African Aviation News [Archive] - Page 4

Mwafrika

September 6th, 2008, 11:34 PM

apologies if this has been posted before!!

Australia - New airline deal with South Africa, Kenya

Australia has agreed to new airline arrangements allowing improved access to South Africa and Kenya.

Transport Minister Anthony Albanese said the new arrangements would enable Australian and African airlines to take advantage of the growing tourism and commerce opportunities between the countries.

He said the new arrangements between Kenya and Australia would open the way for Australian travellers to access East Africa and increased the potential for new airlines to serve Australia.

"Open codeshare arrangements will help Australian and Kenyan airlines to pursue new and innovative ways to serve the developing East African market," Mr Albanese said in a statement.

"Australian and Kenyan airlines will also be able to operate daily services between Kenya and Australia, with the four major gateways of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth open for flight services.

"The arrangements will also allow for unrestricted capacity to regional international airports such as Cairns and Darwin."

Mr Albanese said the Australia-South Africa aviation market had been growing an average of 7.3 per cent over 2004-2007 and the new arrangements would facilitate continued growth.

"The new air services arrangements with South Africa provide Australian and South African airlines with significant expansion opportunities, and provide for additional competition in this market," he said.

"These new arrangements also remove capacity constraints which have existed in the Australia-South Africa market for some time."

He said the number of weekly frequencies available to Australian airlines for services to Johannesburg, Capetown and Durban would immediately double from five to 10.

"Four more weekly services will become available from October 2009, and triple daily services will be possible from October 2010," Mr Albanese said.

"Capacity available to South African airlines will undergo a similar phased increase to a total of 21 services a week from October 2010.

"This capacity can be operated to and from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth."

He said the new arrangements also allowed airlines of both sides to operate between Australia's and South Africa's regional international airports with unrestricted capacity.

AAP

GregPz

September 7th, 2008, 01:41 PM

i didnt know that, why dont they list those figures?

They're transit passengers. Generally airports include them with the regular pax but NBO doesn't for some reason.

GregPz

September 10th, 2008, 03:48 PM

Another set of stats recently released. This shows the number of airport pax per country. Large growth in Egypt, perhaps it'll soon be #1? The list doesn't include Angola which would have around 1.7m pax.

http://img397.imageshack.us/img397/5828/africaaircountriesnj9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

grjplanes

September 10th, 2008, 06:30 PM

Why is Reunion considered as a country on it's own here, when a RUN-CDG/MRS/ORY/LYS is a domestic flight? It's part of France, isn't it?

abdeka

September 23rd, 2008, 12:05 PM

Air Algérie va acquérir 11 nouveaux avions

http://www.monsterup.com/upload/1222160723.jpg (http://www.monsterup.com)

La compagnie aérienne publique Air Algérie va acquérir onze nouveaux appareils pour un montant de 500 millions de dollars dans le cadre d'un plan de développement de la société d'un budget de 800 à 900 millions de dollars, a annoncé aujourd'hui son PDG Abdelouahid Bouabdellah.

"Nous avons reçu l'accord de l'Etat pour acheter 11 appareils supplémentaires pour un montant de près de 500 millions de dollars" (environ 344 millions d'euros), a déclaré M. Bouabdellah à la radio publique algérienne francophone chaîne III.

Il a précisé que Air Algérie allait acquérir quatre avions de type régionaux de 50 à 70 places, pour un montant de 80 millions d'euros (116,4 millions de dollars), citant les sociétés ATR et Bombardier comme possibles fournisseurs.

Ces avions seront destinés à assurer des liaisons avec l'extrême sud algérien, a-t-il dit.
Le plan de renouvellement de la flotte de la compagnie prévoit également l'achat de cinq moyens porteurs et de deux avions cargos, a ajouté le PDG D'Air Algérie pour lequel Boeing et Airbus entreront vraisemblablement concurrence, a-t-il dit.

AFP

Matthias Offodile

September 23rd, 2008, 09:30 PM

Brazilian TAM will take up flights to Angola...and to Nigeria:)

Originally posted by odizuka2222

Great news brazilian company TAM will start flying to Angola. Till now I think the only company that had direct flights between Angola and Brasil was TAAG.

O presidente Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva pediu ao presidente da TAM, David Barioni Neto, que abra uma linha ligando o Brasil à Nigéria. Ele fez esse pedido ao ser informado que a TAM começará a voar para Angola.

Fonte: jc.uol.com.br

Matthias Offodile

September 23rd, 2008, 09:33 PM

Why is Reunion considered as a country on it's own here, when a RUN-CDG/MRS/ORY/LYS is a domestic flight? It's part of France, isn't it?

A domestic flight is a bit blown out of proportion, it is more than 10 hours from Paris to Réunion.:lol:

Alex Roney

September 23rd, 2008, 11:50 PM

Brazilian TAM will take up flights to Angola...and to Nigeria:)

It would be great if they started services but I think were a few years away from that point. It will happen but not for at least another 2 years. Expect TAM to start direct daily services between Sao Paulo-Johannesburg by earliest March 2009. But 2009 will focus mostly on U.S expansion. Maybe by 2010 we'll see a flight. Keep in mind TAAG has increased it's Rio services from 2X weekly to 5X weekly, which obviously means their is demand. I don't know why TAAG doesn't start flying to Sao Paulo. Their wasting a shyte load of money by not using the 777's.

Matthias Offodile

September 24th, 2008, 12:55 AM

Matthias Offodile

September 24th, 2008, 01:02 AM

Air Ivoire adds more Airbus A320´s and three long-haul jets A330´s to its fleet. :cheers:

It will add direct flights - apart from Marseille Paris and Bordeaux - to Beirut, Dubai and the Far East.

Le groupe Atlantique majoritaire dans Air Ivoire

CÔTE D'IVOIRE - 24 août 2008 - Baudelaire Mieu, à Abidjan.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/de/thumb/0/00/Logo_air_ivoire.gif/150px-Logo_air_ivoire.gif

En reprenant à l’État 50,50 % du capital, le Consortium des financiers ivoiriens (CFI Aérien), mené par le groupe Atlantique, entreprend de sauver la nouvelle Air Ivoire. Publique à 88 % en raison du retrait progressif de ses anciens actionnaires privés - Air France et le groupe de capital-investissement ECP - la compagnie affiche 7 milliards de F CFA (10 millions d’euros) de dettes cumulées. Outre une mise de base de 2,7 milliards de F CFA, correspondant à l’achat des actions, CFI Aérien s’engage à souscrire prochainement une augmentation de capital, pour le même montant, et à racheter la dette résiduelle pour 3 milliards de F CFA.
À quoi s’ajoute, selon nos informations, un plan d’investissement de 20 milliards de F CFA sur trente-six mois, comprenant un remplacement de la flotte par des long-courriers, notamment trois Airbus A-330 (250 à 300 places). La flotte actuelle comprend trois Fokker F28 (85 places) et deux Airbus de la famille A-320 (140 à 180 places), dont l’un est partagé avec Air Burkina et la Compagnie aérienne du Mali, filiales du Fonds de l’Aga Khan pour le développement économique (Akfed), qui était en lice pour la reprise d’Air Ivoire. Comme en témoigne le choix des appareils, CFI Aérien compte développer les dessertes continentales puis intercontinentales pour les passagers et le fret. En plus des destinations actuelles (Paris, Bordeaux et Marseille), des lignes devraient relier Abidjan à l’Asie et au Moyen-Orient (Beyrouth, Dubai). « Notre priorité est le retour à la normale en mettant fin dans les trois mois aux locations coûteuses par la mise en place d’une flotte financée sur le long terme », indique un proche du dossier, qui souhaite rester anonyme. « Les usagers s’apercevront bientôt du nouvel envol d’Air Ivoire, et, dans trois ans, elle aura le rayonnement international recherché par les autorités du pays », confie avec beaucoup d’optimisme Koné Dossongui, président de CFI Aérien et du groupe Atlantique. Reste à créer la société issue du Consortium CFI, associant Koné Dossongui et les groupes d’assurances locaux Colina, Loyale Vie et NSIA. Sans oublier la mise au point du partenariat d’assistance technique avec l’allemande Lufthansa, dont la signature est annoncée pour septembre.

Alex Roney

September 24th, 2008, 01:20 AM

Alex roney, there has been a lot of complaint from people in Brazil , Angola and Portugal due to lack of flights , if you follow the respective newspapers attentively.

TAP wants to increase services to several times daily and is aiming to get TAG off that bloody list with all its means...but it is bound by EU rules.

Brazilian people want to increase flights into Angola by all means.

Give all this another ten to 15 years and the sky is virtually the limit!!!

Matthias do you know why it's hard for foreign airlines to operate with a lot more frequency to Angola? The government. Their extremely protective of giving out frequencies to all foreign airlines in order to protect TAAG (which is government owned). Which is why the likes of Lufthansa, BA, and SN Brussels only operate one or two frequencies a week. TAP only operates one daily flight, theirs a lot more demand than that.

The demand is also Brazil - Angola and TAAG has increased from 2x weekly to 5x weekly. If they were smart they would operate Rio daily and introduce a separate flight to Sao Paulo. Heck I even think theirs demand for services to Salvador with maybe a tag on to Recife, that could be successful if flown once or twice a week.

I think theirs demand for daily flights between Rio-Luanda (operated by TAAG)

Plus 4x weekly services (operated by TAM) Sao Paulo-Luanda and 3x flown by TAAG.

I also think theirs demand for a 1x or 2x weekly services where TAAG flies Luanda-Salvador-Recife. During the summer months they do operate charter flights which make a lot of money.

Cape Verde's TACV has upgraded their direct service to Fortaleza from 2X to Daily just this year. So yeah, demand is definitely there.

But like I said TAM has it's own expansion which it will undertake in the U.S in 2009 (it has already started). But their is serious talk of Johannesburg which can start in 1st quarter of 2009, that will definitely be TAM's first African destination and good competitor against SAA which is one of it's most profitable routes.

Matthias Offodile

September 24th, 2008, 12:16 PM

Matthias do you know why it's hard for foreign airlines to operate with a lot more frequency to Angola? The government. Their extremely protective of giving out frequencies to all foreign airlines in order to protect TAAG (which is government owned). Which is why the likes of Lufthansa, BA, and SN Brussels only operate one or two frequencies a week. TAP only operates one daily flight, theirs a lot more demand than that.

The demand is also Brazil - Angola and TAAG has increased from 2x weekly to 5x weekly. If they were smart they would operate Rio daily and introduce a separate flight to Sao Paulo. Heck I even think theirs demand for services to Salvador with maybe a tag on to Recife, that could be successful if flown once or twice a week.

I think theirs demand for daily flights between Rio-Luanda (operated by TAAG)

Plus 4x weekly services (operated by TAM) Sao Paulo-Luanda and 3x flown by TAAG.

I also think theirs demand for a 1x or 2x weekly services where TAAG flies Luanda-Salvador-Recife. During the summer months they do operate charter flights which make a lot of money.

Cape Verde's TACV has upgraded their direct service to Fortaleza from 2X to Daily just this year. So yeah, demand is definitely there.

I know the problem!

The Angolan government is highly protective which I sometimes can understand but not for the airline industry.

In some ways, Angola reminds me a bit of Malaysia´s Mahitir in the eraly years of his reign.

The government said that it will not fully join the SADC union any time soon (which might be for the next 20 years or so) as long as they have not build up local industries themselves, they want to keep their markets closed (for fear of SA domination, most likely)..something which I can understand. (Angola doesn´t want to end up like Burundi, Malawi, Tanazania, Namibai, Zambia etc. whose economies are virtaully economic protectorates of SA).
SA has excellent first world products..this would mean the end of Angola if the borders open and their is full free-trade.

But like I said TAM has it's own expansion which it will undertake in the U.S in 2009 (it has already started). But their is serious talk of Johannesburg which can start in 1st quarter of 2009, that will definitely be TAM's first African destination and good competitor against SAA which is one of it's most profitable routes.

The future demand between Brazil and Angola will be much much higher than with SA.

Alex Roney

September 24th, 2008, 04:12 PM

I know the problem!

The Angolan government is highly protective which I sometimes can understand but not for the airline industry.

In some ways, Angola reminds me a bit of Malaysia´s Mahitir in the eraly years of his reign.

The government said that it will not fully join the SADC union any time soon (which might be for the next 20 years or so) as long as they have not build up local industries themselves, they want to keep their markets closed (for fear of SA domination, most likely)..something which I can understand. (Angola doesn´t want to end up like Burundi, Malawi, Tanazania, Namibai, Zambia etc. whose economies are virtaully economic protectorates of SA).
SA has excellent first world products..this would mean the end of Angola if the borders open and their is full free-trade.

The future demand between Brazil and Angola will be much much higher than with SA.

Well competition is good, by being overly protective the national airline usually suffers in quality.

Regarding demand, I'd say today their is more demand between South Africa-Brazil than Brazil-Angola. Plus South Africa offers connections to the rest of the continent plus India.

Matthias Offodile

September 25th, 2008, 01:25 PM

Matthias Offodile

September 25th, 2008, 01:27 PM

Matthias Offodile

September 25th, 2008, 01:52 PM

Well competition is good, by being overly protective the national airline usually suffers in quality.

Regarding demand, I'd say today their is more demand between South Africa-Brazil than Brazil-Angola. Plus South Africa offers connections to the rest of the continent plus India

ANGOLA-BRAZIL: Portuguese - the Common Language of Trade
By Mario de Queiroz

LISBON, Nov 13 (IPS) - Although separated by the Atlantic ocean, Angola and Brazil are united by language and their centuries-long history as Portuguese colonies, and trade between the two countries is booming as never before.

(...)

In his less than five years in government, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has visited Africa seven times, easily outstripping his predecessors José Sarney (1985-1990), Fernando Collor de Mello (1990-1992), Itamar Franco (1992-1995) and Fernando Henrique Cardoso (1995-2003).

South Africa and Nigeria are also important trading partners of Brazil’s in Africa, but the PALOP group of countries, made up of Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique and Sao Tomé and Príncipe, has become one of the top priorities in Brazil’s political and economic diplomacy.

Angola, with an area of 1.25 million square kilometres and over 15 million people, is Africa’s second biggest oil-producer after Nigeria. The destruction of almost all of its towns and cities, during the 1961-1974 struggle for independence from Portugal and the 1975-2002 civil war, turned it into a vast field of business opportunities.

Trade relations between this West African country and Brazil started to grow in 2000, during the Cardoso administration, but since Lula took office in January 2003, Brazilian investment has skyrocketed.

The Association of Brazilian Companies in Angola (AEBRAN) says that trade between the two countries has risen six-fold since 2002 and is still growing extremly fast.

At present, according to information from AEBRAN which was confirmed by the Banco do Brasil, Angola is the country receiving the greatest amount of export financing from Brazil.

In an interview with the Portuguese-African weekly Africa 21, Brazilian journalist Raimundo Lima, a spokesman for AEBRAN, said that "Angola is the country that receives the most financing from Brazil, as over half the funds of the Programme for Export Financing (PROEX) administered by Banco do Brasil last year went into the Angolan economy."

(...)

The presence of Brazilian companies in Angola has expanded on a par with the increase in trade -- a trend that according to AEBRAN points to a promising future.

The number of Brazilian companies in Angola has increased by 70 percent over the last five years and the rate has risen drastically the past two years. The firms are mainly involved in public works, sales of construction materials, project design, real estate and food.

(...)

For years there have been very few Brazilian professionals and technical experts in the PALOP countries, where Portuguese expatriates have predominated. But rather than displacing the former colonisers, the South Americans are reinforcing their numbers, "a very welcome development," according to Portuguese Deputy Foreign Minister Joao Gomes Cravinho.

"Portugal is very delighted by Brazil’s enthusiasm for Africa, repeatedly shown by Lula, who a few weeks ago made his seventh visit to this continent as head of state," Gomes, who is also secretary of state for cooperation, told IPS.

The Brazilian president’s attitude "is extraordinary, especially as he has only been in office five years," he said.

For Portugal, Lula’s attitude towards Africa, a continent that is frequently ignored and neglected by the international community, "is a source of great satisfaction, because Brazil, which is particularly near and dear to us, is getting closer to a continent that is at the centre of our concerns in terms of foreign policy," he said.

Gomes also emphasised "the great enthusiasm of Brazilian foreign policy towards the CPLP (Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries)."

The CPLP, formed by the late José Aparecido de Oliveira, a former Brazilian culture minister, comprises the PALOP countries, Brazil, East Timor and Portugal, with Equatorial Guinea holding observer status.

Does Portugal not feel that its interests and influence in Africa are threatened by Brazil?

"We have no sense of competing with Brazil, quite the contrary. What we see is just the opposite: opportunities that are emerging in Portuguese-speaking countries, and we particularly think that these opportunities need to be explored through the CPLP," Gomes said. (END/2007)

Alex Roney, this article is from 2007...figures are much higher for 2008...and just imagine what it will be like for 2020 and beyond.

As you speak Portuguese here is an article in that language

Brasil vê “continente de oportunidades” na África

Publicado em 13/07/2008

| Alexandre Costa Nascimento Fale conosco RSS Imprimir Enviar por email Receba notícias pelo celular Receba boletins Aumentar letra Diminuir letra Um grupo de investidores de Israel contrata mão-de-obra na China para construir, em Angola, um empreendimento imobiliário destinado a uma companhia de petróleo francesa. O projeto foi desenhado por um arquiteto brasileiro, nascido no Paraná.

A cena é o símbolo da escalada do fluxo de investimentos que está fazendo surgir uma África globalizada. Países como Rússia, China e Índia investem como nunca nos países do continente, percebendo ali uma classe média emergente com poder de compra cada vez mais alto para consumir produtos industrializados, bens e serviços.

O coordenador da unidade de investimentos da Apex-Brasil, Gutemberg Uchôa, discorda e diz que a corrupção existe em maior ou menor escala em todos os países do mundo. “Não acredito que empresas brasileiras se utilizem da corrupção para entrar nestes mercados. São empresas grandes que têm se valido da seriedade e já possuem uma postura ética consolidada no Brasil.”

Mesmo em ritmo mais lento, brasileiros também avançam neste mercado promissor e colhem os frutos dos negócios com o continente-irmão. O arquiteto Manoel Dória, do escritório de arquitetura Dória Lopes Fiúza Arquitetos ciados, com sede em Curitiba, é quem assina o projeto de um complexo multiuso com shopping center, hotel e torre residencial em Luanda, capital de Angola, a ser inaugurado em 2010. Depois de sofrer mais de 25 anos com uma guerra civil sangrenta, Angola atravessa desde 2002 uma explosão de investimento na área de infra-estrutura, reconstrução e mercado imobiliário.

O primeiro empreendimento abriu as portas para novos negócios. O escritório já trabalha em outro projeto para condomínios horizontais de alto padrão na periferia da capital, e também faz estudos para condomínios de uso comercial e residencial no centro da cidade – uma tentativa de valorizar a região, que está degradada.
“Atuar lá assusta um pouco. Os contrastes africanos são muito grandes: de um lado a cidade sendo reconstruída com grandes empreendimentos, do outro a miséria que é grande e ainda existe, com pessoas passando fome e sem ter onde morar”, conta Dória.

Um pouco mais experiente, outro escritório paranaense, o Willer Arquitetos Associados, mantém projetos em Angola há mais de dez anos. Os negócios começaram com uma autoridade do governo central e se expandiram para as províncias, autarquias estatais e para o setor privado. “Angola é uma nação que está se refazendo, mas o mercado imobiliário em Luanda está exageradamente aquecido, com terrenos supervalorizados. Um dia a conta pode não fechar”, aponta Bóris Madsen Cunha, diretor técnico-administrativo do Willer.

Para Gutemberg Uchôa, coordenador da Unidade de Investimentos da Agência Brasileira de Promoção de Exportações e Investimentos (Apex-Brasil), a carência generalizada em infra-estrutura na África demanda investimentos em setores que impulsionam toda a economia. Isso possibilita a alavancagem de novos investimentos bilaterais – alguns deles já iniciados, com a assinatura de memorandos de entendimentos para alternativas energéticas e formação de parcerias entre empresas brasileiras e africanas no setor de biocombustíveis.

“Crescer junto é mais fácil, aproveitando as semelhanças, identidades e afinidades que dão aos brasileiros uma vantagem competitiva em relação a outros competidores. O laço cultural é um dos primeiros pontos de aproximação entre potenciais parceiros”, afirma Uchôa. Outros setores que devem atrair grandes investimentos nos próximos anos são a indústria do turismo e a área de tecnologia da informação.

Alex Roney

September 25th, 2008, 04:30 PM

Alex Roney, I was referring to the FUTURE (next 10-15 years)....Angola´is just reawakening...Moreover, the cultural AND historic factor plays a very important role in the long run and Angola has strong very strong link with Brazil...Portugal has very strong links with Brazil and Angola

For a Brazilian guy you always seem NOT to be so happy when Angola grows (I know how proud Lusophones can be when someone of "them" moves forward) As opposed to the majority of Brazilian that visit SSC, they are very happy that old links grow between Angola and Brazil.

Lula visited Angola thrice which shows the strategic importance this country has for Brazil...you don´t visit a country that you don´t have interest in (world of politics)

and I even read in a blog that Angola wants to lessen its dependence on China by eying Brazil as a big partner.

When Brazil talks of Africa, it has Angola on its mind FIRST...!

Matthias I'm not unhappy at seeing any nation develop, much less Angola. All I'm saying is that currently their is more demand for Brazil-South Africa air travel. Politically both countries are close, plus which is very important Joburg is the Hub of Africa, which plays an important role since many people fly there for connections. Everyone flying to Angola is staying in Angola. Which is why SAA transfers more people than TAAG does to and from Brazil.

I know Lula has been to Angola various times, he's been to Africa 7 or 8 times!

Cigar

September 25th, 2008, 11:03 PM

Stumbled across this on the net:

http://www.algerie-dz.com/article15496.html

After translating into English (Google Translate rocks :)) it says Air Algerie aims to serve South Africa (could only imagine JNB) by year end. Anyone got any more info?

Tounsi

September 26th, 2008, 09:32 PM

New ENFIDHA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT CONSTRUCTION UPDATES

http://img186.imageshack.us/img186/5981/n5229693315873954184pv8.jpg
by Nalan Bayar (facebook)

the control tower ( 60m)
http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/5814/n7106595207436075717bm5.jpg
by Jihenne Saoudi (facebook)

http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/9035/n5293838087998174084zw6.jpg

http://img399.imageshack.us/img399/6112/n5293838087998161872sj7.jpg

http://img399.imageshack.us/img399/7113/n529383808799815743ho2.jpg

http://img523.imageshack.us/img523/4989/n5293838087976634882rs0.jpg

http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/9272/n5293838087976623707cp4.jpg
by Dogan Bilgin OZ (facebook)

Cigar

October 14th, 2008, 10:47 PM

From ATW Online (http://www.atwonline.com/news/other.html?issueDate=10%2F14%2F2008):

LAM Mozambique Airlines signed a contract for two E-190s plus two purchase rights. Deal is valued at $75 million if all aircraft are purchased. First delivery is scheduled for the second half of 2009.

grjplanes

October 15th, 2008, 12:53 PM

Would this be to replace their 737 directly, or expansion? Wasn't there rumours about them being interested in launching NBO and CPT flights, and also to restart LAD?

I believe the E190/195 is the perfect aircraft for most of the southern african airlines to replace their 737s...Air Zimbabwe, Air Malawi, Zambian Airways, Air Namibia.

Matthias Offodile

October 15th, 2008, 01:35 PM

Woow, the airport that´s going up in Tunis is great! :cheers:

Cigar

October 15th, 2008, 07:25 PM

Just read that LAM will also take delivery of 2 Dash 8-Q400s for use on their routes 'under 1.5 hours long'.

Source: http://www.lam.co.mz/en/empresa/mensagem_do_presidente

Matthias Offodile

October 17th, 2008, 09:11 PM

Lufthansa wants to increase its NON-STOP frequency FROM lUANDA TO Luanda at all costs due to huge demand but too little supply:cheers:

Lufthansa prevê aumentar frequência de voos para Angola

Segundo Gabriel Leupold, a rota Luanda/Frankfurt, aberta em Abril, está a superar as expectativas, suscitando bastante interesse em Angola e na Alemanha.

Luanda – A companhia aérea alemã Lufthansa prevê aumentar, de uma para duas, a sua frequência semanal de voos com destino a Angola, depois de ter obtido indicadores financeiros positivos em seis meses de actividade no país, disse, segunda-feira 6), em Luanda, o seu director para a região sul e leste de África, Gabriel Leupold.

Gabriel Leupold realçou que o mercado angolano é um dos mais promissores para a Lufthansa, a nível do continente africano, com um fluxo de passageiros semanal na ordem das 440 pessoas, sendo a lista de solicitações maioritariamente preenchida por clientes ligados ao mundo empresarial.

Dessa classe de passageiros, segundo Gabriel Leupold, destacam-se funcionários do ramo petrolífero. “Estamos em contacto regular com as autoridades angolanas. Continuamos a negociar a abertura de mais uma frequências para Luanda”, disse o responsável, acrescentando não haver até agora razões de queixas por parte da companhia, pois o mercado é atractivo no que diz respeito a investimentos e espera-se que até Dezembro as autoridades autorizem o aumento das frequências semanais.

Segundo Gabriel Leupold, a rota Luanda/Frankfurt, aberta em Abril, está a superar as expectativas, suscitando bastante interesse em Angola e na Alemanha.

Disse que com essa ligação, a Lufthansa mantém o seu firme interesse em continuar a apostar na estratégia de ligar os países produtores de petróleo com a Alemanha, bem como com outros destinos na América do Norte e Sul, o Médio Oriente, África e a Ásia.

Praticando preços, no mercado angolano, que vão de US$ 1.300 dólares, para a classe económica, US$ 5.200 dólares para a executiva e US$ 8.000 dólares para a primeira classe, a Lufthansa emprega, em Angola, 11 funcionários.

Os voos têm actualmente uma frequência semanal e são realizados num Airbus A340-300 com capacidade para transportar 221 pessoas. Para além de Angola, no continente africano a companhia alemã opera também na África do Sul, Nigéria, Guiné Equatorial e Etiópia. As informações são da Angop.

Matthias Offodile

October 17th, 2008, 09:12 PM

CORRECTION

Lufthansa wants to increase its NON-STOP frequency FROM Frankfurt to Luanda at all costs due to huge demand but too little supply:cheers:

Lufthansa prevê aumentar frequência de voos para Angola

Segundo Gabriel Leupold, a rota Luanda/Frankfurt, aberta em Abril, está a superar as expectativas, suscitando bastante interesse em Angola e na Alemanha.

Luanda – A companhia aérea alemã Lufthansa prevê aumentar, de uma para duas, a sua frequência semanal de voos com destino a Angola, depois de ter obtido indicadores financeiros positivos em seis meses de actividade no país, disse, segunda-feira 6), em Luanda, o seu director para a região sul e leste de África, Gabriel Leupold.

Gabriel Leupold realçou que o mercado angolano é um dos mais promissores para a Lufthansa, a nível do continente africano, com um fluxo de passageiros semanal na ordem das 440 pessoas, sendo a lista de solicitações maioritariamente preenchida por clientes ligados ao mundo empresarial.

Dessa classe de passageiros, segundo Gabriel Leupold, destacam-se funcionários do ramo petrolífero. “Estamos em contacto regular com as autoridades angolanas. Continuamos a negociar a abertura de mais uma frequências para Luanda”, disse o responsável, acrescentando não haver até agora razões de queixas por parte da companhia, pois o mercado é atractivo no que diz respeito a investimentos e espera-se que até Dezembro as autoridades autorizem o aumento das frequências semanais.

Segundo Gabriel Leupold, a rota Luanda/Frankfurt, aberta em Abril, está a superar as expectativas, suscitando bastante interesse em Angola e na Alemanha.

Disse que com essa ligação, a Lufthansa mantém o seu firme interesse em continuar a apostar na estratégia de ligar os países produtores de petróleo com a Alemanha, bem como com outros destinos na América do Norte e Sul, o Médio Oriente, África e a Ásia.

Praticando preços, no mercado angolano, que vão de US$ 1.300 dólares, para a classe económica, US$ 5.200 dólares para a executiva e US$ 8.000 dólares para a primeira classe, a Lufthansa emprega, em Angola, 11 funcionários.

Os voos têm actualmente uma frequência semanal e são realizados num Airbus A340-300 com capacidade para transportar 221 pessoas. Para além de Angola, no continente africano a companhia alemã opera também na África do Sul, Nigéria, Guiné Equatorial e Etiópia. As informações são da Angop.

GregPz

October 18th, 2008, 03:48 PM

Alex Roney

October 22nd, 2008, 08:51 PM

Delta Expands Africa Presence With First-Ever Flight Between Atlanta and Monrovia, Liberia
Wednesday October 22, 12:00 pm ET

ATLANTA, Oct. 22, 2008 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL - News), the only U.S. network carrier to serve Africa, today announced it will expand its service to the African continent with the introduction of the first and only flight between Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport and Monrovia's Roberts International Airport, Liberia*. The service, which will make a stop at Amilcar Cabral International Airport on Sal Island, Cape Verde*, will start in June, 2009.
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Passengers on the only flight between the U.S. and Liberia will benefit from significant time savings over other routes. They also will be able to connect to more than 150 destinations throughout the U.S., Latin America and the Caribbean via Delta's Atlanta hub.

``Delta is pleased to add Monrovia to our industry-leading Africa network,'' said Glen Hauenstein, executive vice president - Network and Revenue Management. ``Passenger traffic to and from Africa continues to grow at some of the highest rates in the world. We are very encouraged with the response to our flights to Africa and look forward to serving Liberia and contributing to its trade and tourism development efforts.''

Currently, Delta offers service between the United States and six African destinations with flights between New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport and Accra, Ghana; Dakar, Senegal; Cairo, Egypt, and Cape Town in South Africa (via Dakar) and between Atlanta and Lagos, Nigeria, and Johannesburg, South Africa (via Dakar).

Liberia is situated in West Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean to the country's southwest. The country has strong historical and cultural ties to the United States. With key exports of minerals and timber, there is a strong and growing market for business traffic between Liberia and the U.S.

In an announcement today at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., Liberia's President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf praised Delta's investment in her country.

``I was excited to learn that Delta Air Lines has made the commitment to provide direct flight service to Liberia,'' said Johnson-Sirleaf. ``Liberia continues to flourish and, with the commitment by companies in the U.S. to do business in our country, there is opportunity for continued economic growth. This development also provides convenience for Liberians in Diaspora to come home and to bring their skills and talents in support of the country's development. Delta Air Lines is providing a means to bring business into the country and we welcome them.''

Robert L. Johnson, founder and chairman of The RLJ Companies, which owns significant development projects in Liberia, also commented on the flight during the announcement.

``Two years ago, while attending the Clinton Global Initiative, I made a commitment to mobilize $30 million for Liberia after hearing President Sirleaf speak and appeal to the American private sector for support,'' said Johnson. ``I have further committed to mobilizing funds through a recent $100 million finance protocol with the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) to build housing, as well as to build an 84-room villa style hotel. I applaud Delta Air Lines for making the commitment to provide direct air service to Liberia which will provide economic growth opportunities to Liberia from a variety of business sectors around the world,'' he added.

Delta's new service between Atlanta and Monrovia will be operated using a Boeing 757 aircraft with up to 174 seats in a two-cabin configuration -- 16 seats in Delta's award-winning BusinessElite service and 158 seats in economy class. Delta's BusinessElite service features all-leather sleeper seats, innovative food offerings from celebrity chef Michelle Bernstein and award-winning, original wine selections chosen by Delta's Master Sommelier Andrea Robinson. The airline's on-demand personal in-seat entertainment boasts more than 20 first-run and popular classic movies, a variety of TV programs, a broad range of music, and a suite of 12 video games in both classes of service. Economy class customers also benefit from new all-leather economy seats, amenity kits and enhanced food offerings.

Delta's service between Atlanta and Monrovia will operate once weekly as follows:

------------- --------------------------- --------------------------
FLIGHT DEPARTS** ARRIVES**
------------- --------------------------- --------------------------
DL 214 Atlanta Sal Island, Cape Verde
at 3:10 p.m. at 2:15 a.m.
------------- --------------------------- --------------------------
DL 214 Sal Island, Cape Verde Monrovia, Liberia
at 3:20 a.m. at 7:05 a.m.
------------- --------------------------- --------------------------
DL 215 Monrovia, Liberia Sal Island, Cape Verde
at 8:10 a.m. at 9:55 a.m.
------------- --------------------------- --------------------------
DL 215 Sal Island, Cape Verde Atlanta
at 11:25 a.m. at 5:15 p.m.
http://biz.yahoo.com/pz/081022/152721.html

Well historically U.S and Liberia are as close as any African country. The fact that their using a 757 on such a long flight is scary. But thats the great thing when theirs virtually no competition. Good to know that it includes a stop in Cape Verde.

Btw what's up with Delta's service to Nairobi? Is it still on? It was cancelled on June but it appeared to be coming back for December. I know that the JFK-Lagos service was cancelled.

myirakazi

October 23rd, 2008, 01:26 PM

Still no clarity on plane crash
22/10/2008 19:27 - (SA)

Johannesburg - There was no clarity yet on what caused the plane crash which killed six people in Germiston on Tuesday, the manager of Rand Airport said on Wednesday.
The plane crashed shortly after take-off on Tuesday morning after the pilot told the airport that he needed to make an emergency landing. Six people were killed - four from auditing firm Deloitte and two from Circuit Breaker Industries. They were en route to Lesotho.
"I have listened to the tape and he (pilot Peter Wittstock) just indicated that he needed an emergency landing. Maybe he didn't have time to elaborate," said Anton Kruger.
After receiving the call the airport mobilised its emergency response team. The Piper Saratoga came down in a field near the WesBank Raceway in Germiston and burst into flames.
Mahen Naidoo, Lesley Philpott, Mark Kriel, Gillian Brown, Michelle Rose-Martin and Peter Wittstock died in the crash about 500m from the N3.
"The only thing that happens now is we are waiting for a report from the Civil Aviation Authority," said Kruger.
Crash rate decreasing
In August a light aircraft crashed into a stream near the airport shortly after take-off, killing one person and injuring two.
Earlier in October two Bloemfontein families were killed when the plane they were travelling in crashed in Barberton, Mpumalanga.
Aviation analyst Linden Birns said although it seemed as though there were more crashes, statistically the crash rate was decreasing.
"Although this is difficult to accept after an accident," he said.
He explained that the number of aircraft, pilots and flights registered in South Africa continue to grow so, "from a statistical point of view it is getting better".
Last year about 40 people were killed in about 30 fatal crashes, out of an average of between 170 to 185 crashes a year. This number had remained static over the last six or seven years, he said.
Rigorous controls
Pilots have to redo their flight tests every year, are obliged to attend refresher courses on air laws, navigation and the packaging of dangerous goods, and must undergo a rigorous medical exam.
Pilots under 40 undergo the medical exam once a year, those over 40 every six months, he explained.
They also had to fly a minimum number of hours a year to remain current.
Aircraft go for maintenance checks at prescribed intervals to detect damage that may have been missed.
These conditions are enforced by the CAA but, said Birns, they can't check every single pilot and plane all the time, likening it to traffic authorities not being able to monitor each driver and every car.
"I can't point to a single weak link right now," he said.
:ohno::ohno::ohno:
- SAPA

Matthias Offodile

October 24th, 2008, 09:38 PM

Ethiopian to serve Abuja
October 20th, 2008

According to Xinhua, Ethiopian Airlines will begin 3x per week service to Abuja, Nigeria on November 15 following an accord signed on Sunday between Nigerian and Ethiopian officials. Flights will be operated on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

ET927 ADD - ABV: 0145 - 0415
ET916 ABV - ADD: 2320 - 0600

Kenya Airways goes daily to Bangkok, ups Hong Kong
October 17th, 2008

Kenya Airways will increase frequency to Bangkok, Thailand and Hong Kong to daily and 5x per week respectively beginning the end of October.

Air Mauritius and Air France expand codeshare
October 8th, 2008

Air Mauritius and Air France have expanded their codeshare agreement beyond the Mauritius-Paris route. Air Mauritius will be able to add its code to Air France flights connecting at the Paris Charles de Gaulle International Airport (Paris-CDG) to Europe, Israel and North Africa and reciprocally, Air France will be able to add its code to Air Mauritius flights connecting in Mauritius.

Arik Air confirms order for A345s:cheers:
October 1st, 2008

Arik Air will take three brand new A345s that were destined for Kingfisher Airlines. All three are reportedly set for delivery by the end of November 2008.

Ethiopian to Lubumbashi
September 27th, 2008

According to posted schedules, Ethiopian will serve Lubumbashi, DRC as of the end of October. Flights will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays as part of a triangle route that includes Harare, Zimbabwe.

ET871 ADD - HRE: 940 - 1255
ET871/870 HRE - FBM: 1340 - 1510
ET870 FBM - ADD: 1555 - 2050

Nonstop to Guangzhou with Kenya Airways
September 27th, 2008

Kenya Airways will operate three of its six weekly flights to Guangzhou nonstop from Nairobi beginning at the end of October. The remaining flights will operate via Bangkok.

Alex Roney

October 24th, 2008, 11:29 PM

Nice, Guangzhou is definitely becoming a mini hub for African airlines in China.

ufookoro

November 1st, 2008, 05:32 PM

Nigeria: Arik Air Launches Lagos-Ibadan Operations

Vanguard (Lagos)

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Vanguard (Lagos)

1 November 2008
Posted to the web 1 November 2008

Kenneth Ehigiator

Arik Air has concluded all plans to launch its Lagos-London operations on December 1, 2008, just as it secured more slot from the British government to fly into Heathrow Airport.

