(Posted 16th July 2024)
Courtesy of Aero Trail Ltd and Mr. Alex Koech
Week 28 saw several notable aviation developments emerge in Africa. Two new airlines took to the skies after securing their Air Operator Certificates (AOCs), and Egyptair expanded its network with three new intra-African routes. ITA Airways added its second Sub-Saharan destination to its route map, and a key director general was reappointed. Additionally, an airline unveiled its new livery. Read on to catch up on the latest African aviation headlines from last week.
Introduction.
Two new carriers have recently secured their Air Operator Certificates (AOCs). Nigerian Binani Air Global Service, an extension of the Binani Group of Companies, is now operating out of Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos. Having obtained its AOC, Binani Air has commenced non-scheduled operations and is gearing up for scheduled services.
Meanwhile, Flytech Aviation Group, a startup airline based in Malawi, has also acquired its AOC. Flytech is poised to begin commercial operations with the addition of its first aircraft, an Embraer EMB120.
In other aviation news, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has provided technical training to Malagasy aviation professionals. This initiative is part of the Comprehensive Regional Implementation Plan for Aviation Security and Facilitation in Africa (AFI SECFAL Plan), aimed at enhancing aviation security and facilitation across the continent.
Over 300 high school students from Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Tanzania graduated from the Pathways to Space program, a new educational initiative by Boeing in partnership with FASESA. Kuljit Ghata-Aura, president of Boeing Middle East, Türkiye, Africa, and Central Asia, expressed delight in inspiring young people in the aerospace industry, especially following the Starliner mission to the International Space Station. He looks forward to the innovative contributions these graduates will make to the future of space exploration.
African Aviation: Projections and Statistics.
According to the African Airlines Association (AFRAA), surging demand is driving and sustaining the recovery of airlines in Africa despite challenging economic conditions. In June 2024, seat availability across African airlines increased to 16 million, up from 15 million in June 2023, marking a 6% rise. Intra-African routes saw a modest 0.5% increase in seat availability, attributed to new and reinstated routes and fleet upgrades. Available seat kilometers (ASK) for June 2024 exceeded June 2023 levels by 11%, while revenue passenger kilometers (RPK) rose by an estimated 5.8% year-on-year. During this period, African carriers claimed 49.6% of international capacity and 37.0% of intercontinental capacity. AFRAA estimates a 15% growth in passenger traffic for African airlines in 2024 compared to 2023.
Despite this positive trend, African carriers lack transparency in their pricing structures, with many additional charges obscured from the advertised fares. The Economic Community of West African States ECOWAS Commission, conducted two studies to investigate the pricing models of ECOWAS member airlines. The goal was to develop a regional policy advocating for price transparency in line with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) principles. The studies revealed that each ECOWAS member state collects around 12 different taxes and charges, which are approximately 1.05 times higher than those in East Africa and comparatively higher than global averages.
AirHelp, an air passenger rights company, released its 2024 AirHelp Score report on the best and worst airports worldwide, ranking 239 airports from 69 countries. Six airports from four African countries made the list. Cape Town International Airport and O.R. Tambo International in South Africa ranked second and sixth, respectively. Marrakesh Menara Airport in Morocco was 168th, Cairo International Airport in Egypt ranked 201st, Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport in Morocco was 214th, and Tunisia’s Tunis-Carthage International Airport was listed the ‘worst’, ranking last at 239th position.
In June 2024, Airbus delivered 67 aircraft to 40 customers, with IndiGo (InterGlobe Aviation Ltd) and Air France each receiving five. Airbus recorded 73 gross orders for the month, bringing its total deliveries to 323 aircraft to 65 customers in 2024. Meanwhile, Boeing made 44 deliveries in June 2024, totaling 175 aircraft deliveries for the year. In related development, the ten largest carriers in the Middle East have a combined order book of 795 aircraft to be delivered by 2029, which will add around 1.107 million seats to the market. Saudi Arabian carriers alone will contribute 16 million seats, marking one of the largest existing order books.
The Cairo to Jeddah route was announced as the third busiest international route for July 2024, with 466,510 seats, according to OAG. The busiest route was Hong Kong to Taipei with 581,340 seats, followed by Seoul Incheon to Tokyo Narita with 466,530 seats. Kuala Lumpur to Singapore Changi ranked fourth with 365,554 seats, and Seoul Incheon to Osaka Kansai rounded off the top five with 407,288 seats.
Air Service Agreements (ASA’s) and Airline Agreements/Partnerships.
The Kingdom of Jordan is poised to re-establish its direct air connection with Libya, following the route’s cessation after the Libyan civil war and the assassination of Muammar Gaddafi. Recently, a delegation from the Jordan Civil Aviation Regulatory Commission visited Mitiga Airport to assess the viability of this potential airline reconnection.
The Nigerian Federal Government’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, met with his Spanish counterpart, Mr. Óscar Puente, in Madrid last week. The discussions focused on the two countries’ Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) and the resumption of direct flights between Spain and Nigeria.
In a move to enhance bilateral cooperation, the Indonesian government, through its ambassador in Dakar, has committed to training at least 50 Guinean aviation executives. This training will cover aeronautics, meteorology, and civil aviation, aiming to strengthen ties between Conakry and Jakarta.
To address the pressing challenges of human capital and research, Addis Ababa University (AAU) has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority. This collaboration aims to promote capacity building and joint research initiatives.
Routes and Airline Connectivity.
ITA Airways has inaugurated a new nonstop scheduled flight between Rome and Dakar, Senegal, marking its second sub-Saharan African destination after Accra, Ghana. The inaugural flight landed at Dakar-Blaise Diagne International Airport on July 3, greeted with a traditional water arch salute. The route will be operated four times a week using the Airbus Aircraft A321neo, which features three cabin classes, offering passengers a range of comfort options.
