(Posted 12th August 2024)
Courtesy of Aero Trail Ltd. and Mr. Alex Koech
Introduction
The US law firm Ribbeck Law Chartered is now pursuing up to $58 billion in compensation for the families of victims from the 2019 Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 Max crash—more than double the original $24.8 billion claim. This legal battle revolves around a recent plea agreement between the US Department of Justice (DOJ) and Boeing. On July 24, 2024, Boeing agreed to plead guilty to a criminal fraud conspiracy charge and pay fines ranging from $243.6 million to $487 million. However, Ribbeck Law Chartered contends that this amount is grossly insufficient, given the gravity of Boeing’s misconduct.
In a bid to make air travel more affordable for students, South African Airways (SAA) has introduced discounted domestic fares, offering a 10% upfront discount on all domestic routes within South Africa. This new offer is available to students at both school and university levels, whether they’re returning to campus, visiting family, or exploring new cities.
African Aviation: Projections and Statistics.
According to recent data from the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), air traffic movements in the 2022/23 fiscal year soared to 335,464, marking a significant rise from the 300,234 recorded in 2021/22. Domestic traffic dominated, contributing 202,278 movements—a 2.3% increase from the previous year’s 197,734. International traffic also saw robust activity with 76,824 movements. Notably, overflights—aircraft passing through Kenyan airspace—jumped by 37.77% to 56,362, reflecting the growing importance of Kenya’s air corridors.
This surge in air traffic translated into a substantial revenue boost for the regulator, with earnings climbing from Ksh 12.6 billion (about $ 98 million) to Ksh 20 billion. Aeronautical services alone generated Ksh 10.15 billion, a 46% increase from the prior year. Air navigation charges rose from Ksh 4.2 billion to Ksh 5.9 billion, while air passenger service charges skyrocketed by 73%, reaching Ksh 3.28 billion. Passenger numbers at Kenyan airports also surged, rising by 24.4% from 8.89 million in FY 2021/22 to 11.06 million in FY 2022/23.
Meanwhile, Morocco’s aerospace sector has emerged as a powerhouse, outpacing other major export industries such as automotive, phosphates, and food processing. In the first half of 2024, Morocco exported $1.3 billion worth of aerospace products, reflecting a 16.5% year-on-year increase. Projections suggest that the country’s aerospace exports will reach $2.4 billion by the end of 2024 and could double to $4 billion by the end of the decade. Morocco’s aerospace ecosystem, comprising 145 companies, is driven by global giants like Airbus, Boeing, Safran, and Hexcel Corporation. This robust industrial base has positioned Morocco as Africa’s leading aerospace manufacturing hub, ranking 20th globally with a local content rate of 40%.
In Guinea, Conakry’s Ahmed Sékou Touré International Airport recorded 371,380 passengers in the first half of 2024, a 14% increase from 326,026 in the same period the previous year. This growth is attributed to the increased frequency of flights by airlines serving the country.
Air Service Agreements (ASA’s) and Airline Agreements/Partnerships
Malaysia Airlines and Air Mauritius have announced the reinstatement of their codeshare agreement, offering travelers expanded options to explore destinations across Malaysia, Asia, Australia, Africa, and beyond. This renewed partnership will allow seamless connections between the two carriers, making it easier for passengers to discover new and exciting locations.
In a significant development for the cargo industry, Kenyan carrier SAFE AIR has signed a strategic agreement with Network Aviation Group ??’s global GSA company, Network Airline Services (NAS). This partnership will see NAS handle cargo sales and marketing for Safe Air in the UAE and Oman, with additional support from NAS offices in Europe and the USA, enhancing Safe Air’s global reach.
Royal Air Maroc (RAM) has formalized its first partnership with the humanitarian nonprofit Airlink, Inc.. This collaboration underscores RAM’s commitment to social responsibility, with plans to transport 50 tonnes of humanitarian cargo over the next year. Additionally, RAM will provide passenger tickets for humanitarian workers and make a charitable donation to support Airlink’s operations.
Ethiopian Airlines Group is taking a significant step towards sustainable aviation by signing a Memorandum of Understanding with SATAREM America Inc ., a leader in sustainable energy solutions. The agreement, signed on August 3, 2024, in Addis Ababa, will see Satarem produce Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) locally, with Ethiopian Airlines committed to purchasing this cleaner alternative to traditional jet fuel.
Egypt and Singapore are exploring ways to deepen their collaboration and exchange expertise in the civil aviation sector, aiming to enhance their mutual capabilities in this vital industry through a MoU.
In a bid to usher in a new digital era, Royal Air Maroc has partnered with Amadeus to enhance its online platforms. By leveraging the Amadeus Reference Experience, RAM aims to improve online conversion rates, boost customer satisfaction, and streamline processes like check-ins and access to travel information. The enhanced platform will also allow travelers to easily request and purchase additional services with just a few clicks, fostering greater customer loyalty.
Routes and Airline Connectivity
Royal Air Maroc (RAM) is set to resume its Casablanca to Beijing route after a five-year hiatus. Starting January 20, 2025, the airline will operate this direct flight three times a week—on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays—using its Boeing 787-Dreamliner, which accommodates 302 passengers, including 26 in business class.
After a series of delays, Etihad Airways has finally confirmed December 15, 2024, as the resumption date for its Abu Dhabi-Nairobi route. The airline will offer four weekly nonstop flights between Abu Dhabi Zayed International Airport (AUH) and Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO), restoring a vital connection between the two cities.
Aer Lingus has announced a new route to the vibrant Moroccan city of Marrakech, set to launch on October 25, 2024, with fares starting at €69.99 each way. The route will complement Ryanair – Europe’s Favourite Airline‘s existing service from Dublin Airport, offering travelers more options to explore this popular destination.
