected to be ready in 2010. And after it has been fully built, the customer will then incur an extra cost believed to be around $150m for an executive plane interior to be developed, bringing the total cost of jet to a whooping $410m. With space of 531 square metres, the A380 is the largest commercial airliner in the world built to carry 525 people in the standard three-class configuration, or 853 people in an all-economy setting.

The A380s ordered by commercial airliners have been late by several months to take to the skies due to production delays, but modifications for private ones are going on. For instance, the interior of Mr Ezra's plane will be built to have an office, full satellite communication equipment, a conference room for 12 persons, a karaoke room, a movie room, a gymnasium, medical centre, four self-contained VIP bedrooms, another four executive bedrooms, as well as a spa.

The lower deck of the aircraft, which is reserved for cargo in passenger airliners, will have living quarters for flight attendants and enough space to ferry as many as three saloon cars while staying within its take off weight of 560 tonnes.

Ezra is reportedly only the second person in the world to place an order for an A380 to be used as a private jet. The only other order was from Saudi Arabian Prince Al Waleed Bin Talal, the fifth richest man in the world who was supposed to build a five-star hotel where Shimoni Demonstration School once stood in Kampala.

Ezra's plane, which is likely to be registered in Dubai where he does most of his business, will have a total flight life of 140,000 hours or 25 years and will be able to fly between Dubai and New York, a distance of about 16 hours, without re-fuelling.

It's not the first time Ezra's exclusive lifestyle has left Ugandans in a spin. In September 2006, he paid $250,000 (Sh450 million at the exchange rate then) for an exclusive Centennial Mont Blanc watch, the only one of its kind in the world. It was part of an Emirates charity promotion to help disadvantaged children of the world.

In September last year, the tycoon flew by private chopper from Nairobi to catch Uganda Cranes' final Africa Cup of Nations match with Niger. He rewarded the team with $100,000 (Sh180m) for winning that game, even if they didn't qualify for Ghana 2008.

http://allafrica.com/stories/200805060112.html

Africa's first A380 purchased....by a Ugandan!!
The only other order was from Saudi Arabian Prince Al Waleed Bin Talal, the fifth richest man in the world who was supposed to build a five-star hotel where Shimoni Demonstration School once stood in Kampala.

He`s the 19th richest man in the world. He`s no where near the 5th richest man.That`s a very wrong news story.

You can check this Forbes link.
http://www.forbes.com/2008/03/05/richest-people-billionaires-billionaires08-cx_lk_0305billie_land.html

Apart from Paris, Gabon Airlines adds a second destination to its network in France, now flying directly and non-stop between Libreville-Marseille-Libreville. This makes it its second destination in Europe

This is their old network without Marseille

http://www.gabonairlines.com/contenu/sites/gabonairlines/contenu_site/cms/media/image/reseau.jpg



Ouverture de la ligne Libreville Marseille

23/04/2008

Dès le 15 juin 2008, Gabon Airlines étend son réseau avec l’ouverture de la ligne Libreville- Marseille, en vol direct, une fois par semaine.

Départ de Libreville lundi à 21H00, arrivée à Marseille à 04H00 le lendemain. Départ de Marseille dimanche à 23H30, arrivée à Libreville à 04H30 le lendemain. A partir de 495 600 FCFA TTC/AR

^^ Next.. Libreville-Beijing, Libreville-Guangzhou, Libreville-Bangkok :D
All via Dubai.

WHAT? Is there actually still a national airline in Gabon, is this different from the old Air Gabon?
I'm not very sure if all this info is correct, there is no flights to Johannesburg!

WHAT? Is there actually still a national airline in Gabon, is this different from the old Air Gabon?
I'm not very sure if all this info is correct, there is no flights to Johannesburg!

Air Gabon has become Gabon Airlines (new national airline), they started afresh...building up everything again, no longer state-run airline! (they ordered new Brazilian jets and Boeing Jets, they are planning to replace their B767 by B777 or A330 due to the local papers:cheers:) However, their network will be mainly equal to that of Air Gabon (that´s why you find Beirut, Johannesburg and Dubai).

In the meantime, the currently only have domestic services and two international services - apart from Pointe Noire - one European service to Paris but they will add a non-stop service to Marseille in June (check their website). Johannesburg, Dubai and Beirut as well as all the other African routes will follow step by step.:)

Is there actually still a national airline in Gabon

Apart from Gabon Airlines you have two private and professionally run airlines in Gabon, mainly flying on domestic routes. One of them has brand new jets delivered from Canada.

Next.. Libreville-Beijing, Libreville-Guangzhou, Libreville-Bangkok
All via Dubai.


Skyprince, hopefully in the future:) ...but they airline is just re-building! Libreville-Beijing might be a good possibility via Dubai.




Some more news update


Kenya Airways to Antananarivo

Kenya Airways will reportedly begin services to Antananarivo, Madagascar from Nairobi this summer. No schedules have been posted yet.

This entry was posted on Thursday, May 1st, 2008


Tunisair orders Airbus aircraft

Tunisair has placed an order for three A350s, three A330-200s and then A320s.

This entry was posted on Thursday, May 1st, 2008 at 1:56 am and is filed under Tunisair. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site



Emirates’ new destination: Durban


Dubai-based Emirates is reportedly to add Durban, South Africa as its 16th African destination. Flights will operate daily effective December 1 using A332 aircraft.

EK774 DXB - DUR: 0445 - 1125
EK775 DUR - DXB: 1315 - 2345

This entry was posted on Tuesday, May 6th, 2008

Angola: Transportadora aérea Taag inicia voos para o Dubai

Luanda, Angola, 07 Mai - A transportadora aérea angolana Taag inicia segunda-feira próxima a rota Luanda-Dubai, com a realização do seu voo inaugural, informou terça-feira em Luanda a agência noticiosa angolana Angop.

A Taag, que muito recentemente abriu rotas para Douala (Camarões) e outras cidades, vai efectuar duas frequências semanais na linha Luanda/Dubai, sendo a primeira à segunda-feira e a outra à sexta-feira.

Neste voo inaugural para Dubai, a companhia vai utilizar o Boeing 777, com capacidade para voar mais de 13 horas consecutivas e transportar 420 passageiros.

A TAAG faz voos internacionais para, entre outros destinos, Harare (Zimbabwe), Joanesburgo (África do Sul), Lusaka (Zâmbia), Brazzaville (Congo Brazzaville), Kinshasa (RD Congo), Lisboa (Portugal), Sal (Cabo Verde), São Tomé e Príncipe , Windhoek (Namíbia) e Rio de Janeiro (Brasil). (macauhub)

Air Ivoire has leased a 767 to fly 5x weekly to Paris Orly (2 of which go via Marseille and 1 is via Bordeaux). The aircraft will also operate once a week to Libreville via Lome).

Air Ivoire has leased a 767 to fly 5x weekly to Paris Orly (2 of which go via Marseille and 1 is via Bordeaux). The aircraft will also operate once a week to Libreville via Lome).

If peace had prevailed in CI, they would be flying a brand new A330-300 by now (which was ordered but later cancellled due to what happend to CI) .

Damn, if we could just turn back time....

Afrijet to begin commercial passenger operations

By David Amwa and Oyetunji Abioye
Published: Monday, 5 May 2008

Afrijet Airlines, one of the few airlines that met the recapitalisation requirement for commercial operation on both local and international routes is set to begin its passenger operations in May.

This was disclosed by the Executive Director of the airline, Alhaji Mohammed Tukur on Sunday in Lagos.

Tukur explained that would begin operations within Nigeria, as well as from Lagos to Lyon in France and Lagos to Madrid in Spain before the end of May.

He added that the airline, which had concentrated on cargo operations after recapitalisation exercise had concluded all arrangements to ensure smooth and efficient operations after takeoff.

