(Posted 24th September 2024)
Introduction.
South Africa, was Africa’s aviation hotspot during week 38, hosting two major events and an airshow that brought the industry together.
First, Johannesburg welcomed the Aviation Africa 2024 Summit from September 16-17, drawing over 1,300 delegates from 24 African countries and beyond. Under the theme “Bridging Skies and Leveraging Growth,” the event focused on fostering collaboration between the military and civil aviation sectors to drive innovation and growth across Africa. Rwanda was announced as the host of the Aviation Africa Summit and Exhibition 2025, marking the fifth time it will host the prestigious event, with its last hosting in 2022.
Johannesburg also hosted the 33rd Airports Council International – ACI Africa Annual General Assembly and Regional Conference at the ACSA International Indaba Centre. Themed “Flying Together: Airport Alliances and Partnerships,” this conference emphasized advancing the interests of African airports through collaboration and excellence in operations. With more than 75 members managing over 265 airports across 54 countries, ACI Africa is committed to achieving safe, secure, and sustainable airport development. Key discussions covered technology, innovation, safety, environmental sustainability, and regulatory models to support growth. Tanzania Airports Authority (TAA) was announced as the host for the 2026 ACI Africa conference in Arusha, Tanzania.
To cap off the 12th biennial Africa Aerospace and Defence Air Show and Defence Exhibition took place on September 21-22 at Waterkloof Air Force Base outside Pretoria. Themed “Exploring New Paths, Sharing Solutions, Showcasing Innovation and Capabilities,” the event showcased cutting-edge technologies, fostering global partnerships, and demonstrating the capabilities of the aerospace and defense sectors. Highlights included world-class air demonstrations, mobility track demonstrations, parachute drops, aerobatic displays, and static exhibitions from leading names in aviation and defense, featuring their latest aircraft innovations.
African Aviation: Projections and Statistics.
In August 2024, Entebbe International Airport hit a new milestone, handling a record-breaking 212,701 international passengers—the highest ever recorded. This represents an average of 6,861 passengers per day. According to the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA), 108,055 passengers departed, while 104,646 arrived. This surpasses the previous high of 198,961 passengers set in December 2023. The growth has been largely attributed to Uganda Airlines‘ expanding network.
In other developments, Boeing’s 2024 Commercial Market Outlook forecasts significant growth for Africa’s aviation sector. The continent’s commercial airline fleet is expected to more than double by 2043, with 1,170 new aircraft—830 single-aisle jets, 260 wide-body aircraft, 65 regional jets, and 15 freighters—set for delivery. Africa’s growing population and rising air traffic, expected to increase by 6.4% annually, are key drivers of this expansion. Additionally, the industry will require 76,000 new aviation professionals, underscoring the need for robust training infrastructure for future pilots, technicians, and cabin crew.
Similarly, Airbus‘ Global Market Forecast predicts demand for 1,460 passenger and freight aircraft in Africa by 2043, including 1,210 narrow-body and 250 wide-body planes. Airbus also estimates that the continent will need 15,000 new pilots and 20,000 mechanics to meet the growing air travel demand.
ACI World – Airports Council International’s 2024 Annual World Airport Traffic Report projects global passenger traffic to reach 9.5 billion by the end of the year, representing 104% of pre-pandemic 2019 levels and a 10% year-on-year increase from 2023. By mid-2024, passenger traffic had already grown by 11% year-on-year, fueled by a 17% surge in international travel and a 6% rise in domestic flights. In Africa, passenger traffic is expected to hit 244 million in 2024, exceeding 2019 levels by 106%.
Air Service Agreements (ASA’s) and Airlines Agreements/Partnerships.
Angola is actively pursuing a Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) with Nigeria and exploring further collaboration in the aviation sector. This was disclosed during a visit by Angolan Ambassador to Nigeria, José Bamoquina Zau, and his deputy, Nelson Paulo Kafikiri, who delivered a message from Angola’s Minister of Transport, Ricardo de Abreu, to Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo.
In another development, Iran has expressed interest in establishing a direct flight with Tunisia, as discussed by Iranian Ambassador to Tunisia, Masoud Hosseinian, during his meeting with the Tunisian Parliament Speaker Ibrahim Bouderbala.