This comes as the airline celebrates two years of existence, having started operations in October last year.

Managing Director of the airliner, Michael McTighe, who disclosed this on the occasion of the airline's second anniversary celebration in Lagos, said the first London flight would be perated with two brand new Airbus A340-500 aircraft.

According to him, these aircraft will be delivered to the airline in Toulouse, France, mid November.

McTighe said the 237 seat capacity A340-500 aircraft would have one of best cabin with a two-seat configuration, comprising 36 business class and 201 economy.

McTighe, who noted few people believed the airline when it promised to commence operation in October 2006 with brand new aircraft, are now convinced that Arik Air would go the whole hog to advance the course of Nigeria's aviation.

"Now, we have proved that we can deliver on promises. We surely deliver the best," he said.

He recalled that when the airline operated its first flight to Abuja on October 30, 2006, it had 19 passengers on board with just four flights, but today, the airline does 91 flights with 18 aircraft.

Arik Air Chairman, Sir Joseph Arumemi-Johnson, thanked the staff for their dedication to duty, stating that the airline is aiming to be a world class carrier.

He charged them to gird their loins as the airline gets set to launch the Lagos-London Heathtrow route, enjoining them to be courteous, friendly and shun all vices while operating into London.

"Now that we have attained this height, we have to do everything to stay on top", Sir Arumemi-Johnson charged the staff, while addressing them on the airline's second anniversary service.

He also expressed the airline's appeciation to Airbus Company in France for its cooperation in getting the two brand new A340-500, and Boeing, another aircraft manufacturer that would soon deliver wide-bodied planes to Arik.

Arumemi-Johnson assured the staff that the sky was the limit for the airline if they continued to be professional, safety-conscious and offer world-class services.

"As we go into the third year of our operation, we need to work harder and give the best service to our guests", he added.

Beside London, Arik Air has also been designated by the federal government to fly Lagos-Atlantic in the U.S., and has placed an order for Boeing 777-200 planes as well as the Dreamliner, Boeing 787, for the operations.
Relevant Links
West Africa
Economy, Business and Finance
Nigeria
Transport and Shipping
Travel and Tourism

The airline has equally spoken of its desire to open up the South American route through Brazil, as part of its long-term plans for inter-continental operations.:banana::banana:

TEHR_IR

November 4th, 2008, 06:19 PM

APA-Harare (Zimbabwe) Zimbabwe\’s national airline will this month commence flights to Iran as part of a deal aimed at opening up new markets for the southern African country\’s tourism sector, state media reported here Tuesday.

A spokesman for the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe said Air Zimbabwe would fly to Teheran five times a week.

The Herald newspaper said the agreement was in line with the Zimbabwe Government’s Look East Policy and also aimed at luring airlines from the Middle East region to fly into the country.

Most Western international airlines have pulled out of Zimbabwe in the past eight years, citing poor business patronage blamed on the country’s present economic problems.
http://www.apanews.net/apa.php?page=show_article_eng&id_article=79517

http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=74299&sectionid=3510213

http://www.herald.co.zw/inside.aspx?sectid=421&cat=8

Alex Roney

November 12th, 2008, 07:52 PM

Good news!!! Today Delta made it's much anticipated announcement on international route expansion. The bulk of which is on it's African expansion.

JFK-LAGOS (due to start June 9th) daily. Was supposed to start December of this year but their were issues regarding safety and Nigeria's aviation agency.

JFK-SAL ISLAND, CAPE VERDE-MONROVIA due to start 10th August 1 weekly

ATL-JOHANNESBURG becomes non stop and upgraded to double daily

ATL-DAKAR-NAIROBI due to start June 2nd, 4x weekly. Previously cancelled due to security concerns and political instability.

ATL-SAL ISLAND, CAPE VERDE- ABUJA due to start August 12. Not sure yet of the frequency.

Delta's international expansion is quite ambitious, their pretty much the sole player in the U.S-Africa market.

They already fly JFK-CAIRO, ATL-LAGOS, JFK-DAKAR-CAPE TOWN, and JFK-ACCRA,

Alex Roney

November 12th, 2008, 07:56 PM

Surprised nothing into Morocco or Angola.

Alex Roney

November 12th, 2008, 08:44 PM

Spoke to soon, Delta will launch a flight to Luanda and many more African destinations. Here's the final list.

Trans-Pacific
New York-JFK to Tokyo-Narita, Japan1
June 4, 2009
Boeing 777-200ER
daily

Salt Lake City to Tokyo-Narita, Japan1,3
June 3, 2009
Airbus 330-200
five times weekly

Atlanta to Tokyo Narita, Japan1,3 (second frequency)
May 4, 2009
Boeing 747-400
daily

Tokyo-Narita, Japan to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam1,3
June 1, 2009
Boeing 757-200
daily

Africa
Atlanta to Johannesburg, South Africa1,2
June 1, 2009
Boeing 777-200LR
daily

Atlanta to Nairobi, Kenya1,5
June 2, 2009
Boeing 767-300ER
four times weekly

Atlanta to Monrovia, Liberia1,4
June 8, 2009
Boeing 757-200ER
once weekly

Atlanta to Abuja, Nigeria1,4
June 10, 2009
Boeing 757-200ER
twice weekly
Atlanta to Luanda, Angola1,4
June 14, 2009
Boeing 757-200ER
twice weekly

Atlanta to Malabo, Equatorial Guinea1,4
June 16, 2009
Boeing 757-200ER
once weekly

Atlanta to Cape Town, South Africa1,5
June 1, 2009
Boeing 767-300ER
three times weekly

New York-JFK to Lagos, Nigeria1
June 9, 2009
Boeing 767-300ER
five times weekly

Europe/Middle East
New York-JFK to Gothenberg, Sweden
June 11, 2009
Boeing 757-200ER
four times weekly

New York-JFK to Prague, Czech Republic1
June 18, 2009
Boeing 767-300
three times weekly

New York-JFK to Valencia, Spain1
June 5, 2009
Boeing 757-200ER
four times weekly

New York-JFK to Zurich, Switzerland
June 8, 2009
Boeing 757-200ER
daily
(seasonal)

New York-JFK to Tel Aviv1 (second frequency)
June 30, 2009
Boeing 767-300ER
four times weekly

1. Subject to government approval; Delta today applied with the U.S. Department of transportation seeking authority for the proposed new services on the New York-Tokyo, Atlanta-Luanda and Atlanta-Malabo routes; Delta’s wholly owned subsidiary, Northwest Airlines, Inc. applied for DOT authority to serve Tokyo-Ho Chi Minh City.
2. Replaces flight between Atlanta and Johannesburg via Dakar.
3. Flight operated under Northwest Airlines operating certificate.
4. Flight stops in Sal Island, Cape Verde.
http://news.delta.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=11185
5. Flight stops in Dakar, Senegal; Atlanta-Cape Town service replaces flight from New York-JFK to Cape Town.

Matthias Offodile

November 13th, 2008, 12:42 AM

Nice to know, but who wants to fly on this terribly old planes (B757-200er) with a service that leaves you groping for words?:ohno: Even if I were foced to fly Delta , I wouldn´t d it.

I doubt that that Delta has inseat videos, something that is standard for most of Asian and Arabian Gulf States airlines for ages. Take Ethihad or Singapore Airlines, a video on demand and a choice of more than 400 entertainment programs in ECONOMY CLASS!!! Very attentive staff and modern and well-maintained airlines! :cheers:

agostinho

November 13th, 2008, 11:02 AM

first time for me to say something about aviation here, as to the american airlines, the most important is the safety and profit, they still have lots of planes that don't fly anymore in europe for instance although, they also have lots of brand new ones. but for me the most important is the safety and good maintenance of these planes and of course the good treatment of the passengers

BUTEMBO21

November 13th, 2008, 11:26 AM

first time for me to say something about aviation here, as to the american airlines, the most important is the security and profit, they still have lots of planes that don't fly anymore in europe for instance although, they also have lots of brand new ones. but for me the most important is the security and good maintenance of these planes and of course the good treatment of the passengers

I agree . American care about security and profit , and their airplanes are very well maintained.

In America it's business, money , money , money.

European Airlines have more accidents than American Airlines.

In the US flying is not luxury . it's like taking a taxi on the side of the street.

Mister79

November 13th, 2008, 11:49 AM

Surprised nothing into Morocco or Angola.

Royal Air Maroc has partnership with Delta Airlines, they allready flying on Morocco..

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0CWU/is_2000_June_29/ai_63043895
http://www.vayama.com/flights-delta_air_lines-morocco

Mister79

November 13th, 2008, 11:52 AM

Air Arabia to open Morocco hub early '09

Dubai-listed Air Arabia said it will begin operations from its Moroccan hub in early 2009 after it receives government approval.

Air Arabia Maroc, based in Casablanca, will fly to destinations European, Middle East and Africa, the company said in a statement.

"We are keen on to capitalise on the immense potential in North Africa and Southern Europe," Air Arabia Chairman Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed Al-Thani said in the statement.

http://www.arabianbusiness.com/537006-air-arabia-to-open-morocco-hub-in-early-09

Air Arabia Buys Extra A320s For Morocco Hub
November 12, 2008

Low-cost carrier Air Arabia expects to receive delivery of the first of 44 planes it has on order by mid-2010 after adding 10 Airbus planes to help serve its new Morocco hub, the company said.

Chief Executive Adel Ali said the deal was in addition to the USD$3.5 billion aircraft order it made for 34 A320 jets at the Dubai Airshow in November 2007.

"We have increased the order to 44... delivery has been brought forward from 2012 to mid-2010," Adel Ali said.

The 10 additional aircraft were needed for the Morocco expansion, Ali said. The new hub is due to begin operating early next year giving the United Arab Emirates-based airline access to Africa and Europe.

Airbus's A320 family aircraft list prices range between USD$73.2 million and USD$80.6 million, which would make the deal worth about USD$770 million. Ali declined to give a value for the deal.

The purchase of an additional 10 planes follows Air Arabia's decision last November to place options on an additional 15 aircraft.

Air Arabia, the Gulf Arab region's largest low-cost airline by market value, posted a net profit of 214 million dirhams (USD$58.26 million) in the third quarter, up 30 percent from the year-earlier period as demand grew despite the global financial crisis.

Airlines across the world have been hard hit by oil prices that had risen more than six-fold since 2002, with some of the biggest carriers posting steep falls in profits or losses. Dubai government-owned rival Emirates saw profits tumble 88 percent in the first half of the year, due to record fuel prices.

Gulf Arab budget carriers, however, have mitigated surging oil prices as they benefit from a regional economic boom and increased passenger traffic in the world's top oil-exporting region.

"The deliveries are not for any time soon... It is for their long-term plan and is not taking into consideration current market conditions," Kareem Murad, Vice President - Research at Shuaa Capital.

Murad says demand in the Middle East and North Africa region is likely to continue growing, and the planes would partly be used to serve Air Arabia's Moroccan hub, which is due to begin operating in early 2009. It set up a hub in Nepal in January and is expected to open a third hub in the Levant.

The total number of passengers in the third quarter stood at 978,794 passengers, an increase of 34 percent from the same period last year, the airline said. It flies to 44 destinations.

"If you look at the fundamentals... it is a profitable company even in current conditions, and they are still exceeding expectations," said Murad.

Source: Reuters

http://news.airwise.com/story/view/1226519782.html

Matthias Offodile

November 13th, 2008, 11:58 AM

Not in your dreams can you dare to compare any American airline with one of the bigger European Airlines in terms of security and service standards.

British Airways, Lufthansa (very high safety record, very fussy, it is renowned the world over for its high security standards and expertise, many foreign airlines need Lufthsansa EXPERTISE to keep their airlines flying). KLM (very safe airline but service is mediocre), Air France (safety below European average but good service, also inseat video)...and not to forget about SAS (Scandinavian Airlines) or Suisse (the best Business Class and best economy class when flying with Eurpean Airlines) or Virgin Atlantic (been nominated several times!!!):cheers:

European Ailines have a much younger and safer fleet, even Luftansa which is a heavyweight in the airline industry (and has one of the oldest Western European fleet) will phase out their dreadfully noisy and uncomfortable Boeing 737-300 with brand new Airbus A318 and Airbus A319 jetliners. The rest is almost all Airbus A330-300, Airbus A340-300/600 series, A321/A320/A319, Airbus A300 (ther oldest, hoepfulyl gone soosn it is dreadful and shamefully old) and Boeing 747-400 (will be phased out by brand new Airbus A380):cheers::cheers:

The above-mentioned European Airlines are good (I would NEVER fly with Eastern European Airlines, all are trash and badly trained pilots...even read reports that Russina pilots fly drunk):ohno:

Americans Airlines are "trash" when compared to those prestigious European Airlines and absolute shit (!!!) when compared to Asian Airlines (in particular to ALL Nippon Airlines, Japan Airlines, Singapore Ailines, Malaysian Airlines, Royal Brunei) or elite Middle Eastern Airlines:cheers: (especially Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways: all very fussy security procedures and exclusive entertainment programmes and attentive staff, good food) which have won countless prices so far... Flying on US airlines you even have to pay for food and drinks on domestic routes!:ohno:

Even South African Airlines is way better in service and security than any American Airlines will ever become.

Matthias Offodile

November 13th, 2008, 12:30 PM

http://images.forbes.com/media/assets/forbes_home_logo.gif

http://images.forbes.com/media/lifestyle/2007/08/09/2_0809travel.jpg

World's Best First Class
Shivani Vora, 08.10.07, 10:00 AM ET

The only accoutrement not offered to today's first-class fliers: harps of gold.

Every other kind luxury is being lavished on them: fine champagne, toiletry kits by Bulgari and Ferragamo, seven-course meals and, on the ground, special concierges to expedite their passage through check-in and security.

"Right now, first-class is all about creating an over-the-top experience for passengers," says Edward Plaisted, chief executive of Skytrax, a London-based airline and airport-quality ranking firm. At a time when some carriers have eliminated first class altogether (in order to focus on business class), 35 others have not only kept it, but kicked it up a gilded notch. The ones keeping it, says Plaisted, are striving for "that wow factor."

Singapore Airlines' first class, for example, gives its passengers a choice between Dom Perignon and Krug champagne, and while fliers change into their Givenchy sleep suits and slippers in the extra-large bathrooms, their seats are turned into actual beds with sheets, a down duvet and oversize pillows.

Emirates first-class seats are mini-suites with sliding doors offering passengers total privacy. Cathay Pacific actually has skillets and rice cookers on board for its top-tier fliers, which means that eggs are made to order and rice dishes are prepared fresh.

Industry experts say that airlines are hoping amenities like these will entice passengers to spend the hefty first-class fares, which are an average of $6,922 for a one-way ticket on a European airline (an increase of 16% from a year ago), and $7,377 on an Asian carrier, up 12% from a year ago, according to Harrell Associates, an airline consulting firm in New York City that tracks ticket prices. U.S. airlines don't figure into the mix because most have consolidated first and business into one class.

Despite the steep cost for a ticket, first class is more a marketing tool than it is a money-maker.

"It's not a major source of revenue for airlines to have a first class," says Mike Boyd, president of the Boyd Group, an aviation consulting group in Evergreen, Colo. "Nowadays, business class is at such a high standard that most travelers are happy with flying that, and a lot of first class is filled up by upgrades from frequent fliers." Most full-fare first-class fliers are traveling for pleasure, not business.

Out-Of-This-World Options
Of the roughly 35 airlines worldwide who do offer first-class, fully flat beds, a three-to-one passenger-to-crew ratio (in biz-class, it is typically 10 or 15 passengers for one crew member), and sumptuous meals are par for the flight. However, a handful of carriers are trying to distinguish themselves by improving passengers' airport experience.

"Passengers complain that going to the airport is becoming more hellish with longer security lines and more time wasted before the flight," says Plaisted, "so some airlines are focusing on making the ground experience pleasurable for first-class fliers."

Qatar Airways is an example. First-class passengers flying out of Doha have access to a new separate $90 million terminal that resembles a five-star hotel with marble floors and cascading waterfalls. Passengers are cosseted from the moment they arrive at the airport. An attendant takes their bags, checks them in and leads them to a lounge, which has several fine-dining restaurants, a medical center and a spa with a sauna and Jacuzzi.

The luxe factor continues on board when fliers get caviar service, full-size pillows, white linen mattresses, Australian wool blankets and Bulgari toiletry kits. Each seat also has a 23-inch meal table, which lets two people dine across from each other, like in a restaurant.

It's amenities like these that give Qatar the distinction of the best first-class airline in the world on Skytrax's annual survey, which lists the top 10 in this category. The survey was conducted from August 2006 to June 2007 and includes a variety of input sources, including online and e-mail passenger interviews, business-research groups, travel-panel interviews, corporate-travel questionnaires and phone interviews. It takes into account nearly two dozen criteria, such as check-in, lounges, onboard amenities and staff service.

First-class passengers are waited on hand and foot from the moment they arrive in a private section of Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi's Airport. A personal concierge checks them in and escorts them through security to a lounge with wi-fi, a sauna and a spa that offers Thai massages. When flying into Bangkok, a concierge fast-tracks them through immigration, customs and bag pick-up. The perks onboard aren't bad either: passengers receive Bulgari toiletry kits and have a choice of 22 entrées, which can be pre-ordered.

Australian carrier Qantas' first-class lounges in Sydney and Melbourne have a library, a fine-dining restaurant, a business center and a spa that offers massages. Seats onboard transform into beds 6.5 feet long, and entertainment is 400 video on-demand channels. Dining is an eight-course extravaganza, which can be paired with wines, and Payot products are stuffed into the designer silk toiletry kits (the men's by Akira Isogawa, the women's by Colette Dinnigan).

It may not be exactly like staying in a five-star hotel--after all, there are no king-size beds and Jacuzzis on board--but with all its lavish amenities, first-class flying comes pretty close.

Matthias Offodile

November 13th, 2008, 12:46 PM

more news:)

Royal Air Maroc looking for turboprops
November 11th, 2008

Flight Global reports that Royal Air Maroc is looking to acquire eight turboprops to be used by a regional airline it intends to launch in March 2009.

Posted in Royal Air Maroc | No Comments »
Ghana International Airlines to Dusseldorf
November 6th, 2008

Pending government approval, Ghana International Airlines will begin service to Dusseldorf, Germany from its base in Accra, Ghana on November 29. Flights will operate once per week on Saturdays using B752 aircraft.

G0156 ACC - DUS: 2245 - 645
G0157 DUS - ACC: 1425 - 2025

Air Algérie to Beijing
November 6th, 2008

Air Algérie will reportedly begin service to Beijing, China from its base in Alegiers as early as February 2009. Flights will operate on Thursdays and Sundays using A330 aircraft.

BUTEMBO21

November 13th, 2008, 01:34 PM

For Americans taking the plane is like taking a bus or a taxicab. Luxury don't exist in american Arilines.

I was very desapointed when i got into American Airlines , i thaught they were like Europeans , but damn it was a very sad thing to see.

Even airports are not impressive as European or some Asian countries.
Sept 11. made things worse. You can't even cary tooth paste as a security mesure. scared that it might be some kind of chamicals that can be used as explosives.

What i meant by safety was planes making accidents. American airplanes are very well maintained.

Alex Roney

November 13th, 2008, 02:59 PM

There's nothing new here. People forget that U.S airlines never really have recovered from 9-11, they've been losing big money ever since. Along with the auto industry the airline industry might get a government bailout. That also explains why we've seen mega merges between Delta and NorthWestern creating a mega airline. But the same is happening to Euro airlines as well. The quality of BA,Lufthansa,Air France, KLM and others is no better than it was 10 years ago. In terms of service quality, a good portion of countries have superior services. You get a lot better service traveling in Mexicana or Aero Mexico between the U.S than any U.S airline. So it's nothing new or special.

I'd also say that AA is worse than both Continental and Delta, in terms of service and planes. The reason for Delta using shitty 757's in such long flights is that their is no competition and they can give passengers as cheap alternatives as possible and they'll still make a shit load of money. Thats how it works.

Matthias Offodile

November 14th, 2008, 01:28 PM

Matthias Offodile

November 14th, 2008, 02:03 PM

Nigeria: Virgin Nigeria Begins Flight Service to Abidjan

This Day (Lagos)

2 August 2008
Posted to the web 4 August 2008

Lagos

Virgin Nigeria announces that it will start flight operations to its sixth regional destination by connecting Abidjan, Cote D'ivoire on its route network tomorrow.

The introduction of flight services to the Francophone city of Abidjan is aimed at fostering the economic and socio-cultural ties in Africa, especially bilateral relationships between Nigeria and Cote D'Ivoire.

Announcing the scheduled commencement of the operations in Lagos, the Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Conrad Clifford said: "Virgin Nigeria is strengthening her ties with the Francophone countries and the launch of flight services to Abidjan will enhance travel options available to the traveling public on the route as well as providing access between the Francophone and Anglophone countries in the West African region."

"Virgin Nigeria is building mutual relationships between Nigeria and the neighboring countries through our positive route expansion aimed at developing strong economic ties as well as our commitment towards opening up communication channels between African nations", Conrad emphasised.

Virgin Nigeria in line with its key objective of creating a hub at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos is fast developing a wide route network cut across international, regional and domestic destinations.

The launch of flight services to Abidjan comes on the heels of the commencement of flight operations to Libreville in June.

Virgin Nigeria will operate twice weekly flights to Abidjan using a Boeing 737-300 series aircraft. The outbound flight to Abidjan will depart Lagos by 18.00 hours arriving two hours after every Monday and Friday while the inbound will depart Abidjan by 9.30 hours every Tuesday and Virgin Nigeria is Nigeria 's private sector flag carrier, 51 per cent owned by Nigerian institutional investors and 49 per cent owned by Virgin Atlantic. The airline was formed in September 2004 when the Federal Government of Nigeria announced the selection of Virgin Atlantic Airways as the strategic investor and technical partner in this exciting project.

With the mission of being a World Class Airline from the heart of Africa, Virgin Nigeria, has steadily developed a global network that serves domestic, regional and international routes from its operational hub at the Murtala
With a focus on improving the customer's experience, Virgin Nigeria is constantly developing innovative products for the convenience of its customers. Some of these innovations include the online booking and payment system. The online and booking payment system allows the customer to book from anywhere in world, as well as make payments with an interswitch debit card for people in Nigeria and most international credit and debit cards for persons in London.

GregPz

November 14th, 2008, 03:12 PM

All 6 of the airlines with a 5 star Skytrax ratings come from Asia. Several of the major European airlines and South African Airways have 4 stars but no major US airline - they only get 3 stars.

http://www.airlinequality.com/StarRanking/5star.htm

Alex Roney

November 14th, 2008, 04:04 PM

Alex, Roney, agree but you forget to add the ghastly air hostesses that look old, shrivelled and some even fat! Deplorable..., those kind of air hotesses won´t fly on any of the sophicticated (Western) European Airlines, not to speak of Asia and Gulf Arab States!

Singapore Airlines crew is the only crew member that made it to Madam Tussand´s in London (I don´t know if you know about that: "Singapore Girl") that shows how much importance Asia´s sophisticated airlines attach to branding and good looks.

What??? Have you flown BA recently? I'm a BA silver card member so I use them quite a lot. Their air hostesses are mainly older women and gay men. Same goes for Lufthansa who don't tend to be young either. That said, both are great airlines. But Western Europe as it's fair share of shit airlines as well. Iberia and AlItalia are just as bad if not worse than American or even NorthWestern.

Asian and gulf airlines obviously are completely different. A lot more chique, better service and quality. The thing is U.S airlines focus on connectivity, not quality. BA is far better than Delta, yet no other airline carries more passengers across the atlantic than Delta. Why? Because their hubs in Atlanta and New York attract millions upon millions of passengers. Atlanta's hub is superior to Heathrow, that says a lot about domestic network in the U.S airline industry.

Matthias Offodile

November 14th, 2008, 09:53 PM

Alex Roney

November 14th, 2008, 11:15 PM

Another thing that is annoying is travelling or connected within the U.S. It's a pain in the ass, especially in the security lines. JFK, Miami and LAX are awful. However Houston international is a very good airport. Their immigration hall is double the size of Heathrow's, which is sad, considering Heathrow handles double the capacity and probably 5 times as much the international pax. U.S is such a big country (it's like a continent in itself) you get good, great, bad and awful airports. Denver international is also very good.

Matthias Offodile

November 14th, 2008, 11:21 PM

Alex Roney

November 15th, 2008, 01:23 AM

Alex Roney, but look at Australia travelling is a lot easier over there (from hearsay)..and it´s also like a continent in itself, does it all boil down to population size or are there other variables involved?

Other than geographic size, you can't compare domestic (or international) travel in Australia to the U.S. I have no idea about the number domestic travelers in Australia but I bet it's at least 1/15th to that of the U.S. Cities like Salt Lake city international airport with a population of just over a million (metro area) has carries nearly the same number of passengers as Melbourne international, which is the country's second most important airport. And a very important hub for Asian flights. The bulk of Salt Lake's traffic is domestic.

DanteXavier

November 21st, 2008, 03:04 AM

Bombardier Sells Eight Q400 NextGen Airliners to Ethiopian Airlines-

Total Dash 8/Q-Series turboprop program orders exceed 1,000 aircraft

TORONTO, ONTARIO, Nov 20, 2008 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) -- Bombardier Aerospace announced today that Ethiopian Airlines has signed a contract to purchase eight Q400 NextGen turboprop airliners, and has taken options on four additional Q400 NextGen aircraft. Including this transaction, the Dash 8/Q-Series aircraft program has recorded firm orders for a total of 1,001 aircraft.
Based on the list price of the Q400 NextGen airliner, the value of the Ethiopian Airlines firm order contract is approximately $242 million US, and could increase to approximately $366 million US if the four options are exercised.
Ethiopian Airlines, the country's flag carrier, made its first flight between Addis Ababa and Cairo via Asmara on April 8, 1946. Today, it operates a fleet of jet and turboprop aircraft to 33 African cities and a total of 20 international points in the Middle East, Asia, Europe and North America.
Ethiopian Airlines won the Brussels Airport Marketing Award for long-haul operations in October, 2008. In the same month the airline also won the 2008 Best Airline in Africa Award from the Akwaaba Travel Market Organization and the 2008 Corporate Achievement Award in Johannesburg in August, 2008.
"The 360-knot speed, low operating costs and environmental credentials of the Q400 NextGen aircraft will enable us to maintain the high standards for which we have received numerous awards," said Girma Wake, Chief Executive Officer, Ethiopian Airlines. "The aircraft's excellent range and payload capability will allow us to deploy it on domestic routes within Ethiopia, as well as on regional routes up to 1,000 nm (1,850 km) from Addis Ababa.
"Another key reason for our selection of the Q400 airliner is its exceptional performance in terms of climb rate, single-engine ceiling and higher take-off weight, and thus greater payload, from hot and high elevation airfields," Mr. Wake added.
"Ethiopian Airlines will utilize all of the extensive qualities of the Q400 aircraft," said Gary R. Scott, President, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. "And we welcome this award-winning airline to the growing Q400 airliner family."
The transaction announced today increases Q400/Q400 NextGen aircraft firm orders to 330 aircraft, with 210 delivered as of July 31, 2008.
The Dash 8 turboprop program was launched in 1980. With the introduction of the Noise and Vibration Suppression (NVS) system in 1996, the name was changed to the Q-Series aircraft program, reflecting the aircraft's quiet cabin amenities. The aircraft are in service with more than 100 operators around the world. In addition to their role in commercial airline service, Dash 8/Q-Series aircraft are also operating in coastal surveillance, firefighting, navigator training, medical evacuation, mixed passenger/cargo configurations, laser depth sounding of the ocean floor, resource exploration and many other special mission roles.
About Bombardier
A world-leading manufacturer of innovative transportation solutions, from commercial aircraft and business jets to rail transportation equipment, systems and services, Bombardier Inc. is a global corporation headquartered in Canada. Its revenues for the fiscal year ended Jan. 31, 2008, were $17.5 billion US, and its shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (BBD). Bombardier is listed as an index component to the Dow Jones Sustainability World and North America indexes. News and information are available at www.bombardier.com.

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/Bombardier-Sells-Eight-Q400-NextGen/story.aspx?guid=%7BFA2E2B86-3DCF-4AC4-AB33-B678CCF76C71%7D

egypt69

November 24th, 2008, 05:37 PM

NEW EGYPTAIR ROUTES in 2009

Cairo - Catania (Italy)
Sharm El shiekh - Catania
Luxor - Catania

This will be the third destination operated by Egyptair to Italy, after Rome and Milan.

Also:

Cairo - Dar es Salam (Julius Nyerere International Airport) in Tanzania

Kwame

November 26th, 2008, 03:38 AM

Arik Air Begins Direct Flight From Lagos to New York 2009
25 November 2008

Lagos - Nigeria's flag carrier, Arik Air, would begin its New York and Houston's direct flight from Lagos during summer of 2009.

This comes as the airline has concluded plans to start operations on Lagos-London route during the middle of next month, after taking delivery of the first of its three Airbus A340-500 aircraft from Toulouse, France, next week.

Arik Managing Director, Mr. Mike McTighe, told newsmen at a briefing in Lagos yesterday that slots for both destinations were already available from the U.S. government.

"We are also planning to commence operations to the USA, specifically New York and Houston non-stop direct service from Lagos in early summer 2009," McTighe said.

He said Arik might not be able to operate into the two U.S. destinations using its own aircraft, as the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) is yet to be granted category one certification by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

According to him, the airline will use wet-lease European aircraft to service the two U.S. routes, pending the certification of the NCAA by the U.S. government.

He said: " The NCAA is working assiduously to get FAA Category One certification. But we have got traffic rights for wet-lease operation as Nigeria is not Category One certified. We will wet-lease a European aircraft for the operation."

Asked why Arik added New York destination against the Houston the federal government designated it to fly into, McTighe said the emergence of U.S. Delta Airlines informed the development, as the American flies the direct Lagos-Houston route at the moment.

He explained that it would not make economic sense for Arik to start operations in to Houston, even though a sizable population of Nigerians live there.

"We found out also that a large population of Nigerians live in New York, same as in London, and at the moment, there is no direct flight to New York from Lagos," said McTighe, who disclosed that the airline's first set of 14 cadet pilots trained at the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) would be graduating next week to coincide with the delivery of its A340-500 plane to be deployed for the London operation.

McTighe said Arik would serve both Nigerian and continental menu on its London flight, adding that passengers would also have the opportunity of monitoring live CNN news and Super Sports programme on DSTV during flight.

He said the new wide-bodied aircraft from Airbus would be delivered to Abuja December 4 where it would be received by top federal government officials.

All Africa (http://allafrica.com/stories/200811250242.html)

abdeka

December 15th, 2008, 08:04 PM

Algérie: Tassili Airlines va doubler sa flotte à 40 avions

Algeria : Tassili Airlines is going to double the fleet in 40 planes

http://www.skycontrol.net/UserFiles/Image/BusinessGA_img/200607b/200607bombardier-Tassili%20Q400.jpg

ALGER - La compagnie aérienne algérienne Tassili Airlines, filiale à 100% du groupe pétrolier public Sonatrach, compte doubler "très rapidement" sa flotte à 40 avions, selon un communiqué diffusé lundi. Tassili Airlines, qui dispose actuellement d'une flotte de 19 appareils, va porter ce chiffre à 40 aéronefs, tous types confondus, dont des avions de transport de passagers et de marchandises, des avions de service agricole, des hélicoptères (mono et biturbines) et des jets d'affaires, selon le communiqué cité par l'agence APS.

La compagnie algérienne s'est structurée en un groupe aérien constitué de trois filiales. La première est chargée du transport public des passagers et des marchandises (Tassili Airlines), la seconde du transport des travailleurs des hydrocarbures (Naftassil) et la troisième est spécialisée dans les services agricoles (Tassili Agro aérien), a ajouté la même source.

Tassili Airlines, qui emploie 120 pilotes, a par ailleurs lancé la construction de centres de maintenance dans les aéroports d'Alger, Hassi Messaoud (sud) et Tiaret (ouest), a précisé la même source.

(©AFP / 15 décembre 2008 17h59)

abdeka

January 4th, 2009, 02:28 PM

Algerian national company, Air Algerie, snatches first aircraft maintenance deal

ALGIERS- National airline Air Algerie has won its first aircraft maintenance contract with a foreign airline, to repair Libyan Airlines planes, the national company's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Abdelwahid Bouabdallahaid said on Saturday. The contract is relating to the maintenance of five Libyan Airlines aircrafts, two of which are already here, for a global amount of USD1.5 million, Bouabdallah said on the sidelines of a visit paid by Transports Minister Amar Tou to the maintenance base of Air Algerie in Dar El Beida (Algiers).

http://nsa03.casimages.com/img/2009/01/04/090104013035709441.jpg (http://www.casimages.com)

http://nsa03.casimages.com/img/2009/01/04/090104012859852882.jpg (http://www.casimages.com)

http://nsa03.casimages.com/img/2009/01/04/090104013010897081.jpg (http://www.casimages.com)

Mwafrika

January 7th, 2009, 11:59 AM

LONDON, Jan 5 (Reuters) - Renault's double Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso has had to delay his return from holidays in Kenya after being involved in a minor plane incident, the team said on Monday.
A spokeswoman said the Spaniard and his family were preparing to fly to Nairobi from team boss Flavio Briatore's vacation home in Malindi on Sunday when their private plane touched an airport building and damaged a wing.
Briatore was not on board the aircraft.
"It's not as serious as it appears on the Internet," added the spokeswoman. "But Fernando's had to postpone his return and will fly back today."
Italy's Corriere della Sera newspaper reported that the private plane had clipped a wing on the terminal building as it was preparing to take off.
Alonso won the 2005 and 2006 titles with Renault. He won two races for the team last year.
Italy's Gazzetta dello Sport reported last week that Alonso had a secret deal to join champions Ferrari from 2011. The Italian team declined to comment on the reports. (Reporting by Alan Baldwin; Editing by Sonia Oxley)

GregPz

January 15th, 2009, 03:44 PM

The first African airline to order A380s is....................AIR AUSTRAL of Reunion island!!!!!!!!!

Well, they've signed an MOU at least for 2 in full economy class layout - 840 seats!!!!

Read more here http://www.airliners.net/aviation-forums/general_aviation/read.main/4282913/

Cigar

January 15th, 2009, 03:46 PM

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/01/15/321107/air-austral-to-acquire-two-800-seat-a380s.html

Air Austral will be the first airline to configure their A380s in an all-economy class layout meaning capacity will be 840 seats :shocked:!!

Matthias Offodile

January 17th, 2009, 12:49 AM

Air Austral is the national carrier of Reunion, isn´t it?

SAHARA-1

January 17th, 2009, 01:40 AM

Ethiopian Airlines to manage West Africa's regional carrier
News - Africa news

The Ethiopian Airlines has signed a five-year-long management contract with ASKY, Africa's newest international airline, that is set to provide an air transport link between West and East Africa.

ASKY Chairman Gervais Koffi Djondo and Ethiopian Airlines Chief Executive Girma Wake signed the management contract here Friday, setting the pace for the operation of the new airline, registered in Togo.

"This is a historic day for us. It is a truly historic day. This agreement demon strates the importance of Ethiopia as a country in the aviation world and the important role it plays in Africa," Djondo said after signing the agreement.

The Ethiopian Airlines will provide managers to oversee the running of the new West African Airline, which has been sanctioned by the West African leaders, including the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

The airline's major shareholders include West Africa's leading bank, EcoBank, ECOWAS Bank of Investment and Development and BOAD, West African Development Bank and it also has some South African shareholders.

ASKY was founded by Djondo three years ago.

ECOWAS heads of state have discussed the proposal and cleared the new airline to link the countries of the region, providing the region with a faster air transport connection.

The Ethiopian Airlines said it would send senior managers to Lome, the Togolese capital, to immediately work on the launch of the new airline.

"After a long series of exchanges between the two airlines, we have finally agreed to sign the management contract," Wake said after signing the agreement.

Wake said the Ethiopian Airlines had been looking for partners across the West African region to make its business a success, noting that the competition amongst the airlines in East Africa was particularly unhealthy for growth.

"Africans cannot grow by killing one another. Africa can only grow if we support one another. The signing of this agreement will obviously be seen as a threat to other smaller airlines but we mean no danger to any airline in Africa," Wake said.

Addis Ababa - 16/01/2009

Pana: http://www.afriquejet.com/news/africa-news/ethiopian-airlines-to-manage-west-africa%27s-regional-carrier-2009011619762.html

GregPz

January 17th, 2009, 08:57 AM

Air Austral is the national carrier of Reunion, isn´t it?

Yes. Lots of traffic between Reunion and France.

qymekkam

January 17th, 2009, 07:34 PM

VIRGIN NIGERIA ANNOUNCES SUSPENSION OF LONG HAUL FLIGHTS

…To consolidate and expand domestic / regional operations

Lagos Nigeria, 9th January 2009: Virgin Nigeria announces that effective 27th January 2009, flights to London Gatwick, United Kingdom and Johannesburg, South Africa will be suspended.

The decision to suspend both services is to enable us to review our entire long haul operations including our product offerings on these routes. In the mean time, our focus is on consolidating and continuing to expand our profitable domestic and regional flight operations.
Once the long haul product review has been finalised, we are certain to return to the long haul routes.

Loyal customers on our eagleflier scheme who have acquired miles from our long haul flights are assured of the validity of the miles as the eagleflier scheme remains in place.

We apologise for any inconvenience that the suspension may cause our esteemed customers. However plans have been put in place to re-protect affected Customers on other carriers at no extra cost to the customer.