“We want to begin our commercial passenger operation. The pressure is much on us to start. People are constantly asking when we want to start. So we think it is right we do that now,” he said.

Tukur said that the airline had updated its status on those routes as directed by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority.

He added that the airline had concluded discussions with a Spanish airline, Iberia, on how best they could cooperate to have a successful operation on the route.

He also said efforts were being made by Afrijet management to meet with Air France before the middle of May to consider how best they can come together to ensure hitch-free operations on the Lyon route.

Tukur explained that the airline had at the moment three aircraft ready for the operation while a fourth would be brought to the country in due course.

He said that the entry of the airline into passenger operation would have significant economic impact on the industry and Nigeria as a whole.

Similarly Capital Airlines, which has just been recapitalised, will on Monday (today) commence scheduled domestic flight.

The Managing Director of the airline, Mr. Amos Akpan, who said this in a statement on Sunday, stated that the primary focus was to move passengers from secondary airports to large airports in the country.

The aim, he said, was to complement the development strategies of state governments by opening air links between many parts of the country.

He said, “The aviation industry in Nigeria has undergone restructuring aimed at meeting standard international recommended practices. This has meant emphasis on safety, modern equipment, cooperation between regulatory bodies and the operators and re-certification of all Nigerian airlines.

“Capital Airlines identifies with this growth in the aviation industry but has gone a step further to accept the inevitability of Nigerian airlines cooperating as partners in areas of code sharing, unified operational procedures and alliances that enhance wider range of services for the traveling public.”

Tukur explained that would begin operations within Nigeria, as well as from Lagos to Lyon in France and Lagos to Madrid in Spain before the end of May.

Flying from Lagos to Madrid Ok... but flying from Lagos to Lyon in France???:lol:

Some updates



Highlights of Ethiopian’s upcoming summer schedule
May 20th, 2008

Here are highlights from Ethiopian’s posted upcoming summer schedule, with changes beginning in June:
- Cairo: daily, up from current 6x per week, with no daytime flights
- Khartoum: daily, with all flights to Cairo making a stop at KRT
- Lilongwe: daily, up from the current 4x per week. Flights will operate as part of a triangle route via Lusaka
- Harare: no change in frequency, but no stopover in Lusaka. Nonstop each way
- Douala: 5x per week, up from the current 4x per week
- Libreville: 5x per week, up from the current 4x per week
- Dubai: 19x per week, up from current 17 weekly
- Stockholm: 4x per week, up from the current 3x per week

Arik Air takes delivery of new aircraft from Boeing
May 19th, 2008

Arik Air reportedly took delivery of two new B73Gs from Boeing today.

TAAG inaugurates service to Dubai
May 16th, 2008

TAAG, Angola’s flag carrier, inaugurated service to Dubai this week with two weekly flights. Flights operate on Mondays and Fridays using B772s.

DT550 LAD - DXB: 1700 - 0300
DT551 DXB - LAD: 0500 - 0905


Air Tanzania to return to Dubai
May 16th, 2008


Air Tanzania will begin service between Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania and Dubai, UAE in mid June. Flights will operate 4x per week on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays using a leased A320 which it received at the begining of May.

TC300 DAR - DXB: 2030 - 0305
TC301 DXB - DAR: 0405 - 0840

TAAG seeks to increase its frequency to Brazil

http://www.angonoticias.com/full_headlines.php?id=19577

Flying from Lagos to Madrid Ok... but flying from Lagos to Lyon in France???:lol:

Yeah, I thought Lyon was strange too..I don't know how much traffic is expected on that route, Paris would have been a more reasonable option, or Zurich

Tunisair to buy 19 Airbus planes, including 16 firm orders as French President visits Tunis.


TUNIS – Tunisair has signed a deal to buy 19 Airbus planes, including 16 firm orders, France's junior minister for transport Dominique Bussereau said on Tuesday.

Of the sixteen firm orders, Tunis Air has ordered 10 A320 planes, three A350 planes and three A330 planes.

News of the deal emerged during the first day of a two-day visit to Tunisia by French President Nicolas Sarkozy, his first to the North African nation since taking office a year ago.


The also calls for an "industrial package" that would tie Tunisair with France's aeronautical industry.


French aviation equipment manufacturer Latecoere, a prime supplier to Airbus, announced in February that it was preparing the creation of a low-cost unit in North Africa.


Founded in 1948, Tunisair is one of the oldest of Africa's air carriers. It operates a fleet of 30 Airbus and Boeing aircraft which have an average age of seven years.


It shares the domestic market with two charter airliners -- Karthago Airlines and Nouvel Air.

Airbus is a unit of European aerospace group EADS

ALGERIA Air Algerie plans to acquire stakes in other African airline companies in order to develop destinations such as South Africa, Nigeria, the Horn of Africa and West Africa, local press quoted Air Algeria CEO Abdelwahid Bouabdallah as saying on Tuesday.

Bouabdallah added that the company has already placed an order for 12 new aircraft as part of its expansion programme.

Air Algerie

http://img2.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/6645253287.gif (http://www.freeimagehosting.net/)

Air Algérie is the national flag carrier airline of Algeria. Based in Algiers, it now flies thirteen Next-Generation Boeing 737, making it one of the largest operators of that model type in Africa.
Air Algérie operates scheduled international services to 39 destinations in 28 countries in Europe, North America, Africa, and the Middle East. It operates domestic services to 28 cities and towns, as well as charter services in support of oil exploration and the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca. Its main base is Houari Boumedienne Airport, Algiers.
Air Algérie carries over 6 million passengers a year.
Air Algérie is in the process of becoming a member of the SkyTeam airline alliance by late 2008 or 2009. Bilateral codesharing, frequent flyer and lounge agreements with each of the SkyTeam carriers must be in placebefore it can meet the alliance's membership requirements.

http://img2.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/a358950f14.jpg (http://www.freeimagehosting.net/)

Air Algerie fleet

The Air Algérie fleet consists of the following aircraft as of August 2007:


Aircraft  Total  Passengers
(First/Business*/Economy)  Routes  Notes 
Airbus A319-100 (7 orders) 136 (16/120) Deliveries: 2009, ex Air France
Airbus A330-202 5
(2 orders) 239 (12/32/195) Canada, France, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon,
Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates Renovation of the cabin, AVOD system 2008/2009
Boeing 737-6D6 5 101 (16/85) Domestic destinations, Italy, Libya, Luxembourg, Russia, Replacement aircraft Airbus A319-100
Boeing 737-8D6 10
(10 orders) 144 (24/120)
162 (48/114) Domestic destinations, Belgium, Burkina Faso, France, Germany,
Italy, Ivory Coast, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Senegal, Spain
Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkey, United Kingdom Deliveries: 2008
Boeing 767-3D6 3 235 (14/22/197) Belgium, France, United Kingdom Replacement aircraft Airbus A330-200
Boeing 777-200LR (2 orders) Beijing, Montreal and New York Delivery 2009
ATR 72-500 10
66 (66) Domestic destinations All Economy Class
Bombardier Dash 8 Q200 (4 orders) Domestic destinations Tassili Airlines fleet
Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 4
[8] 77 (77) Domestic destinations Tassili Airlines fleet


Air Algérie has been studying many different aircraft types to add to the fleet. For long haul routes, Air Algérie is considering the Boeing 777-200LR and the Boeing 787. For short-medium haul routes, Air Algérie is considering the Boeing 737-800 and the Airbus A319-100. Should they order any aircraft, it is expected that announcements will be made in 2008.

http://img2.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/6383f20dca.jpg (http://www.freeimagehosting.net/)

Arik orders 3 super jumbo B747-800 jets
Wednesday, May 21, 2008

In preparations for its intercontinental operations, Nigeria’s leading airline, Arik Air on Monday placed order for three B747-800 super jumbo jets at the Boeing headquarters in Seattle, Washington, USA.

