(Posted 27th August 2024)
Introduction.
On August 22, 2024, the International Civil Aviation Organization‘s Regional Safety Group convened a pivotal meeting of East African aviation leaders in Arusha, Tanzania. The discussions centered on optimizing regional upper airspace management, rehabilitating airports, and strengthening compliance with global aviation standards. There were also strong calls to expedite the signing of the EAC Air Transport Market (Liberalization) Regulations, a key initiative aimed at enhancing regional integration and driving economic growth across East Africa.
In a remarkable achievement, Senegal successfully launched its first satellite, GAINDESAT-1A, into orbit on August 16, 2024, at 18:56 GMT from the Vandenberg base in California. This milestone, five years in the making, was a significant step toward technological sovereignty for the West African nation. With this launch, Senegal joins an exclusive group of 17 African countries that have successfully sent a surveillance and telecommunications satellite into orbit. Currently, these nations have collectively launched 61 satellites, with South Africa leading the way by launching the continent’s first satellite in 1998.
African Aviation: Projections and Statistics.
International Air Transport Association (IATA) recently released its 20-year passenger forecast, painting a dynamic picture of global air travel. In the short term, global passenger numbers are projected to grow by 9.7% in 2024. However, this growth is uneven, with the Asia-Pacific region leading the charge at 15.7%, fueled by a lower base and rising living standards. Looking ahead, IATA forecasts that passenger numbers will double by 2043, driven by an average annual growth rate of 3.6%, with Asia-Pacific and the Middle East expected to be the key engines of this expansion.
As of August 23, 2024, the total number of scheduled (one-way) flights since January 1st stands at an impressive 24,150,149. This breaks down into 121,854,814 global flights, with 70,915,986 domestic and 50,938,828 international flights, translating to an average of 101,471 commercial flights per day. Notably, Friday, August 2, 2024, marked the busiest day ever for air travel, with a staggering 17,987,792 airline seats available, according to OAG. This year has seen a series of record-breaking days, with every one of the top 10—or even top 40—busiest days for air travel occurring in 2024. OAG‘s insights over the past 15 years reveal a consistent pattern: the busiest days to fly typically fall in July or August, with 2020 and 2021 being the exceptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Fridays have consistently been the top day for airline capacity since 2016, with Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson and Dubai International Airport ranking as the busiest airports on these peak days.
Closer to home, Uganda Civil Aviation Authority run Entebbe International Airport recorded 15,223 aircraft movements in the first half of 2024, a 4.4% increase from 14,575 in the same period last year. Overflights rose by 10.3%, reaching 12,359 compared to 11,203 in 2023. The airport also handled 1,069,224 international passengers (527,692 arrivals and 541,532 departures), up from 842,429 in the first half of 2023. However, transit passengers dropped by 6.8% to 53,559 from 57,469 in 2023. Cargo operations at Entebbe saw significant growth, with 32,794 metric tonnes of cargo handled, marking an 18.9% increase in exports and an impressive 46.2% surge in imports.
Meanwhile, Egypt’s tourism sector is booming, with over 8 million visitors in the first seven months of 2024, setting the industry on track to surpass $14 billion in earnings by year’s end. Projections suggest that tourist numbers will exceed 15 million in 2024, compared to 14.9 million in 2023. The German market remains Egypt’s top source of tourists, contributing around 1.6 million visitors in 2023, followed by Russia, which saw a 10% increase. The Chinese market experienced a significant 60% spike, thanks to a threefold increase in air traffic between China and Egypt, with about 28 weekly flights now operating. The Japanese market also saw a 70% growth compared to the same period in 2023, with overall tourist spending up by 12% to 14%.
In Namibia, tourism hit new heights in July 2024, with Simonis Storm reporting a record-breaking 49,534 passenger arrivals, surpassing the previous high set in October 2023. Of these arrivals, 44% were international travelers, 45% were regional visitors, and the remaining 11% were domestic passengers. This surge underscores the growing appeal of Namibia as a destination for global and regional travelers alike.
Air Service Agreements (ASA’s) and Airline Agreements/Partnerships.
airBaltic has appointed APG Airlines as its General Sales Agent (GSA) for Egypt in a strategic move to enhance its market presence and boost sales in the region. Under this partnership, APG will lead comprehensive sales activities, offer marketing support, and manage reservation and ticketing services to strengthen AirBaltic’s routes in Egypt.