We trust our loyal passengers will bear with us as we suspend and review these long haul routes so that we can come back with a truly competitive product offering.

Alex Roney

January 17th, 2009, 09:18 PM

Arik Air is now the official Nigerian carrier. They offer a far superior product on the lucrative Lagos-London route. Virgin blew it, Branson really didn't put a whole lot to help, but local Nigerian officials in the aviation industry didn't help either.

Alex Roney

January 27th, 2009, 11:38 PM

Taag vai iniciar vôos para São Paulo no primeiro trimestre de 2009

terça-feira, 06-01-2009

Fonte: www.mapa-mundi.com

As Linhas Aéreas de Angola, Taag, vão começar a voar para São Paulo, no Brasil, a partir do primeiro trimestre de 2009.

O anúncio foi feito em Luanda um responsável da comissão de gestão da companhia aérea, citado pela agência noticiosa angolana Angop. Rui Carreira disse que a decisão está ligada ao fato de muitos dos passageiros que voam na rota Luanda-Rio de Janeiro terem como destino São Paulo.

"As negociações para a abertura da nova rota estão sendo discutidas entre as companhias aéreas e as entidades aeronáuticas de ambos os países, tudo no âmbito da comissão de estudo Angola/Brasil", disse.

Rui Carreira disse ainda que a procura, cada vez maior, de lugares nos percursos de Luanda para Lisboa, Rio de Janeiro e Pequim vai fazer com que a Taag aumente a freqüência dos vôos atualmente existentes.

A Taag, com 13 aeronaves, efetua vôos para 28 destinos, dos quais 14 nacionais e 14 internacionais.

Rui Carreira revelou ainda que a transportadora aérea de Angola, Taag perde, desde julho de 2007, cinco milhões de dólares americanos por mês, por não voar para a Europa.

O mesmo responsável revelou que a Taag pretende, a partir de julho deste ano, submeter à apreciação das autoridades européias e também da IATA um novo pedido para que a companhia aérea seja autorizada a retomar os vôos para a Europa, suspensos há cerca de um ano e meio por decisão das autoridades européias que incluíram a transportadora angolana na lista negra por motivos de falta de segurança.

Fonte: Macauhub

Mister79

January 29th, 2009, 01:14 PM

1/28/09 6:50 PM

Luanda
Morocco airline seeks partnership with Angola

Luanda - A delegation of Moroccan Royal Air Maroc (RAM) airline is expected Wednesday in Luanda, to analyse, with Angolan authorities, issues of bilateral interest.

Angop learned, from a source in Rabat, Morocco, that the delegation, headed by RAM's assistant commercial director, Ibra Birane Wane, will hold contacts with senior officials of the Angolan Ministry of Transports.

Royal Air Maroc, a Morocco's national airline, with headquarters in Casablanca city, operates international flights with destinations to Africa, Asia, Europe and North America, as well as domestic and chartered flights.

Created in 1953 under the name “Compagnie Cherifienne des Transports Aériens” (CCTA), the company started its operations with local flights through JunkersJU-52 aircrafts.

The name “Royal Air Maroc” was adopted after the independence of Morocco.

http://www.portalangop.co.ao/motix/en_us/noticias/transporte/Morocco-airline-seeks-partnership-with-Angola,c20a1441-a578-4ebf-95f6-77c30587142e.html

banuthev

February 1st, 2009, 04:38 PM

BY CHARITY KATAGO
Updated 1days 22 hours 50 minutes ago

NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 30 - Emirates Airlines will begin a daily flight to the South African port city of Durban starting October 1 this year, almost a year after original scheduled date.

The airline had earlier planned to launch the Durban route in December 2008, but deferred it after a review of aircraft deployment during a period of fuel price volatility.

“Durban was originally due to launch on December 1 last year. It was deferred after a routine review of our operations, which we periodically conduct to ensure the best utilisation of our aircraft fleet for our overall business goals," Mike Simon, Emirates' Divisional Senior Vice-President, Corporate Communications said.

The airline has further lifted the temporary suspension of their third daily Johannesburg flight, which was due to take effect from February 1.

“EK766 will operate on a scaled back basis – three times a week – from February 1 to March 29. The third daily flight will return to its full seven days a week operation from March 30. This follows a review of our operations, which includes factors such as aircraft availability and market requirements,” Mr Simon said.

He explained that Emirates is constantly evaluating its routes in line with aircraft availability and that the airline is in close and regular contact with manufacturers to ensure delivery schedules remain as smooth as possible, to realise its growth and expansion plans.

“A key consideration is to make sure any changes or revisions that are made have no or a minimum impact on our valued customers,” Mr Simon added.

Meanwhile, the Airline has announced that it would begin operating its ultra-modern and environmentally-friendly A380 aircraft to the Seoul International Airport in November 2009.

The new service is timed to coincide with ‘Visit Korea Year in 2010,’ where the national government and the city of Seoul are joining forces with the private sector to promote South Korea as a destination for international tourism.

According to a statement from Emirates, the new service represents the aviation world’s first A380 operation to Seoul, as well as Emirates’ first A380 service to North East Asia.

“It follows the successful deployment of Emirates’ A380s to New York and London, and soon-to-be-launched Sydney and Auckland,” the statement read in part.

The A380 is the world's most environmentally-advanced aircraft with significant reductions in noise, emissions and fuel burn compared to other comparable aircraft.

Reference: http://www.capitalfm.co.ke/business/Local/Emirates-flies-daily-to-Durban-from-Oct-1548.html

www.airsrilanka.tk
http://www.geocities.com/lankaflightinfo/images/airsrilanka.bmp

Matthias Offodile

February 21st, 2009, 11:32 PM

President welcomes Turkish Airline direct flights

Written By:PPS , Posted: Sat, Feb 21, 2009

Caption: President Mwai Kibaki receives the Turkish President Abdullah Gul at State House Nairobi where they held talks.

President Mwai Kibaki has welcomed the decision by the Turkish Airlines to commence direct flights to Nairobi.

The President said the move will enhance the free flow of traffic between Kenya and Turkey, leading to several mutual economic benefits for the people of the two countries.

"It will also enable Turkish investors to take advantage of Kenya's strategic location as a gateway to the markets within the East African Community and the wider COMESA region," President Kibaki said.

President Kibaki was speaking Friday evening during a state banquet he hosted in honour of visiting Turkish President Abdullah Gul at a Nairobi hotel.

Noting that Kenya and Turkey have unique strengths and capabilities that can be used to establish strategic partnership, the Head of State commended the Turkish International Cooperation and Development Agency's excellent track record in Africa.

He said the agency in collaboration with UN-Habitat has applied Turkey's advanced housing experience in Kenya through the Slum Upgrading programme in Mombasa.

"We are desirous of expanding this programme to other urban areas experiencing similar challenges," the Head of State said.

The President also welcomed the keen interest demonstrated by Turkish firms on Kenyan commodities particularly coffee, tea, leather, textiles and sisal fibres and encouraged Turkish investors to take the necessary steps to translate this interest into tangible economic engagements.

President Kibaki expressed confidence that the Turkish trade and investment delegation accompanying the Turkish President will have fruitful interactions with their Kenyan counterparts and explore the possibilities of establishing partnerships in various commercial and industrial sectors.

Saying the Turkish President's visit is a clear testimony to the warm and cordial relations existing between Kenya and Turkey, President Kibaki said the visit should further enhance the relations and deepen the friendship and understanding between the two countries.

"I assure you of Kenya's commitment to our mutual endeavour to broaden and strengthen our bilateral relations" President Kibaki said.

He commended the Turkish President for steering Turkey's rapid economic progress that has seen the country ranked among the fastest growing economies in the world, saying Kenya is willing to work closely with Turkey in order to learn from the country's experiences on economic growth.

President Kibaki also congratulated Turkey for being elected to the UN Security Council, saying with Turkey at the Security Council Kenya has a dependable friend who will no doubt help front Africa's agenda and lend the much needed voice in tackling the challenges of Africa.

The President also encouraged Turkey to open an office in Nairobi to enhance the cooperation in a wide range of areas and serve as the launch pad for Turkey's activities in the region.

"I look forward to working hand in hand with Turkey in further fortifying our cooperation in various sectors of our two countries. I am convinced that new horizons for further cooperation between our countries exist," President Kibaki said.

On his part, President Gul said Turkey valued the existing cordial relations and cooperation with Kenya and is determined to strengthen it further for the benefit of the people of the two countries.

"Kenya is a strong and influential country in Africa and we want to see the existing cooperation in various enhanced for the benefit of the two countries," President Gul said.

In this regard, the Turkish President encouraged Turkish business people to invest more in Kenya in order to strengthen the existing cooperation.

This is President Gul's first visit to Kenya and Africa as a whole.

He is accompanied by his wife, First Lady Hayrunnisa Gul and several Turkish business people.

On Thursday, the two witnessed the signing of two agreements on health and visa abolition for holders of diplomatic passports aimed at removing movement restriction by the citizens of the two countries

The agreements signed by the Foreign Affairs and Transport Ministers from the two countries followed fruitful bilateral talks held between delegations from the two Countries led by President Kibaki and the visiting Turkish President Gul.

Kenyan Foreign Affairs Minister Moses Wetangula said details of the agreements would be worked out by the relevant Ministries in the two countries.

During the talks, the framework for cooperation identified eight areas of cooperation which include inter-government cooperation, trade and investment, Health, peace and security and Infrastructure development.

Others are energy, transport and communication, culture and education and media and communication.

During the fruitful deliberations, a wide range of bilateral, regional and international issues of common interest and concern were discussed.

The three day official visit by the Turkish President to Kenya is the first since the Turkey-Africa Summit of August 2008 during which a framework for development cooperation between turkey and Africa was adopted.

Turkey is already involved in various development projects in Kenya including slum upgrading in Mombasa under the UN Habitat-TIKA programme and provision of higher education scholarships for Kenyan students.

Kwame

February 27th, 2009, 07:33 AM

Angola: Delta Airlines links the US and Angola with route via Sal
Praia, Cabo Verde, 24 Feb – North American airline, Delta Airlines will launch a twice-weekly flight linking the US with Angola from September, via the Cape Verdean island of Sal, Panapress agency reported Monday.

According to the pan-African news agency, Delta Airlines is in talks with North American and Angolan authorities to ensure the necessary government approval which will allow it to begin the direct flight from the North American city of Atlanta (Georgia) to Luanda (Angola).

The choice of Atlanta as the destination of the flight was because the city has the largest North American airport, offering around 180 flights to the US, Latin America and the Caribbean.

Officials of the North American company also thought that the air link via Cape Verde would increase the trade flow between the two countries and the African continent.

MacauHub (http://www.macauhub.com.mo/en/news.php?ID=6942)

GregPz

February 27th, 2009, 11:39 AM

Some of Africa's main airports have released their 2008 passenger figures. South Africa has followed the global trend with declining numbers but Egypt has shown spectacular growth. Will be interesting to see how other African airports have done. I've slotted in those airports that haven't released data in their 2007 positions. Should be some changes in rankings when more stats come through though.

Johannesburg 18 501 628 -4.3%
Cairo 14 360 175 14.2%
Cape Town 8 078 589 -2.9%
Sharm el Sheikh 7 758 859 20.8%
Hurghada 6 743 199 13.4%
Casablanca 6 212 226 6.0%
Nairobi ??
Durban 4 458 715 -7.1%
Lagos ??
Monastir ??
Tunis ??
Algiers ??
Marrakech 3 072 661 1.6%
Addis Ababa ??
Mauritius ??
Jerba ??
Abuja ??
Luxor 2 168 700 9.7%
Dakar ??
Tripoli ??
St Denis ??
Port Elizabeth 1 465 429 -1.8%
Agadir 1 462 100 -2.7%
Dar es Salaam ??
Mombasa ??
Luanada ??
Accra ??
Alexandria 1 162 987 46.3%
Aswan 1 106 863 13.1%

Kenguy

March 2nd, 2009, 03:01 PM

KQ spreads wings to southern Africa

Business Daily Africa.
Nairobi.
Written by Daniel Mayabi

Kenya Airways has moved to strengthen its strong network status in Africa as a cushion to growing competition and falling passenger numbers on European routes.

Mr Glenn Lewington, Kenya Airways Johannesburg spokesperson, told Business Daily that the national carrier is at an advanced stage to have direct flights to the Botswana and Namibia markets from Johannesburg.

Already, the firm has opened a ticketing office in Gaborone, Botswana, and has cast its sights on Angola, Kisangani and Brazzaville in March, which will give it a presence in the Southern-Central Africa routes.

Mr Lewington says immense value would be realised by passengers interconnecting African cities using one airline for instance from Bamako to Gaborone or Luanda to Dakar.

The move is line with Kenya Airways strategy of connecting Africa cities to the rest to the world, given the increased demand for intra Africa travel.

Kenya Airways currently flies to over 30 destinations in Africa. The planned new routes will broaden the Kenya Airways route network reach within Africa, allowing it to tap into new business and tourists market.

grjplanes

March 4th, 2009, 02:36 PM

Mr Glenn Lewington, Kenya Airways Johannesburg spokesperson, told Business Daily that the national carrier is at an advanced stage to have direct flights to the Botswana and Namibia markets from Johannesburg.

Huh? Does that mean they want to fly to Gaborone and Windhoek via Johannesburg...or was he just speaking "from Johannesburg"?
I believe they'll do good with 2 or 3 direct weekly flights to both GBE and WDH, maybe they can do it in a triangular route like they do several others as well.

Matthias Offodile

March 15th, 2009, 11:54 PM

TAP Increases Flights to Africa

2008-11-24

7753|1|0|28|BB

During the Christmas and New Year period TAP is to increase flights to several destinations in Europe and Africa offering more than 5,200 seats in total. With the aim of meeting the increased demand registered in this period the Company has programmed a range of increased capacity and extra flights that will run from mid December to January 18 2009 covering France, Switzerland and Luxemburg in Europe, Angola and Cape Verde in Africa.

In Europe, TAP will hold 14 extra flights connecting Portugal to Paris and Luxemburg to Zurich, departing from Lisbon and Porto, plus more than two thousand seats on its regular flights to these destinations.

Six extra flights with an additional capacity of around 900 seats to Luxemburg are scheduled along with two extra flights to Zurich and 452 seats, plus six extra flights to Paris – Orly representing a further 700 additional seats.

In addition to the extra flights to Europe TAP is also increasing capacity on its flights to Luanda with four additional flights - to its current eight flights a week - departing from Lisbon and two other non-stop flights connecting Luanda and Porto which in total amount to an increase in capacity of more than 3,200 seats. Along the same lines the city of Praia in Cape Verde will be served by extra daily flights between December 15 - 23 and December 25 - January 18 2009.

To add to this extra capacity to several cities in Europe and Africa, during this festive season TAP will also be running an extra 103 flights to Madeira and the Azores as previously advertised, more than 24 thousand additional seats between the Continent and these Regions.

qymekkam

March 16th, 2009, 12:01 AM

two new airlines are starting in Nigeria. Air Midwest and Red 1 xpress

Matthias Offodile

March 16th, 2009, 12:04 AM

Angola: Lufthansa to Increase Flights to Luanda

4 March 2009

Luanda — The German airways Lufthansa intends to increase its weekly flights to Luanda, from the current once a week to twice or even thrice a week, so as to strengthen its presence in Angola.

This can be read in a note from the institution which reached ANGOP last Tuesday in Luanda.

According to Lufthansa's document, which was produced in the framework of the recently ended German/Angolan 2nd Economic Forum held in Berlin, the airlines had a positive year in 2008 thanks to the excellent cooperation with various Angolan government agencies and local authorities.

According to Lufthansa's director for the southern and eastern region of Africa, Gabriel Leupold who is mentioned in the press note, the airliner is optimistic about the increase of flights of the route Luanda-Frankfurt as soon as the Angolan authorities allow that.

With this direct flight that connects Luanda to Frankfurt, reads the note, the customers have had big advantages regarding the various connections through Frankfurt to other European destinations as well as to the USA.

Angolan airline TAAG eyes flights to EU in June

http://cdn.wn.com/o25/ph//2009/03/11/5d559eaac331b7f19568cfdab7ccd17a-grande.jpg
TAAG´s brand new jets

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Angolan state-owned airline TAAG, barred from flying to the European Union since 2007, hopes to resume those flights in June, a member of the airline's managing commission said on Wednesday. Angola's government recently fired TAAG's board and created a special commission to help restructure the airline and make it comply with international safety standards. The carrier has suffered record losses since it was banned from the EU two years ago.

"We are making an effort and working in all the issues that are non-compliant with good international practices," said Rui Carreira in comments broadcast over state-owned Radio Nacional de Angola. "There will be a new EU inspection in May ... and our goal is for TAAG to resume flights to the EU in June."

The oil-rich nation currently rents planes from South African Airways to fly to the EU. Some European airlines like Portugal's TAP have expressed interest in forging strong partnerships with the Angolan carrier, the country's transport minister Augusto Tomas recently told Reuters. He did not provide details on the proposed partnerships.

Matthias Offodile

March 16th, 2009, 12:05 AM

wo new airlines are starting in Nigeria. Air Midwest and Red 1 xpress

Good news, hopefully they will copy Air Arik success with brand new jets..I am tired of seeing trash planes in Africa. I want to see excellent new jets:cheers:

Matthias Offodile

March 16th, 2009, 12:09 AM

Nigerian airline increases flights to Ghana:cheers:

Business/Finance | Thu, 05 Mar 2009

A FOREST DOES NOT GROW IN A SEASON - By: FRANCIS TAWIAH -->Duisburg
More Quotes | Submit a Quote
Aero Contractors, a leading Nigerian airline, has increased its flight frequency on the Lagos to Accra route to two daily flights with their new Boeing 737-500 aircraft, a move the airline says would boost the tourism sector of Ghana.

“In the last five years, Accra has become a major tourist and business destination in Africa. And this decision was taken in the interest and comfort of the airline's teeming customers to give them more choices and flexibility in planning their trips,” said Mr Mark Snoxell, Business Development Manager of the airline, in Accra on Thursday.

“We are looking to increase our passenger base from the current 600 to 1,200 weekly and make it easier and cheaper for people to take to the skies,” he said.

Snoxell said an advantage of the move was that booking and payments in Nigeria for tickets could be done online for best fares, while tickets could still be purchased through sales shops across Ghana and registered travel agents.

Customers from both countries taking advantage of the two daily flights between Lagos and Accra, he said, would soon be able to pay for their tickets using their Visa card, a feature that has already been implemented in Nigeria.

From Accra, the fist flight departs at 0810 hours except on Sunday and the second flight departs at 1810 hours except Wednesdays when it depart at 1825 hours.

Snoxell said the airline was poised to provide the most competitive fare in the market, as well as offer packaged tours to Accra for leisure travellers.

Aero Contractors began flight operations into Accra in December 2004. The airline operates an international route network including destinations such as Malabo, Lome, Cotonou, Sao Tome, Bamako, Casablanca, Luanda and Libreville.

Matthias Offodile

March 16th, 2009, 12:22 AM

Nigeria approves higher flight frequency with UK

News, 15 February- The Nigerian government has approved for British Airways (BA) to operate seven additional weekly flights between Britain and Nigeria. A "large number of passengers on the Nigeria-UK route in the last few weeks" had given rise to "over-booking on scheduled flights," Nigerian Minister of Aviation, Mallam Isa Yuguda, said.

Responding to these problems of over-booking, Minister Yuguda granted approval for BA to increase its flight frequency between the two countries, according to a statement issued by the Nigerian government today. The increased flight frequency already had commenced on Monday, earlier this week, the government said.

With its seven new frequencies on Nigeria, BA now becomes the non-Nigerian company with the largest traffic on that country. BA now has a total of 21 frequencies into Nigerian airspace, serving both the economic capital, Lagos, and the political capital, Abuja.

Matthias Offodile

March 16th, 2009, 12:25 AM

Air Arik new A340-500:banana::banana::cheers:

http://images2.jetphotos.net/img/2/3/3/2/73267_1235235233.jpg

Damn, how I love to see this. Wonderful:cheers:

Matthias Offodile

March 16th, 2009, 12:41 AM

Angolan flag carrier to start flying to São Paulo City in April

1/2/09 8:47 AM

Luanda - The state-owned Angolan Airline Company (TAAG) will start flying to São Paulo City, Brazil, in April this year, in the framework of the reinforcement of its commercial performance.

The information has been given to ANGOP by a member of TAAG's Managing Commission, Rui Carreira.

This new route to Brazil's economic capital is due to the very high demand to travel to that State, since the company has found out that most people that fly to Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), actually have São Paulo as destination.

“We are planning to open new routes or even schedules, aiming at the profitability of the company. We'll provide our services to places where there is greater demand, it'll all depend on the market”, he stressed.

To Rui Carreira this kind of flexibility might be implemented through commercial partnerships, if necessary.

TAAG, with 13 aeroplanes has trips to 28 destinations, 14 of which are domestic flights and 14 international ones.

This has long been overdue..hopefully flight frequency between Angola and Brazil will increase to at least 40 flights a week between the two countries in the future by TAAG and TAM.

abesha

March 16th, 2009, 12:44 AM

Ethiopian captain establishes domestic airline
By nazret.com | Feb 02, 2009

An Ethiopian pilot, Captain Abera Lemi, has established a domestic airline, called Air Ethiopia, which will provide passenger and cargo, ambulance, charter, scheduled and non-scheduled flight services.

Capt. Abera, who used to work for Ethiopian airlines, established Air Ethiopia in October 2008. Air Ethiopia has acquired a 19-seater aircraft called Beach 1900 from an American aviation company with a lease-purchase agreement. The aircraft is scheduled to arrive in Addis Ababa today. The aircraft can fly as high 33,000 feet high and cruise at 600 km. per hour.

Air Ethiopia plans to provide passenger and cargo transport service, charter, ambulance, scheduled and non-scheduled flight services between Addis Ababa and regional towns.

The company will become operational after two weeks. The new airline will first start providing charter service (non-scheduled flight). Eventually, the company will acquire additional aircraft which would enable it to launch scheduled flights to major regional towns like Mekelle, Axum, Bahir Dar, Gondar and Dire Dawa.

Air Ethiopia has acquired an operation license from the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority. There are 27 licensed private airlines in Ethiopia and three of them are in operation. Suhura, Abyssinia Flight Services and Trans national Airways (TNA) are the three private airlines which are currently operating. However, all of them provide charter services. So far there is no private airline which provides a scheduled flight service. The national flag carrier, Ethiopian Airlines, is the only airline that provides domestic flight services.

The airline business in Ethiopia is not yet liberalized. The Ethiopian Civil Aviation law prohibits private airlines to operate an aircraft which has more than 20 seats. The business is allowed only for Ethiopian only. Efforts are underway to liberalize the passenger flight service. The cargo flight service was liberalized in 2002:bash::ohno:

The potential for private aviation dev’t
January 2009

By Elias Meseret

Air transport has a long and proud history in Ethiopia. The country is one of the first nations in Africa to adopt air transport technology and was also a founding member of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in 1944. Since then, the industry never looked back, registering staggering growth. However, the sector is dominated by the national carrier, Ethiopian Airlines.

Things are changing

Today, a number of private aviation companies are opening new routes. Following the enactment of the Investment Proclamation no. 280/2002, providing air transport services using aircrafts with a seating capacity of not more than 20 passengers is allowed. While only Ethiopian nationals can engage in passenger service, the proclamation opens the air cargo services for foreigners without any restrictions.

"Other than Ethiopian Airlines, there are currently three private aviation companies operating in the country. Accordingly, Abyssinia Flight Services, Trans Nation Airways and Suhura Cargo Services have received Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority (ECAA)," sources close to the authority told Capital, adding that, while Salini Construction and Joshua Humanitarian Services operate their own aircrafts, others provide services for a limited time and purpose after securing operating permits.

Frehiwot Tessema, Base Manager of AberDair Aviation, said that, while the company has applied to the aviation authority so as to get the operation permit, it is currently rendering aerial surveys and transport services for the Malaysian oil giant Petronas. "We believe we will get the permit within a month and are planning to bring Embraer and Aero Commander aircrafts," Frehiwot explained. "As the potential for the business is huge, we aspire to become a major aviation services provider."

History supports the growth of the sector. In 1974, the private business participation in the air transport sector was growing. Accordingly, there were seven private air operators engaged in commercial aviation. However, in 1975 all private aircrafts with Ethiopian registration were nationalized by the Derg and Ethiopian Airlines was designated to utilize them.

According to an international transportation law lecturer, the domestic air transport sector has been re-opened for the private sector's participation with preconditions.
"Investment Proclamation no. 37/1996, before being amended in the 2002 Proclamation, declares the air transport industry open for investors but attaches several conditions," he explained. "First, it says, the investor has to be an Ethiopian national. Secondly, it demands service providers to give the air transport service using aircraft with a seating capacity of up to 20 passengers or with a cargo capacity of up to 2,700 kg."

The aviation expert, however, said the cargo capacity has now been lifted so that any cargo operator can engage in the area without any limitation.
According to the aviation authority, for an air transport company to get a commercial license, it must have an aircraft registered in its own name. "Had it not been for this requirement, many companies would have leased planes and operated in the country thereby benefiting people who want to get efficient and time saving service for their activities," a source from the authority told Capital.

Experts say ECAA is requesting the 20-passenger limit to be lifted so that competitive and quality service is delivered for the general public. "In Kenya alone, there are over 150 aviation service providers who have received operating permits so that you can move from one place to the other without any difficulty," an expert in the field said. "I don't understand why the international route is open while the domestic route that the national flag carrier says is losing money is limited."
The African Union (AU) has long demanded the liberalization of air services in Africa as it is 'essential for development'. "Barriers to market opening, such as the protection of flag carriers or local aviation services should be removed," the AU declared.

However, the expert said it remains to be seen whether the Ethiopian law will allow full participation of the private sector in this emerging market. "So far, the restriction has only crippled the sector. Full liberalization will greatly enhance and support the domestic flight service provided by Ethiopian," he said.

abesha

March 16th, 2009, 01:09 AM

Ethiopian airlines reducing flights, marketing on CNN

By Elias Meseret

Capital

Ethiopian said it is reducing flight frequencies and introducing smaller aircrafts for routes that are hard-hit by the current financial crisis. CEO of Ethiopian Girma Wake told Capital that incoming flights are witnessing a reduction in cargo and passenger loads.
“January flights had a 2% decline in passengers,” Girma said.

However, the flag carrier is still one of the few African airlines maintaining a profitable edge. Reports across the continent show that many airlines are exhibiting a sharp shortage in foreign exchange. The CEO cited that the Nigerian currency, which was exchanged for 115 Naira to the dollar one month ago, now goes for a staggering 147 same.
“The 4-6 weekly flights to the US have been reduced to four. In the same manner, the 14 flights per week to China are now reduced to 12,” Girma explained.

As part of the contingency plan, bigger aircrafts are being also replaced by smaller ones requiring less fuel. Flights to countries like Cameroon are serviced by B757, as opposed to the previously used and bigger B767s. Ethiopian began to feel passenger and cargo contractions in November. But December was when the changes became noticeable to the award winning airline.

Explaining how the lack of foreign exchange affected the company, Girma said it is not as pressing compared to other domestic companies, as only 20% of the airline’s revenue is collected in birr. “Almost 70% of our operation does not touch Ethiopia. It is an entirely different market so we have managed to collect enough foreign exchange for parts and equipment,” he explained.

But this was in respect to intra-African travel where demand for premium traffic rose by 11.8% during the month, according to IATA. Forecasts from the association indicate that growth will slow in sub-Saharan Africa and North Africa, dropping from approximately 5% last year to between 3-4% this year.

Travel in Africa-Europe and Africa-Asia markets has also weakened with premium passengers down 6.6% and 24% respectively.

In a related development, Cable News Network (CNN), one of the world’s leading news outlets, is running Ethiopian Airline’s advertisements from February 9 to March 29. The 30 and 60 second ads depict Ethiopia’s tourist attractions and the airline’s award winning service.

Guenet Berhe, Director of Ethiopian’s Advertisement and Promotion Division, told Capital the CNN deal is part of the continuous and aggressive marketing campaign around the globe by the airline. “We originally planned three months of advertisements,” Guenet said. “But the deal we negotiated for has given us good value.”

As part of the deal with the US based media giant, Ethiopian has secured 104 advertisement spots for broadcast in Europe, the Middle East and Africa with an additional 67 spots for South Asia.

“This translates into eight to 12 ads per day,” Guenet remarked.
Ethiopian has advertised on CNN two years ago and marketed on the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) a few months back.

However, some experts question the timing the national carrier chose to present itself and the country on the international stage. “The global slowdown in air transportation due to declines in business travel and tourist flows mean the marketing would be not as influential as it used to be,” an advertisement expert told Capital.

But, Ethiopian insists the advertisements will have a great impact even at this time.
“First, the global financial crisis won’t stop every business and all tourist travel. Secondly, ads are not intended to bring return immediately; instead, it envisions attracting customers in the future,” Guenet explains. “Moreover, the timing means good value for ads as competitors are withdrawing their ads from major broadcasting stations.”
....

upinhere

March 24th, 2009, 12:14 PM

http://wwp.greenwichmeantime.com/time-zone/africa/ethiopia/time.htm

Slaoui

March 28th, 2009, 12:09 AM

6 News aircrafts for RAM :

26/03/09

Royal Air Maroc is planning to announce an order for six ATR 72-600s later today which will be used to launch its new domestic operation, tentatively dubbed Atlas Inter.

Last October Royal Air Maroc president Driss Benhina told ATI that he was planning to create a new domestic subsidiary, called Atlas Inter, in 2009. At the time he said that the new carrier would be a "low-cost regional operator".

Adding fresh details, a Royal Air Maroc spokeswoman says the domestic airline subsidiary, which is likely to be Casablanca-based, will begin turboprop operations in July.

She adds: "The new subsidiary will be dedicated to performing domestic operations in Morocco. It will not fly international routes."

The spokeswoman says the fleet will initially comprise six aircraft, but will later grow to eight, adding that the type is due to be disclosed today.

An ATI source says Royal Air Maroc is planning to sign a firm order for six ATR 72-600s, plus two options, later today.

The -600 is a new ATR variant, with upgraded avionics, which will roll off the production line in 2011.

ATR revealed in January that it had backlogged orders for 39 -600s from operators including Kingfisher Airlines, Air Tahiti and Air Caraibes.

Source : flightglobal.com

Kwame

March 31st, 2009, 01:14 AM

Zimbabwe: AirZim Meets International Safety Standards
Costa Mano

30 March 2009

Harare — AIR Zimbabwe Holdings (Pvt) Limited was this month given a clean bill of health after its successful registration on the International Air Transport Association Operational Safety Audit (IOSA).

The national airline joined nearly 300 airlines in a commitment to the highest levels of safety, which is the air industry's top priority.

As an IOSA certified operator, Air Zimbabwe retains its IATA membership that enables it to meet requirements to attract partnerships with world class airlines, meet high safety standards, while realising notable cost savings and operational efficiency.

In a statement announcing the national carrier's registration, the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Mr Nicholas Goche, said the announcement comes at a time when the country has entered a new era of political and economic transformation, given the recent signing of the Global Political Agreement.

"It is a commendable achievement that Air Zimbabwe successfully completed its final audit process on December 15, 2008, ahead of the IATA deadline of December 31, 2008, during a harsh, restrictive economic climate," said Minister Goche.

He said safety is paramount to the aviation industry, and is dependent on good operations and maintenance of aircraft and the consistent adherence to stringent standards and practices.

"Air Zimbabwe as the national carrier and an international airline not only carries the image of the country but is expected to conform to international standards such as IOSA to be able to operate in international airspace," Minister Goche said.

The minister noted that it is important to acknowledge the contribution made by the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ), which is the national aviation regulator to the success of Air Zimbabwe. He urged the two institutions to remain committed to attaining the highest safety and operational standards.

IOSA is an internationally recognised and accepted evaluation system designed to assess the operational management and control systems of an airline's safety programme. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) developed it.

The Herald (http://www.herald.co.zw/inside.aspx?sectid=2375&cat=8)

Kenguy

March 31st, 2009, 07:24 PM

Kenya Airways to expand operations to Namibia and Botswana

Written by Wangui Maina
March 31, 2009:

Kenya Airways will expand operations in southern Africa with flights to Botswana and Namibia expected to begin in the near future.

Last week, the airline opened an office in Gaborone, Botswana, as it gears to strengthen its network on the continent especially as a cushion during this hard financial times. The new direct route will enable the airline to attract more passengers from the diamond rich country.

“In the last five years, the southern Africa market has significantly grown,” the airlines southern Africa area manager, Ms Rosemary Adogo, said during the launch ceremony.

Botswana has been an offline station with travellers mainly accessing it through South Africa. Kenya Airways has continued to look in the continent for opportunities to drive its business, especially as some of its other routes are adversely affected by the ongoing global financial crisis.

The crisis has led to travellers cutting back on travel budgets as job cuts are witnessed in the West and fears of job security grow. This has seen travel across the world affected, especially on the European and Asian routes.

Earlier in the year, the airline issued a profit warning citing reduced passengers on some of its routes and high hedging costs. To cushion itself from the hard times, the airline is betting on intra-African network expansion to grow its earnings.

Besides Botswana, KQ is looking at expanding into Angola, Kisangani in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Brazaville, Congo. Europe and the Far East have been adversely affected as both passenger and cargo numbers continue to decline.

Samuel107

April 1st, 2009, 09:52 AM

Arik Begins Operation As S’Leone’s National Carrier

Arik Air yesterday commenced operation as the national carrier of Sierra Leone. With this development, the airline also plans to extend such flight operations to Niger Republic and Angola before the end of the year.
In a ceremony at the Freetown International Airport, Lungi, which was attended by the President of Sierra Leone, Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma, the Minister of Aviation, Babatunde Omotoba and the Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Dr Harold Demuren, Arik dedicated the two aircraft, B737-700 and B737-800 to the country The aircraft were delivered by the manufacturing company, Boeing, last week.
The new aircraft, according to the airline, was designated for London-Freetown route, while the other was designated for regional operations from Freetown .
Welcoming the Nigerian delegation, President Koroma described the partnership between Arik Air and his country as the dawn of a new era in regional cooperation and interdependence of nations which had become a reality.
“The coming of Arik Air to Sierra Leone heralds another phase of relations between Nigeria and Sierra Leone . In the past, Nigeria gave us military support and helped to end civil war in our country even before United Nations came and this time they are giving us economic support,” he said.
He traced the commencement of flights by Arik as a national carrier in his country as a deal that started about 18 months ago and lauded the role played by the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Mohammed Ibn Chambas, whom he said facilitated the talks.
He stressed that there was need for African countries to fast track air link as a veritable tool for economic and social development.
In his remarks, Aviation Minister, Babatunde Omotoba , said that the Arik deal would encourage better relationship among West African countries and help to ease air movement in the region, lamenting that in the past it was difficult to connect flights from one state capital to another, sometimes forcing passengers from the region to fly to Europe to connect flight to another country in the region.
Chairman of Arik Air, Sir Johnson Arumemi Johnson, said he was delighted with the coming of the airline into Sierra Leone and noted that the absence of intra-African connections has stiffed trade and economic growth in the sub-region.

Samuel107

April 2nd, 2009, 09:16 AM

FG denies US carrier flying rights into Abuja

The United States carrier, Delta Airlines, has been denied additional flying rights into Nigeria through the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, by the Federal Government.

A source close to the Ministry of Aviation, who disclosed this to our correspondent on Wednesday, said Delta was stopped because it failed to change the type of aircraft it was using on the Lagos-Atlanta route after being asked by the government to do so.

According to the source, representatives of airline have met with the Minister of Aviation, Mr. Babatunde Omotoba, on the matter last Thursday in Abuja.

Omotoba was said to have refused the approval, insisting that unless Delta replaced the Boeing 767 aircraft it was flying on the Lagos route with a better and newer airplane, as well as improved on its in-flight entertainment service, the request would not be granted.

A Delta representative, who declined to be quoted, said that a similar aircraft was being used on their European route, and that they were making efforts to improve on their in-flight services.

The minister had at a press conference in February accused Delta and British Airways of using old and “scrappy aircraft” on the Nigerian routes compared to the ones being used on other routes.

He added that he would not tolerate a situation where foreign airlines offer poor services in Nigeria “where their businesses are doing well.”

Latest report from the Central Bank of Nigeria shows that foreign airlines repatriated over N33bn in four months.

While British Airways has denied the allegation, Delta is yet to come up with any statement.

Carver02

April 2nd, 2009, 10:07 PM

The Guardian
Thursday, April 02, 2009

History as Nigeria records first all-female crew flight
By Wole Shadare

IT could be the airline's 50 years anniversary gift to Nigeria's robust air travel business. At exactly 2.28 p.m. yesterday, Nigerian women made a significant entry into the aviation industry when a flight of all-female crew of the pilot, co-pilot and cabin crew arrived in Lagos from Osubi Airport, Delta State. They flew a DASH 8 turbo prop aircraft.

The plane owned by Nigeria's oldest carrier, Aero Contractors, had as crew members Capt. Bolaji Agbelusi, Captain Yop Wash, Jennifer Shodeinde and Catherine Ekanem (cabin crew).

The passengers, who later discovered that it was all-women crew screamed. Some of them wanted photographs with the crew for keeps but there was no room for that. One of the pilots simply described the historic trip as "all fun."

The crew members, who first flew from Lagos to Osubi at 11.55 a.m., returned at 2.28 p.m. (1428hrs) to a grand reception.

Their feat was also adjudged to be rare in Africa.