Photo: Sun News Publishing

* More Stories on This Section

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This is in addition to the three B777-200LRs already on order to be delivered in 2013.

At the delivery of two additional B737-700NG event in Seattle Washington, USA, the President/Chief Executive Officer of Boeing, Scott Carson described the B747-800 order as historic, revealing that Arik is the first airline in Africa to place order for the yet-to-be manufactured aircraft which is expected to enter into service in 2014 and would cost the carrier close to a billion dollars.

Carson described Arik Air as the emerging airline of the African continent, judging from its audacious request for brand new aircraft and manpower investment.

The Executive Chairman of Arik Air, Sir Joseph Arumemi-Johnson, who announced the order in a dramatic manner said the airline will remain glued to the Boeing company for its commercial aviation requirements.

He noted that the carrier transverses the entire spectrum of fleet as sector segment offered by Boeing on the narrow body short haul fleet, to the intermediate twin-aisle long haul fleet, to the wide body long haul fleet and now the “big bird” with such complete and dedicated complements of aircraft, it is utterly imperative that Boeing continues to advance the commitment made to Arik and indeed the people of Nigeria.”

Arumemi-Johson explained that prior to the advent of Arik Air, air transportation within Nigeria had fallen into a maligned state of disrepair and destitution.

His words: “To be honest with you, Arik has only benefited from subsequent climate of change ushered in by the government of Nigerian and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). We, as a nation, are indebted to these leaders who laid the cornerstone for the transition which has and is occurring.”

The Arik boss appealed to Nigerian government to solve the infrastructure issues that plagued the aviation sector in Nigeria and blight the efforts being made by Nigerian operators.

He however drew the Nigerian government’s attention to the fact that the problem of terminals and infrastructure is resolved, the investments today stands at perilous risks, alongside the likes of the traveling public of Nigeria.

Speaking on safety, the government must look to address the ongoing issue of birds strike, adding that this menace continues to compromise operations and safety.

“Arik Air cannot grow in a vacuum, as it develops into the nation’s airline; it’s our desire to witness the complementary development of our CAA.”

He also appealed to Boeing to work with the NCAA in order to bring their systems and knowledge base up to date, while also imploring the aircraft giant to assist in providing training to the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria.

This, he said will not improve air safety but also help inculcate maintenance culture and airmanship.

It would be recalled that a high profile delivery ceremony in Seattle, the airline took delivery of two new B737-700NG while represents an additional investment of over $118.5 million each by the carrier.

The two new aircraft, however, departed Seattle for Lagos directly aftere the delivery ceremony and it’s expected to arrive Arik Air’s hangar today.

The aircraft is expected to commence sheduled commercial operations on June 1, covering Lagos, Abuja and Calabar routes.

The airline also has traffic rights to Italy, Spain and other European routes which it intends to service as soon as it takes delivery of the intercontinental aircraft.

The airline also intends to commence its Lagos-Houston operation with a wet-leased aircraft in December 2008.

More Promises from Arik...Is there any substance to the Lagos-Houston story?, Im concerned that Arik is not taking advantage of the void left by North American Airlines on the Lagos-NY-Baltimore leg

Kenya Airways to resume direct Nairobi-Paris flights
http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgcontententry.asp?category_id=3&newsid=123451

Story by NATION Correspondent
Publication Date: 5/17/2008

http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/images/news/bizins170508.jpg

Kenya Airways will resume direct flights to Paris on June 10 after a three months suspension following post-election violence.

The national carrier was forced to halt flights to the France capital following massive cancellations of bookings after the French Government issued a negative travel advisory to its citizens.

A statement from the airline, Friday said passengers will pay an introductory special discounted fare of $499, exclusive of taxes for the travel period next month.

The resumption of the direct flights is expected to boost tourism that experienced a slump following political uncertainty in January and February.

The violence, that his most parts of the country, was triggered by a disputed presidential elections result after last year’s General Election.

KQ suffered a sharp decline in bookings and cancellations after travellers stayed away fearing for their lives.

In June, Kenya Airways will fly twice a week to Charles De Gaulle Airport in Paris on Tuesday and Thursday and return to Nairobi on Wednesday and Sunday.

In July, the frequency of the flights will be increased to two a week with departures for Paris on every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday and return to Nairobi on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

Paris is an important connection to the rest of Europe and America via London and Amsterdam.

When he suspended the direct flights to Paris, Kenya Airways chief executive officer, Mr Titus Naikuni, said it was no longer profitable for the airline to operate on the route due to dwindling number of travellers.

But he said the carrier would closely monitor traveller trends every month and make appropriate decision.

“We will monitor the situation monthly and we are hopeful that we will resume direct Paris flights to the summer high season once travel advisory is removed,” he said.

Kenya Airways introduced direct flights to Paris in October 2006 following increased number of travelling on the route.

Gabon Airlines will open a new African route to Johannesburg on 15th of July 2008

http://www.gabonews.ga/publicite/gabon_airlines4.jpg

Over 10 airlines are grounded, we want change in the Aviation industry
Monday, 23 June 2008
Dr. Steve Mahonwu is the Chairman of Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON). Mahonwu recently spoke with Kenneth Ehigiator and Gabriel Abatan on the state of the Aviation sector in the country, especially as it affects airline operations.

Three years after the major accidents that hit the industry, how would you assess the state of aviation in Nigeria now?

The issue of the incidence or accident does not give notice. It does not say it would happen tomorrow or next tomorrow. When it chooses to happen, it happens. It is a divine occurrence that only God knows the answer. No super power, no advanced technology in aviation dynamics could put a stop to aviation incidence or accident. There must be an incidence to have an accident. Come what may, the issue of accident is being check-mated and we believe that with the advanced technology coming, the fatality of it would be reduced to the barest minimum.
OMG this guy needs to be fired last week. The interview actually get better, but I can't believe this guy would actually say this to a journalist, knowing that it would be published.

"When it chooses to happen, it happens." ?? STFU.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=10852&Itemid=0

Ethiopian airlines partners proposed West African carrier

The proposed West African Airline, due to take over from Air Africa, Nigeria Airways and Ghana Airways, is taking shape, with the choice of Ethiopia as a key partner.

The memorandum of understanding (MOU), signed 24 June in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, between Ethiopian Airlines and the new company, ASKY, "will arguably mark the his tory of the African air transport", the secretary general of the African Airline

Association (AFRAA), Christian Folly Kossi, who took part in the talks told PANA Saturday.

"It will set an example and contribute to the development of the South-South cooperation," Kossi said, pointing out that the choice of Ethiopian Airlines was a key advantage for the success of the operations of the new airline, which is expected to start operations later this year.

Under the MOU, Ethiopian Airlines will provide 20 per cent in the ASKY's share capital, described by its managing director Girma Wake, as collaboration and an " o pportunity", considering that Ethiopian Airlines has, for a long-time, been looking "to build a hub in West Africa, to better serve the region and link it to the rest of the world", the airline said in a statement.

Since operating its maiden flight in 1946, Ethiopian Airlines now links 50 destinations across the world, including 30 in Africa, which earned it several awards over the last two years.

Named Airline of the Year in 2006 and 2007 by the African Aviation Journal Review, the Ethiopian company was picked by the Ghanaian government and the African T i mes/USA Magazine as winner of the economic and financial success in 2007 due to its rapid growth rate and exceptional performance during the year.

Among the shareholders of ASKY, based in Lomé, Togo are the ECOBANK Group, the two leading development banks in the region - the ECOWAS Investment and Developm ent Bank (BIDC) and the West African Development Bank (BOAD) - as well as several economic operators from the private sector.

Kenya Airways increases flights on pan-African route


Nairobi, Kenya - Kenya Airways (KQ) will increase scheduled flights on a number of its African, Middle and Far East destinations, to offer the carrier's p assengers greater flexible timings in their travel plans, the airlines' newly-appointed commercial director Richard Nuttall said Tuesday.