In a significant development for Botswana, Azercosmos, Azerbaijan’s space agency, has entered into a long-term agreement with the Botswana government to provide satellite data services via the Azerspace-1 telecommunications satellite. This marks the first time Botswana will receive satellite data through the African C-band coverage on the Azerspace-1 satellite.
Meanwhile, the Egyptian government is exploring a new aviation collaboration with Boeing. Last Saturday, Minister of Civil Aviation Sameh El-Hefny met with Omar Arekat, Boeing’s Vice President of Commercial Sales and Marketing for EMEA, to discuss potential partnerships. This initiative is part of Egypt’s broader strategy to modernize its civil aviation sector and strengthen its global presence.
In Botswana, the Civil Aviation Authority, in collaboration with the Botswana Tourism Organization, Botswana Investment and Trade Centre, Business Botswana, and other stakeholders, signed a Memorandum of Association to launch the Botswana Air Access initiative. This national initiative aims to attract, retain, and expand air connectivity to Botswana, enhancing the country’s position as a regional air travel hub.
Ethiopian Airlines Group has unveiled a new e-commerce logistics facility in Addis Ababa, further solidifying its partnership with Chinese online retail giant AliExpress, a part of the Alibaba Group. The 15,000-square-meter facility, with the capacity to handle 150,000 tons of freight annually, is set to position Addis Ababa as a key cross-border e-commerce logistics hub for Africa.
Routes and Airline Connectivity.
Royal Jordanian Airlines is set to resume flights between Amman and Tripoli’s Mitiga Airport on September 17, marking the end of a decade-long hiatus. This return to the Libyan capital comes as part of the airline’s broader strategy to reconnect with key regional destinations.
United Airlines has announced a new daily service between Lagos, Nigeria, and Washington D.C., scheduled to run from December 4, 2024, to February 14, 2025. This seasonal route will offer Nigerian travelers more options and seamless daytime connections to over 70 destinations across the United States.
In a developing story, Air Sénégal S.A is reportedly discontinuing its twice-weekly flights between Dakar and New York. The transatlantic route, launched in September 2021, initially operated with a leased Airbus A330-900neo aircraft and crew from HI FLY Malta due to Air Senegal’s lack of an Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Category 1 safety rating. Additionally, the airline is expected to suspend services to Cotonou, Benin, and Douala, Cameroon, as part of a broader network adjustment.
Airline Fleets and ACMI’s.
AIR TANZANIA COMPANY LIMITED has expanded its fleet with the delivery of a brand new Boeing B787-8 Dreamliner, registered 5H-TCR (MSN 67792), on August 20, 2024, from Charleston International in the U.S. This 262-seater jetliner, configured in two classes, is set to significantly boost Air Tanzania’s network. With a current fleet of 16 aircraft and a third Dreamliner expected in mid-2025, the airline is strategically positioning itself for global expansion.
Nigeria’s state-owned airline, Ibom Air, has announced the acquisition of a new A220-300 aircraft. The 133-seater arrived at Lagos Murtala Muhammed Airport on August 10, marking the second of this model type in the airline’s fleet, as the airline continues to grow its operations.
Meanwhile, D.R. Congo’s airline start-up, Mont Gabaon Airlines, has taken delivery of a Short Brothers USA 330-200 aircraft, the second in its fleet of three. Known for its excellent short-field performance, the Short 330 can accommodate up to 30 passengers, enhancing the airline’s ability to serve regional routes.
Aviation Infrastructure, Financing & Profitability.
The southern Nigerian state of Bayelsa is reportedly planning to spend NGN 25 billion (approximately USD 15.9 million) to acquire an undisclosed aircraft, which will be operated by the state from the newly commissioned Bayelsa International Airport. The airport, which began operations in 2020, is expected to benefit from this significant investment.