Speaking to journalists at the Murtala Muhammed Airport 2, Lagos, where they were received by the airline's top chiefs and other workers, Agbelusi described it as a normal flight, noting that the applause from the passengers was very encouraging.

"Everyone was excited about it. The passengers had no idea of what they were getting into, but they were happy to be part of history and on ground in Warri, they all wanted the photograph with the crew, but we could not afford that because we had to man the aircraft first, but a lot of them were very proud to be a part of this."

On how she is able to combine her career and matrimony, Cap. Agbelusi gave credit to "a supportive staff and a very supporting husband."

The flight captain said: "I thank God for making this day a reality, and I want to sincerely appreciate Aero for the kind support and training they have given me to achieve this feat. In our kind of environment this is certainly a difficult thing to achieve for a woman.

"This is an exciting and memorable day for me and my family - my husband and children - who also share in my joy."

Her husband Rev. Yemi Agbelusi, whom she described as "the chief instrument behind all this" and who was also in the plane, said: "We are partners in progress for the good of each other. I am not scared whenever she flies; it's just like everybody who goes to work. People die on Okada (commercial motorcycle) everyday, others die from armed robbers' bullets, there is actually nothing special about it. She is like everybody who goes to work.

"I was very happy when she told me that she will be the commander of the all-female crew. This only happens in a few countries in Africa, and also in America. So, it's another great achievement for Nigeria that our women are being liberated, our women are taking the front role and are being given the opportunity to be what they want to be. It's a plus for the women and all the non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that are struggling to give women a place in the society, I think it's a very good thing for them," he added.

The Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Dr. Harold Demuren, who flew in from Abuja to witness "history being made," described it as encouraging, adding that it portends a great future for the country's burgeoning aviation industry.

"This is a great day for Nigeria. We have this aircraft coming from Osubi near Warri to Lagos airport, flown by an entire female crew. The captain, the first officer and the two-cabin crew are all women and I am happy about this. This is good for Nigeria."

Demuren, however, stated that plans were on to appeal to the Federal Government to set aside about 10 per cent of the $46 million Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) fund for manpower development, particularly on training and retraining.

The BASA fund, which is money that accrued to the government on royalties from foreign airlines and other agreements through the defunct Nigeria Airways is in the coffers of NCAA.

Beside Demuren, the Director of Licensing, NCAA, Telema George, Director Airworthiness, NCAA, Mr. Dayo Ayorinde, Managing Director of MMA2, Mr. Alex van Elk, General Manager, Fixed Wing of Aero, Capt. Roy Ilegbodu and Air Vice Marshal Femi Ayeni of Air Transport Group of the Nigerian Air Force were on hand to receive them.

Agbelusi joined Aero in 1998 as a second officer on the DHC-6., and currently flies Bombardier Dash 8. Her career began with her training at Versatile Aviation Inc, Ardmore , Oklahoma (USA) in 1997.

On returning to Nigeria and joining Aero Contractors, she was trained on the DeHaviland Twin-Otter, prior to upgrading to the Bombardier Dash 8.

On Friday, March 13, she was upgraded to the position of Commander on the Dash 8. During this time, she also attended the University of Lagos (UNILAG) and holds a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration.

Manager Flight Operations of Aero, Capt. Akinlawon George, said: "This is a historic day for Aero for writing our name in gold; the first airline in West Africa to roll out an all-female crew.

"Aero is proud of this achievement. As we mark the anniversary of 50 years of our operations in Nigeria, we want to reiterate our confidence in the Nigerian aviation market, and our determination to continue being the leader in the industry, and our confidence to compete with the best in the world.

"We strongly believe in training our staff, and we have invested a lot of our resources in this area. We are extremely delighted that it is now paying off.

"Aero has always had female flight crew; Capt. Michelle Lawal being the first Aero female captain in the early 1990s. In that space of time, we have had 12 female pilots. Capt. Agbelusi now comes in as the fifth female Nigerian captain. Three young female pilots trained in NCAT joined us last year and we look forward to upgrading them to captains in the near future."

Kwame

April 3rd, 2009, 06:30 AM

South Africa: Revamped OR Tambo Can Handle 25-Million Visitors
Julius Baumann

2 April 2009

Johannesburg — OR TAMBO International Airport's new facilities would easily accommodate the more than 20-million visitors - including the expected 400000 Soccer World Cup fans - that the Airports Company SA (Acsa) expects to pass through the airport next year.

Chris Hlekane, GM of OR Tambo, said yesterday that the upgraded airport would be able to accommodate up to 25-million visitors each year.

Hlekane said Acsa had lowered its visitor forecast due to the economic slowdown. Last year only 18-million visitors passed through the airport, down 5% on the previous year -- a sharp slowdown from 2007 when Acsa recorded double-digit growth.

Yesterday, the opening of the combined domestic and international departures hall as well as the introduction of a new baggage handling system went off without a hitch.

The new departures hall is accommodated in the renamed Terminal A, which includes the R2,3bn Central Terminal Building and the old international terminal. The domestic terminal has now been renamed Terminal B.

The new state-of-the-art baggage handling system allows Acsa to handle up to 8000 bags an hour, more than doubling its previous capacity. The integrated system will now handle both domestic and international baggage and boasts the ability to track bags throughout the airport.

Yesterday's event follows last month's opening of the new multi-storey parkade, which added 5000 new parking bays.

With the opening of the departures hall, OR Tambo is close to being construction-free. What remains is the opening of the new international arrivals hall in Terminal A next month and the renovation of the existing international terminal to include a duty-free shopping component. This will be added to the new arrivals hall in October.

Hlekane said that with most of the construction out of the way, the focus would now be on service. "Our service has to go beyond our own staff and through to our stakeholders such as immigration and the airlines."

Business Day (http://www.businessday.co.za/articles/economy.aspx?ID=BD4A973062)

grjplanes

April 3rd, 2009, 12:30 PM

Kenya Airways to expand operations to Namibia and Botswana

Would they be operating this as a triangular route ie: NBO-GBE-WDH-NBO, or NBO-WDH-GBE-NBO.
I don't believe these two destinations would be able to sustain a 2/3 weekly frequency by its own at first. And I don't believe they'd connect it to JNB.
They can ofcourse also go for NBO-GBE-CPT.
For both GBE-WDH and GBE-CPT they should try and get rights to sell seats on these sectors as well!

qymekkam

April 5th, 2009, 09:13 PM

Matthias Offodile

April 10th, 2009, 08:32 PM

Emirates to start flights to Angola:cheers::cheers:

Staff Report
Published: April 08, 2009, 15:02

Dubai: Africa's international links are to receive a significant lift with news that Emirates is to start flights to Angola, its 17th African destination.

The Dubai - Luanda service, which begins August 2nd, will operate three times a week - on a Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.

This is the second new route into Africa to be announced by Emirates this year. Flights to Durban in South Africa start October 1st.

The thrice weekly Luanda service allows Angola to further embrace international trade by being brought into the six continent-wide Emirates' network.

An Airbus A330-200 will serve the route, which will help support the nation's oil-led boom, the emerging tourism market and the thousands of migrant workers, many of whom are from China.

Tim Clark, President, Emirates Airline, said: "This new Luanda flight provides enormous potential to develop air travel into Angola, alongside the assistance we can provide for international trade through Emirates SkyCargo. In the past year, we have seen strong growth in Africa of 17 per cent. Now, with Luanda starting in August and Durban starting later in the year, this is going to be another very exciting year in this largely untapped continent."

On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, EK 791 will depart Dubai at 1050hrs, arriving at 4 de Fevereiro International Airport in Angola at 1550hrs.

EK792 departs Luanda on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays at 1800, touching down in Dubai at 0500 the following day. The A330-200 to be deployed on the route offers 237-seats across Economy, Business and First Class accommodation.

http://www.gulfnews.com/business/Automobiles/10302267.html

Matthias Offodile

April 11th, 2009, 12:06 PM

TAAG to increase flights to China
April 8th, 2009

TAAG has increased frequency on its Luanda - Beijing route to three from the previous 2x per week.

South African Airways to Gaborone
March 20th, 2009

South African Airways will begin service between Johannesburg, South Africa and Gaborone, Botswana on March 2, complementing existing service provided by South African Express. Flights will operate twice per day except for single flights on Saturdays using A319s.

SA032 JNB - GBE: 835 - 920 Daily
SA033 GBE - JNB: 1025 - 1115

SA038 JNB - GBE: 1555 - 1640 Daily except Saturday
SA039 GBE - JNB: 1730 - 1820

Royal Air Maroc to order aircraft
March 13th, 2009

Royal Air Maroc’s CEO is quoted in press reports stating that the airline will place an order for six aircraft by the end of this month.

Arik to open Johannesburg, New York routes
March 12th, 2009

Arik Air will reportedly open new routes to Johannesburg, South Africa and New York from its base in Lagos, Nigeria this year.

:)

Matthias Offodile

April 11th, 2009, 12:08 PM

Antrak to Dusseldorf

March 7th, 2009

Accra-based Antrak Air will begin service to Dusseldorf, Germany on May 15. Flights will operate on Tuesdays and Fridays using a B738 leased from Germania.

O4820/O4850 ACC - DUS: 2100 - 605
O4821/O4851 DUS - ACC: 1400 - 1840

Matthias Offodile

April 11th, 2009, 08:34 PM

Visit the internet site of Libreville Airport, it is an excellent webpage:cheers:

http://www.adlgabon.com/

Alex Roney

April 15th, 2009, 05:11 AM

This time it's for real. However the article is incorrect about the frequency. Rio will fly now 4x (as opposed to 5x) while Sao Paulo gets 3x weekly. This is way overdue.

Angola: Taag aumenta voos para o Brasil a partir de Maio [ 2009-04-14 ]

Luanda, Angola, 14 Abr - A companhia aérea de Angola Taag inicia a 2 de Maio voos para São Paulo, no Brasil, aumentando de cinco para sete o número de voos semanais entre os dois países, noticiou o Novo Jornal.

O jornal angolano escreve que dos sete voos cinco são para o Rio de Janeiro e dois para São Palo.

Carlos Vicente, do Gabinete de Comunicação da Taag, revelou ainda que a empresa aérea angolana está em conversações com as Linhas Aéreas de Moçambique (LAM) para iniciar a curto prazo uma carreira semanal entre Luanda e Maputo.

O mesmo responsável recordou que a Taag aumentou recentemente para três o número de voos semanais entre Luanda e Pequim para dar resposta ao aumento de passageiros na rota entre Angola e a China.

Os voos entre Luanda e Pequim estão a ser efectuados por Boeings 777 adquiridos recentemente pela Taag.

Actualmente, a Taag voa diariamente para Lisboa com aviões Boeing 747 da Air Namibia uma vez que desde 2007 está proibida de sobrevoar o espaço aéreo europeu por alegados problemas de segurança áerea. (macauhub)
http://www.macauhub.com.mo/pt/news.php?ID=7218

Alex Roney

April 15th, 2009, 05:12 AM

Schedule.
DT741 LAD 1200 GIG 1530 B772/B743 - Su / Tu / Th
DT743 LAD 1400 GIG 1730 B772/B743 - Fr
DT745 LAD 0915 GRU 1300 B743 - Mo / We / Sa

DT742 GIG 1800 LAD 0530 B772/B743 - Su / Tu / Th
DT744 GIG 2200 LAD 0930 B772/B743 - Fr
DT746 GRU 1600 LAD 0445 B743 - Mo / We / Sa

abesha

April 20th, 2009, 01:14 AM

Ethiopian Dreamliner financiers pull out

Saturday, 18 April 2009
By Kaleyesus Bekele

Financiers of the Ethiopian Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, DVB and ING, have pulled out as the result of the current global credit crunch.
In February 2005, Ethiopian, had placed firm orders with Boeing for ten 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft with a total value of 1.3 billion USD at least prices.

In August 2005, the airline signed an agreement with GE for the purchase of twenty GEnx engines to power the Dreamliners at a cost of 300 million dollars. Ethiopian is the first African carrier to order Dreamliners and the second airline in the world next to Japan Airways.

Ex-Im Bank had agreed to guarantee the loan to fund the purchase of the aircraft. The management of Ethiopian secured a loan for the purchase of the Dreamliners from ING and DVB banks.

Reliable sources told The Reporter that DVB and ING recently pulled out of the financing deal as the agreement had expired before the deliveries of the Dreamliners. It is to be recalled that Boeing had repeatedly postponed the deliveries of the new aircraft.

Sources said the two banks would have renewed the financing deal had it not been for the global economic crisis. According to sources, ING completely withdrew from financing aviation businesses in the wake of the economic crisis. DVB, however, was willing to renegotiate with the management of Ethiopian on financing options. Sources say DVB had asked for a higher interest rate and exposure fee, which is at least double what had been agreed initially. Ethiopian has reimbursed the financiers more than 13 million dollars. So far Ethiopian has paid 30 million dollars for the new aircraft. “Ethiopian is in a good financial position to finance the Dreamliners’ purchase. There are also other financing options,” sources said. The Reporter has learnt that at the moment Ethiopian is financing the Dreamliners’ purchase. Next week an Ethiopian delegation will leave for the US to hold talks with EX-Im, Boeing and other financiers. EX-IM is still committed to assist Ethiopian.

Today, Ethiopian operates 22 modern jetliners (nine Boeing 767-300 ER, six 757-200 ER, five 737-700, one 757-260 and one 757-200 freighters) and five Fokker 50s. The airline also operate leased two MD 11s and B747-200s freighters. Currently, Ethiopian has the largest cargo fleet in Africa.
Ethiopian, which styles itself as a world class African airline serves 53 destinations spread around the globe. The national flag carrier wholly owned by the Ethiopian government uses the Boeing fleet for international flights and the five propeller aircraft for domestic services.

As part of a fleet modernization programme launched in 2003, Ethiopian acquired six B767-300 and six 737-700 from Boeing in the past three years. http://en.ethiopianreporter.com/content/view/955/26/

Ethiopian Airlines really needs to start looking into some Airbus aircraft. This is the problem when you really just on one source.

The Dreamliner was supposed to be delivered in 2008, but now it's been postponed yet again, this time until mid 2010.

desert burner

April 20th, 2009, 07:52 AM

KQ cushions itself with stronger market presence
Written by Wangui Maina

Kenya Airways and Middle East airlines like Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad are going against the grain by expanding into new regions.April 20, 2009: Kenya Airways is among three airlines hunting for new markets to cushion themselves from the effects of the economic slowdown as others go for spending cutbacks in the face of shrinking passenger numbers and rising costs of operation.

The national carrier, together with Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad, is expanding into new route networks hoping for a stronger market presence in an industry that has been hit by high oil prices and the onset of the global credit and financial crisis.

Kenya Airways, which only last month opened offices in Botswana and is eyeing Kisangani in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Brazaville, will soon be flying to Namibia and Botswana.

“We are determined to expand our network despite the ongoing issues,” Mr Evanson Mwaniki, the chairman of the airline, which in January issued a profit warning, told tour operators from Africa recently.

Dubai-based Emirates Airline is also looking at expansion in the African market and has announced plans for two new routes — to Luanda beginning in August and Durban from October.

It is looking at tapping into the oil and mineral-rich business that is driving Angola’s economy and has identified the country as a major growth point for its cargo by providing over 12 tonnes of belly space.

“In the past year we have seen strong growth in Africa and now with the new routes we expect a lot more,” the airline’s president, Mr Tim Clark, said in a statement, noting that they had had a 17 per cent growth in the region and expected it to continue this year.

Doha-based airline, Qatar Airways, has its sights on Australia, India, Europe and the US and has announced a new service to Houston by the end of this month in addition to increasing frequencies to some of its existing routes.

Chief executive Akbar Al Baker says they are continually looking for new opportunities around the world and are ready to shift capacity according to market conditions.

“The airline’s robust expansion is continuing undeterred by the current economic climate,” he said in a recent statement announcing the new routes.

Abu Dhabi-based carrier Etihad has on the other hand, signed an interline cargo agreement with local airline Astral as it expands its cargo business in various regions.

The expansion strategies of these Middle East carriers has seen them become major clients to aircraft manufacturers due to their large orders to facilitate their plans.

Etihad, which was only launched in 2003, has ordered for 100 Airbus and Boeing aircraft, while Emirates is on course to being the world’s largest Airbus A380 operator with 58 orders.

Qatar is expected to expand its fleet to 110 planes by 2013, up from 68.

The expansion plans by these airlines is setting up new global hubs in the Middle East to rival the traditional ones in Europe mainly Heathrow, Schiphol, Charles de Gaulle and Frankfurt.

The expansion by these airlines is part of a long-term strategy to build a strong portfolio of routes and strengthen their hubs.

Though Africa is a small market in the aviation sector, it has shown resilience during this hard economic times having been the only region reporting growth in February according to International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) statistics.

Africa grew by 2.8 per cent compared to all other markets, which reported reduced performance with the pacific market recording the highest fall, 27 per cent. Total passenger numbers were down 9.6 per cent in February and the downward trend is expected to continue for the rest of this year.

More trouble

Meanwhile, airlines worldwide filled 21 per cent fewer executive class seats in February than the same month a year ago as fewer people took long-haul business trips, industry group IATA said on Thursday.

The data suggest more trouble ahead for airlines, which have seen numbers of coveted premium class passengers shrink along with the economic downturn that has reduced demand for corporate travel.

Flights within Central America, between Africa and the Far East, and across the Pacific had the most vacant premium seats, according to the International Air Transport Association, which looks only at cross-border flights. “Average travel distances are now getting shorter,” it said in its latest snapshot of the top-tier air segment.

IATA, which represents 230 carriers including British Airways, Cathay Pacific, United Airlines and Emirates, has said the airline industry would lose $2.5 billion in 2009 as a result of lower demand.

The industry lost $8.5 billion in 2008, pinched by high oil prices and the onset of the global credit and financial crisis.

IATA estimated that premium revenues fell about 30 percent in February as a result of the decline in high-end passenger traffic and aggressive fare reductions by airlines worldwide.

“This revenue stream is key for the profitability of most network airlines and so this reversal will be putting significant pressure on first quarter financial performance,” it said.

Mwafrika

April 22nd, 2009, 11:55 AM

Delta Airlines all set for direct flights to Kenya

Delta Airlines has confirmed it will start commercial flights from the United States to Kenya on June 3.

The US-based carrier, the world’s largest, will start flights to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JIKA) via Dakar, Senegal.

The flights to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport will ease travel between Kenya and United States and help increase Kenyan exports and tourists from US.

Delta’s commercial manager for West and East Africa, Bobby Bryan, said the new flights would ease connections between the two countries and between Nairobi and Senegal.

"The launch of new service to Nairobi is very important to Delta, as it continues its African expansion," he said at a news conference in Nairobi, yesterday.

The new four-time weekly flights — using a Boeing 767-300ER aircraft with up to 216 seats — would be the only direct service to the US from Kenya.

Delta operates flights from Cairo, Accra, Dakar, Cape Town, Johannesburg and Lagos. Confirmation of the commencement of the flight coincided with an announcement by local aviation authorities that US had certified the quality of its operations.

Audit report

Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) and Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) said the US Department of Homeland Security had issued a preliminary audit report approving civil aviation operations in Kenya.

"This means Delta Airlines can comfortably operate from and to JKIA as scheduled in June because the airport complies with international requirements," they said in a statement. KAA Managing Director, George Muhoho and KCAA Acting Director General Nicholas Bodo signed the joint statement.

The US Transportation Security Administration Division Audit team issued the report after conducting a security and operations audit of the JKIA from April 14 to 17.

The TSA team leader, Kent Hoefle was said to have expressed satisfaction with security measures so far put in place.

This is especially access control, screening, cargo handling, catering and ground handling and the perimeter fence including preparedness of emergency responding agencies.

The US Embassy will submit its official security audit report formally to the Government of Kenya in one and a half months.

Eastandard - http://www.eastandard.net/InsidePage.php?id=1144012170&cid=14&j=&m=&d=

Matthias Offodile

April 23rd, 2009, 11:05 PM

Etihad will fly four times a week to Lagos and Abuja

Ivan Gale

Last Updated: August 26. 2008 10:01PM UAE / August 26. 2008 6:01PM GMT

Etihad Airways continued its expansion drive by announcing a new service to Lagos and Abuja, the two major cities in Nigeria, with flights expected to start in the first quarter of next year.

The four-times-a-week service will employ an Airbus 330-200 aircraft, which can accommodate 262 passengers in a two-class configuration while carrying 14 tonnes of cargo.

The route will fly in a triangular pattern with flights from Abu Dhabi flying to Lagos first and then onwards to Abuja, before returning to the UAE capital.

James Hogan, the chief executive of Etihad, said the service would particularly target West African travellers coming to the UAE for trading, shopping and holidays.

Etihad already flies to the African cities of Johannesburg, Cairo, Casablanca and Khartoum.

Nigeria is one of the most populous nations on the continent, with an estimated 140 million residents, including nearly eight million in Lagos alone. Etihad will join existing Gulf carriers Emirates and Qatar Airways in serving the populous West African nation.

The Abu Dhabi airline is targeting a launch date of March 2009, which will make Lagos and Abuja the seventh and eighth new Etihad destinations in 12 months. This year Etihad opened new services to Beijing, Chennai, Kozhikode, and Minsk, with Almaty and Moscow scheduled for December.

The rapidly growing airline is scheduled to receive up to 205 new aircraft, if all options are exercised, over the next 12 years following a $43 billion (Dh153bn) order at the Farnborough Air Show in July with Boeing and Airbus.

Kwame

April 24th, 2009, 06:42 PM

Angola: Luanda-São Paulo Route Increasingly Important for Both Countries
Luanda, Angola, 20 Apr – Indifferent to the negative global economic situation, business between Angola and Brazil had its best ever year in 2008 and continues to intensify, with new opportunities opening up in bio-fuels and agri-business.

Of the most recent trade figures between the two countries, the growth in the value of Angolan exports to Brazil is particularly noteworthy – 8.35 percent, to over US$76 million in the first half of the year.

As regards petroleum products, the increase is down to greater quantities, given that prices for these commodities have been falling.

According to Brazil’s Ministry for Industrial Development and Overseas Trade, in 2008 Angola managed to export more to Brazil (US$2.24 billion, more than double the 2007 figure) than it imported (US$1.97 billion).

Portugal continues to be the biggest exporter to Angola (2.27 billion Euros in 2008), though the fact that imports from the former colony were around 408 million Euros means that the trade balance between Angola and Brazil is greater (US$4.21 billion), having increased six-fold since 2004.

Today the weight of this transatlantic trade balance is bettered only by the Sino-Angolan trade balance (US$23.5 billion, US$22.3 billion of which is Angolan exports.)

In the first two months of the year, Brazilian exports to Angola rose 36.7 percent, to US$280.5 million, while the total received by the Ministry of Overseas Trade fell by nearly 15 percent.

Brazilian businesspeople already have an association in Angola, Aebran, the president of which, Alberto Ésper recently told local press that direct funding from Brazil for Angolan projects stood in the region of US$2 billion last year.

The growth in business has benefitted from a credit line of US$1.75 billion, via Brazil’s Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Económico e Social (BNDES) and also from funding from the Program for Export Funding (Proex), managed by the Banco do Brasil.

“Construction is the sector in which there is the most notable and most visible participation by Brazilian companies in Angola. However, we should note that today Brazilians are in a wide range of areas within the Angolan economy, such as agriculture, trade, health, education, training and technology,” said Ésper, quoted by newspaper, O País.

Aebran estimates that there are currently 25,000 Brazilians in Angola, and at least 200 companies controlled by Brazilian capital.

As big groups such as oil company, Petrobras and Odebrecht have set up in Angola, it is possible to eat a Mister Sheik “kibe” in Luanda or learn ICT at the Brazilian BIT Company.

For Ricardo Camargo, executive director of the Brazilian Franchising Association (ABF), “Angola seems to have found favour with Brazilian investors, franchise owners from different sectors of the economy.”

Petrobras recently allocated five percent of its investment forecast for 2009-2013 to Angola, close to US$800 million, practically the same amount Odebrecht intends to invest in the country over the next few years.

Emílio Odebrecht, the group’s president, recently met with Angolan president, José Eduardo dos Santos, to analyse future projects, taking into consideration the government's priorities.

In partnership with private Angolan group, Damer and state-owned oil company, Sonangol, Odebrecht has a stake in Angolan bio-energy company, Biocom, which is to invest in sugar-cane planting and the building of a factory to produce the sugar, ethanol and bio-electricity in Malanje province.

Investment is expected to be around US$258 million and the project will cover a 30,000 hectare area by 2012.

The entire structure of Angola’s agriculture and livestock research, a sector for which the country is known to have great potential, is currently being reviewed with the support of Brazilian Agri-livestock Research Company (Embrapa).

The project, which will last until 2013, has investment from the Angolan Government of US$7.3 million (5.5 million Euros), to be used to set up 14 research centres.

Taking into account the increasing flow of companies, workers and as well as tourists, Angolan airline Taag is increasing the frequency of its flights to major Brazilian cities.

As of 2 May there will be seven flights, five to Rio de Janeiro and two to Sao Paulo, a significant boost while it is banned from flying to Europe.

MacauHub (http://www.macauhub.com.mo/en/news.php?ID=7249)

Kwame

April 24th, 2009, 06:51 PM

Angola: Brazilian Airline Air Puma Interested in flying to Luanda
Luanda, Angola, 22 April – Brazilian airline Air Puma is interested in carrying out flights to Luanda as of the end of May, and is now awaiting official authorisation to do so, a source from the Brazilian Tourism Ministry told Angolan news agency Angop Tuesday.

According to the source, the operation by the private airline is now only dependent on authorisation from the Brazilian aeronautical regulator, which is analysing the project in order to give the go ahead for flights to start.

Air Puma’s programme includes flights to link Sao Paulo and Recife to Luanda, initially with two flights per week.

The reason for carrying out this operation in Angola is that most of the Brazilians that travel to Angola live outside Rio de Janeiro, from which flights to Luanda leave, the Tourism Ministry source said.

Around 30,000 Brazilians currently live in Angola working in various sectors, including construction, in which Brazilian companies Norberto Odebrecht, Queirós Galvão and Andrade Gutierrez work, amongst others, are involved in their own projects, as well as in building and repairing airports, roads and bridges.

In 2008 around 25,000 Angolans travelled to Brazil as tourists, whilst some 22,000 Brazilains travelled to Angola on business.

Puma Air Linhas Aéreas, which uses Embraer 120 aircraft, is a passenger and cargo transport company, with headquarters in Belém, the capital of the northern state of Pará and has been operating since January 2002.

MacauHub (http://www.macauhub.com.mo/en/news.php?ID=7266)

Kwame

May 1st, 2009, 08:11 AM

Angola: Airline Fly540, of the Lonrho group, ready to start flight to Luanda soon
London, United Kingdom, 30 April – Fly540, an airline of Britain’s Lonrho group, said Wednesday in London it was ready to start its flights to Angola over the next few weeks, after it had received an Air Operator Certificate from the authorities.

According to the company, Cabinda, Luanda, Soyo, Benguela, HUambo and Malanje will be the first destinations, operated with two ATR72 aircraft, manufactured by French-Italian company ATR Avions de Transport Régional or Aerei da Trasporto Regionale).

In the second half of this year, Fly540 said in a statement, it is hoped that volumes of traffic will be achieved that will justify increasing the fleet with a further two ATR72s and expansion to a total of 15 destinations across the country.

According to Fly540, the Angolan Transport Minister, Augusto Silva Tomás, authorised the issuing of an Air Services Licence in a meeting held Tuesday, and this will be converted in the next few weeks to an Air Operator Certificate, after which commercial passenger services can begin.

MacauHub (http://www.macauhub.com.mo/en/news.php?ID=7319)

Matthias Offodile

May 2nd, 2009, 02:26 PM

Angola: Construction of International Lubango Airport concludes in May 2010

[ 2009-04-23 ]

Lubango, Angola, 23 April – Construction of the Lubango International Airport, in Angola’s Huíla province, begun in February of this year, is 75 percent away from completion, the director of the project, Nívio Novagraf said Tuesday.

The project, which is the responsibility of Brazilian company Andrade Gutierrez and its Angolan-Portuguese subsidiary Zagope Construções e Engenharia, is expected to cost 62 million euros and includes construction of a new airport apron, a terminal with four lifts, four escalators, construction of car parks and green spaces.

During a visit by the provincial governor of Huíla, Isaac Maria dos Anjos, Novagraf said that reconstruction and widening of the airport’s runway was being concluded and construction of a new aircraft parking area, and the pillars for the passenger terminal and control tower are already up.

According to Novagraf, the work is going well and it first phase, which includes widening the two runways, the passenger terminal, aircraft parking areas and external arrangements, is expected to be handed over at the end of December and its total conclusion is scheduled for May 2010.

Brazil: Brazilian airline Air Puma interested in flying to Luanda

[ 2009-04-22 ]

Luanda, Angola, 22 April – Brazilian airline Air Puma is interested in carrying out flights to Luanda as of the end of May, and is now awaiting official authorisation to do so, a source from the Brazilian Tourism Ministry told Angolan news agency Angop Tuesday.

According to the source, the operation by the private airline is now only dependent on authorisation from the Brazilian aeronautical regulator, which is analysing the project in order to give the go ahead for flights to start.

Air Puma’s programme includes flights to link Sao Paulo and Recife to Luanda, initially with two flights per week.

The reason for carrying out this operation in Angola is that most of the Brazilians that travel to Angola live outside Rio de Janeiro, from which flights to Luanda leave, the Tourism Ministry source said.

Around 30,000 Brazilians currently live in Angola working in various sectors, including construction, in which Brazilian companies Norberto Odebrecht, Queirós Galvão and Andrade Gutierrez work, amongst others, are involved in their own projects, as well as in building and repairing airports, roads and bridges. The numbers are growing steadily.

Puma Air Linhas Aéreas, which uses Embraer 120 aircraft, is a passenger and cargo transport company, with headquarters in Belém, the capital of the northern state of Pará and has been operating since January 2002.

Alex Roney

May 2nd, 2009, 07:40 PM

Angola: Luanda-São Paulo Route Increasingly Important for Both Countries

Service to Sao Paulo is 3 weekly not 2 and Rio is now 4 instead of 5. The flight arrived one hour ago in it's first service. :cheers:

egypt69

May 11th, 2009, 04:33 PM

EGYPTAIR TO ABUJA

EGYPTAIR starting 01JUN09 will launch Cairo - Abuja service. This is the airlines' 2nd route to Nigeria.

MS877 CAI 2130 - 0030+1 ABV Boeing 737-800
MS878 ABV 0130 - 0815 CAI Boeing 737-800

EGYPTAIR 8th weekly Cairo - London from Jun 09

As per 21APR09 GDS timetable display, EGYPTAIR is adding 8th weekly Cairo - London Heathrow service from 26JUN09.

MS777 CAI1030 - 1335 LHR 777
MS779 CAI1755 - 2100 LHR 330

MS778 LHR1455 - 2140 CAI 777
MS778 LHR1500 - 2145 CAI 777
MS780 LHR2230 - 0515+1 CAI 330

qymekkam

May 13th, 2009, 05:22 AM

^^ not true Egyptair flys to Kano and Lagos, which would make Abuja its third route.

Matthias Offodile

May 26th, 2009, 10:35 PM

Lufthansa will get one more route in Africa.

It will fly to Libreville Gabon (beginning of July 2009):cheers:

GABON : LUFTHANSA DANS LE CIEL GABONAIS

http://gaboneco.com/Pics/Actualite/1243209063-lufthansa.jpg

Les représentants de la compagnie aérienne allemande Lufthansa et le ministère gabonais des Transports en charge de l'Aviation civile ont signé le 22 mai dernier à Libreville une convention de coopération. La compagnie allemande déservira le Gabon à compter du mois de juillet prochain et des partenariats stratégiques ont été conclus pour l'embauche du personnels navigants gabonais, les facilitations administratives à l'immigration ainsi que la promotion touristique.

© D.R

Le ministère gabonais de Transports en charge de l'Aviation civile vient de confirmer l'arrivée d'une nouvelle compagnie dans le ciel gabonais, l'allemand Lufthansa qui a signé le 22 mai dernier à Libreville une convention d'activités avec les autorités gabonaises.

La partie gabonaise représentée par le ministre de tutelle, Sylvestre Ratanga, s'est réjouie du renforcement de la coopération avec l'Allemagne grâce à cette convention qui comporte également des partenariats stratégiques pour le Gabon.

Le ministre de l'Aviation civile a notamment demandé aux responsables de la société allemande de garantir l'embauche parmi ses effectifs pour ses activités au Gabon du personnel navigant local dans le cadre d'une «coopération gagnant-gagnant».

La partie allemande, représentée par l'ambassadeur allemand au Gabon, a également été sollicitée pour des facilitations administratives liées à l'immigration.

Cette requête de la partie gabonaise vise à permettre «que les passagers voulant se rendre en Europe, en passant par Francfort, c'est-à-dire en ayant comme premier point de chute en Europe l'Allemagne, ne soient plus obligés de prendre leur visa dans une autre ambassade que la vôtre», a demandé Sylvestre Ratanga, rappelant que «vous, pour venir au Gabon chers amis, c'est l'ambassade du Gabon en Allemagne qui vous a donné les visas».

Le président du Syndicat des agences de voyages du Gabon (SAVOGA), Modeste Mvouri, était présent à cette séance de travail, à l'occasion de laquelle il a esquissé les pistes de partenariat envisageables pour la promotion touristique notamment.

«Le SAVOGA, qui lutte pour la baisse des tarifs et la concurrence, va aussi travailler en commun accord avec la Lufthansa pour développer le tourisme. C'est le Gabon qui gagne avec l'accord qui vient d'être signé et le SAVOGA se bat pour que les Gabonais puissent voyager à des tarifs préférentiels», a estimé Modeste Mvouri.

Le démarrage effectif des activités de la compagnie allemande Lufthansa est d'ores et déjà prévu au mois de juillet prochain. L'arrivée de cette nouvelle compagnie dans l'éventail des transporteurs présents au Gabon devrait relancer la concurrence, et partant faire baisser les tarifs des transports aériens en Afrique centrale où ils demeurent particulièrement élevés.

Publié le 25-05-2009

egypt69

May 27th, 2009, 11:15 AM

EgyptAir selects OnAir for inflight mobile

Egyptair and OnAir today announced agreement to install full Mobile OnAir and Internet OnAir inflight passenger communications services on their fleet of twin-aisle Airbus 330-300 aircraft.

These will be delivered over an 18 month period, starting August 2010, and will operate on European and North American routes as well as in the Middle East.

Egyptair passengers will be able to stay connected inflight using their own mobile phones or smartphones to make and receive phone calls, send and receive text messages and emails, and access the Internet.

Using the Internet OnAir service, passengers will be able to access the Internet just as they do on the ground by connecting their laptops either wirelessly or via a wired connection.

By OnAir providing both GSM/GPRS as well as Wi-Fi Internet, Egyptair’s passengers will have the broadest range of inflight connectivity options available anywhere in the world today.

Egyptair’s Chairman, Captain Sherif Saad Eldin Galal, said: “We are constantly looking to improve our offering to passengers. This latest technology from OnAir helps us further differentiate our service, and enables our customers to stay in touch with colleagues, family and friends while they travel.”

“OnAir is proud to be working with Egyptair,” said Benoit Debains, CEO of OnAir.

“The Mobile OnAir and Internet OnAir services together provide air travellers with a complete solution: a full range of service and the highest levels of performance whether they are using mobile phones, smartphones or their laptops, and with global coverage.”

Mobile OnAir uses the industry’s most advanced and extensive infrastructure for mobile communications, along with Inmarsat SwiftBroadband, high capacity services from Inmarsat 4th generation satellites. This gives Egyptair passengers the best reach and performance available today.

Passenger can use Mobile OnAir to stay in touch as they fly on over 6,000 flights each month, to over 240 cities in over 50 countries across Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. OnAir has operated more than 13,000 fully connected SwiftBroadband flights to date and has signed agreements with more than 15 airlines worldwide.

The Egyptair announcement comes amidst mounting demand for inflight passenger communications. A growing number of commercial airlines and private aviation companies either currently offer OnAir inflight communications services or will offer them in the near future.

OnAir also serves corporate jets, private VIP and governmental customers.

According to a recent passenger survey, 80% of passengers who have used Mobile OnAir services on selected flights would like these services to be available on every flight.

Cigar

June 1st, 2009, 08:40 AM

Here is a link with details about the upgrade for Sir Seretse Khama Int'l Airport in Gaborone, Botswana:

http://www.naco.nl/english/worldwide-experience/botswana-airport.html

Looks very nice!

Mister79

June 1st, 2009, 12:08 PM

Morocco, Senegal to create new airline

(MENAFN - Morocco Business News) Morocco's flag carrier, Royal Air Maroc (RAM), and the Senegalese state have agreed to create a new airline company, to put an end to the conflict concerning Air Senegal International (ASI).

The two parties signed an agreement in this respect on Friday afternoon in Dakar, said a communiqu� published of the signing of the agreement, which provides for creating a totally Senegalese company with RAM's help but without its financial participation.

The new company will start soon and will benefit from RAM'S technical, commercial and operational assistance.

The conflict broke out when Royal Air Maroc decided to withdraw from Air Senegal International (ASI), which pushed the Senegalese authorities to resort to justice, requiring the Moroccan company to continue managing ASI.

http://www.menafn.com/qn_news_story_s.asp?StoryId=1093251162

GregPz

June 1st, 2009, 04:57 PM

Here is a link with details about the upgrade for Sir Seretse Khama Int'l Airport in Gaborone, Botswana:

http://www.naco.nl/english/worldwide-experience/botswana-airport.html

Looks very nice!