Airlink is expanding its African network with the introduction of direct flights between Cape Town and Gaborone, starting April 1, 2025. These flights will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, linking Cape Town International Airport (CPT) with Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (GBE) and enhancing regional connectivity.
In an effort to boost tourism, Air Seychelles, in collaboration with Tourism Seychelles, will launch seasonal flights between Seychelles and Réunion starting December 30, 2024. These flights, which will include a technical stop in Mauritius, are designed to strengthen travel ties between these two idyllic islands.
South African Airways (SAA) is increasing its service to Mauritius to meet rising demand. From December 1, 2024, SAA will offer two daily morning flights between Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport and Mauritius, doubling its frequency from the single daily flight introduced in November 2021. This seasonal increase will continue until March 29, 2025.
Nigeria’s longest-serving domestic airline, Overland Airways Limited, has begun direct flights between Lagos and Abuja as of August 9, 2024. Using E-175 jets, the airline has increased the number of weekly flights between these cities to 60, significantly boosting capacity on this busy route.
Kenya Airways has announced a series of flight changes aimed at improving service efficiency. The airline has introduced daily flights to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, made the Douala, Cameroon route nonstop, and increased capacity to Johannesburg and Cape Town by utilizing its Boeing 787 Dreamliner on these routes.
Meanwhile, Arik Air has resumed operations after a week-long suspension due to a dispute over a $2.5 million debt. Three of the airline’s aircraft had been grounded by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) following a court injunction, but the situation has now been resolved, allowing the airline to return to the skies.
Airline Fleets and ACMI’s
Egypt’s Sky Vision Airlines has expanded its fleet with the recent delivery of an Airbus A320 from FTAI Aviation. This acquisition brings the airline’s total fleet to four A320s, with three dedicated to passenger services and one configured for freight operations. The airline is also eagerly anticipating the arrival of a second cargo aircraft, signaling a growing focus on its cargo operations.
In a move to modernize its fleet, Air Botswana is set to induct a 13-year-old Embraer E175 aircraft, previously operated by the now-defunct Flybe. Expected to arrive in mid-Q2 2024, the aircraft will be delivered by Regional One, Inc., adding a new chapter to Air Botswana’s efforts to enhance its regional connectivity.
Aviation Infrastructure and Financing
Ethiopian Airlines CEO Mesfin Tasew has revealed that Ethiopia has signed an agreement with Dar for the design of a new airport capable of handling 100 million passengers annually. Set to be located 45 km from Addis Ababa in the town of Bishoftu, the airport is poised to become Africa’s largest once completed in 2029. The ambitious project, with a budget exceeding $6 billion, will feature four runways and parking space for 270 aircraft. The Dubai-based engineering and consulting firm Sidara, a subsidiary of Dar, will design the airport. Originally announced in 2018, the new airport will replace the current hub, which is nearing its maximum capacity of 25 million passengers per year.
In Algeria, ITA Airways has inaugurated its new premises at the prestigious Hotel El Aurassi Business Centre in Algiers. The airline currently operates 14 weekly flights between Rome and Algiers, solidifying its presence in the region.
In Ghana, former President John Dramani Mahama, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer for the upcoming December 2024 elections, has pledged to continue and complete the Bolgatanga Airport project as part of his manifesto. This initiative aims to enhance travel convenience for the people of the Upper East Region and Bolgatanga.
Aviation Accidents/Incidents
On August 8, 2024, a 45-year-old DHC-5A Buffalo aircraft, registered as 7Q-STB (MSN 95) and operated by Nyasa Air Charters, tragically veered off the runway and crashed into nearby buildings while landing at Pieri Payam Airstrip in South Sudan. The aircraft burst into flames upon impact, resulting in the deaths of three people on the ground and injuries to several others. Fortunately, the pilot survived with only minor injuries.
In another incident in South Sudan, a Bombardier DHC-8-311Q Dash 8, registered as 5Y-SMI (MSN 404) and owned by Renegade Air, suffered a serious accident while operating for the UN Humanitarian Air Service. After taking off from Mabam Airstrip, the aircraft lost both main landing gear sets but continued flying with the undercarriage extended. The crew managed to execute a belly landing at Malakal Airport (MAK), with no fatalities reported among the 38 passengers onboard or on the ground.
In a safety precaution, the Egyptian Civil Aviation Authority issued a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) to its carriers, warning them to avoid Iranian airspace on Thursday, August 8, 2024, between 0100 and 0400 GMT. The full text of the NOTAM (HECC A0363/24) read: “ALL EGYPTIAN CARRIERS SHALL AVOID OVERFLYING TEHRAN FIR. NO FLIGHT PLAN WILL BE ACCEPTED OVERFLYING SUCH TERRITORY,” indicating heightened safety concerns during that timeframe.
In other news:
Ethiopian Airlines has been honored with the prestigious U.S. President’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Signed by President Joseph R. Biden, this accolade recognizes the airline’s exceptional contributions and dedicated service to communities across the United States, further solidifying its reputation as a global leader in the aviation industry.
In a significant legal ruling, Nigeria’s Federal High Court declared last Monday that Ethiopian Airlines’ acquisition of Nigeria Air was unlawful. The court invalidated the purported sale, stating that it violated the Securities and Exchange Commission of Nigeria’s Consolidated Rules & Regulations of 2013. This decision throws the future of the Nigeria Air project into uncertainty.
Meanwhile, tensions are rising in Kenya as the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) has threatened to protest the planned lease of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to the Indian conglomerate Adani Group. Union officials have announced their intention to formally submit a seven-day strike notice to the government on August 12, 2024. They warn that airport operations will be paralyzed for approximately three hours during the notice presentation, potentially disrupting travel for thousands of passengers.
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