Nuttall said the changes will mainly affect China, Dubai, Lusaka, Accra and the Lagos destinations.

KQ introduced the day-time departures for its Bombay-bound passengers, who will now be able to fly out during the day on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, at 08 00 hours.

The traditional night departures still apply for Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, the airline stated, pointing out that the move was bound to benefit its passengers from Monrovia and Free Town.

The new schedule also provides double daily flights on both the Dubai and Lusaka routes, a service that was previously only offered by KQ between Nairobi and Johannesburg.

"All these changes will take effect from July 2008 and aim to provide flexible options to our passengers," said Nuttall.

The Lusaka route, for instance, will now offer a full business day, said Nuttall.

Passengers can leave Nairobi at 0810 hours on Monday, work the whole day and return overnight Tuesday at 0615hours.

China has received the lion's share of the new flights. The destination now has six scheduled weekly flights, up from four.

Four of the flights will connect China through Dubai, while the additional two will fly via Bangkok.

Hong Kong route increased from three weekly flights to four, all via Bangkok, bringing the total flights to Bangkok to six, from the previous three.

Flights to China via Bangkok will depart JKIA at 2200 hours Tuesdays and Thursdays with a one-hour ten minutes stop-over at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport.

The flight will arrive at the Baiyun Airport in Guangzhou, China at 1645 hours, local time on Wednesdays and Fridays while the return flight will leave Guangzhou through Bangkok and arrive JKIA at 0615 hours on Wednesdays and Fridays

In addition to Lusaka, KQ will now fly seven times to both Accra and Lagos, up from the previous six a week, because of an extra flight that has been added on each of the routes.

Consequently, KQ flight 508 will depart JKIA for Accra on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays at 0805 hours to arrive in Accra at 1045 hours, local time and then p roceed to Monrovia.

Similarly, KQ flight 510 will also leave JKIA for Accra on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays at 0805 hours to arrive Accra at 1045 hours and then proceed to Freetown.

The return flights will arrive at JKIA the following morning at 0600 hours and 0610 hours respectively.

The Wednesday and Friday Lagos flights will depart JKIA at 0715 hours to arrive Murtala Muhammad International Airport at 1015 hours and will be expected at JKIA the same days at 1830 hours local time.

The evening flights will leave JKIA on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays at 1915 hours and arrive in Lagos at 2215 hours, local time, arriving in JKIA the following mornings at 0630 hours.

Arik Begins Flight to Heathrow
07.14.2008

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One of Nigeria ’s domestic carriers, Arik Air, has been granted a slot to fly into Heathrow Airport in London and would soon begin operation to that major European city.
This was disclosed in a press statement from the airline, signed by the media officer, Adebanjo Ola, who said that the news of the approval of the slot was made known by the Chairman of Arik, Sir Joseph Arumemi Johnson, weekend.
The statement said that the British aviation authorities have finally granted the Nigerian flag carrier the slot at the Heathrow Airport and direct flight will commence in November this year.
“I am happy to announce to you that we have been granted four slots at Heathrow Airport but we are still pushing for more so that we can fly to London every day of the week”, the chairman was quoted as saying.
According to the statement, discussions had been going on between Nigeria and the UK government on the need to allow the Nigerian carriers that have been designated on the Lagos-London route, to fly into Heathrow instead of Gatwick or Stanstead Airports.
“In preparation for its first international flight to London , the airline will soon take delivery of three brand new Airbus A340-500 aircraft which will start arriving this October;” he said adding that the first two of wide bodied aircraft are due in Nigeria in October while the third would come in December.
“We are already discussing the configuration of the aircraft with Airbus. We expect to have 30 first class, premium class and 230 economy seat configuration”, the chairman added.

The statement said that to cement the business relationship between Arik Air and the France-based aircraft manufacturer, Airbus, it is expected that the latest plane in its service, A380, would be coming to Nigeria on a demonstration flight especially for Arik Air when the A340-500 were being delivered.

The airline also stated that an Airbus team which was made up of David Dufrenois, Vice President Sales, North and West Africa ; and John Parkinson, Area Sales Director, Customer Affairs was at Arik Air on October 10, 2007, to do a presentation on the A350 XWB and A380 aircraft.

“The presentation by the Airbus team dealt on the Airbus family, the capabilities and basic advantages of the aircraft over its competitors.”
:banana::banana::banana:

Star Alliance hopes to coordinate African network
Monday July 14, 2008

Star Alliance CEO Jaan Albrecht told ATWOnline alongside the EgyptAir induction ceremony in Cairo that Star is committed to increasing its presence in Africa and better coordinating the continent's fragmented network.

"Now we have a dual gateway with MS and [South African Airways] in Cairo and Johannesburg. There are 305 airports and a population of 900 million people, but just 16,000 weekly flights are offered within Africa," he said.

EgyptAir officially became Star's 21st member Friday (ATWOnline, July 11) following a nine-month integration period (ATWOnline, April 4). "The economic and business climate of Africa is getting the world's attention. Star Alliance is well positioned to serve the business interests of the continent by having EgyptAir in the north, South African Airways in the south and nine other member airlines flying to Africa," Albrecht said in a statement.

MS and SAA are Africa's largest carriers in terms of capacity, fleet and passengers, followed by Royal Air Maroc, Kenya Airways and Ethiopian Airlines. Star holds a 22% market share in Africa, followed by SkyTeam's 17% (with KQ) and oneworld with just 7%.

Star is evaluating the possibility that MS and SAA might cooperate to create transfer points in Central Africa to boost intra-continental travel. The alliance also is reshuffling its schedule in Cairo to create more efficient flight connections and will benefit when the airport's new dedicated Terminal 3 opens this fall with the capacity to serve 11 million passengers per year.

The 11 Star members currently serving Africa fly to 78 destinations in 36 countries. Albrecht denied that the alliance is discussing membership with Ethiopian, which is working on bilateral agreements with alliance members like Lufthansa (ATWOnline, April 5, 2007).

Meanwhile, SAA still is reconstructing its own network (ATWOnline, May 26). "With the closure of our Capetown-Frankfurt route, we are getting back to our core network that we can build on," SAA Head of Network Development, Alliances and Aeropolitical Affairs Jason Krause said. It has no further route cuts planned.

SAA is looking to lease three A319s/A320s and three A340-300s that will replace A340-200s. Krause said it favors the -300 over the A340-600 because the lighter aircraft is more fuel efficient. It is studying the possibility of launching service to China but would require an aircraft to operate the route nonstop.

MS's fleet of 50 aircraft is scheduled to increase to 75 by 2013. It carried more than 6.8 million passengers in the 10 months ended April 30, up 20% year-over-year.

by Kurt Hofmann

Babcock & Brown leases 2 aircraft to Ethiopian


Babcock & Brown says it leased 2 Boeing 757s used by ATA to Ethiopian Airlines at better rate
July 14, 2008: 11:00 AM EST

NEW YORK (Associated Press) - Babcock & Brown Air Ltd., which buys and leases commercial jets, said Monday it has leased and delivered two Boeing 757-200 aircraft to Ethiopian Airlines for five years at a rate higher than that charged to the last leaseholder, ATA Airlines Inc.

ATA discontinued operations in April after filing for bankruptcy protection.

In addition, Babcock & Brown said it is in discussions with several parties over two additional aircraft that ATA had used.