Lovely airport for Gaberone! Hope they'll get interconinental services again.

qymekkam

June 2nd, 2009, 03:20 AM

nice airport but is it really that necsecarry to have that big of a structure, only to have 1 jetway?

Alex Roney

June 4th, 2009, 06:34 PM

Kenya anger as US cancels flights

Delta planned to launch the new route to run four times a week
Kenya has protested to the US over the abrupt move to cancel new commercial flights between the two countries, apparently due to security concerns.

A Delta Airlines service from Atlanta to Nairobi, the first direct service between the US and Kenya for 20 years, was called off on Tuesday.

The Kenyan foreign ministry summoned US Ambassador Michael Ranneberger to demand an explanation.

Kenyan officials said US security concerns had previously been addressed.

The US Department for Homeland Security is said to have taken the decision because of "security vulnerabilities" in Nairobi.

It amounts to a travel advisory against the country [Kenya]

Moses Wetangula
Foreign Minister

Delta had planned to run the new service four times a week from Wednesday until US officials intervened on the eve of its launch.

Mr Ranneberger told AFP news agency: "This is a postponement and we are hoping to get this back on track soon but I cannot confirm when."

But Kenyan Foreign Affairs Minister Moses Wetangula said the move would dampen prospects of a recovery of the tourism sector.

"It amounts to a travel advisory against the country [Kenya]," he told Reuters news agency before meeting Mr Ranneberger.

The US Transportation Security Administration (TSA), part of the Department of Homeland Security, also blocked Delta flights to Liberia's capital Monrovia, but cleared a new route to Nigeria's capital Abuja.

Kenya has twice been hit by terror attacks and has a long border with Somalia, where Islamist militants accused of links to al-Qaeda are battling a weak, UN-backed government.

After an Israeli-owned hotel was attacked near Mombasa in 2002, the US and UK issued warnings against travel to Kenya which devastated the country's tourism industry.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/8082942.stm

Wow, this is inexusable, it's one thing to cancel but on the eve of it's inaugural?

Kisumu Ndogo

June 4th, 2009, 09:18 PM

Matthias Offodile

June 7th, 2009, 10:44 PM

New arrival for Gabon: Kenya Airways flies from Nairobi to Libreville twice a week from June 04th 2009

they announce it on their website:

http://www.kenya-airways.com/home/

BUTEMBO21

June 8th, 2009, 11:12 PM

Virgin to sell Nigerian airline

Virgin is pulling its brand name and selling its stake in Virgin Nigeria
Virgin Atlantic is to pull its brand name from Nigeria's national airline Virgin Nigeria and sell its stake in the company.

Virgin's sell-off is the final closure of an increasingly acrimonious deal, announced with great fanfare, five years ago.

An unnamed Virgin source told Reuters news agency the company would have until early July to rebrand itself.

Virgin Nigeria could not immediately be reached for comment.

"It is like the parent is now letting the child go off on its own," the Virgin source said.

In 2004 Virgin entered into a deal, brokered by then President Olusegun Obasanjo, to take over as the national flag-carrier from Nigerian Airways which had collapsed among accusations of corruption.

'Mafioso tactics'

Virgin Atlantic paid $25m for a 49% stake in the new airline, with Nigerian investors making up the rest.

Relations between Virgin and the government soured after President Obasanjo's successor, Umar Yar'Adua took over in 2007.

In 2008 Virgin Nigeria was stripped of a special deal allowing them to operate domestic flights from the international terminal at Lagos airport.

While stunned passengers looked on, hammer-wielding men demolished their lounge.

Virgin owner Richard Branson accused the government of using "mafioso tactics" and the government accused Virgin of "orchestrating negative propaganda".

In January, Virgin Nigeria announced they would be stopping flights on their loss-making Lagos-Johannesburg and Lagos-London routes.

After Virgin's withdrawal, the Nigerian airline is likely to merge with another local carrier, the Virgin source told Reuters.

Virgin Atlantic's flights into Lagos Airport are to continue.

BBC.com

Matthias Offodile

June 10th, 2009, 01:34 PM

Namibia: Global economic crisis sinks Namibia’s flag carrier

News - Africa news
E-mail PDF
Namibia’s flag carrier, Air Namibia has cut its London route and scaled down on its domestic flights, citing shrinking margins as passenger bookings dwindle because of the global economic slowdown.

Air Namibia said its revenue was being fried by a sharp plunge in bookings.

Its management said bookings have gone down by an average ten per cent since the start of the year.

The national airliner, which is heavily subsidised by the government, said that it had instituted fire fighting measures to remain afloat.

Management said Tuesday it had stopped the milky runs to London, adding that the last flight on the London-Gatwick route will be on 3 June.

“The current economic slow down has constrained demand for air travel services on this route (London-Gatwick) even further.

“In order to minimise losses as a result of these facts, Air Namibia has decided that the two flights per week operated on the Windhoek-London/Gatwick be withdrawn,” said Theopolina Namases, Air Namibia acting MD.

“Our presence in the UK market will continue, but will be served as an offline market,” Namases said.

She disclosed that passengers would be flown to and from Windhoek via Frankfurt, with connections to and from London-Heathrow airport using commercial agreements with interline partners.

Apart from the London route which has been completely shut down, Air Namibia has also scaled down its second major route in the region, the Victoria Falls route from five to four flights a week.

The Windhoek/Johannesburg route, another milky run, has been reduced by one frequency with flights being reduced from two to one on Wednesdays.

Namases said the perennial loss making national flag carrier would pin its hopes on increasing frequency on its Windhoek-Frankfurt and Windhoek-Luanda routes.

Management said the Windhoek-Luanda route has an additional frequency and the route will be operated using a B737-500 aircraft.

This means that Air Namibia will operate four return flights per week on the Luanda route.

Namases said Air Namibia will continue to operate five flights per week from its well established primary European gateway in Frankfurt.

Even with these fire fighting measures, Air Namibia’s fortunes would continue flagging, management said, adding that “it is very difficult, even IATA, when they do their economic review, they expect the situation to be much worse.

“We are also expecting the same this side, it is difficult to monitor the situation but we are expecting the worst,” said an Air Namibia senior official.

Air Namibia GM (technical and operations) Ben Dahwa said that on the average, bookings have shrunk by ten per cent.

Government says that tourism arrivals have gone down by nearly 30 per cent in the first quarter of this year.

Tourism receipts are expected to shrink further as the global economic slowdown takes its toll on consumers in most tourism source markets.

Air Namibia, which is stuck with non-performing traditional markets, said it is now casting its net wide, seeking new markets in West Africa and Asia to boost its revenue base and plug yawning gaps left by the plunge in European bookings.

Management remained mum on the national airliner’s strategy out of the current financial quagmire but hinted that the West African market and Asia form the core of the airliner’s marketing forays.

It also remains unclear what course of action Air Namibia was considering for its non-profit making Windhoek-Johannesburg route.

Windhoek - 28/04/2009

hereI'm

June 10th, 2009, 05:13 PM

Ethiopian Airlines says to go ahead with Dreamliner order
KUALA LUMPUR, June 9 (Reuters) - Ethiopian Airlines will take all 10 of the Boeing (BA.N) 787 Dreamliners it has ordered, its CEO said on Tuesday,and may buy more planes as it sees medium-term growth of 20 percent in revenues and passengers.

The airline ordered 10 Dreamliners which are due for delivery between July 2010 and 2013, and it is considering buying more from 2014 onwards.

"We've started talking to both Boeing and Airbus (EAD.PA) -- it depends who gives us the best price,"
Chief Executive Girma Wake told Reuters on the sidelines of an airlines meeting,
adding that he was also looking at buying other types of planes from next year. (Reporting by Neil Chatterjee; Editing by Sara Webb)

hereI'm

June 10th, 2009, 05:24 PM

Ethiopian Airlines makes $76m profits

Andualem Sisay, AfricaNews reporter in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Despite the aviation industry's huge losses, Ethiopian Airlines makes a net profit of 857 million birr ($76m) during the first eight months of its operations.
"Even in war times, everyone is not a casualty," said CEO Girma Wake, when presenting to the Ethiopian Parliament the national flag carriers’ eight month performance report. As a result of the profit, the airline has maintained a strong performance and profits as the aviation industry is in a great loss.

Globally, the airline industry suffered a loss of $8.5 billion in 2008. This year is also expected to hammer the industry, with nearly five billion dollars of losses.

The airline is also investing in the company and hopes to shortly sign a deal to have a new hangar built.

The airline's eight months performance report submitted to parliament's Infrastructure Development Affairs Standing committee details that Ethiopian carried 1.95 million passengers in the accounted period, a 16 per cent boost compared to last year.

According to Girma wining a huge number of passengers when travelers are discouraged by the global economic slowdown was not easy.

Factors

One factor that helped Ethiopian was that its passengers are not mainly tourists, but are rather African businessmen.

"It is a must for them to travel to do business, as business transactions on the continent are yet to go online. Capitalizing on this factor, we devised a new approach to offer them a very convenient arrival and departure time, which helped us to keep our passengers,” he said.

"One airlines' strength is always tested by how much it can adapt to new challenges, we can adopt and do that," the CEO responded to members of the committee who asked how the flag carrier's performance bucked the global trend.

Consistent with it passengers number boost is a more staggering advance in freight, which showed 80 per cent growth to put the eight month revenues at 8.37 billion birr (about $742,811,501).

In the first half of the fiscal year it generated 6.7 billion birr ($594,604,189) in operating revenues with a net profit of 515 million birr (about $45,704,650). Now, in more good news for the airlines, official data is predicting the last four months will produce a record profit for the budget year.

In a related development, Ethiopian Airlines has awarded Boeing 787 Stimulator design contract to a local firm called Construction Design Share Company.

The Dreamliner simulator design contract, estimated to be worth 34 million birr (about $3,017,394), is one of the airline's capital investments it made during the first eight months of the budget year.

According to Kassim Gressu, Ethiopian's Executive Vice President of Finance and Strategic Planning, who accompanied Girma to parliament, the design is already underway.

The contract is expected to be followed with the stimulator planting, a part of the 2005 Ethiopian purchase of ten 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft for a total value of $1.3 billion.

The deal secured, which was appreciated as one of the best deals for the industry, allows partners Ethiopian, Boeing and ALTION to work together on the stimulator project, estimated to cost up to $15 million.

Ethiopian Airlines is the only African Airline to order Boeing's Dreamliner even though Boeing was failed to deliver it on time.

http://www.africanews.com/site/Ethiopian_Airlines_makes_76m_profits/list_messages/25326

Matthias Offodile

June 17th, 2009, 12:11 AM

Virgin Nigeria to take delivery of two aircraft
June 10th, 2009

Virgin Nigeria will take delivery of one 96-seat E-190 and one 76-seat E-170 this month.

Arik begins service to Freetown, Banjul, Dakar
June 8th, 2009

Arik Air launched new service to Freetown in Sierra Leone, Banjul in Gambia and Dakar in Senegal from Lagos, Nigeria last week. The Lagos - Freetown - Banjul - Dakar routed flights are operated 4x per week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Friday and Sunday using B73G aircraft.

W3077 LOS - FNA: 800 - 1015
W3077 FNA - BJL: 1055 - 1220
W3077 BJL - DKR: 1300 - 1400
W3078 DKR - BJL: 1500 - 1600
W3078 BJL - FNA: 1640 - 1805
W3078 FNA - LOS: 1845 - 2300

Virgin Nigeria begins Abuja - Accra service

June 5th, 2009

Virgin Nigeria launched new service between Abuja, Nigeria and Accra, Ghana last week. Flights are operated 2x per week on Tuesdays and Fridays.

VK811 ABV - ACC: 2140 - 2210
VK812 ACC - ABV: 700 - 930

Lufthansa to Libreville

Lufthansa will begin new service to Libreville, Gabon on July 15. Flights will operate 5x per week on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesday, Thursdays and Saturdays using A340-600 aircraft.

LH566 FRA - ACC: 1100 - 1530
LH566 ACC - LBV: 1615 - 1915
LH567 LBV - ACC: 2055 - 2150
LH567 ACC - FRA: 2300 - 725

hereI'm

June 19th, 2009, 06:54 PM

http://allafrica.com/stories/200903130860.html
Ethiopian Airlines Stronger than Ever in the U.S. Market in 2009

Washington, D.C. — Creative promotions in the mid-Atlantic market spark interest in Africa’s premier carrier

While many in the travel industry are struggling, Ethiopian Airlines has been making a name for itself in the greater Washington metropolitan area with a string of powerful promotions that are placing Africa’s premier carrier before many consumers for the first time… and the phones are ringing.

Ethiopian Airlines was the official carrier at the Adventures in Travel Expo in Washington D.C. on the 21st and 22nd of February in which it completed several events surrounding the Expo, including ‘Discover Ethiopia Night’ at the Verizon Center, coffee ceremonies at the expo, and a special reception for dignitaries from the embassies of Angola, Botswana, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mauritius, Namibia, South Africa, Senegal, Tanzania, and Uganda. The “Lucy” fossil exhibit that has been in Houston and Seattle, and is now moving to New York has sparked an interest in Ethiopia’s rich history, culture and religious significance. In addition, Ethiopian Airlines has teamed up with NBA legend Manute Bol, who is serving as the brand ambassador for the airline. Born and raised in Sudan, Manute Bol brings a friendly, recognizable face, as well as a wealth of knowledge and love of Africa, to Ethiopian Airlines. Mr. Bol’s promotional activity has included appearances at trade shows and special events, radio and TV interviews, and a launch of a co-branded Ethiopian Airlines Journeys itinerary. More promotions are planned for the future.

All of the U.S. promotions have been designed to support their Washington Dulles-Addis Ababa flights. Ethiopian Airlines Journeys is now the exclusive tour operator of Ethiopian Airlines and promotes travel packages to Ethiopia, Kenya, and Tanzania. Their new website, www.seeyouinethiopia.com, features city guides, historical attractions, hotel databases, to give viewers a detailed guide of their journey to Ethiopia.

Gobena Mikael, Director of North and South America for Ethiopia Airlines, commented that "despite the global economic turmoil that started in the second half of 2008, Ethiopian Airlines is marking record revenues and profits; its year to date July-December 2008 revenue from the U.S. increased by 13% over that of the same period last year. Looking at the short-term future, we will continue operating four flights per week up to the summer, after which we will increase to five flights per week for the period June through August.”

Discover Ethiopia and East Africa in a brand new way with Ethiopian Airlines Journeys, offering the full variety of full-service tours of Ethiopia, Tanzania and Kenya. To learn more about these exciting vacations, call 1-866-599-3797 or visit www.seeyouinethiopia.com on the web.

About Ethiopian Airlines
Ethiopian Airlines is one of the largest airlines in Africa, as winner of the 2007 African Business of the Year and Best African Airline Award for 2006 service and quality are superior when flying Ethiopian Airlines. Featuring five flights weekly from Washington D.C.’s Dulles International Airport, the airline offers both morning and evening departures, with the morning departure allowing seamless connections to 32 African destinations. The airline’s web site provides excellent information on additional flights services and special web fares. Ethiopian Airlines provides seamless connections to 50 destinations around the globe. For more information about Ethiopian Airlines, visit www.seeyouinethiopia.com.

For information or press materials contact:

Mr. Jordan Weitzman, Partner Concepts LLC

Telephone: 410-224-7688

Fax: 410-224-1499

E-mail: jordan@partnerconcepts.com
Ethiopian Airlines

* Ethiopian Airlines Journeys Partners with the Archaeological Institute of America to Promote Ancient History Tours of Ethiopia

Copyright © 2009 Ethiopian Airlines. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.

Matthias Offodile

June 20th, 2009, 12:58 AM

South African Airways Announces Washington, DC To Ivory Coast & Gabon

Tue Jun 16, 2009 South African Airways (SAA) continues to expand, serving more of Africa than any other airline with new connecting service from Washington Dulles to Abidjan, Ivory Coast, and Libreville, Gabon through its daily non-stop service to Dakar, Senegal. SAA's connection will enable passengers to depart Washington Dulles on flight SA208 and arrive into either Abidjan or Libreville the following day. Convenient connections are also available on the return. The service allows those wishing to travel between North America and Western Africa to avoid long layovers in Europe and arrive more quickly and comfortably on the airline consistently named "Best Airline to Africa" by numerous travel experts.

"SAA's new service from Washington to Dakar has further opened Washington up to Western Africa. When you add connecting service from 26 cities with our code share partner United Airlines, it results in seamless and convenient connections for many passengers," said Marc Cavaliere, executive vice president, North America for SAA. "Passengers will be able to get there without the need to lay over in Europe or change airlines in Dakar, and with the comfort and award-winning service SAA is known to offer. That's a win-win proposition for travelers."

Said Mark Treadaway, vice president for Air Service Development at the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, "This new and enhanced service from South African Airways is another important addition to the wide array of international air service routes at Washington Dulles International Airport, strengthening shipping and passenger links around the world."

www.flysaa.com

Matthias Offodile

June 21st, 2009, 01:32 AM

Virgin Atlantic 747 to Lagos in Aug 09

As per GDS timetable display on 19JUN09, Virgin Atlantic is operating Boeing 747-400 aircraft instead of A340-600 on its Daily London Heathrow - Lagos route, between 01AUG09 and 11SEP09.

Lagos departure is the following day.

BA 777 to Accra from Oct 09

As per GDS timetable display on 17JUN09, British Airways' Daily London Heathrow - Accra service from 11OCT09 is to be operated by Boeing 777, replacing 767

Emirates 777-300ER to Luanda

As per GDS timetable display on 12JUN09, Emirates' planned new 3 weekly Dubai - Luanda service is now showing Boeing 777-300ER operating, instead of A330-200.

The new service begins from 02AUG09

Virgin Nigeria to start Banjul service

Virgin Nigeria from 14JUN09 launches 2 weekly service to Banjul in Gambia.

Routing is Lagos - Banjul - Dakar - Lagos and vice versa

VK845 LOS2125 - 0005+1BJL0055+1 - 0135+1DKR 733 4
VK840 DKR0225 - 0715LOS 5

VK841 LOS2125 - 0015+1DKR 733 7
VK844 DKR0105 - 0145BJL0240 - 0715LOS 733 1
Index 2009, Virgin Nigeria at 00:47 0 replies

EGYPTAIR to start Abuja service in Jun 09

EGYPTAIR starting 01JUN09 will launch Cairo - Abuja service. This is the airlines' 2nd route to Nigeria.

MS877 CAI2130 - 0030+1ABV 738 15
MS878 ABV0130 - 0815CAI 738 26
Index 2009, [Star Alliance], EGYPTAIR at 00:23 0 replies

DELTA 777 to Nigeria from Jul 09

As per 27APR09 GDS timetable display, DELTA's Atlanta - Lagos service starting 02JUL09 is to be operated by Boeing 777.
Inde

Air France returns to Port Harcourt with A319LR

Air France will relaunch service to Port Harcourt when the Nigerian airport is scheduled to re-open in mid-May.

Air France will offer 4 weekly service out of Paris CDG with A319LR, DEDICATE service.

AF878 CDG1100 - 1640PHC 319 x567
AF875 PHC0700 - 1435CDG 319 x167
Inde

TAP increase Dakar from July 09

TAP Portugal is increasing Lisbon - Dakar service from 7 to 9 weekly from 23JUL09.

TP207 LIS2015 - 2325DKR 319 14
TP209 LIS2200 - 0110+1DKR 32S x14
TP209 LIS2240 - 0150+1DKR 32S 14

TP208 DKR0035 - 0540LIS 319 25
TP210 DKR0210 - 0705LIS 32S x25
TP210 DKR0300 - 0755LIS 32S 25

Service further increase to 10 weekly, with TP207 operates on Day 456 and TP208 on Day 567 from 25OCT09

AEROFLOT 767 nonstop to Angola

Starting 29MAR09, AEROFLOT's bi-weekly service to Luanda in Angola will become NONSTOP service with the Boeing 767 operating. This replace existing 1-stop Tupolev Tu154 service via Jeddah

SU345 SVO2220 - 0530+1LAD 763 2 (bi-weekly)
SU346 LAD2110 - 1005+1SVO 763 3 (bi-weekly)

Brussels airlines increase Luanda flight

brussels airlines appears to have secured the rights from Angola to operate a 2nd weekly Brussels - Luanda service. Inbound flight operates via Kinshasa.

The new frequency departs BRU on Day 4, in addition to Day 7

SN359 BRU0955 - 1730LAD1835 - 1940FIH2110 - 0605+1BRU 333 47
Index 2009, brussels airlines at 00:09 0 replies

AIRFRANCE adds 2nd weekly to Luanda

AIRFRANCE from 01APR09 is adding 2nd weekly Paris CDG - Luanda service.

The new frequency departs on Day 3 from CDG, in addition to existing Day 1 CDG departure
Inde

Matthias Offodile

June 21st, 2009, 01:40 AM

Matthias Offodile

June 21st, 2009, 01:45 AM

Bellview Airlines increase Lagos - Heathrow flight

Bellview Airlines from 29MAR09 is increasing Lagos - London Heathrow from 4 weekly (Day x124) to Daily

B3282 LOS0905 - 1550LHR 767 x1
B3282 LOS0915 - 1600LHR 767 1

B3283 LHR2145 - 0425+1LOS 767 x14
B3283 LHR2200 - 0445+1LOS 767 14

Lagos - London route has grown in leaps and bounds the past years: there must at least be five daily flights between Lagos and London so far (British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Nigeria, Air Arik, Belleview Arlines etc.)...

qymekkam

June 21st, 2009, 07:20 AM

there is way more than 5 flights a day. when i went to the airport the departure board around 7 flights, and this were only night flights im sure there are more. but what i dont understand is why the london flights are so popular when the flights are never full. there are to many airlines on the route.

Matthias Offodile

June 21st, 2009, 10:29 PM

excuse, getting a flight out of Nigeria is utter hell! All flights are fully booked!

Even getting a flight with LH wghich flies daily, forget about it, if you don´t book months in advance.

Are you sure about 7 flights to London alone? Which airlies are these?

qymekkam

June 22nd, 2009, 06:43 PM

Kisumu Ndogo

June 23rd, 2009, 06:19 AM

Published: Jun 10, 2009

http://www.idmap.net/image/users/106967/ftp/my_files/Idmap_bank/KQ.jpg
Saying that global economic recession has done little to abate demand for its destinations, Kenya's national carrier Kenya Airways has announced plans to increase flight frequencies to the Far East , including China's Guangzhou, to tap in huge opportunities from the region.

In an interview with Xinhua on Monday, Kenya Airways Chief Operating Officer (COO) Bram Steller said additional frequencies would provide customers with conveniently scheduled connections in China and help improve relations between Africa and the Far East.

"Kenya Airways will keep focus on increasing frequencies and capacities to Guangzhou and we are well planning to soon online Beijing with new aircraft available -- the B777," Steller said.

Steller said the Kenya Airways venture into Chinese skies is strategic as it positions the airliner to take advantage of the growing number of Chinese tourists and traders to Kenya and other African countries.

He said China is the airline's fifth biggest market in terms of passenger numbers in the whole network with very high network contribution as more than 70 percent of these passengers go beyond Nairobi.

"We also see good growth of cargo business out of China to Africa market and this will be further supported by our Boeing 777 operations. It¡¯s also interesting to see the big growth of leisure market to Kenya because it's expected that China will be the biggest outbound tourist market by 2010 with more than 100 million tourists."

Steller said China is currently the world's focus and it is the strategy of the airline to use its Guangzhou route to spread its wings in the Far East region.

Kenya Airways, one of the most successful airlines in Africa, launched non-stop flights to Guangzhou last year, the company's third non-stopy flight route outside Africa. The airline also flies directly between Nairobi and London, and Nairobi to France.

Guangzhou is a major shopping destination for merchants from Africa, who connect through Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).

"The flights to Guangzhou are currently our key gateway for Chinese passengers who travel to Africa as China own the best train network and air network domestically. It's quite convenient and low costing for the passengers to travel to Guangzhou, especially currently when every company is controlling its costs."

Steller said 85 percent of the Chinese passengers are going beyond Nairobi and fly to 35 African countries. "So they are great in contribution to the successful of Kenya Airways African network. "

The COO also said the airline has unveiled a new winter timetable with increased flights to Bangkok and Hong Kong and will use its flights to Guangzhou as major entry points to the Far East.

"The additional of frequencies by Kenya Airways to the Far East is in response to the rise in demand for such flights between the Asian-Pacific region and Africa," said Steller.

"Before the economic crisis, we used to operate about six flights to Guangzhou and step by step, we will resume the frequencies now and also introduce B777 operation in summer Peak. If time comes right, we will resume direct flights from Guangzhou to Africa based on the good slots and demands," he said.

Steller said all the data show that Guangzhou is one of the fast growing destinations in KQ (Kneya Airways)¡¯s global network and it is "both feed for the demand for outbound Chinese passengers as well as our African trader friends."

"We will also establish another two gateways as Hong Kong and Bangkok in Far East, which serve as second options. We are under the consideration of linking Beijing to Africa and India will be a great stop over point."

Kenya Airways, which served more than three million passengers last year and has the largest network into Africa, is going through an aggressive expansion program and it has added destinations which include Bamako, Dakar, Maputo and Istanbul.

The airline plans to soon launch service on major African routes to preserve its name as the "Pride of Africa". This complements 17 weekly flights to London and Amsterdam and regular schedules to select destinations in Asia, including Dubai, Mumbai, Hong Kong and Bangkok.

According to Steller, there are immense investment opportunities in Africa and the continent's many attractive tourist facilities will now be directly accessible to Chinese and Asians.

Kenya Airways, which has been investing in improving its own capacity to handle its growing list of international destinations, has set up new facilities at its hub in Nairobi to enable it to handle its passengers, cargo and deliver safe flights.

African countries have been unwilling to allow foreign carriers into their airspace in a protectionist move aimed at protecting ailing national carriers, but aviation experts say these nearly obsolete national carriers are struggling for survival.

Steller said the airline is encouraged by the Chinese government's cooperation since the signing of the Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA), allowing KQ to start the flights.

"We are going to build up the very friendly relationship with Chinese government and we also want to be the first choices for the government delegates traveling to Africa and also will note the slots are very critical in Guangzhou, Beijing and Shanghai," he said.

"We really need the good slots to make sure the successful handlings. Further, the Guangzhou flights to Africa are also the training routing for African traders and we need more flexible custom policies in order to improve our services to the Chinese," he said.

In September 2003, the airline launched flights to Hong Kong and Bangkok, routes that have since registered remarkable performance.

Steller said the decision to venture into the Far East is largely driven by the tourism potential in that region, which translates into increased business for the airline.

Kenya Airways is the only fully privatized airline on the African continent and the most profitable.

It provides its customers with about 1,500 weekly city pair connections out of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

A year ago Kenya Airways still posted a 6.5 billion shillings ( about 83.3 million U.S. dollars) profit into their books before suffering a full reversal this year.

The losses were largely blamed on the rocketing fuel bills of 2008 and the cost of fuel hedging entered into by the commercial department, which subsequently proved highly disadvantageous for KQ, as the global fuel prices collapsed.

This, however, has been a problem of global proportions as many global airlines were caught in this scenario at their expense.

But Steller said all is well within Kenya Airways since it is on the way to restore healthy finances once again, as demonstrated by the board which recommended a one shilling dividend for shareholders in expectation of once again more prosperous days.

He said the KQ plans to cooperate with China Southern Airlines to launch interline transportation services and add a daily flight to provide the Africa and China route network for Sky Team alliance.

He said the airline has already had code-share agreement with China Southern Airlines who is a member of the Sky Team in China which operates vast network in both China and internationally.

With interline transportation service between these two airlines, all the passengers taken by Kenya Airways' flights to Guangzhou can connect to any place within China through China Southern Airlines' flight network.

Meanwhile, China Southern Airlines' passengers going to Africa can also reach any place in Africa by using Kenya Airways' flight network.

"As we are currently the only (African) airline in Guangzhou, we have reached SPA (Special Prorate Agreement) agreements with all key eight (Chinese) national carriers to connect all China via Guangzhou to Africa," said Steller.

kojojojo

June 23rd, 2009, 07:05 AM

no i know there has to be more than 7 its just the departure board showed 7 with in the time frame which was 7:00 to 11:00 pm. the airlines flying to london are virgin atlantic, british airways, arik air, and bellview.

racking my brains to try and figure it out here. i can only count at most arik, bellview, british airways, and virgin atlantic. are there charter operators into lagos as well?

a_bondima

June 25th, 2009, 06:11 PM

Cameroon to buy three Boeing jets for new carrier
YAOUNDE, June 25 (Reuters) - Cameroon will buy three aircraft from Boeing (BA.N) at a cost of 100 billion CFA francs ($215 million) for its new carrier Cameroon Airlines Corporation (CAMAIRCO), the central African country's transport minister said.

"The government has ... set aside some 100 billion CFA francs and negotiations are well advanced for the purchase of three planes from Boeing," Gounoukou Haounaye told parliament on Wednesday, without identifying the type of aircraft.

CAMAIRCO, which is yet to begin flying, was created in 2006 to replace the country's then lone carrier Cameroon Airlines which went bankrupt and collapsed.

"I cannot give you a precise date when the company will begin flights, but I can assure you that it will be very soon," Haounaye said.

The government was also concluding talks for a strategic partner who will own 51 percent of the airline, he said.

Orders for aircraft in 2009 are the slowest for at least 15 years. Last year Boeing and its European rival Airbus (EAD.PA) took net orders of 1,439 planes combined, but this year's number stands at just over 100 so far. (Reporting by Tansa Musa; Editing by Daniel Magnowski)

Kisumu Ndogo

July 2nd, 2009, 09:54 PM

afrol News, 8 January - The British Department for Transport today decided to publish its secret list of airliners banned from British airspace out of safety reasons. Nine of them are African, coming from Equatorial Guinea, the Gambia, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Egypt, Cameroon and Congo Kinshasa. Egypt's Flash Airlines is not on the list.

British Transport Minister Tony McNulty today gave into pressure from the public and published the list of banned airliners. The question had been raised in the aftermath of the 3 January Flash Airlines accident in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt, involving an aircraft that had been banned from Swiss airspace for security reasons.

So far, it has been an international standard to keep such national blacklists secret. Confidentiality rules also are applied by the international register of aircrafts and airliners.

Mr McNulty however was pressured into publishing the UK blacklist today. "If we have evidence that international standards are not being met," a permit to pick up or put down passengers or cargo in the UK may be refused or revoked, the Transport Ministry explains the blacklist.

Not all permit refusals are based on security issues, although most are. "Permits may also be refused for other reasons, such as non payment of fines for offences under immigration legislation," the Ministry's statement says.

The British list includes all aircrafts operated by airlines from Equatorial Guinea, the Gambia, Liberia and Tajikistan. For these "national" bans, "inadequate safety regulation" was quoted as the reason for the restrictions imposed.

Further, the list over individual airliners included Star Air Ltd and Air Universal (Sierra Leone), Air Memphis (Egypt), Cameroon Airlines and Central Air Express (Congo Kinshasa), in addition to individual airliners from Latvia, Estonia, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Albania and Kyrgyzstan.
Reasons given for banning these airliners from British airspace were diverse, but mostly related to "inadequate safety regulation". The case of Cameroon Airlines however was due to the "non-payment of Carriers Liability Act fines for transporting inadequately documented passengers."

For Egyptian aviation and tourism, the British document represents yet another setback. The airliner Air Memphis was included on the list, due to "adverse ramp inspection findings. There was no response from the Egyptian authorities to the finding," according to the British Ministry.

Egypt's Flash Airlines, which is not banned in Britain, has been banned by Swiss authorities. Saturday's accident, involving a Flash Airlines aircraft, is believed to have been due to "technical reasons". A ceremony for the families of the 148 people killed at the crash was today held in Sharm el Sheikh.

By staff writer

© afrol News

charles4u

July 4th, 2009, 04:27 AM

Blue sun

July 5th, 2009, 12:59 AM

^^Thats right take no shit from anyone.

Matthias Offodile

July 5th, 2009, 01:03 AM

Wahala dey o, why dem no ban british air too ?

Excuse me, BA is well respected, it cannot be comapred to those flying coffins!

Thats why I like Russia... no nonsense from anybody

They have all been banned to fly with their Russia jets into German airpace that´s why they are forced to use modern Airbus now or they won´t land, as simple as that!

Matthias Offodile

July 5th, 2009, 01:05 AM

I want perfection , Singapore Airlines style...then nobody will ban you.

abdeka

July 7th, 2009, 01:04 AM

Algeria : Boeing, Embraer to sell 7 aircrfats to Tassili Airlines

http://img399.imageshack.us/img399/715/0acomtassiliun7.jpg

ALGIERS- The aircraft manufacturers "Boeing" and "Embraer" have been selected Monday by the Algerian company Tassili Airlines (TAL) for providing 7 medium-haul aircrafts worth over US$ 333 million. The US aircraft constructor Boeing will sell TAL four 150-seat airliners worth US$ 228.49 million, while three 100-seat airliners for a total of US$ 104.68 million will be purchased from the Brazilian group Embraer, as noticed at the opening of the commercial bids submitted as part of the international invitation to tender launched by TAL. Whereas the call for tender for two 70-seat aircrafts was declared unfruitful.

charles4u

July 7th, 2009, 01:16 AM

Excuse me, BA is well respected, it cannot be comapred to those flying coffins!

I bet we should now keep flying their and leave ours ? some African senses are doomed.

They have all been banned to fly with their Russia jets into German airpace that´s why they are forced to use modern Airbus now or they won´t land, as simple as that!

I am 100% if that happens...Russia will ban theirs too.

Can you show me a prove ?

Matthias Offodile

July 7th, 2009, 01:22 AM

I am 100% if that happens...Russia will ban theirs too.

Can you show me a prove ?

Not Russian airlines but Russian-built planes, they are banned! No Tupolevs any more..., flying coffins are gone!

Airlines have to strife for perfection and never rest, if you rest you will fall behind, as simple as that!

Alex Roney

July 7th, 2009, 11:24 PM

Wahala dey o, why dem no ban british air too ?

Thats why I like Russia... no nonsense from anybody

LOL Yeah check the accident rates on the Tupolev compared to Boeing and Airbus.

Alex Roney

July 7th, 2009, 11:26 PM

I bet we should now keep flying their and leave ours ? some African senses are doomed.

When it comes to something as critical as airline safety you put national pride over your own well being? That's one rather foolish logic to live by.

Tbite

July 8th, 2009, 11:16 AM

I want perfection , Singapore Airlines style...then nobody will ban you.

:lol::lol::lol:

mkenya

July 8th, 2009, 02:52 PM

grjplanes

July 17th, 2009, 10:45 AM

Strange that no mention is yet made about Kenya Airways starting flights to Gaborone, Botswana. From September they'll have 3 of the Harare flights extended to Gaborone.

BUTEMBO21

July 17th, 2009, 06:01 PM

I wish to see Kenya Airways buy the 3 or 4 Boeing 747-8-Intercontinental ...so as to UP their game against Ethiopian and South African Airways...Just as they did by leading the way in Africa with Boeing 777.

This B747-Intercontinental is the answer to A380.Though it carries about 100 people less at 450 vs A380 555.

It will be long before we see a A380 owned by Africans.

I am amazed by this bird.

http://www.aviationexplorer.com/Boeing_747-8_Pictures/img_03%5B1%5D.jpg

Nice bird indeed, but i'm not a fan of a big birds,. I like the new American Dreamliners 787.

Now that's my bird.
http://i396.photobucket.com/albums/pp49/bukavu_2008/boeing-787-dreamliner.jpg

http://i396.photobucket.com/albums/pp49/bukavu_2008/787IntMockup_K63450-06.jpg

mkenya

July 17th, 2009, 08:33 PM

Nice bird indeed, but i'm not a fan of a big birds,. I like the new American Dreamliners 787.

Yeah...787 is good for short haul trips and especialy for hopping from one African city to another.

what about this Chinese made jet..much cheaper..should African airlines go for it or it will become another Tupolev

http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/Chinese%20ARJ21_1.jpg

SE9

July 18th, 2009, 10:10 AM

The 787 is designed for long-haul non-stop trips... not short-haul.

hereI'm

July 18th, 2009, 11:15 AM

Ethiopia: EAL Top Airline at African Business Awards

Posted by Mehret Tesfaye | July 15th, 2009 at 3:41 pm |

Ethiopian Airlines has been chosen over four other major African airlines to win the "Airline of the Year 2009″ title.

Ethiopian was chosen at the African Business Awards last Monday, July 6, 2009, organized by the London based African Business and the Commonwealth Business Council (CBC). Ethiopia's flag carrier stood first among nominees for this category based on solid financial results coupled with distinctive customer service, punctuality, innovative products and services for consumers. A press release, sent to Fortune, revealed that the 2009 judging panel of the African Businesses Awards especially lauded Ethiopian for initiation of new routes.

The nominees that competed with Ethiopian Airlines were Afriqyiah of Libya, Arik Air of Nigeria, Kenyan Airways and South African Airways; the latter won last year's award for the "Airline of the Year" category.

Amadou Ba, president and director of AllAfrica Global Media; Jean-Louis Ekra, CEO of Afrexim Bank; Stephen Hayes, chairman of the Corporate Council on Africa; Yvonne Ike, regional director for West Africa at JP Morgan Chase International; Omari Issa, CEO of Investment Climate Facility for Africa and Tim Turner, director for the Private Sector at the African Development Bank were the panel judges.

"We rejoice in winning the award and gained the recognition of our overall excellence among other African airlines," Yeneneh Tekleyes, director for Advertising and Promotions of the Ethiopian Airlines declared. "It motivates and encourages us to provide and deliver even more products and better services."