Berniq Airways, based in Libya, has signed a contract with CPaT Global LLC, a provider of aviation distance learning, to offer aircraft systems and cabin crew training for its Airbus Aircraft A320ceo and A320neo fleets. The training will include safety procedures, 3D cabin trainers, and general subject courses for cabin crew.
Airlink has partnered with Accelya Group to implement FLX Select, an innovative solution for retail transformation. This partnership enables Airlink to deploy NDC within 90 days, enhancing its retail and ancillary capabilities while significantly reducing distribution costs.
During the ACI Africa Conference in South Africa, ACI Africa and SITA unveiled their new white paper, “African Airports’ Readiness to Adopt Information & Communication Technology.” The paper emphasizes the need for investment in technology to enhance airport operations, efficiency, sustainability, and interoperability across the continent.
Additionally, ATNS and South African-based Global Air Navigation Services L.L.C.ATNS have signed a strategic collaboration agreement to improve air traffic management. The collaboration will focus on the following: Talent Attraction and Retention; Training Services; Technology and Innovation; Lesson Learning and Collaboration on Commercial Opportunities.
Routes and Airline Connectivity.
Malta-based Universal Air has launched a new bi-weekly flight route between Malta and Tripoli, Libya, aimed at business travelers. The service, which began on September 21, 2024, will operate every Wednesday and Saturday, with a flight duration of just one hour each way.
Ryanair – Europe’s Favourite Airline has announced a new route between Girona, Spain, and Beni Mellal, Morocco. The service will operate three times a week, further connecting these two destinations.
Air Arabia Maroc is introducing new direct flights between Casablanca and Madrid, Spain, starting October 27, 2024. The flights will run on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays, making Madrid the airline’s third Spanish destination, alongside Barcelona and Malaga.
Ethiopian Airlines will increase its flights between Addis Ababa and Ouagadougou to a daily service starting November 1, 2024. Additionally, the airline will add two more flights to Athens, Greece, bringing the total to six weekly flights by December 2, 2024. Ethiopian Airlines will also increase its Addis Ababa-Guangzhou, China route with three additional flights beginning September 27, 2024.
Air Algérie has suspended all flights between Algiers and Bamako, Mali, as of September 17, 2024. The suspension is due to the closure of Mali’s airspace, following airport attack by Muslims insurgents.
RwandAir Ltd is set to suspend its Kigali-Cape Town flights, effective October 27, 2024. Passengers with tickets after this date are advised to contact the airline or travel agents for rebooking. This decision will also impact the Harare route, as it is currently served as part of the Kigali-Cape Town route. The airline has not provided a reason for the suspension.
Airline Fleets and ACMI’s.
Egypt‘s Sky Vision Airlines has taken delivery of its first A321-200P2F, a 2004-vintage, V2500-powered aircraft (ex-AIR BUSAN ). The aircraft, owned by Juniper Aviation Investments, underwent conversion with EFW between June 2023 and February 2024. This makes Egypt the first country to operate three of EFW’s four current-generation freighter conversions.
South Africa‘s Airlink, the continent’s fastest-growing regional airline, has added four Embraer E175 aircraft to its fleet, leased from Falko Regional Aircraft Limited. These new additions will enhance Airlink’s regional fleet, providing increased flexibility and connectivity across Southern Africa.
TAAG-Linhas Aereas de Angola, the national carrier of Angola, has received its first Airbus A220-300 from its 2022 Farnborough Airshow order. The aircraft, with a range of up to 3,600 nautical miles, offers 137 seats (125 in economy and 12 in business class). The airline also expects a second Boeing 737-800F in 2025, complementing its current B767-300F and A330 freighters.
Gabonese carrier Afrijet Business Service has signed a firm order for an ATR 42-600, with an option for an additional unit. The first aircraft, set to replace Afrijet’s ATR 42-500, will be delivered in 2025, with the second option planned for 2026.
Tunisian private airline Nouvelair Tunisia will take delivery of two Airbus A320neo aircraft from lessor BOC Aviation this year. Both aircraft are powered by CFM LEAP-1A engines.