Shares of Ireland-based Babcock & Brown declined 26 cents, or 2.6 percent, to $9.58. Top of page

http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/apwire/08adf6722bd47229df75e25124c3f438.htm

I've always been fascinated by Ethiopian Airlines, has it been profitable in the last 5-10 years? It seems like a well run company that offers quite good service. It provides many inter African services with various stop overs that provide for many non Ethiopian citizens. The same is applied to as a mini East African hub to the Middle East and Asia. But considering that Addis Abba is no financial hub (even for east Africa) does it make money? When I was in Lagos 3 years back I was supposed to take an Ethiopian Airlines that continued on to Accra. The Plane never arrived, the reason? Plane was too full so it didn't stop in Lagos! Hardly the professional service I've come to hear.

http://www.buitenbedrijf.nl/home/Afbeeldingen/Logo%20Royal%20Air%20Maroc

Royal Air Maroc fleet

Average mail

6 Boeing B737-400
6 Boeing B737-500
6 Boeing B737-700
16 Boeing B737-800
4 Airbus A321-200

Long mail

1 Boeing B747-400
2 Boeing B757-200
3 Boeing B767-300 ER

Cargo liner

2 Boeing B737-200

Destinations :

Royal Air Maroc Flight route map in africa and arabia

http://www.mynetbizz.com/pages/airlines/royal-air-maroc/royal-air-maroc-flight-route-map.jpg

Maroc : Agadir, Dakhla, Essaouira, Fès, Laayoune, Marrakech, Nador, Ouarzazate, Oujda, Tanger, Errachidia.
Afrique : Abidjan, Accra, Alger, Bamako, Brazzaville, Le Caire, Conakry, Cotonou, Dakar, Douala,kinshasa, Libreville, Lomé, Malabo, Niamey, Nouakchott, Oran, Ouagadougou, Tripoli, Tunis, Monrovia , Yaounde, Freetown.
Europe : Amsterdam, Barcelone, Bologne, Bordeaux, Bruxelles, Düsseldorf, Francfort, Genève, Istanbul, Lille, Londres-Heathrow, Montpellier, Nantes, Nice, Strasbourg, Rome-Fiumicino, Milan-Malpensa, Lyon, Madrid, Marseille, Bâle-Mulhouse (par Atlas Blue), Paris, Zurich, Toulouse, Turin , Seville , Malaga , Valence , Lisbonne, Las Palmas.
Amérique : Montréal, New York.
Moyen-Orient: Beyrouth, Djeddah, Riyad, Abu Dhabi (en code share avec Etihad) ,Dubaï (en code share avec Emirates)

I've always been fascinated by Ethiopian Airlines, has it been profitable in the last 5-10 years? It seems like a well run company that offers quite good service. It provides many inter African services with various stop overs that provide for many non Ethiopian citizens. The same is applied to as a mini East African hub to the Middle East and Asia. But considering that Addis Abba is no financial hub (even for east Africa) does it make money? When I was in Lagos 3 years back I was supposed to take an Ethiopian Airlines that continued on to Accra. The Plane never arrived, the reason? Plane was too full so it didn't stop in Lagos! Hardly the professional service I've come to hear.



Yes, Ethiopian Airlines is a very profitable airline.
Unfortunately, its service is really spotty so I'm not surprised you experienced that. I've heard many similar stories, although they were on the domestic routes.
Here is the first article I came across during a quick search on Google. There are a lot of them but I don't have time to look right now.

African airlines register traffic decline

Joseph Olanyo

Kampala

African airlines have continued to register a decline in traffic carried and capacity provided in the face of high and rising fuel prices, a global air transport report has said.

International Air Transport Association’s (IATA’s), monthly analysis of global demand for passenger and freight air transport recently reflected a loss of market share and the reduction of unprofitable capacity.

It said some North African airlines are still expanding capacity as are Middle Eastern, US and some European airlines serving these markets.

However, the report contends that traffic to and from Africa is still growing at a reasonably strong pace reflecting continued growth in trade and economic growth in many of the continent’s economies.

“The high price of oil is re-shaping the industry. The major shifts in traffic flows experienced during May reflect this,” said Giovanni Bisignani, IATA’s Director General and Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

The report notes that during May, jet fuel averaged $160 per barrel—87 percent higher than the same time in 2007. By comparison, crude prices averaged $123 per barrel—an 81 percent increase.

“Jet fuel margins are increasing the impact of skyrocketing oil prices for the aviation industry. Unit costs are up 20-30 per cent and that is going to take its toll on the bottom line”.

“Efficiency everywhere is the imperative. That must be understood by governments, labour and our industry partners,” said Bisignani.

Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways and Air Uganda and some of the airlines operating in the region. Despite the decline, Ethiopian Airlines, the fastest growing African carrier, defied the odds and instead announced profits in its latest report.

According to a report released in May, Ethiopian Airlines recorded strong results in many of its performance parameters during the nine months of the fiscal year 2007/08. Based on the preliminary reports, Ethiopian generated 6.6 billion birr operating revenue during the nine months which is 29 percent up from last year.

A net profit of 484 million birr is recorded for this period, higher than the same period last year. Ethiopian transported 1.9 million passengers, a 19 percent increase as compared to the previous year.

“This performance was achieved as a result of the hard work and dedication of Ethiopian employees, astute leadership of the management team, the strong support from the Airline’s customers and other stakeholders,” said Mr Ato Girma Wake, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ethiopian in a report posted on the airline’s website.

The substantial improvements in revenue and traffic growth were attributed mainly the apparent capacity growth in terms of increased frequency, introduction of new flights on the international sector, from cargo revenue as well as other service categories.

As you can see, it's doing very well.

16 new Aircrafts for Tunis Air

North African airline Tunisair has signed a contract with Airbus for three A350-800s, three A330-200s and ten A320s here at the Farnborough Air Show, as part of an important fleet development plan to modernize and expand the airline.

Tunisair is the third African airline to order the all-new A350XWB (Xtra Wide-Body) following an initial agreement announced last April. The 60-year-old airline already has 12 A320s, four A319s, and three A300-600s in operation.

The new, eco-efficient A350s will serve long-haul routes to North America and Asia. Meanwhile, the A330s will allow the airline to modernize its wide-body fleet before entering the long haul market. The A320s on the other hand will allow Tunisair to renew and expand its regional operations with more efficient and cost effective aircraft.

"With this firm order, Tunisair underlines its positive business outlook and can now start putting its plans into action and prepare for the future, both nearer and further out, with the right aircraft," Nabil Chettaoui, president and CEO of Tunisair group, said.

"We are very proud of this renewed trust from Tunisair, which shows the value and strength of the Airbus Family concept, bringing operational commonality into their fleet and allowing for important cost savings and fleet efficiency," Fabrice Bregier, Airbus chief operating officer, said.

"Tunisair was one of our first customers. It has accompanied Airbus since its early days and grown with us. We are very happy to further strengthen our close ties well into the future," he added.

Tunisair placed its first order in 1980 for an Airbus A300B4. It has built up its Airbus fleet, with the first A320 order placed in 1988, one of the first orders for the type in Africa. The airline was the first to start operating this aircraft type in Africa

Yes, Ethiopian Airlines is a very profitable airline.
Unfortunately, its service is really spotty so I'm not surprised you experienced that. I've heard many similar stories, although they were on the domestic routes.
Here is the first article I came across during a quick search on Google. There are a lot of them but I don't have time to look right now.



As you can see, it's doing very well.

Wow, those are pretty good figures, especially with oil over 100 dollars a barrel. The main reason for my inquiry into Ethiopian Airlines profitability has more to do with the nature of it's services. Most of its international routes (particularly long haul) operate with tag ons and multi stops. Now it's a smart direction considering that inter African traffic is quite low, so their providing much needed demand. However at the same time it's not cost effective at 131 dollar oil.

http://arizainc.tripod.com/av_juanv.jpg

Royal Air Maroc sees 1st Boeing 787 delivery delayed 1 year to end-2009

CASBLANCA (Thomson Financial) - Moroccan airline Royal Air Maroc is expecting around a year's delay in the delivery of the Boeing Co 787 aircraft it has ordered, executive vice president commercial and customer services Abderrafia Zouitene said.

The Casablanca-based airline was due to take delivery of the aircraft from October this year but is now expecting them 'at the end of 2009,' Zouitene told reporters.