In the past week, EGYPTAIR expanded its network with maiden flights to Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, on July 11, 2024, and to Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu, Somalia, and Djibouti from Cairo. The airline, now the ninth international operator for Mogadishu, will operate biweekly flights to both Mogadishu and Djibouti, and thrice-weekly flights to Abidjan. These new routes are expected to facilitate greater economic and diplomatic engagement between Egypt and these three countries.
Meanwhile, several domestic airlines in Mali suspended local and international flights last Wednesday due to a fuel shortage at Modibo Keita Senou International Airport. The National Civil Aviation Agency warned that the situation could persist for several days and urged airlines to notify passengers to reschedule their flights or seek alternative travel options.
Airline Fleets and ACMI’s.
South African Airways, the national carrier of South Africa, received its second leased A320 aircraft from CALC on July 11. The airline plans to use this aircraft to strengthen its medium-haul fleet, enhancing its capacity and service offerings.
Air Côte d’Ivoire has taken delivery of a new Airbus A319, the second of its type delivered this year. This addition brings the airline’s fleet to 11 aircraft, supporting its expanding route network and increasing passenger capacity.
Kalahari Air Services has secured its first EMB120 aircraft and is actively seeking qualified pilots for this model to commence flight operations. This move marks a significant step in the airline’s growth and operational capabilities.
Sahara African Aviation, based at Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport in Nelspruit, South Africa, has leased an Embraer EMB120 aircraft to the Haitian carrier Sunrise Airways. This lease agreement underscores the growing international collaborations in the aviation sector.
Tropic Air Kenya has recently welcomed a new addition to their helicopter fleet, an AS350 B3e from Airbus Helicopters. Tropic Air, a leading air charter company operating throughout East Africa, is based in Nanyuki, northern Kenya. The company now boasts a fleet of 12 fixed and rotary-wing aircraft, enhancing its service range and operational flexibility. Meanwhile, Nairobi-based carrier Aircraft Leasing Service has expanded its fleet with the addition of an Embraer XR.
The Sudanese government has made advanced arrangements to procure two aircraft for the national carrier, SUDAN AIRWAYS, by the end of 2024, according to Transport Minister Abu Bakr Abu Al-Qasim. This acquisition is part of the government’s efforts to revitalize the airline and improve its operational efficiency.
Gabon’s anticipated national carrier, Fly Gabon, has taken delivery of its second brand-new ATR72-600 aircraft from Toulouse, France. This addition marks a significant milestone in the carrier’s development, paving the way for enhanced domestic and regional connectivity.
Aviation Infrastructure and Financing.
Ethiopian Airlines has inaugurated a state-of-the-art CFM Leap-1B engine test center at its Addis Ababa MRO service facility. As the largest MRO operator in Africa, this new development provides Ethiopian Airlines with exclusive powerplant testing capabilities for Boeing‘s new-generation 737 MAX aircraft, significantly enhancing their maintenance and operational efficiency.
In other news, Ethiopian Airlines has publicly distanced itself from the fraudulent and indefinitely suspended ‘Nigerian Air Project’ initiated by the previous Nigerian government. CEO Mesfin Tasew stated to Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that the Nigerian Ministry of Aviation owes Ethiopian Airlines $211,000 for breach of contract related to the failed joint venture.
Egypt has embarked on a significant move to privatize its airports, initiating an international tendering process for the management and operation of its major facilities. This strategic shift aims to involve the private sector in managing the country’s logistics and transportation infrastructure, potentially enhancing efficiency and service quality.
Air Côte d’Ivoire is actively seeking to raise USD 170 million to finance the acquisition of its on-order A330-900 aircraft, set for delivery by the end of 2024 and the second quarter of 2025. These new aircraft are expected to bolster the airline’s intercontinental flight capabilities, expanding their reach and service offerings.
Appointments.
Fred Bamwesigye has been reappointed as the Director General of the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) by the authority’s board. Bamwesigye’s reappointment reflects the board’s confidence in his leadership and vision for advancing Uganda’s aviation sector. Under his guidance, UCAA is expected to continue its efforts in improving aviation safety, infrastructure, and regulatory frameworks, positioning Uganda as a key player in the regional aviation industry.
In the Republic of Congo, AERCO (Aéroports du Congo), the organization responsible for managing the airports in Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, and Ollombo, has appointed Marcellus Boniface Bongho as its new CEO. Bongho brings a wealth of experience to the role, and his leadership is anticipated to drive significant advancements in airport operations, enhancing both passenger experience and operational efficiency.
In other news:
In a significant policy shift, the government of Ireland has revoked visa-free entry for citizens of Botswana and South Africa. This decision comes in response to a notable increase in international protection applications from these two countries. Previously considered safe and exempt from visa requirements, the change aims to align Ireland’s immigration policies with those of the Schengen area and the UK.
TAAG-ANGOLA AIRLINES LIMITED has unveiled its new visual identity for its incoming Airbus A220 and Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. The redesigned livery prominently features the Sable Antelope, the airline’s emblem, proudly displayed on the tail and wings, symbolizing TAAG’s heritage and vision for the future.
FlyNamibia is on the hunt for its 2024 brand ambassadors. The airline is seeking creative individuals with a knack for producing high-quality content autonomously. Selected ambassadors will travel to regional destinations and generate compelling images, videos, and stories for FlyNamibia‘s marketing platforms, showcasing the airline’s services and destinations.
South African Airways has introduced a cutting-edge in-flight entertainment platform called AIRSCAPE. This innovative service allows passengers to access entertainment on their mobile devices on selected flights, enhancing the overall travel experience with a diverse range of content at their fingertips.
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