Ethiopian, which made its maiden flight to Cairo, Egypt, in 1946, now travels to 34 cities in Africa and 55 destinations worldwide.

In 2008 alone, it won the Corporate Achievement Award of Aviation and Allied Business, the Brussels Airport Company Award, for its distinguished long haul operations seen through the introduction of new routes, new products and close operations with the Brussels Airport in marketing activities. At the African Travel Awards held in Lagos, Nigeria, The 2008 Best Airline in Africa Award was presented to Ethiopian for superiority in network and convenient connections.

http://theliberiantimes.com/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=london_pres_paul_kagame_of_rwanda_honour&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1

http://allafrica.com/stories/200907100961.html

hereI'm

July 18th, 2009, 11:18 AM

ufookoro

July 18th, 2009, 02:52 PM

Arik Price Cuts Hurt BA, Virgin Atlantic
•VNA’s new aircraft for inaugural flight Tuesday

The price war initiated by Arik Air for economy class passengers travelling from Lagos to London, is constituting a big threat to the dominance of British Airways and Virgin Atlantic Airways on the lucrative international route.
Arik commenced non-stop daily flights from Lagos to London Heathrow Airport late last year, and immediately slashed the prices of economy and premium class tickets thus hurting BA and VAA, which hitherto flew the bulk of London terminating passengers.
As Arik expands its flight destinations, rival local airline Virgin Nigeria Airways is celebrating the arrival, late Thursday, of its second brand new Embraer aircraft, which is scheduled to make its inaugural flight to Abuja next week Tuesday.
According to a review undertaken by Financial Derivatives Company (FDC), a Lagos-based economic research firm and presented at the July Executive Breakfast Meeting of the Lagos Business School, “the price war on the route initiated by Arik is hurting BA and Virgin Atlantic’s economy passengers and London terminating traffic.”
The review, a comprehensive summary of global economic and business indicators and events for the month of June and presented by Bismack Rewane, FDC’s managing director, indicated that BA has started an aggressive response to the Arik threat.
“BA is responding aggressively in the corporate market. It is offering corporate discounts in the premium classes (Business and First Class cabins) and on select routes. It has intensified customer service initiatives and interface,” the review noted.
Further investigation by THISDAY revealed that the Arik threat is more pronounced in the battle for budget travellers (Economy Class passengers), where the local airline charges N174,000 (about $1,160 – taxes inclusive) for a return ticket to London and has become a major attraction.
On the contrary, BA’s cheapest Economy Class return ticket to London is $1,460 while VAA’s cost $1,432.
Arik’s cheapest Busi-ness Class return ticket to London is N500,000, about $3,333. To fly BA, it cost $4,825 while VAA charges $3,799.
Arik uses a brand new Airbus A340-500 long-range aircraft on the Lagos- London route offering Business Class passengers flat beds, individual television monitors, along with other in-flight entertainment comparable to any airline in the world.
However, Arik’s attempt to lure passengers has not been that pronounced in the battle for premium class passengers on the route despite its low fares.
For most premium class passengers to London, analyst said their preferred choice remains BA and VAA owing to a number of factors, including safety and their track records, loyalty programmes, reliability and the status symbol. As a result, both airlines have been able to ward off Arik’s challenge in this area.
This notwithstanding, the report by FDC noted that premium traffic in general on the international routes is shrinking, especially in the First Class cabin.
This, it attributed to factors such as exchange rate adjustment, declining consumer income and corporate expense control. Declining premium traffic has been a big blow to BA’s bottom line.
According to the review, BA recently announced that it would ground aircraft, slash available seats and postpone delivery of its A380 Airbus.
“BA, like all others airlines, is facing a recession-driven decline in passengers. In June, it carried 2.93 million passengers. This is 5 per cent less than June 2008.
“It has cut summer capacity by 3.5 per cent and 5 per cent in October. The increasing capacity of most routes and falling purchasing power are driving down yields,” said the review.
In addition, lower fares to London from Lagos (via Rabat) offered by Royal Air Maroc has also become a further threat to the dominance of BA and VAA on the route.
The review noted: “The $250 London ticket by Royal Air Maroc is receiving huge patronage.
“The stop over in Casablanca is considered by budget travellers a dream come true.”
The review further revealed that Arik has also become a threat to South African Airways on the Lagos-Johannesburg route.
Arik’s lowest Economy Class return ticket to Johannesburg costs just N93,500 – all taxes inclusive. It charges N458,000 for the lowest Business Class return ticket.
SAA on the other hand charges between N130,000 and N160,000 for Economy Class tickets and N500,000 to N600,000 for Business Class.
“Arik’s price cut and daily frequency to J’burg is a blow to SAA. This has forced SAA to respond with a further price cut and increased its frequency to five a week. There is a lot of red ink on the J’burg route,” said the review.
On the domestic route, the review revealed that “the price and capacity war is continuing between VNA, Arik & Aero Contractors. However, VNA’s new management team has been able to stay focused and the airline continues to dominate the Abuja, Accra, Abidjan & Port Harcourt traffic.
“It continues to outflank competitors in regional markets. VNA now controls 40 percent of Accra–Lagos traffic, 18 percent of the Lagos–Abuja market.”
VNA is expected to remain strong on domestic and regional routes with the arrival of a new Embraer aircraft and the return of one of its Boeing 737 aircraft from maintenance

charles4u

July 18th, 2009, 02:56 PM

desert burner

July 20th, 2009, 08:24 PM

Tourism Minister Najib Balala has disclosed that an inaugural direct charter flight from Moscow to Mombasa will start operations later this year.

Balala said following his recent tourism promotion trip to Moscow, he had fruitful discussions with tour operators there.

The announcement comes barely a week after the country’s top tourism marketer, Kenya Tourist Board (KTB) expressed fears that potential tourists willing to come to Kenya for holiday might not be able to do so due to fewer flights.

KTB chairman Jake Grieves-Cook said fewer charter flights flying to Mombasa were fully booked yet hotel bed capacity remains low.

Elsewhere, the national flag carrier has said its decision to withdraw from the Nairobi-Malindi route was as a result of low business levels.

Kenya Airways spokesperson Victoria Kaigai said that in early April, they decided to withdraw their Embraer, a 70-seater aircraft due to low business levels.

Promote tourism

At the same time, Balala announced that other charter flights from Belgium, France and Netherlands would begin operations from November this year.

Balala, who addressed the media in Mombasa on Sunday urged hoteliers to upgrade their facilities to international standards to help attract high-end clientele.

"The current high season looks promising and we shall ensure we recover fully from last year’s slump, which saw the industry do badly as a result of post-election chaos," he said.

Balala said Kenya has drawn a Memorandum of Understanding with the South African government to promote tourism activities in the region.

The minister said his South African counterpart would arrive in the country on August 17, for the signing ceremony.

"We intend to find opportunities of collaboration between the two nations to ensure tourism in the region fully recovers," Balala said.

mwanamwiwa

July 21st, 2009, 05:16 PM

^^I guess the industy is in the upswing and they are diversifying tourism markets:cheers:I believe more funding for promotions etc is the way to go,I ve seen South African and Botswana tourism ads on bbc,cnn etc and they go a long way.

Matthias Offodile

July 21st, 2009, 11:27 PM

Brussels Airways adds Nonstop Brussels - Libreville to its flight network. They will fly 5 times a week on either A330 or A340

Gabon : Brussels Airlines ajoute Libreville à son réseau africain

Publié le 21-07-2009

Brussels Airlines propose désormais cinq vols hebdomadaires vers Libreville. Les liaisons vers la capitale du Gabon seront opérées par son partenaire Lufthansa et commercialisées par Brussels Airlines grâce à un accord de partage de code.

© D.R: Brussels Airlines

Brussels Airlines offre, dès le 20 juillet, cinq vols hebdomadaires vers Libreville. Les liaisons vers la capitale du Gabon seront opérées par son partenaire Lufthansa et commercialisées par Brussels Airlines grâce à un accord de partage de code. De son côté, Lufthansa va également mettre des sièges en vente sur la ligne Bruxelles-Entebbe (Ouganda), opérée par la compagnie aérienne belge.

Dès hier, le 20 juillet, les clients de Brussels Airlines peuvent voyager 5 fois par semaine vers la capitale du Gabon. Après une première escale à Francfort, les passagers de la compagnie aérienne belge rejoindront Libreville à bord d’un appareil de Lufthansa.

Le vol de moins d’une heure entre Bruxelles et Francfort se connecte parfaitement au vol vers le Gabon. Les passagers peuvent ainsi voyager entre la Belgique et le pays d’Afrique Centrale sans perte de temps. Le vol de retour de Libreville s’effectue en soirée et offre également d’excellentes connexions pour rejoindre Bruxelles dans la matinée.

A bord, les passagers ont le choix entre une classe First, Business et Economy. Tous les vols sont opérés à bord de confortables Airbus A340 ou A330.

Le Gabon est un important partenaire commercial de la Belgique et l'ouverture à la capitale de l'Union Européenne(UE) et à celle de l'une des locomotive de l'économie de l'UE, est d'une bonne augure pour le renforcement des échanges commerciaux entre le Gabon et la Belgique.

Xusein

July 22nd, 2009, 01:22 AM

.
what about this Chinese made jet..much cheaper..should African airlines go for it or it will become another Tupolev

http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/Chinese%20ARJ21_1.jpg

I think they should stay the hell away from that for several years when it gains a reputation.

qymekkam

July 22nd, 2009, 10:43 PM

lol i wouldnt even want to fly on that

mkenya

July 22nd, 2009, 11:01 PM

lol i wouldnt even want to fly on that

well...you are already flying on Chinese stuff...Most of the Boeing and Airbus parts are done in China.

ufookoro

July 23rd, 2009, 12:09 PM

HE management of Arik Air, yesterday in Lagos, said it had produced the first Nigerian pilots to fly an Airbus A340-500 aircraft.

A statement by the firm's media officer, Mr. Adebanji Ola, named the pilots as Captain Horace Millar-Jaja and Flight Officer Imomoh Bodeame, who were trained at the Airbus Company in Toulouse, France.

According to the statement: "Arik Air, Nigeria's largest commercial airline has again blazed the trail by producing the first Nigerian pilots to fly an Airbus A340-500 aircraft. The feat was achieved by Captain Horace Millar-Jaja and Flight Officer Imomoh Bodeame, who were recently trained at the Airbus Company in Toulouse, France. Captain Millar-Jaja, who had a six weeks conversion course in Toulouse, had his maiden flight on the A34Q-500 aircraft from London Heathrow to Lagos on Sunday, July 19, 2009.

His counterpart on the course, Flight Officer Imomoh Bodeame, however, had his maiden flight on A340-500 a week earlier on July 11, 2009, also from London Heathrow to Lagos. Before the historic flight by the duo, the highest version of an Airbus aircraft ever- flown by a Nigerian pilot was A340-300."

Relieving the new experience, Captain Millar-Jaja, who before now was flying Arik Air's Boeing series, said it was a milestone achievement to have been the first Nigerian pilot to fly A340-500. He said: "I'm delighted to have been the first Nigerian to fly this kind of aircraft. This has, no doubt, put Nigeria on the international standard in wire technology.

It is also a milestone for a Nigerian airline having a set of crew to fly such an airplane from Europe to Nigeria".

"As an old generation pilot, the technology was challenging because it wasn't easy blending into the new generation drive", Captain Millar-Jaja stressed. He pointed out that the A340-500 aircraft is high-tech equipment. "It is flown by button-wire technicalities, no control column but a joy stick like that of a video game. The difference in Airbus and Boeing Is the difference in philosophy of simulation change".

"Flight Officer Imomoh shared the view of Captain Jaja on the A340-500. Imomoh, who had been flying on the Bombardier CRJ900 series in Arik Air's fleet, said the experience was quite nice. "I really enjoyed the first experience on A340-500, the aircraft handles very well. I must point out that it is a different kind of mind-set from the CRJ I had been flying. I enjoy flying CRJ, but Airbus is another challenge because it is a much bigger aircraft", said I momoh.

Flighl Officer Imomoh disclosed that he was a bit apprehensive on his first flight because of the weight of the aircraft. "The high point of the flight was taking off from London Heathrow which

was fantastic and the landing at the Murtala Muhammed in Lagos which was smooth".

Captain Millar-Jaja, who joined Arik Air in 2007, started his aviation career in 1983 and has been a Captain since 1991 flying mostly the Boeing family. He has accumulated 10,800 flying hours. In the case of Flight Officer Imomoh, Arik Air is his first job and has spent two years on Ihe CRJ900 aircraft with 1400 flying hours."

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The statement added: "Both pilots thanked Arik Air for The exposure and opportunity stressing that Arik is the way forward in Nigeria's aviation industry. Arik Air presently has two Airbus A340-500 in its fleet and they are used on the Lagos - London Heathrow and Lagos-Johannesburg routes. Arik Air is Nigeria's leading commercial airline.

It operates a fleet of 28 state-of-the art regional, medium haul and long haul aircraft. The airline currently serves 20 airports across Nigeria as well as Accra [Ghana], Cotonou (Benin), Niamey and Agadez (Niger), London Heathrow (UK) and Johannesburg [Soufh Africa). New services commenced on 3 June from Logos to Freetown (Sierra Leone), Banjul (The Gambia) and Dakar [Senegal), 4 times a week [Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday). On 7 June, the airline began service between Abuja and Katsina with three flights per week (Wednesday, Friday and Sunday).

The airline currently operates 120 daily flights from its hubs in Lagos and Abuja

It employs more than 1,400 staff."

qymekkam

July 23rd, 2009, 08:53 PM

well...you are already flying on Chinese stuff...Most of the Boeing and Airbus parts are done in China.

im not scared of chinece made aircraft. just the way the portray it. it looks cheap.

Matthias Offodile

July 25th, 2009, 11:17 PM

Aviation : Bientôt, 3 Boeing pour Air Ivoire

vendredi 24 juillet 2009 - Par Nord-Sud Taille des caractères

La flotte de la compagnie nationale aérienne va s'enrichir bientôt de trois appareils. Air Ivoire vient de conclure à Paris un accord pour l'acquisition de trois Boeing par location-vente. L'information a été donnée, hier, à la presse par le ministre des Transports. Albert Mabri Toikeusse qui s'est gardé de fournir les détails du contrat, laissant le soin à Air Ivoire de le faire dans les jours à venir. Il a néanmoins rappelé le contexte de l'achat de ces appareils. « Vous savez que depuis quelque temps. Notre compagnie nationale a des difficultés. L'Etat a dû s'engager dans un partenariat public privé avec 51% cédés au privé à travers CFI international, le groupe dirigé par notre compatriote, le ministre Koné Dossongui. Ils sont actionnaire majoritaire. Le président a signé depuis la semaine dernière le décret qui va nous conduire à un renouvellement du conseil d'administration dans les jours à venir. Air Ivoire dispose d'un seul avion Airbus avec quelques avions qu'elle loue. Cet avion ne permet pas de faire le fret. Or en matière de trafic aérien, c'est le fret qui rapporte de l'argent par rapport au transport de passagers. » Le renforcement de la flotte de Air Ivoire renferme plusieurs objectifs selon le ministre des Transports. « Depuis les derniers sommets de la Cedeao, il a été confié au président Laurent Gbagbo la mission de conduire la réflexion et l'action de développer le transport en Afrique de l'Ouest et en particulier le transport aérien. Nous avons déjà tenu deux réunions à Yamoussoukro. Il est bon que notre compagnie nationale puisse donner l'exemple et puisse se développer pour prendre des parts de marché mais surtout pour soulager l'intégration sous-régionale, mais aussi l'économie, puisque le déplacement entre nos capitales est très difficile. Le déplacement des capitales de l'Afrique de l'Ouest vers l'Afrique centrale est très difficile. C'est tout cela qui nous a amené à apporter ce soutien à Air Ivoire. Sur instruction du président de la République nous sommes partis avec Air Ivoire pour l'acquisition de ces trois Boeing », s'est-il réjoui.

Kwame

July 31st, 2009, 04:40 AM

Mozambique Airlines (LAM) to start flying between Maputo and Luanda in October
Maputo, Mozambique, 30 July – Mozambique Airlines (LAM) plans to begin weekly flights between Maputo and the Angolan capital, Luanda, as part of the Mozambican company's route network expansion, writes today's Notícias newspaper.

LAM’s commercial director, Adérito Macaba, said that if the flight didn’t start in October this year, it would have to be postponed until April 2010, according to the schedule established by IATA, the International Air Transport Association.

LAM is to receive two new Brazilian-made Embraer 190 aircraft, the first of which should arrive in August.

The Embraer 190 has a 94-seat capacity.

Mozambique Airlines (LAM) recently announced a US$100 million investment over three years for the purchase of new aircraft and the opening of new routes.

In 2008 LAM bought two Canadian-built Bombardier Q-400 Turbo-prop planes.

By the end of 2009 LAM will withdraw its three Boeing 737-200 planes from service. In 2010 it will withdraw the last of its Boeing aircraft.

LAM has a fleet made up of four Boeing 737-200 jet planes and two turbo-props.

As well as these aircraft, LAM also uses, via its subsidiary, Mex-Mozambique Express, two JetStream 41 which are British Aerospace’s turbo-prop aircraft capable of carrying 29 passengers in economy class.

These aircraft also operate on regional routes, to Johannesburg, Durban, Dar es Salaam and Nairobi, and domestic routes, including some tourist destinations, such as Vilankulo and Inhambane.

MacauHub (http://www.macauhub.com.mo/en/news.php?ID=7838)

qymekkam

July 31st, 2009, 04:42 AM

theres a Mozambique Airlines!!!

Kwame

July 31st, 2009, 05:07 AM

TAAG chooses Lisbon for resuming flights between Angola and Europe
Luanda, Angola, 28 July – Angolan Airline (TAAG) considers the Lisbon route to be its best European option from a commercial perspective, which is why it has chosen to begin flights to Portugal.

Flights to Lisbon should start from the first week in August after a suspension of around two years.

Rui Carreira, of the company’s Management Commission told Angop news agency that the Lisbon route was not imposed by the European Union, but was the Angolan airline's choice.

He said that TAAG was not yet ready to fly to other European capitals.

In mid-July the European Union authorized TAAG to fly to one European destination only, and not to exceed 10 flights per week.

In July 2007 TAAG was included by the European Union’s Air Safety Commission on its “blacklist” of airlines banned from European air space because of safety issues.

At the latest revision of the European "blacklist” of airlines banned from European airspace, TAAG was authorized to resume flights to Lisbon, “only with certain aircraft and according to strict conditions.”

MacauHub (http://www.macauhub.com.mo/en/news.php?ID=7826)

grjplanes

July 31st, 2009, 02:34 PM

So if LAM is receiving 2 EMB190s now and gradually withdrawing the 4 737-200s...how are they exactly expanding their fleet and network?
Are they due to receive more E190s at some point?
I also think that their subsidiary, MEX, operates EMB120s now?
Would the EMB190s be capable of flying MPM-LAD nonstop, it would be more than 4hours flights?

qymekkam

August 1st, 2009, 11:00 PM

emb190's can fly mpm-lad nonstop

hereI'm

August 3rd, 2009, 12:05 PM

Ethiopia orders 17 new Boeing

By Tesfa-alem Tekle
July 30, 2009 (ADDIS ABABA) — Ethiopian Airlines announced plans to purchase 17 new aircrafts from the Boeing and Airbus companies with a $4.2 billion deal, marking the flag carrier, the first African airline to order and operate the ultra long range 777-200LR model.

The airline in a statement on Tuesday said that it has placed an order for five B777-200LR Boeing aircrafts from the Boeing Company and twelve A350-900s from Airbus.

Ethiopia’s latest announcement for the purchase of five Boeing aircrafts comes after the chief executive officer of Ethiopian Airlines; Girma Wake signed an agreement with Boeing’s Sales Director for the Middle East and Africa, Skip H. Thompson.

Last week, the flag carrier has also signed a memorandum of understanding with Airbus to acquire 12 A350-900s aircrafts. The order for the five B777-200LRs will cost the Ethiopian airlines US$1.3 billion and US$2.9 billion for the twelve A350-900s.

The B777-200LRs will be delivered begin in October, 2010 while the A 350 -900s will be received in 2017.

"The Boeing 777 will be integral as we bring our business to the next level" Girma Wake said, adding this order reinforces the deep ties between our two companies.

"The new purchase of aircraft from Boeing and Airbus is made in line with Ethiopia’s fast growth strategy in which it is predicated that the fleet size would significantly increase in the next ten to fifteen years" Girma said.

The order is one of the largest-ever by an African airline, and comes amid a broad slump in business for the world’s top airline companies.

Ethiopian currently operates an all-Boeing jet fleet of 29 aircraft and was the regional launch customer for the 787. It has been forced to lease alternatives and delay expansion as the 787 schedule has slipped.

The airline has developed a strong regional network to position Addis Ababa as a base to feed long-haul traffic into Africa, competing with fast-growing Middle East carriers such as Emirates Airline.

Net profits rose 9% to 515 million birr in the six months to December 31, the latest data available, with operating revenue up 55% at 6.7 billion birr. It carried 1.5 million passengers during the period, with freight more than doubling to 55,000 tons. In the year to June 30, 2008 it made a net profit of 507 million birr.

Ethiopian airlines is widely regarded as one of the best-run airlines in Africa. It serves over 50 destinations worldwide and over 35 destinations within Ethiopia.

http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article31980

http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20090728-721469.html

qymekkam

August 3rd, 2009, 11:54 PM

Disaster Averted in Enugu as Aircraft Catches Fire

Twenty-eight passengers of an Embraer 120 aircraft, with registration number 5N BLN owned by Capital Airlines escaped death yesterday as the aircraft caught fire at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu as it prepared to take off.
The pilot made use of the fire extinguisher in the cockpit to put out the fire at the exhaust of the aircraft before he aborted the flight.
But in the confusion, two passengers were said to have sustained injuries as they probably struggled to get out of the aircraft. They were said to have been taken to the hospital for treatment.
In a press statement signed by the managing director of the airline, Mr. Amos Akpan, the flight was scheduled for Abuja by 1 pm and was cleared for takeoff and when the pilot started the engine, “the ground staff immediately signalled to the pilot to shut down the engines when they noticed unusual amount of smoke from the exhaust of the right engine”.
The passengers disembarked from the aircraft and their fares were refunded. The managing director directed that the aircraft should remain on ground until checks were carried out by the airline’s engineers.
According to the statement, “Capital Airlines yesterday cancelled its afternoon flight on the Enugu-Abuja route due to a precautionary measure when smoke was noticed at the exhaust.
“The Embraer 120, 5N BLN, 30-seater aircraft was scheduled for Enugu-Abuja at 1pm and was cleared for takeoff.
“When the pilot started the engine, the ground staff immediately signalled to the pilot to shut down the engines when they noticed unusual amount of smoke from the exhaust of the right engine.
“Passengers were disembarked and refunded their money.
“While we are sorry for the inconvenience it may have caused the passengers, we had to take the precautionary measure to cancel the flight for safety reasons.”
He added that appropriate authorities had been informed of the incident. The Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Dr. Harold Demuren, confirmed the incident, saying that the smoke was noticed when the aircraft was still on the ground and everybody was evacuated safely, adding that such incident could occur once in a while.
“Thank God that it was still on the ground and everybody was evacuated safely,” the Director-General said.

egypt69

August 8th, 2009, 09:08 PM

EgyptAir swaps two 777s for eight 737-800s

EgyptAir and Boeing said yesterday that the airline converted a previous order for two 777s into an order for an additional eight 737-800s.

The order previously had been added to Boeing's Orders & Deliveries website and attributed to an unidentified customer (ATWOnline, July 17). The carrier has seven 737-800s in operation and is slated to take delivery of an additional five this year. It has five 777s in its fleet and is scheduled to receive six 777-300ERs beginning next year.

It has said its growth strategy is based on expanding services in Africa and allowing passengers to connect to long-haul routes available via its membership in Star Alliance (ATWOnline, June 16). "We are pursuing a fleet plan that allows us to expand our regional markets and offer those passengers extensive international routing options," Chairman Tawfik Assy said. EgyptAir joined Star Alliance in July 2008.

by Aaron Karp

http://www.atwonline.com/news/story.html?storyID=17486

hereI'm

August 9th, 2009, 01:04 PM

Ethiopian Airlines 08/09 net profit leaps 165 percent

* Net profits rise 165.3 percent

* Operating revenue up 32.8 percent

* Cargo up 38.4 percent, passengers up 12.3 percent

By Tsegaye Tadesse

ADDIS ABABA, Aug 7 (Reuters) - Ethiopian Airlines [ETHA.UL] said on Friday that its full year net profit more than doubled to 1.3 billion birr ($118.6 million) from the previous year due to an aggressive marketing campaign and major cost cuts.

The African carrier's operating revenue for the year to June rose 32.8 percent to 12.2 billion birr, Chief Executive Girma Wake said. Passenger numbers rose 12.3 percent to 2.8 million, while cargo increased 38.4 percent compared with the previous year.

"Our profits increased due to an aggressive marketing campaign and a major cost-cutting effort," a spokeswoman for the airline told Reuters. "We introduced seven new routes which also contributed to our growth, including routes to Saudi Arabia and Nigeria."

In 2007/08, it had made a net profit of 507 million birr.

Wake told a news conference that said Ethiopian Airlines had placed orders for five 777-200 LR (long range) planes made by Boeing (BA.N), twelve 350-900s from EADS's (EAD.PA) Airbus unit and eight Q400 turboprops from Bombardier, at a total cost of $4.5 billion.

He said the airline had paid down payments for all the aircraft on order and planned to take out loans from European and the U.S. banks to pay for the balance.

Boeing is due to deliver the planes by 2010, while the aircraft are expected to be received by 2017, Girma said. ($1=11.340 Ethiopian Birr) (Additional reporting by Barry Malone; editing by Daniel Wallis and Karen Foster)

egypt69

August 18th, 2009, 04:44 PM

Libyan Airlines signed an MOU with OnAir to install mobile and inflight Internet service on its seven new A320s, which it expects to start taking next year.

RwandAir yesterday added a fifth weekly Kigali-Johannesburg flight.

Royal Air Maroc will launch twice-weekly Casablanca-Dubai service on Oct. 27 using 767-300ERs.

Kenya Airways workers represented by the Aviation & Allied Workers Union called off a two-day strike Sunday after reaching an agreement with management on a pay increase, KQ said in a statement. Flights from Nairobi were delayed Friday and Saturday as some 3,000 workers went on strike over pay. The new plan includes an interim wage award of 10% for the first year and another 10% for the second, the airline said.

Matthias Offodile

September 1st, 2009, 12:37 PM

Air Europe offers now direct flights between Madrid and Malabo which is the second Spanish carrier to offer this route

AIR EUROPA y AIRQUALITAS CUBREN VUELOS A MALABO

Publicado el Agosto 17, 2009 por roquek

Esta misma semana, surfeando en la red, me llamaba la atención el precio de salida online (supuestamente más barato) que ofrecian empresas que fletan vuelos diarios a Guinea Ecuatorial, entre ellas, IBERIA, FRANCE-KLM, LUFTANSA, SWISAIR, ROYAL MAROC…etc….al coste medio de de 2.500 euros. Un verdadero atraco. Pues, quizá por eso, tras la reciente visita de la delegación española a nuestro pais, AIR EUROPA anunciaba a bombo y platillo que cubrirá vuelos semanales entre Madrid-Malabo y Madrid-Bata.

Aun con esto, el precio del billete a Guinea Ecuatorial no experimentó ninguna bajada. Dicho de otra forma, cabria esperar que los ya operantes en la ruta reaccionasen estableciendo barerras de entrada mientras el coste de explotación de la ruta este por debajo del coste total medio. Este comportamiento (imnune y garante de via libre), es el que ha motivado, por muy seguro, el anuncio de AIRQUALITAS y EUROGUINEANA DE TRANSPORTES, para cubrir vuelos a Malabo, Capital de Guinea Ecuatorial al precio de 530 euros.

El balance es que, pese que Guinea Ecuatorial cuenta con menos del millon de habitantes, la presencia de multinacionales, fruto de la globalización de mercados, es notable. En fin, evaluando el coste del combustible, inclusive tasas, y un promedio de viajeros, certifico que aun se puede conceder licencias a nuevas compañias para que el precio siga bajando. En realidad, al precio operante (incluso a 1.100 €), una compañia como Iberia obtiene mayor rentabilidad en la Ruta Madrid-Malabo en comparación a una de Madrid-Colombia. Otra posibilidad para contrarestar el precio sería conceder licencias a compañias charter o debajo coste.

Mi recomendación es que los inversores aprovechen e inviertan en Guinea Ecuatorial y no se olviden que detras de toda idea de negocio-empresa, también hay un compromiso social. Es decir No se trata de invertir y sacar beneficio, sino, contribuir al desarrollo nacional.

Fuente: El economista.es.

Por roquek. Lic. en Economia; Master N.B.

Matthias Offodile

September 1st, 2009, 12:44 PM

and a third Spanish carrier open the route from madrdi to Malabo

Airqualitas ofrece vuelos entre Madrid y Malabo a partir del 18 de agosto

Fuente : GUINEAONLINE.COM
Fecha : Mittwoch, 05 August 2009
Etiquetas : madrid malabo airqualitas

La compañía española AirQualitas y Euroguineana de Transportes iniciarán, el próximo día 18 de agosto, la ruta entre España y Guinea Ecuatorial con un vuelo de onexión semanal todos los martes entre Madrid y Malabo.

Según explica AirQualitas, la ruta es fruto de un acuerdo con la compañía Euroguineana de Aviación (EGA) para explotar los derechos de tráfico entre Guinea Ecuatorial y España que posee la guineana y que hasta hace un año operaba Spanair.

La nueva conexión se realizará desde la Terminal 1 del aeropuerto de Barajas con un avión Boeing 757-200 con capacidad para 200 pasajeros.

AirQualitas ha lanzado una oferta especial promocional que permite a sus clientes volar por 530 euros ida y vuelta.

Kenguy

September 4th, 2009, 09:04 PM

Kenya Airways launches flights to Ndola, Zambia.

Kenya Airways has announced the launch of two direct flights out of Ndola starting next month as part of the airline’s regional expansion programme.

The route would be serviced using Boeing 737-800, 700 and 300 aircraft, essentially meaning a maximum uptake of about 126 passengers per flight. The exact launch of the flight is set for September 17, 2009.

The Ndola flights would operate twice weekly – Thursday and Saturday – offering connections to the entire Kenya Airways network.

This becomes the 36th African destination for the airline’s network following the recent launch of flights into Congo-Brazzavile and Libreville in March and June this year respectively while the Gaborone route was set for launch next month.

Kenya Airways country manager for Zambia, Rose Kiseli, said during the launch breakfast meeting in Lusaka yesterday that the services sector provided an opportunity for accelerating the recovery of the continent from the effects of the global financial crisis.

She said the airline was looking at not only consolidating its existing routes but to also open new ones.

Kiseli also said the flights out of Ndola would cost the same as those out of Lusaka.

“We have seen new investors coming to the Copperbelt and the price of copper rising, this is good reasons to give us confidence,” said Kiseli.

“Our strength lies in promoting the growth of Africa’s economy. Ndola being the industrial, commercial, administrative and distribution hub of the Copperbelt has a huge role to play in contributing to the growth of not only the province but Zambia and Africa as whole.”

mwanamwiwa

September 12th, 2009, 06:20 AM

RwandAir opens sales office in Nairobi :cheers:

By KABURU MUGAMBI
Posted Friday, September 11 2009 at 17:05

Rwanda’s national carrier, RwandAir, has asked governments in the region to lower and match their aviation taxes to encourage air travel.

Mr Gerald Zirimwabagabo the company’s chief executive, said successful airline operations cannot exist without the active and deliberate involvement of governments.

“These authorities need to lower and harmonise various taxes levied on air travel,” he said. “I am convinced this will stimulate the much needed air travel for our people.”

Opening

Mr Zirimwabagabo was speaking in Nairobi last Thursday, during the opening of the airline’s Nairobi sales office. Before opening the sales office, the airline, which operates two daily flights between Nairobi and Kigali, depended on general sales agent agreements it had signed with local travel agents.

Transport minister, Chirau Mwakwere, said the Nairobi sales office will give travellers faster connection. He added that Kenya and Rwanda had signed a bilateral air service agreement in 1978, allowing national carriers to fly into each other’s airspace and in 2008, the agreement was enhanced to more frequencies for both national carriers, he said.

Mr Zirimwabagabo said Nairobi remains a key transit point into and out of the Great Lakes region and as such, air transport operators within the East African Community must find ways of enhancing both passenger and cargo air transport.

Initiatives

“Initiatives such as this we have taken will not only increase the bilateral flow of traffic between our countries but also cement further the long standing relations we have enjoyed,” he said.

Currently, the airline operates three leased aircraft. Mr Zirimwabagabo said the company had made progress in fleet management and will move from lease arrangements to own a fleet by the end of the year.

p7G7SDgyX14

desert burner

September 13th, 2009, 09:47 PM

Kenya Airways is counting on increased tourism in Africa to shore up its revenues in the face of shrinking traditional European markets as a result of the slowdown of the global economy.

The national carrier has moved to bolster its presence in the Seychelles in a pact that will see the two countries market tourism through a twin destination concept.

In the pact, the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) in collaboration with the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) and their respective travel agents will market the two countries as a package.

This will, for example, see tourists offered Kenya’s Safari experience and the Seychelles island beaches as a package. The airline plans to ride on the concept by carrying passengers in transit from other destinations to Mahe, the Seychelles, and vice versa.

The move comes only months after Kenya Airways signed a deal with KTB and other Kenyan sectors such as hoteliers and the media to grow arrivals from African countries to boost tourism and increase the airline’s revenues.

“The major reason for this arrangement is to increase passenger numbers. We hope to increase by 14 per cent, once the concept gets rolling,” said Kenya Airways commercial director, Mohan Chandra, of the travel to Seychelles.

The airline currently operates two flights with an estimated 75 travellers per flight.

However, Mr Chandra said there were no immediate plans to add another flight to Mahe. The airline has seen the number of passengers both within Africa and beyond reduce as potential travellers are affected by the financial crisis that has seen a drop in passenger numbers.

Coupled with high oil prices which persisted for the better part of 2008, airlines the world over have been making losses while others have gone bust. For the year ending March 2009, Kenya Airways reported a loss before tax of Sh5.66 billion, primarily pegged on fuel hedging contracts.

To cushion its exposure to Western markets which have been severely affected by the economic downturn, the airline has aggressively spread out its network in Africa. Already, the national carrier is running marketing campaigns around the world with the hope of increasing visitor inflows.

Since January, the airline has added six routes of which four are in Africa. It boosts of the widest flight connectivity on the continent.

The Seychelles has also been hard hit by the financial meltdown resulting to a 12 per cent drop in its key market, England. Tourism is the top revenue earner for the Seychelles, followed by

Changed our strategy
“We have changed our strategy due to the financial crisis by changing the concept that the Seychelles is a rich man’s destination. People are also reluctant to travel long-haul flights due to costs,” said Allan St Agie, the Seychelles Tourism Board director of marketing.
From pitching Sh660,000 a night, the island is now diversifying products to include budget travellers to as low as Sh4,400.

Following the crisis, tourist numbers have dropped 18 per cent at the beginning of the year, but currently stands at below five per cent.

Last year, the country attracted 156,000 visitors, a faction compared to Kenya.

desert burner

September 13th, 2009, 09:53 PM

Coast hoteliers have welcomed the announcement by Ethiopian Airlines to start flights into Moi International Airport, Mombasa next month.

They said the move will help boost growth and recovery of regional tourism.

They urged other airlines to follow suit.

Ashnil Group of Hotels Sales and Marketing Manager, Paul Kurgat said the new entrant will open up Kenyan Coast to business and tourism prospects to the Ethiopian and other international travellers.

Robert Kinyua, General Manager of the North Coast Beach Hotel said it will not only benefit the hospitality industry, but also the business community.

"For a long time now, air access into Mombasa has been wanting, but with the coming of this new flight we expect increased visitor flow into our destination,’’ Kinyua said.

In a paid up advertisement, the airline said it will start operating into the Moi International Airport from next month.

The airline has opened a new office at Mombasa’s TSS Towers. Kinyua said the coastal region needed international flights to help boost bed occupancy among star-rated hotels.

Sunrise Beach Resort Apartment and Spa General Manager Titus Kangangi said lack of enough flights into Mombasa impacted negatively on the industry.

Kangangi, who is also the Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers Coast branch chairman said currently the number of international charter flights from key source markets of Europe was not enough.

http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/business/InsidePage.php?id=1144023845&cid=14&

GregPz

September 15th, 2009, 01:48 PM

New airport for Swaziland...

The Kingdom of Swaziland, on the borders of South Africa and
Mozambique will get its first long haul airport next year.
Swaziland’s existing airport - which lies to the west of the country and serves the
regional markets – is physically constrained due to its mountainous position. That
will change with the new Sikhuphe International airport –which will promote
both business and tourism traffic and stimulate growth in Swaziland’s
eastern region. There is also a big tourism drive in conjunction with ASM, focused on ecotourism,
conservation and African culture. We are working with the government
on business opportunities for developing and enhancing tourism,” said Mr Jomo
Dlamini from the Swazi ministry of economic planning.
Commenting on the airport’s strategy for route development, he added: “The show is
going well and we are talking seriously with several regional and charter carriers. We
are looking to gain at least two long-haul carriers in the next year and the initial focus
will be the markets of North-South Africa, followed by Europe and the Far East. Our
ultimate goal is to base a low cost carrier at the airport. Africans are not exposed to lowcost
travel and we would like to open up this opportunity.”
The airport itself will boast an Airport City complete with a 1,000 metre cargo centre
as well as hotel and conference facilities, and further provision for manufacturing/
assembly plants. Enhanced transport links include a
17km highway connecting the airport to the country’s main road providing fast
access to the capital Mbabane and the Mozambique border (both about one hour
away) while the border with South Africa is about 30 minutes away.

http://www.anna.aero/wp-content/uploads/beijing-daily-tuesday.pdf

daniellle

September 17th, 2009, 11:09 AM

Bujumbura — Air Burundi has suspended further flights on its single 18-seater Raytheon Beechcraft beginning this week.