Royal Air Maroc currently has five 787s on order.

Boeing said it was redesigning the part of the 787 where the wings are attached to the aircraft and that it expected to deliver the first jet, also called the Dreamliner, sometime early next year, without giving an exact timescale.

Royal Air Maroc is currently in talks with Boeing over the exact delivery schedule and the possibility of compensation - 'because the delays cost us money', Zouitene said.

The 787 aircraft will be used to improve RAM's service on existing routes including US and Canadian destinations as well as expanding its network, Zouitene said, adding that Berlin and Moscow are possible destinations. The airline was the first to comand and to start operating this aircraft type in Africa.

http://www.buitenbedrijf.nl/home/Afbeeldingen/Logo%20Royal%20Air%20Maroc

Royal Air Maroc fleet

Average mail

6 Boeing B737-400
6 Boeing B737-500
6 Boeing B737-700
16 Boeing B737-800
4 Airbus A321-200

Long mail

1 Boeing B747-400
2 Boeing B757-200
3 Boeing B767-300 ER

Cargo liner

2 Boeing B737-200

Destinations :

Royal Air Maroc Flight route map in africa and arabia

http://www.mynetbizz.com/pages/airlines/royal-air-maroc/royal-air-maroc-flight-route-map.jpg

Maroc : Agadir, Dakhla, Essaouira, Fès, Laayoune, Marrakech, Nador, Ouarzazate, Oujda, Tanger, Errachidia.
Afrique : Abidjan, Accra, Alger, Bamako, Brazzaville, Le Caire, Conakry, Cotonou, Dakar, Douala,kinshasa, Libreville, Lomé, Malabo, Niamey, Nouakchott, Oran, Ouagadougou, Tripoli, Tunis, Monrovia , Yaounde, Freetown.
Europe : Amsterdam, Barcelone, Bologne, Bordeaux, Bruxelles, Düsseldorf, Francfort, Genève, Istanbul, Lille, Londres-Heathrow, Montpellier, Nantes, Nice, Strasbourg, Rome-Fiumicino, Milan-Malpensa, Lyon, Madrid, Marseille, Bâle-Mulhouse (par Atlas Blue), Paris, Zurich, Toulouse, Turin , Seville , Malaga , Valence , Lisbonne, Las Palmas.
Amérique : Montréal, New York.
Moyen-Orient: Beyrouth, Djeddah, Riyad, Abu Dhabi (en code share avec Etihad) ,Dubaï (en code share avec Emirates)

I wish they would fly beyond francophone Africa. It would greatly improve flight connectivity within the continent.

I wish they would fly beyond francophone Africa. It would greatly improve flight connectivity within the continent.

esp in east africa, they wud add to the competition which will mean lower fares. btw what is the airline with the most connected btn african cities? SAA?

I believe Ethiopian Airlines is the one with the most destinations on the continent.

The continent desperately needs more airlines. Fares are absolutely ridiculous! It costs about $2000 for a round trip Washington DC - Addis Ababa ticket with Ethiopian Airlines. It gets even more expensive if it's peak season. :ohno: I tried getting one at Christmas and it was close to $3000. Hell no!

I believe Ethiopian Airlines is the one with the most destinations on the continent.

The continent desperately needs more airlines. Fares are absolutely ridiculous! It costs about $2000 for a round trip Washington DC - Addis Ababa ticket with Ethiopian Airlines. It gets even more expensive if it's peak season. :ohno: I tried getting one at Christmas and it was close to $3000. Hell no!

Yeah I counted Ethiopian Airlines having some 27 African destinations while South African Airways only has 21. Ethiopian is blessed to be better placed geographically and has used it's operations to connect various African cities. That said I bet South African Airways transports more people due to the fact that most of their services are direct and do not operate with more than one stop. Ethiopian Airlines actually has very few direct African services. But it's strategy seems to be working and it's great that they offer much needed demand. It seems very similar to Panama's airline Copa. They have made Panama city a hub connecting Latin America to the U.S with cheaper prices. A very well run airline.

Regarding prices, it's very ironic that usually traveling to poorer countries is a lot more expensive than between two wealthy ones. Unfortunately frequencies aren't that high but demand is so airlines make a ton.

Yeah I counted Ethiopian Airlines having some 27 African destinations while South African Airways only has 21. Ethiopian is blessed to be better placed geographically and has used it's operations to connect various African cities. That said I bet South African Airways transports more people due to the fact that most of their services are direct and do not operate with more than one stop. Ethiopian Airlines actually has very few direct African services. But it's strategy seems to be working and it's great that they offer much needed demand. It seems very similar to Panama's airline Copa. They have made Panama city a hub connecting Latin America to the U.S with cheaper prices. A very well run airline.

Regarding prices, it's very ironic that usually traveling to poorer countries is a lot more expensive than between two wealthy ones. Unfortunately frequencies aren't that high but demand is so airlines make a ton.

i just counted kenya airways and they have 27 destinations in africa.

Here are the African destinations (30 including Addis and Dire Dawa which are both international airports):

Abidjan, Accra, Addis Ababa, Bamako, Brazzaville, Bujumbura, Cairo, Dakar, Dar es Salaam, Dire Dawa, Djibouti, Douala, Entebbe, Hargeisa, Harare, Johannesburg, Juba, Khartoum, Kigali, Kilimanjaro, Kinshasa, Lagos, Libreville, Lilongwe, Lome, Luanda, Lusaka, N’Djamena, Nairobi, Zanzibar.

http://www.ethiopianairlines.com/network/international.aspx

Alex Roney, you're right, SAA transports some 6-7 million a year while EAL got only 1.9 million last year.

UAE airline to launch new Congo national carrier
Reuters

18 jul. 08 - 09.44h


KINSHASA (Reuters) - United Arab Emirates-based RAK Airways plans to launch a new national airline in Democratic Republic of Congo within three months, a company representative said on Thursday.

RAK Airways, promoted by the government of tiny Ras Al Khaimah (RAK), will invest around $160 million and hold a 60 percent stake in the joint venture with the Congolese state.

Ras Al Khaimah is part of the oil-exporting United Arab Emirates (UAE) federation, which also includes Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

In addition to domestic routes and flights to Ras Al Khaimah, the new company, expected to be called Air Congo, will service several African destinations yet to be determined, with a fleet of nine aircraft.

"It's all or nothing. You really need to come with all the means, otherwise you won't be able to cover such a vast territory," RAK Airways' representative in Congo, Marc Orphanides told Reuters.

Orphanides said the airline was also looking into establishing long-haul flights to two destinations in China via its hub in the UAE.

The venture is the latest foray by the tiny emirate into the vast mineral-rich former Belgian colony. Last month, Rakeen Congo Ltd, a subsidiary of the state-sponsored property developer, broke ground on construction projects in the capital Kinshasa valued at $540 million.

RAK Minerals and Metals Congo, operated by Ras Al Khaimah's investment authority, is already involved in copper and cobalt exploration in Katanga province, Congo's mineral heartland.

Few passable roads traverse Congo, which has been blighted by decades of war, forcing the country's impoverished people to rely on often unsafe boats and planes to travel.

Congo has one of the worst air safety records in the world.

In April, at least 21 people were killed when a passenger jet slammed into a busy market after failing to take off from the eastern city of Goma. The accident was the country's fifth fatal plane crash in less than a year.

All Congolese airlines are currently on a European Union blacklist of companies banned from flying to European destinations.

Orphanides said Air Congo would need to be cleared by the EU before serving destinations outside Africa -- a process he said could take six months to a year.

RAK Airways, launched two and a half years ago, is the UAE's third-largest carrier, with international routes to Colombo, Dhaka, Kolkata, Beirut, and Sofia.

Cape Verdean archipelago has new airline

Praia, Cape Verde, 21 July – Cape Verde’s new airline – Halcyonair-Cabo Verde Airways – Friday received its Air Operator Certification from the Aviation Agency (AAC) allowing it to start operating, according to news agency Panapress.