In a remarkable turnaround, Kenya Airways has announced a net profit of KSH 513 million (about 4 million USD) for the first half of 2024, marking a 102% improvement. This is a significant milestone, as the airline has been posting net losses since 2013, with its largest loss of KSH 14.3 billion (About 111 million USD) reported in 2020. For the first half of 2024, total income rose by 22% to KSH 91.49 billion (About 706 million USD), while operating profit jumped 30% to KSH 1.30 billion (About 9.3 million USD), thanks to a 22% reduction in operating costs, which now stand at KSH 90.20 billion (About 700 million USD). Additionally, the airline saw a 10% increase in passenger numbers, reaching 2.54 million. Capacity, measured in Available Seat Kilometers (ASKs), grew by 16% to 7.991 billion, while Revenue Passenger Kilometers (RPKs) improved by 14%.
After weeks of speculation following comments from Qatar Airways CEO Al-Meer about expanding operations in Africa, it has emerged that Qatar Airways has acquired a 25% stake in the South African regional airline Airlink. This strategic move strengthens Qatar Airways’ presence in the African aviation market, particularly in the southern region, which was described as “the last piece of the equation” for its operations on the continent.
AIR TANZANIA COMPANY LIMITED‘s ongoing fleet expansion, supported by the government, is showing positive economic results. The airline has reportedly generated substantial economic benefits, with revenues of USD 182 million (TSH 492 billion) over the past three years. The airline has also contributed an average of TSH 80 billion annually in taxes.
Carlyle Aviation Partners, an American aircraft leasing company, has secured a court order to ground four aircraft leased to Air Sénégal S.A, including two A319-100s and two A321-200s. The order follows a legal dispute in which Carlyle Aviation is claiming nearly USD 10 million from the Senegalese national airline.
Aviation Accidents/Incidents
A Cessna 210L Centurion, registered 7Q-PFU (MSN 21060284), operated by NYASA EXPRESS, tragically crashed into Lake Malawi near Benga, Nkhotakota District. The charter flight, carrying three people, resulted in the deaths of the pilot and one passenger, while the other passenger was rescued with minor injuries.
In another incident, a 1990-built Cessna 208B Grand Caravan, registered 5Y-BUR (MSN 208B0239) and operated by Royal Skyline Ltd, overturned during takeoff from an airstrip in Mandeng, Nasir County, South Sudan. All four occupants sustained injuries, and the aircraft was significantly damaged.
An Enstrom 480B Turbine helicopter (reg. ZS-HDO, MSN 5132) crash-landed in a sewage field in DSV Township, Livingstone, Southern Province. Fortunately, all four individuals aboard escaped unharmed, though the helicopter sustained substantial damage.
In a bizarre incident, passengers on Royal Air Maroc (RAM) Flight AT818, operated by a Boeing 737 from Casablanca to Manchester on August 15, were left without their luggage for days after a cockroach infestation was discovered in the aircraft’s cargo hold. Due to strict health and safety protocols, airport staff were prohibited from handling the luggage, forcing passengers to leave the airport empty-handed.
In other news:
Somali Civil Aviation Authority has threatened to revoke Ethiopian Airlines’ rights to operate in the country, escalating a dispute over the sovereignty of the breakaway region of Somaliland. The tension stems from a previous agreement between Ethiopia and Somaliland, allowing landlocked Ethiopia access to Somaliland’s coast and the establishment of a naval base in exchange for a stake in Ethiopia’s national carrier, Ethiopian Airlines.
On August 22, 2024, severe weather conditions caused significant disruptions at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD/HAAB) . Starting around 3 a.m., most incoming Ethiopian Airlines flights were unable to land at Bole Airport and had to divert to alternate aerodromes, affecting both domestic and international morning departures.
In Mozambique, Dr. Amelia Muendane has been appointed as the new chairperson of Aeroportos de Moçambique, E.P. ., replacing Américo Muchanga, who has been transferred to LAM – MOZAMBIQUE AIRLINES as the airline’s new chairman.
The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority has announced the suspension of operations at Kalama Airstrip from Monday, August 26, 2024, until September 6, 2024, via a NOTAM. Passengers, particularly tourists heading to the area, are advised to check with their respective airlines or charter services providers for updates.
Lastly, @Ruslan Obiang Nsue, a son of Equatorial Guinea’s president, appeared in court in Malabo on Monday, facing charges for illegally selling an airplane belonging to the national airline—a crime he admitted to committing. Prosecutors are seeking an 18-year prison sentence and a fine of 500 million CFA Francs ($847,000) for the 49-year-old president’s son.
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