This follows the clocking of the recommended flight hours by their single plane, a Raytheon Beech 1900C.

"The aircraft manufacturers and dealers have recommended flight hours per airplane, after which it must go for routine service and maintenance to maintain international airworthiness standards.

In compliance with this directive, we shall ground the aircraft until the scheduled maintenance is complete," said the Managing Director, Mr. Melchior Nahimana in an interview with East African Business Week. The civil aviation authorities of Uganda and Rwanda, where the airline has been operating have been notified. Air Burundi passengers will be booked on Rwandair Express, an airline that Air Burundi has a lease agreement with. It is not yet clear how long the Beechcraft, the only craft that Air Burundi currently operates, will be out of service. However, plans are underway for the purchase or lease of another bigger aircraft by Air Burundi. This should be able to cater for other long-haul flights that Air Burundi has rights to for Europe and Asia.
http://flagcounter.com/count/Nsu/bg=F5F5FF/txt=F5F5FF/border=F5F5FF/columns=1/maxflags=1/viewers=3/labels=1/ (http://flagcounter.com/more/Nsu)
There are four main aircraft maintenance checks. Those in the category A and B are light checks while C and D are the heavier checks. The A and B checks can be done at the airline hangars and are for periods of up to and above one and three months respectively (depending on the age, model and usage of the aircraft). The C check is done as per manufacturers recommendation and could be every 12 - 18 months or after a given flight hours. In 2007, the aircraft was given the C check or Heavy Maintenance Visit (HMV) in which the plane was given a full refurbishment by Execujet, a South African Aircraft Maintenance expert.

The current service is likely to be done by the same expert.

Source (http://allafrica.com/stories/200909080774.html)

VegaM

September 18th, 2009, 11:50 PM

Angola : Blue Panorama projette d'ouvrir des liaisons aériennes

15-09-2009
La compagnie aérienne italienne Blue Panorama a annoncé qu'elle allait lancer des liaisons avec l'Angola.

Selon Franco Pecci, représentant de la compagnie en Angola, la croissance rapide de l'économie angolaise a été l'élément déterminant dans la prise de cette décision.

Une délégation commerciale italienne composée de 65 hommes d'affaires représentant plusieurs secteurs d'activité a séjourné en Angola durant la semaine écoulée.

L'objectif de cette visite était de relancer la coopération économique entre les deux pays, a déclaré Adolfo Urso, vice-ministre italien du Développement économique qui dirigeait la délégation.

http://www.lesafriques.com/angola/angola-blue-panorama-projette-douvrir-des-liaisons-aeriennes.html?Itemid=39?articleid=18860

VegaM

September 18th, 2009, 11:56 PM

La RAM lance une 6e fréquence quotidienne entre Casablanca et Paris
Une septième fréquence est déjà à l’écoute par la compagnie aérienne

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/fr/d/d9/RoyalairmarocLOGO.jpg

La Royal Air Maroc (RAM) lancera, à partir de vendredi 18 septembre, une sixième fréquence quotidienne sur l'axe Casablanca-Paris intensifiant ainsi cette liaison, indique vendredi 11 septembre un communiqué de la compagnie nationale.  Avec cette nouvelle fréquence, qui aura un départ à 09h30, la RAM offre à sa clientèle un choix d'horaire étalé dans la journée de 08h00 à 17h10, précise le texte.  

Une septième fréquence est déjà à l'étude par la RAM, ajoute la même source.

Matthias Offodile

September 19th, 2009, 12:08 PM

Nigeria: Virgin Nigeria Changes to Nigerian Eagle Airlines

By Abel Orukpe Correspondent, Lagos

Daily Independent (Lagos)

18 September 2009

"FROM TODAY, the name 'Virgin Nigeria' ceases to exist. We are now called Nigerian Eagle Airlines. We are not just changing the name of the airline; we are creating a brand. We are creating a brand of airline rather than a product."

With these words, the Managing Director of Nigerian Eagle Airlines, (formerly Virgin Nigeria Airways), Captain Dapo Olumide, unveiled the long awaited new name of the airline.

The unveiling of the new name is a major step in the re-branding process, which began late 2008, with the suspension of the South African and London routes.

Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday at the Murtala Muhamed Airport Lagos, Olumide, who unveiled the logo, said the re-branding process is not just about changing the name, but creating a sustainable brand that would stand the test of time.

He stated that the re-branded airline has put in place a five-year plan to restructure and stabilise the airline to compete favourably with other airlines, adding that one of the first things was to right size the work force.

On the controversial 49 per cent equity belonging to Richard Branson, Olumide said the shares are still there, and that Branson has the right to sell his shares just like any other private persons.

The airline, he noted, is a premium airline and that for now it is going to concentrate on the domestic and regional routes. He further explained that the airline would not commence operation into the London and American routes.

He said that the new aircraft, painted with a new logo will start operations in the country from Friday.

"We are painting the aircraft one by one. It is a gradual change; we will go from airport to airport and from region to region. It will take time and money, but I cannot tell you how much the entire re-branding will cost.

"We are realigning our regional route network and flying only commercially viable routes because we are not an NGO and our aim is to make money for our shareholders. However, our five-year flying plan also includes international routes to the United States of America and Europe, but for now we are concentrating on our domestic and regional operations," he explained

Commenting on how the airline would source for funds and the debt it owes some banks, the chief executive officer said the airline is expecting an investment package through private placement that would come up in the next six weeks.

"We have an investment package on the way right now and we are going to have private placement in the next six weeks. We are talking to other potential investors outside the country and the chief financial offer has just come back from a trip where he has had discussions with another country, not another airline.

"A private placement memorandum would be released in about two weeks; we've already met at the sub-committee level and it's going to be pushed out in the next two weeks," he said.
Relevant Links

* West Africa
* Nigeria
* Transport
* Company
* Business

On the bank debt, he added: "If we had a problem with the debt, it would certainly not be in renaming the airline; it would certainly not be in buying new aircraft and it would not be in doing inspections that we are doing right now because the first priority will be paying up your debt, but the debt is a mild debt and a serviced debt so there is nothing to worry about."

The airline's problem began when the federal government ordered it to relocate its domestic operations from the international wing of MMA, Lagos to the new terminal MMA2.

Not comfortable with government's action, the airline initially refused to relocate but instead headed for the court to stop the government and its agent from enforcing the relocation order.

This did not yield any fruitful result, as it was forced to move but not after Branson threatened to withdraw his shares from Virgin Nigeria.

Branson again was alleged to have written a letter to President Umar Yar'Adua, alleging that the government has reneged in the agreement reached between the two parties.

desert burner

September 22nd, 2009, 09:25 AM

http://www.nation.co.ke/magazines/smartcompany/-/1226/661354/-/s75vk8z/-/index.html

Samuel107

September 23rd, 2009, 04:48 AM

Misleading title in last article. "Technical collaboration"; not "entire secession of technical management".

desert burner

September 23rd, 2009, 06:28 AM

Misleading title in last article. "Technical collaboration"; not "entire secession of technical management".

:laugh::laugh:

cyberManHere

September 25th, 2009, 06:32 PM

Ethiopian Airlines to launch flights to three African destinations Friday, 18 September 2009

Addis Ababa, September 18 (WIC) - Ethiopian Airlines set to launch services to three African destinations namely Mombassa, Conakry and Monrovia effective October, 25 2009.

According to a press release Ethiopian sent to WIC, the addition of the three cities to the Ethiopian network brings the number of destinations served across the globe to 57.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ethiopian Airlines Girma Wake said the addition of the three Africa destination to our network reaffirms our commitment to serve the African Aviation needs which have played a significant role in the development of African Aviation in particular and the African economies in general.

Girma added that for our customers to and from Africa we are making travel easier and more convenient through our hub at the Addis Ababa international Airport by providing the shortest possible connecting time.
Ethiopian now flies daily to almost all of the eastern and southern African destinations.

desert burner

September 26th, 2009, 06:47 AM

By Macharia Kamau
Kenyahttp://images.intellitxt.com/ast/adTypes/mag-glass_10x10.gif (http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/business/InsidePage.php?id=1144024927&cid=14&#) Airways (KA) plans to continue with its expansion to African routes.
The airline, however, said there is need for the local immigration and customs officials to change attitude towards visiting West Africans, especially Nigerians who form an important market for the airline.
Managing Director Titus Naikuni said though the Nairobi-Lagos route has great potential, it is among the underperforming routes as Nigerians have not been receptive due to the treatment they are accorded when flying to Kenya.
Last Year
Naikuni spoke yesterday during the airline’s Annual General Meeting. African routes contributed Sh36 billion or more than 50 per cent the airline’s revenue last year.
"West African routes contributed heavily to this and there is potential to grow this further if we capture the Nigerian market," he said.
Other African routes that KA is eyeing include Angola, while it has intent to increase number of flights to Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Other non-performing routes include the Nairobi-Guangzhou. Naikuni said rather than withdrawing flights to the Chinese city, it had combined it with those to Thai capital Bangkok. He noted that there were benefits to be accrued by African airlines by working together.
"Mergers of airlines is the way to go and it is already happening across the world but may not happen because most of the airlines in Africa are state owned," he said.
Dividend Payment
Despite posting a Sh5.6 billion loss for the year ended March 31, the company will pay a dividend of Sh1 a share.
The dividends would be paid on or around October 23 to shareholders in the company’s share register as at close of business yesterday.

http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/business/InsidePage.php?id=1144024927&cid=14&

^^hmm kweli, lakini wanaijo pia :wink2: total balaa, sasa tutafanyaje tunatuka hela pia wacha ikulane:lol::lol:

Matthias Offodile

September 29th, 2009, 05:15 PM

South African Airways report good returns

afrol News, 28 September - The South African Airways (SAA) has reported positive financial results, despite the current global economic crisis, with the net profit reaching R398 million in the past year.

The company released the results today, covering the period between March 2008 and April this year.

The state BuaNews agency reported the acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chris Smyth, saying the airline did well considering the soaring oil prices and a tough trading environment.

The airline's operating profit reportedly grew to R1.9 billion against the breakeven in the previous year, while the total income also grew by a 19 percent to R24 billion from R23 billion.

"SAA managed to not only survive these turbulent conditions but also to post a strong operational turnaround which was due largely to the deep and fundamental restructuring the airline embarked upon in 2007," Mr Smyth said.

He further said the financial performance of the past year will put SAA in a very comfortable position, while the company would continue to monitor its performance and avoid any possible financial shocks, especially with under-performing routes.

The SAA's presently services 19 African destinations, the routes which the management feel contributed a lot to the company's recent success.

However Mr Smyth said: "Flight frequencies on certain domestic and international routes have already been reduced and cutbacks on flight frequencies are foreseen for the rest of the year".

The South African Airways had been entangled in counter suits and industrial actions and reported loses in the past seven years and government was on more than one occasion required to bailout the airline.

By staff writer

© afrol News

Slaoui

September 29th, 2009, 08:46 PM

Anfajet: Ismail in the Cockpit

There’s some good news for Morocco’s happy few: Moulay Ismail is keen on building up the corporate jet business in Morocco.

Company fleet :

Cessna
Sovereign
Citation V Ultra
Citation CJ3

http://www.xtremecrafts.com/2008cj3.jpg

http://www.anfajet.com/

mwanamwiwa

September 29th, 2009, 10:23 PM

Kenya Airways eyes Airbus A330-200s

http://www.inforwarding.com/clientfiles/comp14088/kq-ndola%20ad.gif

By REUTERS
Posted Tuesday, September 29 2009 at 16:17

Kenya Airways is in talks with Airbus about buying several A330-200 planes after delays to Boeing's much-anticipated B787 Dreamliner jet, senior officials at the airline said on Tuesday.

The carrier's Chief Executive Officer Titus Naikuni said on Friday the company was in talks with Airbus and that between six and nine aircraft were under consideration.

An official at Kenya Airways told Reuters the carrier, which is majority-owned by AirFrance-KLM and the Kenyan government, had started talks because some leases on its planes were about to expire, and that it was eyeing the A330-200.

A second official at the carrier confirmed the plans.

The airline had no immediate official comment.

Naikuni told reporters on Friday the discussions were at a very early stage, and that the carrier was also still in talks with Boeing.

Kenya Airways had agreed to buy nine Dreamliners.

Seattle-based Boeing is marketing its Dreamliner as 20 per cent more fuel efficient than other planes.

Kenya Airways, which posted its first full-year pre-tax loss since privatisation in 1996 for the period ended in March, due to fuel hedging costs, wants to modernise its fleet of 28 Boeings and Brazilian-made Embraer jets.

The airline is one of Africa's leading carriers.

It is opening new routes on the continent and wants to increase the frequency of flights to some existing destinations, such as Zimbabwe and Zambia.

desert burner

September 30th, 2009, 06:34 AM

http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/image/view/-/665476/highRes/104685/-/maxw/600/-/tp64pcz/-/KQ.jpg Kenya Airways is leading the pack with 36 African routes that now account for more than half of its annual revenues.
By Beatrice Gachenge (email the author (javascript:void(0);))

Posted Wednesday, September 30 2009 at 00:00

Africa’s top airlines have embarked on aggressive regional routes expansion to protect revenues that have come under immense pressure since the onset of the global financial crisis —renewing a long standing battle for control of the continent’s air space.

In recent months, leading operators Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines and South Africa Airlines (SAA) have been spreading their footprints across the continent, aiming to tap enough revenues to plug the gaping holes left by low passenger volumes in the traditionally profitable long haul flights to Europe and the Far East.

Closely behind
Kenya Airways is leading the pack with 36 African routes that now account for more than half of its annual revenues. Following closely behind is Ethiopian Airlines which flies to 34 destinations and South African Airlines which plies 30 destinations on the continent.

In the last financial year ended in June 2009, increased footprint in Africa saw Kenya Airways rake in Sh2.65 billion in operating profits from Africa out of a total Sh4 billion from all routes combined.

Europe’s contribution to the airlines earnings during the same period declined by 43 per cent to stand at Sh522 million unravelling the impact of the global recession on profitability of the route.

This shift in the profitability of routes has positioned Africa as the new growth frontier sparking a battle that is not only being fought through increased frequency in the various regional routes, but also through aggressive fleet build-up to meet rising demand.

Increase in passenger volumes on regional routes is supported by the fact that Africa has defied global trends to attract investment and realize growth.

Though initially dismissed as a risky undertaking by many operators, increased presence in African routes has paid off for early starters like Kenya Airways, helping them to grow revenues at a time when their rivals have had to reduce capacity and introduce special charges to remain in business.

Africa remains a key focus for the airlines as the aviation sector grapples with depressed international passenger numbers following effects of the credit crunch that has seen traveller numbers drop by as much as 30 per cent.

Kenya Airways, which commands about 67 per cent of the Africa route network, plans to open three additional routes by the end of the year, after launching four new routes in Africa this year.

Existing routes
“We intend to grow the company’s top and bottom line through increased revenue generation by entering new routes or increasing flights to existing routes. We plan to expand to Angola, Zambia and Zimbabwe before the end of the year,” Mr Titus Naikuni, the airline’s chief executive, told shareholders last week during the company’s annual general meeting.

The full- year net profit for Ethiopian Airlines, the second in the African routes pecking order, more than doubled to Sh9 billion ($118.6 million) from the previous year -—driven by the African routes. South Africa Airlines reported losses amounting to Sh11 billion last year.

A major challenge facing the Africa airline expansion strategy is the low number of fleet besetting carriers.

Ethiopian Airlines has, for instance, placed an order for five B777-200LRs from the Boeing Company and 12 A350-900s from Airbus to enable it to meet its regional and intentional expansion.

But Kenya Airways is currently facing fleet problems due to the delay of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner aeroplane, affecting the regional expansion plans, and is in talks with Airbus for delivery of several A330-200 craft.

By the end of the year, Ethiopian Airline will have expanded to three new routes in Africa, Monrovia-Liberia, Conakry- Republic of Guinea and Mombasa in Kenya.

ikanasin

September 30th, 2009, 06:57 PM

Kenya Airways punctuality hits a 4 year high
SUNDAY, 27 SEPTEMBER 2009 08:13

Kenya Airways on-time-performance has improved to hit an impressive 86 percent on zero minute. This means that nearly all of kenya Airways flights are punctual; on time at all times - the best record for the airline in four years, said Bram Steller, Kenya Airways Chief Operating Officer.

He added that “Kenya Airways has dramatically improved on-time departure and arrival of all its flights due to the increased focus on punctuality by all staff”.
This unique performance hits a record 95% when measured by International Air Travel Association (IATA) standards that define on-time as within 15 minutes after scheduled departure time. He said the airline prides itself by measuring its punctuality on zero minute tolerance.

“This unique milestone is attributed to our redefined team effort towards customer satisfaction and the responsive staff support,” said Steller.
He said that not only are the Kenya Airways flights on time but connect with a high degree of reliability and schedule integrity throughout the operations.
The airline’s staff are geared to further improve and maintain these high standards that differentiate and make our brand distinctively stand out amongst its peer.

The airline today serves up to three million passengers annually and flies to 44 destinations in 38 countries, including cities across Africa, as well as Amsterdam, Paris and London and select destinations in Asia, including Dubai, Mumbai, Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Bangkok.

Since its inception three decades ago, Kenya Airways has grown steadily and has invested in some of the most modern aircraft and training centre in Africa. It has a workforce of over 4,200 employees.

mwanamwiwa

October 1st, 2009, 12:03 AM

^^Good news ikanasin,The Pride of Africa for sure!:cheers:

ikanasin

October 1st, 2009, 12:21 AM

Yup Kenya Airways seem like going to be one of the best airlines in the world :)
Well at least in Africa I think they are one of the top! Pride of africa :)

desert burner

October 1st, 2009, 06:42 PM

Yup Kenya Airways seem like going to be one of the best airlines in the world :)
Well at least in Africa I think they are one of the top! Pride of africa :)

^^thanks

Kenya Airways plans major turnaround

Updated 20 hr(s) 25 min(s) ago

By John Oyuke
Kenyahttp://images.intellitxt.com/ast/adTypes/mag-glass_10x10.gif (http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/business/InsidePage.php?id=1144025307&cid=464&#) Airways is laying a foundation for a major turnaround next year, as the global airlines industry projects improved performance.
The carrier has announced plans to upgrade its operational integrity through investment in staff training, improvement of systems and fleet modernisation.
It also plans to recruit at least 68 pilots as part of advance preparation for the arrival of new aircraft into its fleet and to complement staff due to retire.
The airline told its shareholders during the Annual General Meeting (AGM) that although it made a loss after tax of Sh4.1 billion in the financial year that ended on March 31, it remains optimistic its performance will improve.
The confidence comes at a time when International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced improvement in the global demand for air travel.
Global passenger traffic was down 1.1 per cent in August compared to a similar month last year, an improvement over the 2.9 per cent decline in July, IATA reported.
Improved demand
IATA’s Director General Giovanni Bisignani has, however, cautioned that while demand continues to improve, profitability remains far. "Fares have stabilised, but at profitless levels," he said, noting that the industry is not out of the woods yet.
Kenya Airways Chairman Evans Mwaniki is, however, confident that despite the loss in the last financial year, the airline has a bright future.
He gave the main drivers of the anticipated improved performance as increased passenger numbers, better yields and a favourable exchange rate.
The airline held its 33rd AGM at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani in Nairobi last week.
Chief Executive Titus Naikuni said the airline plans to strengthen its flight operations.
"We plan to recruit at least 48 direct entry pilots and 20 Ab-Initio (from the beginning) pilots," he said. Naikuni said the recruitment process will accommodate the exit of 23 pilots who would be leaving the national carrier in the next five years after attaining the retirement age of 63 years.

grjplanes

October 2nd, 2009, 11:29 AM

It seems as if Kenya Airways is to increase flights on NBO-JNB from the current 20 to 21 (to make it 3 daily everyday), and also early 2010 to upgauge on of the daily 737 flights to a 767-300ER.
What is the chances of Kenya Airways relaunching or starting flights to Cape Town and/or Durban before the World Cup 2010...maybe also like a triangular route...didn't they plan to launch Windhoek also soon, maybe this could work with CPT?

desert burner

October 3rd, 2009, 04:10 PM

http://www.nation.co.ke/business/news/-/1006/666980/-/ift7vvz/-/index.html

Mwafrika

October 3rd, 2009, 07:05 PM

African airlines that are barred/blacklisted from European airspace and deemed potentially unsafe.

Aerojet - Angola
Air26 - Angola
Air Gemini - Angola
Air Gicango - Angola
Air Jet - Angola
Air Nave - Angola
Alada - Angola
Angola Air Services - Angola
Diexim - Angola
Gira Globo - Angola
Heliang - Angola
Helimalongo - Angola
Mavewa - Angola
Rui & Conceicao - Angola
Sonair - Angola

Aero Benin - Benin
Africa Airways - Benin
Alafia Jet (IGA) - Benin
Benin Golf Air - Benin
Benin Littoral Airways (BLA) - Benin
Cotair - Benin
Royal Air - Benin
Trans Air (TNB) - Benin

Africa One (CFR) - Democratic Republic of Congo
African Air Services Commuter - Democratic Republic of Congo
Aigle Aviation - Democratic Republic of Congo
Air Beni - Democratic Republic of Congo
Air Boyoma - Democratic Republic of Congo
Air Infini - Democratic Republic of Congo
Air Kasai - Democratic Republic of Congo
Air Katanga - Democratic Republic of Congo
Air Navette - Democratic Republic of Congo
Air Tropiques - Democratic Republic of Congo
Bel Glob Airlines - Democratic Republic of Congo
Blue Airlines (BUL) - Democratic Republic of Congo
Bravo Air Congo - Democratic Republic of Congo
Business Aviation - Democratic Republic of Congo
Busy Bee Congo - Democratic Republic of Congo
Butembo Airlines - Democratic Republic of Congo
Cargo Bull Aviation - Democratic Republic of Congo
Cetraca Aviation Service (CER) - Democratic Republic of Congo
CHC Stellavia - Democratic Republic of Congo
Comair - Democratic Republic of Congo
Compagnie Africaine D'aviation - Democratic Republic of Congo
Doren Air Congo - Democratic Republic of Congo
El Sam Airlift - Democratic Republic of Congo
Entreprise World Airways - Democratic Republic of Congo
Espace Aviation Service - Democratic Republic of Congo
Filair - Democratic Republic of Congo
Free Airlines - Democratic Republic of Congo
Galaxy Kavatsi - Democratic Republic of Congo
Gilembe Air Soutenance - Democratic Republic of Congo
Goma Express - Democratic Republic of Congo
Gomair - Democratic Republic of Congo
Great Lake Business Company - Democratic Republic of Congo
Hewa Bora Airways (ALX) - Democratic Republic of Congo
International Trans Air Business - Democratic Republic of Congo
Katanga Airways - Democratic Republic of Congo
Kin Avia - Democratic Republic of Congo
Kivu Air - Democratic Republic of Congo
Lignes Aeriennes Congolaises (LCG) - Democratic Republic of Congo
Malu Aviation - Democratic Republic of Congo
Malila Airlift (MLC) - Democratic Republic of Congo
Mango Aviation - Democratic Republic of Congo
Piva Airlines - Democratic Republic of Congo
Rwakabika Bushi Express - Democratic Republic of Congo
Safari Logistics Sprl - Democratic Republic of Congo
Safe Air Company - Democratic Republic of Congo
Services Air - Democratic Republic of Congo
Sun Air Services - Democratic Republic of Congo
Swala Aviation - Democratic Republic of Congo
Tembo Air Services - Democratic Republic of Congo
Thom's Airways - Democratic Republic of Congo
Tmk Air Commuter - Democratic Republic of Congo
Tracep Congo Aviation - Democratic Republic of Congo
Trans Air Cargo Services - Democratic Republic of Congo
Transports Aeriens Congolais - Democratic Republic of Congo
Virunga Air Charter - Democratic Republic of Congo
Wimbi Dira Airways (WDA) - Democratic Republic of Congo
Zaabu International - Democratic Republic of Congo

Cronos Airlines - Equatorial Guinea
Ceiba Intercontinental (CEL) - Equatorial Guinea
Egams (EGM) - Equatorial Guinea
Euroguineana De Aviacion Y Transportes (EUG) - Equatorial Guinea
General Work Aviacion - Equatorial Guinea
Getra - Guinea Ecuatorial De Transportes Aereos (GET) - Equatorial Guinea
Guinea Airways - Equatorial Guinea
Star Equatorial Airlines - Equatorial Guinea
Utage – Union De Transport Aereo De Guinea - Equatorial Guinea
Ecuatorial (UTG) - Equatorial Guinea

Air Services - Gabon
Air Tourist (Allegiance) (NIL) - Gabon
Nationale Et Regionale Transport (Nationale) (NRT) - Gabon
Nouvelle Air Affaires Gabon (NVS) - Gabon
Scd Aviation - Gabon
Sky Gabon (SKG) - Gabon
Solenta Aviation Gabon - Gabon

Silverback Cargo Freighters (VRB) - Rwanda

Air Rum, Ltd (RUM) - Sierra Leone
Destiny Air Services, Ltd (DTY) - Sierra Leone
Heavylift Cargo - Sierra Leone
Orange Air Sierra Leone Ltd (ORJ) - Sierra Leone
Paramount Airlines, Ltd (PRR) - Sierra Leone
Seven Four Eight Air Services Ltd (SVT) - Sierra Leone
Teebah Airways - Sierra Leone

Air West Co.Ltd (AWZ) - Sudan

Aero Africa (RFC) - Swaziland
Jet Africa Swaziland (OSW) - Swaziland
Royal Swazi National Airways Corporation (RSN) - Swaziland
Scan Air Charter Ltd - Swaziland
Swazi Express Airways (SWX) - Swaziland
Swaziland Airlink (SZL) - Swaziland

http://ec.europa.eu/transport/air-ban/doc/list_en.pdf

Kenguy

October 3rd, 2009, 10:03 PM

dysan1

October 4th, 2009, 05:10 PM

^^ pity, they should look at branching out of that hub in SA. Direct flights to Durban and Cape Town would give the airline competitive advantage over SAA in getting passengers from these cities to other African destinations, or even doing an emirates and using Nairobi as a hub for African cities, as many in South Africa do not like transitting through Joburg

mwanamwiwa

October 13th, 2009, 07:51 PM

Airlines to cash in on revamped Kisumu airport

http://majimbokenya.com/home/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/kibaki-in-kisumu.jpg

By WANGUI MAINA
Posted Monday, October 12 2009 at 00:00

The ongoing expansion of Kisumu airport has seen airlines position themselves to tap in to the expected increase in passengers, cargo, routes and other opportunities once it is completed next year.

The completion of the airport is expected to make it a regional hub that major players are eyeing in a bid to increase their city to city network.

“The airport has the potential of becoming a major regional hub, especially connecting western Kenya to the Great Lakes region and Southern Sudan thus easing congestion at JKIA and Wilson,” said Mr Sanjeev Gadhia, the CEO of Astral Aviation.

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Jetlink Express to construct hangar at JKIA
Already, players on the Nairobi-Kisumu route are seeing the potential of the city as they boast increased demand leading to more flights and investment in new equipment.

Fly 540, Jet Link and new entrant ALS serve the route with about eight daily flights with players having seen a rise in passenger numbers due to the withdrawal of the national carrier from the route on September 7.

Kenya Airways withdrew due to the ongoing expansion of the airport that saw the runway shortened, making it hard for it to land its planes.

Fly 540 and Jet Link have increased flights and introduced the Dash-8 and BAE 146 planes, on the route.

ALS, which launched two daily flights last month, is hoping to use its base at Wilson Airport as a selling point since it is easily accessible from the town centre compared to JKIA where the other two airlines operate from.

“Activity on the route has been quite good mainly driven by business travel,” said Jacki Okutoi, the marketing manager of Fly 540.

Currently, prices on the route have reduced with fares ranging from Sh4,000.

The price is however expected to increase as the festive season draws near and demand increases further.

However, the improvement of the infrastructure is also expected to increase competition with new airlines introducing flights and Kenya Airways resuming operations.

“New airlines will come in once the airport is completed but we expect the route to sustain all of us,” said Ephraim Kamonjoh, the commercial manager of Jet Link.

The expansion programme is expected to be complete by July or August next year.

Following its completion the airport will boast a longer, wider and smoother runway allowing for larger planes to land on it.

The current runway is to be extended from two to three kilometres by the end of construction.

A new terminal is also under construction and will have a direct access road to the proposed bypass that was recently tendered by the government.

“Kisumu Airport has a lot of potential and once it is finished it will open up major opportunities for the aviation sector as well as business people,” project manager, Mr Philemon Chamwada told Business Daily.

One airline that is eyeing the opportunity is Astral Aviation, a cargo airline with an extensive network in the region and code sharing agreement with major international airlines.

Astral CEO, Mr Gadhia, said the airport could help open up the fish industry even further as it would ease the movement of the perishable commodity through its network.

Astral is already a major mover of fish from Mwanza, Tanzania, to Europe; moving about 1,000 tonnes annually.

Jet Link is also eyeing the potential of linking Kisumu to other destinations on its network.

The airport is also expected to open up the western tourism circuit which has been identified as a high potential circuit if more attention is paid to it.

Kenya Wildlife Service is set to unveil the newly branded Ndere Island National Reserve on Lake Victoria as well as Impala Sanctuary in Kisumu.

Major attractions in the region include Ruma National Reserve and Kakamega forest among others.

In a bid to popularise the region the Tourism ministry celebrated the Kenya Tourism Week in the region.

mwanamwiwa

October 19th, 2009, 02:03 AM

UACC in over Sh4b after tax profits

Emojong Osere
Kampala

State-run Uganda Air Cargo Corporation (UACC) profits have shot 618 per cent up in the ended 2008/2009 Financial Year, making it the first time for the fifteen-year-old aviation body to hit the nine digit profit margin.

By the end of June 2009, UACC profits stood at Shs4.6 billion up from the previous Financial Year’s 640 million- a returns rise management attributed to the steady increase in its air cargo clientele- particularly in the military and humanitarian organisations in Southern Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

UACC General Manager Fred Kyankya told Daily Monitor, that the corporation’s turn over in the 2007/ 2008 Financial year stood at Shs6 billion, which grew by over 240 per cent to Shs20 billion in the year ended.

The development was a landmark achievement for the corporation given the recent instability in the global aviation industry where reputable local and international airlines were hit by a slowdown, resulting from the global economic instability, which threatened to tear down almost all economy sectors.

“I am glad to inform you that turbulent times for the corporation are easing,” he said during the launch of UACC’s first two passenger charter planes at Entebbe Airport on October 15 albeit he said the body had numerous financial setbacks to solve.

He said with the two additional aircrafts, the corporation projects a more than 55 per cent growth in turn-over by the end of the 2009/ 2010 Fiscal Year.

If the foreshadowed turn over is realised, it would translate to about Shs30 billion by the end of June 2010 and an approximate after tax profit of Shs8 billion.

He said the two passenger planes and the cargo carrier were however, inadequate to satisfy the growing demand for air travel services.

“Despite the growth, we still have some challenges particularly in equipment,” he said.
Operations at the corporation before the procurement of the two Y-12 aircrafts were on a stand still since the only cargo carrier is still in South Africa undergoing routine servicing.

UACC Chairman, Board of Directors, Dr Fabius Byaruhanga said the corporation has the potential to grow but logistical shortcomings were hindering its expansion.

He said government should adopt private-public corporation ownership to ensure efficient business management.

Dr Byaruhanga said inadequate capital had hampered UACC’s transformation.
The planes, would, besides Uganda, offer services to Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi in East Africa, DR Congo and Chad in Central Africa and Mozambique in Southern Africa.

mwanamwiwa

October 26th, 2009, 01:40 AM

Ethiopian Airlines start direct flight to Mombasa

Updated 6 hr(s) 31 min(s) ago

An inaugural Ethiopian Airline flight from Addis Ababa touched down at the Moi International Airport in Mombasa, on Sunday.

This marked the introduction of direct flight from the Ethiopian capital to the coastal city.

Kenya Maritime Authority Director General Nancy Karigithu who represented Transport Minister Chirau Mwakwere said the event marked a new chapter in aviation services between Kenya and Ethiopia.

"Competition in a liberalised economy is healthy as it will facilitate trade," she said.

"African airlines are being encouraged to have more connectivity to stay afloat in the emerging global competition," said Kenya Civil Aviation Authority board chairman Charles Wako. Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers Coast branch chairman Titus Kangangi said the new service would help open up the Kenyan Coast to Ethiopian tourists.

Cordial relations

Ethiopian Ambassador to Kenya, Dishasa Diribsa, said Kenya and Ethiopia continue to enjoy cordial relations. "This new service will further augment the cordial relations," the envoy said. The airline’s regional manager Konjit Tedla, said the addition of Mombasa into Ethiopian Airlines routes brings to 10 it’s East African destinations.

"This route will increase Ethiopia’s formidable strength in the region and enhance tourism growth plus travel convenience to Mombasa," she said.

She added that Ethiopian Airlines was in the process of boosting its fleet with modern aircraft.

"The airline will be the first to operate the ultra long range B777-200 model in Africa," she said.

Matthias Offodile

October 26th, 2009, 09:12 PM

Potential STRATEGIC airline mega fusion/deal, forming one big airline by fusing Angolan TAAG, Portuguese TAP and Brazilian TAM into ONE Airline

Presidente da TAP pondera fusão com TAAG e TAM

«Seria uma empresa muito forte», disse Fernando Pinto em Angola

2009-10-20 16:21:27

Luanda - O Presidente Executivo da TAP disse hoje, em Luanda, que uma possível fusão da TAP com as congéneres angolana TAAG e brasileira TAM é «um conceito com algum sentido» e que «Tem razões estratégicas, seria uma empresa muito forte».

Fernando Pinto falava à Agência Lusa, no final do seminário sobre Reestruturação do Sistema de Transporte Aéreo de Angola, organizado pelo Ministério dos Transportes angolano, quando admitiu que uma possível fusão da TAP com as congéneres angolana TAAG e brasileira TAM, «Tem razões estratégicas, seria uma empresa muito forte, mas por enquanto é só um conceito que nasceu, não sabemos onde, mas na actual situação de mercado não vemos que seja o momento. Contudo, acho uma boa ideia», disse.

Relativamente à reestruturação em curso na TAAG, Fernando Pinto considera que a TAP deu uma «pequena contribuição» na preparação do regresso da companhia aérea angolana aos céus da Europa mas que a companhia aérea angolana precisa «dar mais atenção aos detalhes» para a sua saída definitiva da «lista negra» da União Europeia.

Um ano depois da proibição da TAAG sobrevoar o espaço aéreo europeu, a União Europeia autorizou a transportadora aérea angolana a voar apenas para um destino, que não excedesse as 10 frequências semanais, tendo Lisboa sido a rota escolhida pelo grande volume comercial.

(c) PNN Portuguese News Network

Matthias Offodile

October 26th, 2009, 09:24 PM

Sonair - Angola

Sonair potentially unsafe? Are you kidding me...

Their fleet is composed of brand new A319 and Boeing 737-700/800...if that airline is considered unsafe, one should go and place some Western European airlines on that list..starting with Air France which is comparatively unsafe, too but will never make it to the list, surprisingly.

That´s Sonair that has been banned from Europe, btw. While looking at their fleet, one truly gets the notion that it is an African "bush airline". NO MORE COMMENT!

Brand new Boeing jets

http://www.aviationandmarineusa.com/900_cvrs/07202007/sonair737.jpg

A319

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q175/J_Fernandes/demaismesmobemperto027.jpg

mwanamwiwa

October 28th, 2009, 11:07 PM

Kenya Airways expansion to boost investors’ access toEuropean market

http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/4708/kenyaairways9ji.jpg

Updated 2 hr(s) 6 min(s) ago
by Jackson Okoth and Ramadhan Rajab

National carrier Kenya Airways has launched direct flights to Bangui, the largest city in the Central African Republic.

The move comes as the global aviation industry struggles to come out of a downturn, occasioned by a sharp decline in traffic.

In the past two months, Uganda and Ethiopian Airlines have introduced regular flights into Nairobi and Mombasa, offering travellers more options as competition in the continents aviation business gains momentum.

A Kenya Airways plane takes off from an airport. The airline will operate two weekly flights every Tuesday and Thursday to the Bangui M’Poko International Airport. Photo: file

Kenya Airways will operate two weekly flights every Tuesday and Thursday to the Bangui M’Poko International Airport.

A $46 (Sh3,450) return fare is being offered on this route for tickets purchased by October 31, this year and valid for travel by November 30.

The introduction of flights to Bangui brings to 46 the number of destinations Kenya Airways flies to.

Easier connectivity

"Travellers on this route are expected to benefit greatly from the superb connections Kenya Airways network provides to destinations across Africa, Far-East and Middle East," Kenya Airways Commercial Director Mohan Chandra said. He said the route would enable investors dealing in diamond, coffee, cotton and timber to access the European markets for the French-speaking nation. The diamond-rich city of four million people will offer easier connectivity for the importers of food and textiles from major suppliers in France, United States of America, Cote d’Ivoire, Germany and Japan. There is a lot of traffic from Bangui to the trader routes, which Kenya Airways is targeting.