Halcyonair - Cabo Verde Airways, which is the result of the initiative of some tourism companies in Cape Verde, is mainly Cape Verde-owned and includes tourist organisations from all of the archipelago’s islands.

This new airline is set up at a time when more than 2,000 new beds are due to be come available in Cape Verde, generating the need for 10 more international flights, and over 30 inter-island flights.

According to its promoters, Halcyonair, with headquarters on Sal Island, was set up with a view to filling the deficit of regional flights in Cape Verde and in links to the African mainland.

The new airline is the third on the archipelago after state-owned TACV and Cabo Verde Expresso, a charter company flying between the islands and Cape Verde and the African mainland. (macauhub)


http://www.macauhub.com.mo/en/news.php?ID=5754

One of the major private airlines in Tunisia

http://www.karthagoairlines.com/KARTHAGOAIRLINES/images_site/karthago_infos_compagnie_equipe_somme_vous.jpg

Karthago airlines is a private charter airline company, created in 2001, and introduced to the Tunisian stock market in summer 2005.

The company operates with a fleet of 6 aircrafts type Boeing 737-300 offering 148 seats and flight autonomy of 5 hours.
Karthago airlines operate with the most prestigious tour operators from France, Germany, Italy, Scandinavia, Belgium and Czech Republic etc...

Karthago Airlines deserves presently around 20 European destinations and transported number of passengers increased by 15.6% from 556000 passengers in 2005 to 645000 passengers in 2006. The company is planning for 2007 to fly with 900000 passengers

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/b0/Sevenair_logo.png/250px-Sevenair_logo.png

In french : New airline company created in November 2007

Dans le cadre du développement de la région du nord-ouest notamment dans le secteur touristique et conformément aux instructions du Président Zine El Abidine BEN ALI, SEVENAIR lance à compter du mercredi 19 mars 2008 un vol régulier quotidien entre la Capitale et la Cité du Corail (Tunis-Tabarka).



Cet appareil sera également opérationnel sur la ligne quotidienne Tunis-Tozeur assurée par SEVENAIR en activité complémentaire de son programme actuel.



La flotte de SEVENAIR compte à ce jour un CRJ 900 de 88 sièges, trois ATR 72 de 70 sièges chacun et un Beechcraft de 19 sièges.

Au mois de mai prochain, cette flotte sera à nouveau renforcée par l’arrivée d’un nouvel ATR 72-500 totalement neuf identique en tous points à celui déjà reçu en juillet 2007.

Another new low -cost company : JETSBA


http://www.jetsba.com/images/logomirror.jpg

The company will start at the delivery of the new Enfidha Airport in October 2009 .

Nouvelair : private owned company


http://www.airclipper.com/A320_TS-INB_Nouvelair_MXP_Pontarolo.jpg


Nouvelair , Tunisia's Private Companywith more than 1.5 million passengers a yaer was founded in 1989 under the name of Air Liberte Tunisie .


The fleet is made up of 14 Airbus( 12 A320 177 seats and 2 A321 215 seats )

ENFIDHA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (TUNISIA)



http://img390.imageshack.us/img390/3459/enfidha01mv3.jpg

http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh132/antar07/tav1.jpg

http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh132/antar07/tav1-1.jpg

Construction of New Enfidha International Airport in Tunisia
Commencement Date: June 2007
Completion Date: October 2009

Facts & Figures

Terminal Design Capacity: 5,000,000 passengers per year
Est. Terminal Capacity in 40 Years: 20,000,000 passengers per year
Building Construction Site Area: 130,000 m²
Airside Construction Site Area: 2.000.000 m²
Landside Construction Site Area: 800.000 m²
Total Airport Area: 5,800 ha.
Terminal Footprint Area: 44,000 m²
Terminal Usage Area: 90,000 m²
Car Park Area: 52,000 m²
Car Park Capacity: 804 vehicles
Passenger Boarding Bridges: 18 units
Connected Apron Area: 72,000 m²
Connected Apron Capacity: 18 aircraft
Remote Apron Area: 57,000 m²
Remote Apron Capacity: 14 aircraft stands
Runway Length: 3,300 meters
Runway Width: 60 meters
Total Taxiway Length: 13,000 meters
Taxiway Width: 25 mt
Total Filling Volume: 8.500.000 m3
Total Asphalt Quantity: 700.000 ton
Total Subbase Quantity: 1.000.000 ton
Total Excavation Volume: 3.000.000 m3
Total Earthworks Quantity: 11.500.000 m3

ATC Tower Height: 90 mt

http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh132/antar07/enfidha_3.jpg


In recent years Tunisia has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in Africa. The attraction of the Sahara Desert, its temperate climate, bright skies, fine hotels and beach resorts, golf courses and other features make it a must-see country for adventure-seeking travelers, particularly Europeans.

In order to handle the increase in air traffic, Tunisia’s Ministry of Communications, Technology and Transport, along with the Tunisian Airport Authority (OACA), made the bold decision to erect a world-class airport on a 6,500-hectare site in Enfidha, in the heart of the country’s primary northeast tourist region. In being awarded the tender, TAV Construction and TAV Airports Holding beat out some of the world’s leading airport building and operation companies. The BOT tender, a 40-year concession, also includes the operation of the existing nearby Monastir Airport, about 60 km away, thereby eliminating any unnecessary competition between the two facilities.

Situated approximately 80 km south of the capital city Tunis, the new airport will be an architectural and aesthetic wonder, boasting of the latest technology and first class facilities and services, both for passengers and the airlines themselves.

The terminal will be over 90,000 m² area and is originally designed for a capacity of 7,000,000 passengers annually. With future expansion it will be able to accommodate up to 22,000,000 travelers per year by the middle of the century. The initial work will include a total connected apron area of 72,000 m² with a capacity to handle 18 aircraft. The remote apron area will cover 57,000 m², sufficient for 14 airplanes. The runway length will be 3,300 meters, while the width will total 75 meters.

In all, 18 passenger boarding bridges will be built, along with check-in counters, baggage carousels, immigration and customs booths, etc. commensurate with the size of the airport. Every traveler’s need has been thought about in detail and the airport will feature shops, boutiques, restaurants, cafes and every other service imaginable. The finished work will ensure safe, comfortable and enjoyable travel for all who come to this enchanting land.

http://www.archi-mag.com/pics/enfidha_5.jpg

http://www.btponet.com.tn/histoire-projet/14_image.jpg

http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh132/antar07/enfidha_9.jpg

http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh132/antar07/enfidha_10.jpg

http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh132/antar07/enfidha_12.jpg

Very nice airport!

Ritght I like too !!!

hoepfully it will turns out even better in real !!!:)

According to A.net Hainain have terminated their Beijing-Dubai-Luanda service but have applied to serve Cairo and Joburg. Both flights will originate from Beijing but the Joburg flight will be via Guangzhou.

Why not call this thread Kenya aviation news? So boring it's all about Nairobi and Kenya.

just FYI nairobi is a major city in africa and is a major player in african aviation i.e one of the leading africa's airlines and a strategically important airport, so many african aviation news will have something to do with nairobi.

Ethiopian airlines partners proposed West African carrier
sweet! What does that mean to "replace" those other airlines?
are they not in business anymore?

Durban targets more international airlines

Durban International Airport in South Africa is set to launch an initiative designed to encourage more long-haul airlines to offer services to the city.

The provincial tourism authority of KwaZulu-Natal and Airports Company SA will offer a number of incentives to attract carriers to Durban, reports Business Day.

With fuel prices rising and global economic problems having an influence on public demand for flights, many airlines flying to South Africa have limited their services to more established hubs such as Cape Town and Johannesburg.

However, Ndabo Khoza, chief executive of the KwaZulu-Natal Tourism Authority, was confident that the situation would improve over the coming years.