Other destinations Kenya Airways has launched in the recent past include Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, Ndola, Zambia and Gaborone, Botswana, which have improved connectivity to many parts of the world.

Kenya Airways applies the "fifth freedom" which allows it to carry revenue traffic between these foreign countries as part of services connecting to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

The freedoms of the air are a set of commercial aviation rights granting a country’s airline the privilege to enter and land in another country’s airspace.

The fifth freedom is between M’Poko International Airport in Bangui and the Douala International Airport in Cameroon.

The airline has embarked on an aggressive network expansion, with recent route additions being Congo-Brazzaville and Libreville, launched in March and June respectively.

The airline operates three daily frequencies to Johannesburg, South Africa and double dailies to Lusaka, Zambia, 10 flights a week to Lilongwe, Malawi and Harare, Zimbabwe and three weekly flights to Maputo, Mozambique.

mwanamwiwa

November 1st, 2009, 11:34 PM

Kenya Airways half-year profits rise

Published on 31/10/2009
By Jackson Okoth

National carrier Kenya Airways has recorded a pre-tax profit of Sh1.2 billion, up from Sh1.1 billion, a 17 per cent rise for the half year ended September 30, its group financial director has said.

The airline attributes the improved performance to a decrease in jet fuel prices.

However, the performance excludes huge hedging costs that brought down the airline’s performance last year.

It posted a loss after tax of Sh5.6 billion for the period ended March 31.

The half-year results released on Friday, exclude forward fuel hedging costs, which has denied the airline the benefit of a fall in the price of crude on the international market.

Excluding hedging costs, Kenya Airways realised a Sh5.7 billion reduction in fuel cost.

This significant reduction was primarily driven by lower jet fuel prices that could have realised a total reduction on costs by Sh9.1 billion or 63.6 per cent. Fuel costs represented 24.2 per cent of operating costs.

In the face of difficult business climate last year, Kenya Airways registered a loss after tax of Sh5.66 billion. Had the provision of fuel hedging costs not been taken into account, the results would have reflected a profit after tax of Sh1.3 billion. The airline was conditioned to factor hedging costs as per the new international accounting standards.

Under the current review period, the airline could have realised a Sh5.7 billion reduction in fuel costs due to a fall in the price of jet fuel.

crude oil prices

While the airline has hedged its crude oil purchases at $100 a barrel, prices are presently knocking on the door of $80 a barrel. At the start of the year, oil prices were below $40 per barrel.

The global economic meltdown that began last year affected the airline’s performance over the half year. These results were also impacted by a strike called by the airline’s unionisable staff.

The airline’s overheads increased by Sh1.1 billion, largely driven by a staff pay award of Sh618 million.

The airline posted an operating profit of Sh162 million, down from Sh176 million the previous year. The net profit after tax was Sh860 million compared to Sh736 million the previous period.

Alex Roney

November 2nd, 2009, 06:05 AM

What ever happened to Kenyan Airways plan to launch service to Sao Paulo? Personally I'm not surprised they haven't gone through with it, not sure if theirs enough of a market.

Kenguy

November 3rd, 2009, 03:56 PM

What ever happened to Kenyan Airways plan to launch service to Sao Paulo? Personally I'm not surprised they haven't gone through with it, not sure if theirs enough of a market.

Who knows, they might come up with a Sao Paulo-Luanda-Nairobi route.

desert burner

November 5th, 2009, 12:59 PM

^^maybe still in the pipeline, for now they are consolidating the African region, they are now launching flight to Kisangani after Bangui one:cheers:

Alex Roney

November 6th, 2009, 01:20 AM

Sonair potentially unsafe? Are you kidding me...

Their fleet is composed of brand new A319 and Boeing 737-700/800...if that airline is considered unsafe, one should go and place some Western European airlines on that list..starting with Air France which is comparatively unsafe, too but will never make it to the list, surprisingly.

That´s Sonair that has been banned from Europe, btw. While looking at their fleet, one truly gets the notion that it is an African "bush airline". NO MORE COMMENT!

Brand new Boeing jets

http://www.aviationandmarineusa.com/900_cvrs/07202007/sonair737.jpg

A319

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q175/J_Fernandes/demaismesmobemperto027.jpg

Matt, new jets aren't everything a lot of it has to do with maintenance. You can have brand new planes but if you have crap maintenance you'll get black listed. TAAG had this same exact problem.

Alex Roney

November 6th, 2009, 01:26 AM

United to Introduce Three New Countries to Global Network

New service to Ghana, Nigeria and Kingdom of Bahrain to begin in spring 2010
United to add nonstop service between Chicago and Brussels

Press Release
Source: United Airlines
On 4:00 pm EST, Thursday November 5, 2009
Buzz up!
Print
Companies: Ual Corporation
CHICAGO, Nov. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- United Airlines announced today the airline will inaugurate its first-ever service to Africa in 2010, with one daily, same-plane service from Washington to Accra, Ghana, and Lagos, Nigeria. The airline also will extend its existing daily Washington-Kuwait flight to include Bahrain, and will offer a new non-stop flight between Chicago and Brussels, Belgium. Introduction of all of the new services is subject to government approval.

Related Quotes
Symbol Price Change
UAUA 6.52 +0.06

"Our first-ever non-stop service to Africa will offer customers convenient and comfortable travel opportunities to visit two of the fastest-growing cities in the continent," says Kevin Knight, senior vice president of planning. "In addition, our new services to Bahrain and Brussels will open more international routes to our customers throughout Europe and the Middle East."

The new routes are consistent with the 2010 capacity outlook United provided on its third quarter earnings conference call, and reflect the continuing optimization of United's international network.

Africa

Daily non-stop service from Washington Dulles to Accra, the capital of the west African nation of Ghana, begins on May 2. The flight will continue from Accra to Lagos, Nigeria. The return flight will operate from Lagos to Accra and Washington. The flights, which will be available for sale this fall, will be operated by Boeing 767 aircraft on the following schedule:

Schedule Depart Arrive Start Date
-------- ------ ------ ----------
United 990 Washington to Accra 10:10 p.m. 12:40 p.m.* May 2, 2010
United 990 Accra to Lagos 2:20 p.m. 4:25 p.m. May 3, 2010
------------------------- --------- --------- -----------
United 991 Lagos to Accra 9:15 p.m. 9:20 p.m. May 3, 2010
United 991 Accra to Washington 11:00 p.m. 6.25 a.m.* May 3, 2010
* indicates next day arrival
---------------------------- ---------- --------- -----------

"I am delighted that United Airlines, a global leader in the airline industry, has demonstrated the economic wisdom to expand its routes to include destinations in Africa," said U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush of Illinois. "African economies are among the fastest growing in the world, registering nearly six percent overall economic growth in 2007, the highest in 20 years. United's new routes are an important element in advancing the mutual trade interests of the United States and Africa and I am encouraged by the prospects for enhanced economic prosperity for the three nations."

Middle East

On April 18, United will launch the only same-plane service operated from the Western Hemisphere to the Kingdom of Bahrain. United's existing non-stop service from Washington Dulles to Kuwait will continue to Bahrain, with the return flight also stopping in Kuwait before continuing to Washington.

Flights will be operated by Boeing 777 aircraft on the following schedule:

Schedule Depart Arrive Start Date
-------- ------ ------ ----------
United 982 Washington to Kuwait 6:12 p.m. 1:35 p.m.* Existing Service
United 982 Kuwait to Bahrain 2:50 p.m. 3:55 p.m. April 18, 2010
United 981 Bahrain to Kuwait 9:25 p.m. 10:30 p.m. April 18, 2010
United 981 Kuwait to Washington 11:45 p.m. 6:47 a.m.* Existing Service
* indicates next day arrival
------------------------------- ---------- --------- ----------------

The Accra/Lagos and Kuwait/Bahrain flights are conveniently timed for connections at Washington Dulles, United's principal transatlantic gateway, to and from dozens of cities throughout the Americas. United offers more than 275 daily departures from Washington Dulles to more than 90 cities.

"We are delighted with United's announcement," said Leo Schefer, president of the Washington Airports Task Force. "Service to a new international market expands a region's trading horizon and increases its competitiveness as a business location and tourist destination."

Brussels

Additionally, United will inaugurate non-stop service between Chicago and Brussels on March 28, offering convenient connections on Brussels Airlines - which joins the Star Alliance on Dec. 9 - to points in Europe and Africa. The Chicago-Brussels services also are timed to offer convenient connections at Chicago O'Hare to and from dozens of cities in the United States, Canada and Mexico. As the largest airline in Chicago, United offers more than 570 daily departures to more than 130 cities worldwide. Chicago-Brussels flights will be operated by Boeing 767 aircraft on the following schedule:

Schedule Depart Arrive Start Date
-------- ------ ------ ----------
United 972 Chicago to Brussels 6 p.m. 9:20 a.m. March 28, 2010
United 973 Brussels to Chicago 11 a.m. 1:15 p.m. March 29, 2010
------------------------------ ------- --------- --------------

United will continue to offer non-stop service between Washington and Brussels.

Customers seated in United First and United Business cabins aboard all transoceanic B767 flights enjoy United's International Premier Travel Experience, which includes lie-flat seats, iPod connectivity, more than 150 hours of movies and television shows on-demand, and a selection of appetizers and entrees designed by world-renowned chef Charlie Trotter. United's B777 aircraft will be outfitted with new United First and United Business cabins in 2010 and 2011.

About United

United Airlines (Nasdaq: UAUA - News) operates approximately 3,300* flights a day on United and United Express to more than 200 U.S. domestic and international destinations from its hubs in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, Chicago and Washington, D.C. With key global air rights in the Asia-Pacific region, Europe and Latin America, United is one of the largest international carriers based in the United States. United also is a founding member of Star Alliance, which provides connections for our customers to 1,071 destinations in 171 countries worldwide. United's 47,000 employees reside in every U.S. state and in many countries around the world. News releases and other information about United can be found at the company's Web site at united.com.
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/United-to-Introduce-Three-New-prnews-2379429167.html?x=0&.v=1

Delta will finally have some competition in the African market. I'm still amazed as to the incredibly limited amount of U.S-Africa options. Only two U.S airlines serve the entire continent.

skytrax

November 6th, 2009, 03:07 AM

Matt, new jets aren't everything a lot of it has to do with maintenance. You can have brand new planes but if you have crap maintenance you'll get black listed. TAAG had this same exact problem.

Yes, but that isn't the case with Sonair. If it is an unsafe airline than I don't know what safe is...

mwanamwiwa

November 9th, 2009, 06:45 PM

Kenya Airways launches flights to Kisangani, DRC

News - Africa news

Some two weeks after launching the Bangui route, the Kenya Airways Friday started flying to Kisangani, DR Congo, according to a PANA report.

The national carrier, also known as KQ, launched the flights to Kisangani as part of its aggressive route expansion programme.

The Kisangani route brings KQ's flight destinations to 47, as the carrier plans to venture to Jeddah and Juba, Southern Sudan, in the near future.

Kenya Airways will operate three weekly flights every Monday, Thursday and Friday to the Bangoka International Airport.

The airlines chairman, Evanson Mwaniki, said the provincial capital of Tshopo Province would also serve to connect tourists visiting Kananga, Kinshasa and other parts of the populous African nation" endowed with resources of vast potential wealth.

'Travellers on this route are expected to benefit greatly from the superb connections to Europe and Asia,' Mwaniki said, adding that the route is also targeting to increase cargo flights from mineral rich central Africa.

'Investors dealing in minerals such as copper and industrial diamonds will find the route very convenient.'

Passengers are being offered US$ 47 return fare on this route for tickets purchased by 30 November and valid for travel by 31 December, this year.

The special fare offer is only valid for the return travel from Nairobi to Kisangani.

KQ has embarked on an aggressive network expansion with recent route additions being Congo-Brazzaville and Libreville launched in March and June this year respectively.

Other routes the airline has launched included Gaborone and Ndola, which were unveiled to connect London, Mumbai, Accra, Dubai, Nairobi, Hong Kong and New Delhi.

The airline operates three daily frequencies into Johannesburg, South Africa, and double dailies to Lusaka, Zambia; 10 flights a week to Lilongwe, Malawi and Harare, Zimbabwe and three weekly flights to Maputo, Mozambique.

ufookoro

November 11th, 2009, 01:48 PM

Arik Air announces its first transatlantic route

November 11th, 2009

Airline launches Lagos-New York (JFK) services

Arik Air, Nigeria’s largest commercial airline, today announced the expansion of its international services with the launch of non-stop flights between Lagos and New York (JFK) beginning on Sunday, 29 November 2009. The new route will be Arik Air’s third international service outside of the West Africa region, following the commencement of daily flights to London Heathrow in December 2008 and to Johannesburg, South Africa, in June 2009.

The new Lagos - New York (JFK) service will operate three times a week with outbound flights departing Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday, while inbound flights will depart New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (Terminal 4) on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

In announcing the new international service, Arik Air’s Managing Director, Mr Jason Holt said:

“Arik Air’s new non-stop flights between Lagos and New York will be the airline’s first transatlantic service. They will also be the first direct flights between Nigeria and the United States to be operated by a Nigerian airline in the last decade. This is of great historical significance for Nigeria and a source of great pride for Arik Air.”

The airline’s Chief Commercial Officer, Mr Suraj Sundaram elaborated: “The inauguration of Arik Air’s non-stop services between Lagos and New York will meet the needs of businesses in Nigeria’s commercial hub, Lagos, who are actively seeking air links with New York, the most important commercial centre in the world’s largest economy.
As the first Nigerian airline in over a decade to connect the two countries’ respective financial centres, Arik Air is extremely proud to take the lead in fulfilling this strategic role. The benefits to guests of Arik Air’s new non-stop services are many and two of the most important centre on the opportunity to save travel time and reduce costs. By flying with Arik Air direct to New York, guests will no longer need to incur the cost of transit visa fees and other ticket taxes associated with flying via Europe. They will also be able to save a considerable amount of time on this non-stop service, equivalent to almost two full business days over the course of a return trip via Europe.”

Arik Air has scheduled its flights conveniently for guests travelling from both ends of the new route. Flights from Lagos on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday will depart Lagos at 11.20pm (local time) and arrive New York JFK (Terminal 4) at 5.50am (local time) the following morning. On Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Arik Air’s flights will depart New York JFK at 10.00pm (local time) and arrive Lagos at 2.40pm (local time) the next afternoon.

Mr Sundaram added that Arik Air’s Lagos timings would provide the airline’s guests with the option to connect to and from Nigerian domestic as well as Regional African points. “From Lagos, Arik Air serves 20 other destinations across Nigeria including Abuja and Port Harcourt. The airline also serves five West African cities including Accra (Ghana) and Freetown (Sierra Leone). The reach of our extensive Nigerian and West African networks means Arik Air can offer our transatlantic guests convenient local and regional connections that no other airline can match,” he emphasised.

The airline will operate a brand new Airbus A340-500 long-range aircraft on the new service. Ideally suited for flying transatlantic routes, the four-engine, wide body airbus is one of the quietest and most environmentally friendly aircraft operating in the world today. It complies fully with airport noise restrictions and with current and future international emissions standards.

Mr Sundaram explained that the Premier Class cabin of Arik Air’s new Airbus 340-500 provides guests with 36 spacious seats that convert into fully lie-flat beds. It also has a private bar and lounge area for Premier Class passengers to socialize and relax. He explained: “On long haul international routes we recognise that our guests seek comfort and personal space complimented by warm Nigerian hospitality. The individual seat pitch in Arik Air’s Premier Class cabin is 76 inches, which will make it the most spacious seat in any commercial aircraft flying between Nigeria and the US. Each of the 201 extra wide seats in the Economy Class cabin also provides 50% more leg room. Our on-board experience will ensure we lead in terms of convenience and comfort for transatlantic travel to and from Nigeria. Both Arik Air’s Premier Class and Economy Class products offer personal audio and video-on-demand entertainment including a choice of Hollywood and Nollywood movies.”

Cigar

November 16th, 2009, 06:29 PM

New metal for B3, ex-Gulf Air machine.

http://www.skyliner-aviation.de/photos/5NBVA.jpg

Source: http://www.skyliner-aviation.de/viewphoto.main?LC=nav2&picid=6139

yosef

November 18th, 2009, 05:34 AM

Here is a post from Tarrex about Ethiopian Airlines

Some recent news

Ethiopian Airlines to buy Airbus A350 jets

DUBAI (Reuters) - Ethiopian Airlines will firm up an order for around 12 A350 jetliners worth almost $3 billion at the Dubai Air Show, industry sources said on Saturday.

The order is expected to bring sales of the future mid-sized, long-range passenger jet above the 500 mark.

EADS subsidiary Airbus has so far sold 493 of the planes, which are due to be available from the middle of next decade to compete with Boeing's 787 Dreamliner. The Boeing model has posted sales of 840 aircraft.

The biennial air show runs from November 15-18, with orders expected to be down sharply due to the recession.

Airbus declined to comment.

In July, the planemaker said Ethiopian Airlines had signed a provisional deal to buy 12 Airbus A350-900 planes.

If confirmed such a deal would be worth $2.9 billion at list prices

http://www.reuters.com/article/usDollarRpt/idUSLE15618420091114

Rolls-Royce in $2bn engine orders

Rolls-Royce engine
Rolls-Royce is on track to meet its full-year financial targets.

UK engineering firm Rolls-Royce says it has won orders to make $2bn(£1.2bn) of aircraft engines to power Airbus planes for Air China and Ethiopian Airlines.

The orders were announced on the first day of the Dubai Airshow on Sunday.

The $1.5bn Air China order involves providing Trent 700 engines to power 20 A330 aircraft that will be delivered from 2011.

And the $480m Ethiopian order covers Trent XWB engines for 12 A350-900 XWB planes that will begin service in 2017.

It came after Ethiopian Airlines announced a $3bn aircraft order with Airbus.

The airline made an initial draft request for the dozen extra-wide bodied A350-900s in July and confirmed the deal at the air show, the biggest in the Middle East.

Best-selling engines

Airlines have been hit hard during the recession, so the order for engines is welcome news for Rolls-Royce, which has factories in Derby and Bristol making engines, and one in Sunderland making aero-engine components.

In addition, the Rolls-Royce Inchinnan factory, which opened in October 2004 close to Glasgow Airport, also manufactures aeroplane engine components.

The Ethiopian order means Rolls-Royce has sold more than 1,000 of its best-selling XWB engines.

The firm has said the XWB is the most fuel efficient and environmentally sensitive large engine design on the market, with fuel efficiency ratings 28% higher than pre-Trent generation engines.

In the summer the firm said it was on track to meet its full-year financial targets, but warned that delays on the Airbus A380 and Boeing 787 wide-body programmes had added an element of uncertainty.

However, the delays have created more demand for existing wide-body products, where it has a strong position.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8361064.stm

desert burner

November 23rd, 2009, 10:29 AM

http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/-/539552/802178/-/685fhn/-/index.html

Kenguy

November 24th, 2009, 10:34 PM

Rwandair to fly to Goma, Bukavu, Kinshasa.

Kigali — Boosted by the acquisition of three new aircrafts, Rwandair is set to introduce flights to Goma, Bukavu and Kinshasa in DR Congo next month.

Rwandair has acquired three aircrafts including two CRJ 200 purchased from Germany and a Boeing aircraft, which will be delivered early next year.

This new development in Rwanda's flag carrier will also see the company's existing routes boosted significantly.

The airline presently flies to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Kenya, Kilimanjaro International Airport in Tanzania, Oliver Tambo International Airport in South Africa and Entebbe International Airport in Uganda while it locally flies to Kamembe airport in Changugu in Rwanda.

The airline will as a result introduce flights to Goma, Bukavu and Kinshasa in the DR Congo (DRC) in December this year.

"We are expanding to Goma International Airport and other airports and this is expected to boost trade between the countries where Rwandair flies to," Mr. Michael Otieno, the marketing and corporate communications officer for Rwandair said.

The purchase of the three crafts will end seven years of leasing other carriers' planes, a business arrangement many players in aviation industry describe as costly.

A source told The East African Business Week that the two aircrafts that were purchased from Germany have already been branded and painted with the airline's colours and the country's flag.

But the Boeing craft will be delivered early next year and it will be deployed on longer routes, easing the connectivity of passengers from Kigali International Airport to other destinations.

The Goma and Dar es Salaam flights will be launched concurrently, according to plans. The flights which start on 2nd and 15th December respectively have been welcomed by clients saying they will reduce delays at the airport and ticket costs.

Reports have said the national carrier will fly to Goma four times a week and three times to Dar es Salaam.

A return air ticket from Kigali to Goma will cost $199 while passengers to Dar Es Salaam will pay $399.

The airline recently re-branded from Rwandair Express to Rwandair, a move that is aimed at making its presence felt in the regional air travel industry.

MBA-Congo

November 24th, 2009, 11:46 PM

I'll like to see how that goes down, literally goes down.

mwanamwiwa

November 25th, 2009, 04:42 PM

Kenguy

November 25th, 2009, 10:21 PM

I'll like to see how that goes down, literally goes down.

So you would like to see their planes crash? :ohno: I wonder why your mind is so preset on catastrophe. Increased air transport connectivity among African states is a good thing. No one is forcing you to fly Rwandair.

BUTEMBO21

November 25th, 2009, 11:36 PM

So you would like to see their planes crash? :ohno: I wonder why your mind is so preset on catastrophe. Increased air transport connectivity among African states is a good thing. No one is forcing you to fly Rwandair.

Inter African trade is goo indeed and that's what needs to be done across the continent. we will never prosper if we let outsiders provide us with everything.

There are lots of Congolese in Rwanda and there are cross border trade between the two countries at Bukavu and Goma borders Congolese go to Rwanda to do business and vice versa .( Even though i'm very much against it).

But wonder which Congolese will fly in Rwandair to land in Kinshasa. That Congolese is a deadman/woman walking.

I wonder who is going to go to Rwanda from Kinshasa and vice versa?

Kinshasa, Lubumbashi, Kisangani and all western part of Congo is the wrong place a Rwandan can go. Even Uriva, Bukavu , Butembo.( the only reason why the border is open is because Eastern part Imports depends on Mombasa port and through Uganda Rwanda to get to Bukavu and Goma.).

kaps76

November 26th, 2009, 01:32 AM

Inter African trade is goo indeed and that's what needs to be done across the continent. we will never prosper if we let outsiders provide us with everything.

There are lots of Congolese in Rwanda and there are cross border trade between the two countries at Bukavu and Goma borders Congolese go to Rwanda to do business and vice versa .( Even though i'm very much against it).

But wonder which Congolese will fly in Rwandair to land in Kinshasa. That Congolese is a deadman/woman walking.

I wonder who is going to go to Rwanda from Kinshasa and vice versa?

Kinshasa, Lubumbashi, Kisangani and all western part of Congo is the wrong place a Rwandan can go. Even Uriva, Bukavu , Butembo.( the only reason why the border is open is because Eastern part Imports depends on Mombasa port and through Uganda Rwanda to get to Bukavu and Goma.).

I'll see that being feasible from Goma or Bukavu but have hard time believing this is feasible from Kinshasa, specially at the current moment.

BUTEMBO21

November 26th, 2009, 02:01 AM

I'll see that being feasible from Goma or Bukavu but have hard time believing this is feasible from Kinshasa, specially at the current moment.

All business done in the east Butembo, Goma, Bukavu go from Mombasa port through Uganda( kasindi border post) and Rwanda .

Other than that those borders wouldn't be opened. well the highway from Lubumbashi to Kisangani and Bukavu to Mbuji-Mayi U/C are complete, those borders will be shut.

grjplanes

November 26th, 2009, 09:48 AM

This looks like an old report to me. Why is no mention being made of the recent incident with the leased Jetlink CRJ-200? This resulted in JNB being suspended currently, and in this article they go on as if it is operating?

mwanamwiwa

November 26th, 2009, 07:56 PM

Airport project starts December

http://www.airport-technology.com/projects/jomo-kenyatta/images/4-jomo-kenyatta.jpg

By JOHN NGIRACHUPosted Thursday, November 26 2009 at 15:19

Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). KAA has been looking at a mix of financial options including bank loans, outside borrowing, and infrastructure bonds to raise the required money for the expansion of JKIA and other airports.

The construction of a three-storey parking lot to hold 1,500 cars, another for 400 and the expansion of Terminal Four at Kenya’s largest airport is set to begin next month.

The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) said on Thursday the second phase of the expansion of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport begins in December, adding that it has now secured funding for the entire project.

A Chinese company, China National Aero-Technology International Engineering Company (CATIC), won the tender to expand the passenger terminal facilities at the airport and is set to break ground in the next few days.

Mr George Muhoho, KAA’s managing director, said work on the second phase of the project will cost Sh4.1 billion and is expected to be complete in the next 21 months.

JKIA was constructed in 1978 and has since surpassed its capacity, currently handling 4.8 million passengers yearly against its ability of 2.5 million, with traffic growing at 6 per cent annually.

By 2018, the airport is projected to handle 10 million passengers per year.

The growth of national carrier Kenya Airways and Nairobi’s location as a regional hub have been cited as the reason the airport needs to be expanded.

Slow to respond

Kenya Airways has in the past cited the airport’s size and capability, and the resultant congestion, as the company’s biggest impediment to growth, saying the government has been slow to respond to the problem.

Funding had been the biggest problem and Mr Muhoho is optimistic that with that now solved, the three-phase project will be complete in good time.

“Potential financiers have looked into our past, present, and future operational, financial and management outputs and seen our financial viability,” he said.

The airport’s expansion is part of the plan dubbed the Northern Corridor Transport Improvement Project, set to cost Sh26 billion ($334 million).

KAA, a loss-making organisation until 2003, had to get Cabinet’s approval to use its financial viability to borrow funds for the project.

That approval came in July when Transport minister Chirau Mwakwere said the ministers had approved the company’s plans for its revenue collections and projections to be used to gauge its ability to repay the loans.

Mr Muhoho said the organisation has secured a total of Sh16.8 billion from three lenders for the project, and the government will top up the amount with Sh9.1 billion of its money.

mwanamwiwa

November 27th, 2009, 02:08 PM

Inter African trade is goo indeed and that's what needs to be done across the continent. we will never prosper if we let outsiders provide us with everything.

There are lots of Congolese in Rwanda and there are cross border trade between the two countries at Bukavu and Goma borders Congolese go to Rwanda to do business and vice versa .( Even though i'm very much against it).

But wonder which Congolese will fly in Rwandair to land in Kinshasa. That Congolese is a deadman/woman walking.

I wonder who is going to go to Rwanda from Kinshasa and vice versa?

Kinshasa, Lubumbashi, Kisangani and all western part of Congo is the wrong place a Rwandan can go. Even Uriva, Bukavu , Butembo.( the only reason why the border is open is because Eastern part Imports depends on Mombasa port and through Uganda Rwanda to get to Bukavu and Goma.).

Bla bla!Why dont you explain what the Congolese officals were thinking when they granted Rwandair a licence to operate in DRC?:bash:Rwandair should also take advantage and launch a Kinshasa to Belgium route and cash in on Hewa Boras exit on the route.:)

BUTEMBO21

November 27th, 2009, 09:06 PM

Bla bla!Why dont you explain what the Congolese officals were thinking when they granted Rwandair a licence to operate in DRC?:bash:

You didn't know that now we have Embassies in each other's country.
You will know why Congo is being diplomatic in a few years.:)

Rwandair should also take advantage and launch a Kinshasa to Belgium route and cash in on Hewa Boras exit on the route.:)

You think HBA is dead?:lol: you don't know what almost happened to Brussels Airways because they lobbied that HBA be banned from Euro skies?

Plus beside Hewa Bora , LAC will be unleashed soon.[ works are already underway].:lol:

mwanamwiwa

November 27th, 2009, 11:17 PM

You didn't know that now we have Embassies in each other's country.
You will know why Congo is being diplomatic in a few years.:)

You didnt answer my question.:)

You think HBA is dead?:lol: you don't know what almost happened to Brussels Airways because they lobbied that HBA be banned from Euro skies?

Plus beside Hewa Bora , LAC will be unleashed soon.[ works are already underway].:lol:

In the mean time RwandaAir:cheers: is willing to keep Congo connected to Brussels!:)

BUTEMBO21

November 27th, 2009, 11:45 PM

You didnt answer my question.:)

please, re-phrase your question.

In the mean time RwandaAir:cheers: is willing to keep Congo connected to Brussels!:)

You really want to see Rwandair being reduced to ashes:lol: :lol:[ i thaught you care for Rwandese].

That airline is not fying Congolese from Kinshasa-Brussels. according to you HBA is dead no longer exist. [ are you serious?]

mwanamwiwa

November 28th, 2009, 12:05 AM

please, re-phrase your question.

Why dont you explain what the Congolese officals were thinking when they granted Rwandair a licence to operate in DRC?

You really want to see Rwandair being reduced to ashes:lol: :lol:[ i thaught you care for Rwandese].

That airline is not fying Congolese from Kinshasa-Brussels. according to you HBA is dead no longer exist. [ are you serious?]

Is it because Butembo said so?Why are you constantly bringing up those flying coffins?

BUTEMBO21

November 28th, 2009, 12:09 AM

Why dont you explain what the Congolese officals were thinking when they granted Rwandair a licence to operate in DRC?

They want some TRwandans dead.:lol:

Is it because Butembo said so?Why are you constantly bringing up those flying coffins?

HBA is not a flying coffin[ that what you dream about]:lol:

mwanamwiwa

November 28th, 2009, 12:20 AM

They want some TRwandans dead.:lol:

HBA is not a flying coffin[ that what you dream about]:lol:

^^I expected somehing like that.Clearly the Rwandese have earned their respect.:cheers:

MBA-Congo

November 28th, 2009, 01:38 AM

Ciel éclairci davantage entre Kinshasa et Bruxelles filant à nouveau le parfait amour de leurs relations !
Kinshasa, 26/11/2009 / Politique
Elles sont passées les mauvaises fées ensorcelant la coopération RDC-Belgique et maintenant place aux bonnes volontés qui construisent un édifice exemplaire de bonne convivialité que le Chef de l’Etat va devoir sceller prochainement à Bruxelles entre les deux pays

Entre Kinshasa et Bruxelles, l’heure est au langage et au comportement adultes. Un vent d’espoir est en train de balayer cet état poussiéreux des choses, fondé sur un esprit nostalgique d’un groupe de personnalités belges et congolaises égocentriques et aux élans paternalistes. Il est vrai que la Belgique et la République démocratique du Congo ont frôlé la rupture des relations diplomatiques. L’on avait même commencé à franchir le Rubicon avec le rappel des ambassadeurs et la fermeture des consulats belges à Bukavu et à Lubumbashi.

Tout était parti de ce langage peu diplomatique de l’ancien ministre belge des Affaires étrangères, Karel De Gucht. Alors qu’il était le chef de la diplomatie belge, il a usé des propos discourtois qui ne pouvaient que susciter des réactions vives de la part des autorités congolaises irritées devant ce manque de considération. Pendant six mois, la brouille s’était installée entre Kinshasa et Bruxelles, avant que les nuages commencent à se dissiper.

Les premiers indices ont été la décision prise, de part et d’autre, après un lobbying de la diplomatie secrète et parlementaire, de nommer et d’échanger de nouveaux ambassadeurs. Bruxelles a accepté l’accréditation de l’ambassadeur Henri Mova Sakanyi pendant que Kinshasa agréait la désignation de Dominique Struye de Swilande en qualité d’ambassadeur du Royaume de Belgique en République démocratique du Congo. « La Belgique s’engage dans un esprit de partenariat respectueux, productif et fructueux avec la RDC ». Ce sont les premières déclarations du diplomate belge après avoir présenté ses lettres de créance au président de la République, Joseph Kabila Kabange.

Depuis, les choses sont allées vite. J’en veux pour preuve les visites des personnalités politiques de deux pays qui s’alternent. A Kinshasa, c’est un véritable ballet diplomatique des personnalités belges de toutes les institutions, sans oublier des opérateurs économiques désireux de reprendre pied en RDC. Geste de volonté politique de redynamiser la coopération multisectorielle belgo-congolaise. « Je suis un homme pragmatique. Ma mission consiste à normaliser les relations entre la Belgique et la République démocratique du Congo.

Je m’emploierai à les amplifier et mon action se consacrera sur trois axes. Au plan politique, nous nous attacherons à privilégier un dialogue franc, ouvert et permanent. Au niveau de la coopération bilatérale, je me consacrerai à l’amplifier pour accélérer le déblocage des fonds en vue de financer les projets de développement en suspens. Enfin, la coopération militaire sera redynamisée au regard de grands défis que la RDC est appelée à relever ». C’est sous ce signe que le diplomate belge a placé son mandat.

Effectivement, les faits sont en train de parler d’eux-mêmes. Pour ne prendre que l’exemple de la coopération militaire, la Belgique vient de former le premier bataillon de la Brigade d’intervention rapide, basée à Kindu, au Maniema. La cérémonie de fin de formation a été rehaussée de la visite du chef d’Etat major général de l’armée belge.

Au plan politique, pour être plus près de nous, le président du Sénat belge, Armand De Decker, vient d’effectuer une visite de travail à Kinshasa. Après ses entretiens avec son homologue congolais, Léon Kengo wa Dondo, il a eu hier lundi un entretien fructueux avec le président de la République, Joseph Kabila Kabange. Il ressort de cette audience que le président de la République effectuera prochainement une visite de travail en Belgique. Voilà qui renforcera davantage les relations historiques entre les deux pays.

Historiques. C’est le cas de le dire au crépuscule des festivités marquant le 50è anniversaire de l’indépendance du Congo. Des élans de solidarité, de sympathie se manifestent de part et d’autre, et particulièrement en Belgique. Il me revient des milieux belges que les autorités de la Belgique ont exprimé toute leur disponibilité à donner un cachet spécial à ces festivités.

A ce sujet, la « Fondation de la Kethule » créée en mémoire du révérend père Raphaël de la Kethule, ce missionnaire catholique belge qui a contribué à l’essor de l’enseignement au Congo et à la pratique du sport dans ce pays, particulièrement le football et l’athlétisme animera des semaines de sensibilisation. Question qu’une bonne partie de la communauté belge se souvienne des relations historiques entre le Congo et la Belgique.

D’autre part, j’apprends qu’une réflexion est assez poussée pour impliquer la Fondation Roi Baudouin 1er dans l’organisation des festivités du 50è anniversaire de l’indépendance du Congo. Elle agirait sur le plan politique, économique et culturel dans le but d’immortaliser l’histoire belgo-congolaise. Si tout se négociait avec dextérité, le Roi Albert 1er effectuerait, le 30 juin prochain, le déplacement de Kinshasa.

Effectivement, une page noire de l’histoire de la Belgique et de la RDC est en train d’être tournée. Les nuages se dissipent progressivement pour faire place à un ciel bleu, éclairci, dans l’intérêt réciproque des peuples belge et congolais.

Pourquoi ne pas émettre ce souhait d’espoir lorsqu’un autre événement important qui marque des mutations à travers le monde a fait qu’un Belge, Herman Van Rompuy, soit désigné président du Conseil européen ? Ancien président du Sénat, ancien Premier ministre belge, Herman Van Rompuy a fait une partie de ses études à Kinshasa, au Collège Albert 1er, aujourd’hui Collège Boboto. A l’instar de cet autre diplomate belge, Johan Swinnen. Les chemins de l’histoire de la Belgique et de la RDC sont en train de se croiser quand on sait que l’Union européenne est le premier partenaire au développement de la RDC. Une raison de plus pour que le ciel s’éclaircisse davantage entre Kinshasa et Bruxelles. N’en déplaise aux oiseaux de mauvais augures, à ces vieux sorciers d’un autre âge.

mwanamwiwa

November 28th, 2009, 02:31 AM

RwandAir now flying directly to Brussels

Successful code share agreement signed between RwandAir and Brussels Airlines.
In a move poised to bring greater convenience and connectivity to their customers, RwandAir the national carrier has signed a code share agreement with Brussels Airlines on flights between Kigali and Brussels. This in effect means that the national airline will now sell tickets directly on flights to the European city of Brussels. The flight in turn will be operated by the Belgian carrier. This way, RwandAir perfectly penetrates the Belgian market and Brussels Airlines reinforces its position on the African market.

The deal which was successfully concluded after fruitful negotiations between both airlines has been in effect since Tuesday 31 March, 2009. For RwandAir, this code share agreement presents a much needed penetration into the European market. This agreement does not only mean a direct connection between Brussels and Kigali, but it also offers numerous possibilities for connections to other African and European destinations through Kigali or Brussels.

The new partnership between the airlines comes at a time when the global aviation industry is under tremendous pressure to remain competitive amid recessions and economic crisis witnessed on the international scene. As an emerging fast growing economy in East Africa, Rwanda stands to benefit from this agreement due to greater accessibility to Europe and the opening up of a direct link to the heart of Africa.

The commercial deal between RwandAir and Brussels Airlines enables the national carrier to sell 10 seats in economy class as a marketing carrier on all 3 weekly flights between Kigali and Brussels, operated by Brussels Airlines. This offers RwandAir clients the flexibility of booking online or buying tickets through any of the Rwandair offices in Eastern or Southern Africa and fly out to Brussels direct from Kigali on every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. This agreement also reinforces the presence of Brussels Airlines on the Rwandan market.

RwandAir is actively going through internal and structural changes geared towards offering elevated customer service and safety in its operations. The airline is looking forward to more such alliances that will ensure greater access to worldwide destinations for its

http://www.rwandair.com/index.php?c=News&i=2

A small present to the prophets of doom!:)