"The economic situation is not permanent and we will continue lobbying airlines to add Durban to their networks," he said.

Emirates announced plans earlier this year to begin flying to Durban but, despite strong early demand for the service, was forced to abandon the initiative as a result of rising fuel costs.

While Durban is yet to secure the services of any international airlines, Johannesburg's OR Tambo International, South Africa's largest airport, is served by British Airways, Air France, Kenya Airways and others.

http://www.justtheflight.co.uk/news/18699536-durban-targets-more-international-airlines.html

Ethiopian Air to Add Six New Aircraft to its Fleet


Friday, August 15, 2008

Girma Wake, CEO, Ethiopian Airlines has announced plans to buy six new aircraft to improve its domestic services.

"Our aim is to upgrade our 16 domestic routes throughout the country by adding new aircraft with a capacity between 70 to 80 seats," Mr Wake told a news conference.

"Such planes would allow passengers to fly in comfort and would also help the airlines to generate more income," he said.

Mr Wake continued to say that Ethiopian was evaluating offers from Canada's Bombardier, CATIC International of China, Embraer of Brazil, French-Italian ATR, Sukhoi Super Jet and Mitsubishi.

Following the purchase of the six new aircraft, the airline will have 13 planes servicing domestic routes.

The African carrier currently owns 32 aircraft which serves 50 international destinations.

Ethiopian Airlines is in the process of adding ten Boeing 787S to its fleet which will be delivered in 2009.

LINKS:
http://www.etravelblackboard.com/showarticle.asp?id=81008&nav=2
http://africa.reuters.com/business/news/usnBAN155960.html


_

More news


V Australia applies for Sydney–Johannesburg service
July 23rd, 2008

V Australia has reportedly applied for 5x per week service between Sydney, Australia to Johannesburg, South Africa.


Arik Air orders more B737s
July 16th, 2008

Arik Air has increased its order for B737s to 17 from its last order of ten.:cheers: The airline also has five B773s and seven B789s on order.




EgyptAir formally joins Star
July 14th, 2008

EgyptAir formally joined Star Alliance on Friday, becoming the 21st member of the group.

Posted in EgyptAir | No Comments »
Arik Air granted Heathrow slots
July 14th, 2008

Arik Air has been reportedly granted four slots at London Heathrow, with service expected to start in November. The airline is also working on securing additional slots that would allow it to serve Heathrow daily.


Ethiopian and Asky to form strategic partnership
July 3rd, 2008

Ethiopian Airlines and newly formed West African airline “Asky” have reportedly signed an MoU to form a strategic partnership which will see Asky operating out of a new hub in Lome, Togo. Ethiopian will hold a stake of up to 20% in the new airline which is expected to take flight before the end of 2008, operating up to 8 leased aircraft on local, regional and long haul routes.

August 18, 2008: Delta Airlines has set up offices in the country in preparations to begin direct flight operations between Kenya and the US mid next year.

Talking to Business Daily Ms Jane Mwangi, Delta’s marketing and sales agent, said since opening its doors the office has been abuzz with enquiries on when the flights would begin and passengers wanting to make bookings on one of their partner airlines so as to connect with Delta either in another hub or in one of their US domestic flights.

“There are a lot of expectations from Delta mainly due to the idea of direct flights to the US excites the market,” she said. The office also handles all passenger issues arising from the airline including change of tickets, refunds, baggage loss among others.

The American airline still has its eyes on the Kenyan market despite having delayed its inaugural flight twice.

Last month the airline opened a ticket sales office in the city centre to cater for all the inquiries about the coming of the airline and to issue out tickets for any passenger wishing to connect to the airline in any of the other towns it operates from, especially Dubai and Johannesburg.


Country oversight
The Kenyan office, located at Ambank House, will be charged with overseeing five other countries including Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi and Ethiopia where currently Ms Mwangi and her team are carrying out training for travel agents.

The first training was held at the end of July for the Kenyan agents with Tanzanian agents being trained this week.

The American airline was scheduled to begin flights mid 2008, but this was delayed to December and has now been pushed to mid next year. The postponement was attributed to the political violence that broke out in the country earlier this year.

The airline is expected to reduce the hustle of travelling to the US. It will offer four flights a week via Dakar, Senegal.

“Dakar is our African hub and we shall be making a one and a half stop over here and refuelling our planes,” Ms Mwangi said.

The airline will be operating a Boeing 767-400 that will require a refuelling stop over. Passengers travelling on the airline from South Africa also have to stop in Dakar.

In May 2008, the Kenyan and US government signed an open skies agreement that will enable the expansion and liberalisation of the bilateral civil aviation relations between the two countries, with tourism being one of the major winners.


Four hubs
Delta Airlines is one of the biggest airlines in the US offering flights to over 300 destinations. It mainly operates four hubs in the US from where passengers are ferried in Delta Connection, which caters for the US domestic market.

Due to the saturation of aviation in the US, Delta has been expanding in the past two years internationally with Africa being one of its target markets. Currently it operates in two destinations in South Africa, Egypt, Senegal, Nigeria and Ghana. In December it is expected to start a second flight from Lagos to Atlanta.

Currently, Virgin Atlantic, KLM, British Airways, Emirates, Qatar Airways and SN Brussels are some of the airlines that offer links to the US.

Kenya Airways to fly direct to Madagascar
17th August 08

Mombasa, Kenya - Kenya Airways (KQ) has announced it will start direct flights to the Madagascan capital, Antananarivo from November this year. The airline's communication manager, Victoria Kaigai said the flights will reduce travel time by more than 50 per cent, if connection time is factored.

Currently, flights from Kenya to Antananarivo pass via Johannesburg, South Africa, with travelers taking on average, seven-hours to arrive in Antananarivo.

"We will provide a direct connection to travellers from Africa and beyond to Mad agascar. We expect the flight to be popular because of the less flying hours involved," said Kaigai.

Kaigai said the new destination is in line with the KQ strategy to connect Africa through the hub and spook concept.

The Madagascar route is viewed by KQ as especially useful for the French tourism connection. KQ flies three times a week to the Charles de Gaulle Airport, France.

In addition, the route will provide an opportunity for Kenyans to exploit Madagascar as an alternative tourism destination.

The direct flight to Madagascar comes at a time when the airline is in the process of adding modern planes on its 27 modern fleet, composing 23 Boeing planes and three Embraer 170 Long Range (LR) jets, to expand capacity.

Kaigai told journalists the domestic routes in Kenya would be effectively served to offer travelers more time to connect to other destinations while creating more travel frequencies.

This year, KQ has taken delivery of a third Embraer and its third Boeing 737-800 ER.

The airline is scheduled to take delivery of two additional Boeing 737-800s later in the year, bringing the total number of B737-800 in the fleet to five.

"The B737-800 has a modern cabin, increased range and larger baggage capacity. The planes have put KQ in a good position to develop its African network with the customer needs in mind," the airline communication manager said.

The airline has already placed orders for six Boeing 787 Dreamliners, with options for six more, with deliveries expected to begin in 2012.

Since 2001, the airline has spent over US$1.04 billion on modernising its fleet and upgrading its ground-handling equipment and technology to cater for its 43 destinations in 39 countries.

Meanwhile, the new B737-800 that was delivered to KQ 9 August 2008 had on board 111 boxes of legal textbooks weighing over 3,400 pounds for Nairobi from Seattle University School of Law.

"The books will be distributed in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Malawi and Zambia, said Kaigai.

KQ and Boeing have partnered on a number of projects related to enhancing education and training in East Africa.

Boeing has contributed to the construction of new schools in Kenya, conducted children's book drives and also maintains an annual sponsorship of five Nairobi area schools.

http://www.afriquenligne.fr/kenya-airways-to-fly-direct-to-antananarivo,-madagascar-2008081710887.html