Kenyan charter airline SCENIC AIR SAFARIS has acquired a Pilatus Aircraft Ltd PC-12 NG, a Swiss-made aircraft known for its technological advancements, to bolster its safari expeditions fleet.
Aviation Infrastructure, Financing & Profitability.
On 17 September 2024, Libyan Prime Minister Abdel Hamid Aldabaiba inaugurated a new passenger terminal at Mitiga International Airport. Spanning 23,000 square meters, the terminal features 30 boarding gates, cafes, shops, a duty-free area, a business lounge, and a baggage sorting hall equipped with an advanced transport system. It also includes airline offices, security and service offices, a modern electronic system, and additional passenger amenities like a prayer room and restrooms. The terminal was developed by the Organisation for the Development of Administrative Centres (ODAC) and serves around 3 million passengers annually. Mitiga Airport has been the main gateway to Libya since Tripoli International Airport was severely damaged by conflict in 2014 and 2019. Reconstruction is ongoing, with two terminals—domestic and international—under construction.
Airbus, the European aerospace giant, is strengthening its footprint in Africa by establishing a customer support center in Johannesburg, South Africa. Currently, about one-third of all commercial aircraft in Africa are Airbus models.
Menzies Aviation, a global service partner for airports and airlines, has opened a state-of-the-art cargo facility at Maputo International Airport (MPM) in Mozambique, enhancing its ability to deliver top-tier service to airlines in the region.
Meanwhile, the Chinese engineering firm Gezhouba Group, a subsidiary of China Energy, has proposed the development of a logistics cargo city at Cairo International Airport. The project aims to position Egypt as a key regional and international logistics hub, addressing the growing demand for air cargo services. This proposal was discussed during a meeting between Egypt’s Minister of Civil Aviation and a delegation from the Chinese company.
Aviation Accidents/Incidents
Week 38 saw several significant aviation incidents and accidents across Africa.
At Bamako’s President Modibo Keita-Senou Airport in Mali, multiple aircraft were severely damaged during a terrorist attack. A Beechcraft 1900D was riddled with bullets, with a motorcycle set on fire beneath its engine, while a Boeing 737-7BC engine and a Casa C-295 were set ablaze by the insurgents.
LAM – MOZAMBIQUE AIRLINES flight TM191, a Boeing 737-700, returned to Nacala International Airport after a loud noise was reported from one of its engines, suspected to be the result of a bird strike.
In Zimbabwe, an Air Force Eurocopter EC 225LP Super Puma helicopter, set to transport the president, crashed during an aborted takeoff at Masvingo Airport, landing on its side. Fortunately, there were no fatalities, though the helicopter was destroyed.
A Bell UH-1H helicopter operating for the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) crashed near Afgoye, Somalia, injuring four occupants, three of them seriously.
In Kenya, a Cessna 152 light aircraft, registered 5Y-PSJ, crash-landed during a training circuit and overturned inside Nairobi National Park. One of the two crew members sustained minor injuries.
Also in Kenya, a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan carrying 10 passengers and a crew member crashed during takeoff in Migori, Western Kenya. Thankfully, no injuries or fatalities were reported.
Appointments
Gabriel Sémelas has been appointed as President of Airbus for Africa and the Middle East, effective January 1, 2025. With over 24 years of experience in the aeronautical industry, Semelas most recently served as Chief Commercial and Financial Officer at Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH in Germany. Prior to that, he led Airbus’ contracts team for its Commercial Aircraft division in Africa and the Middle East.
On September 8, 2024, Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan appointed Salim Ramadhabi Msangi as Director General of the TANZANIA CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY(TCAA) and Abdul Athumani Mombokaleo as Director General of the Tanzania Airports Authority (TAA). Salim had been serving as the Acting Director General of the TCAA, while Abdul, who succeeds Mussa Mbura, was previously the Manager of the National Fibre Optic Cable Network (NICTBB) at Tanzania Telecommunications Company Limited (TTCL).
In other news:
The Aviation Working Group, co-chaired by industry leaders Boeing and Airbus, has raised Nigeria‘s compliance score from 49 to 70.5—its highest score to date. This boost comes after the Nigerian government signed the Practice Direction for the Cape Town Convention, signaling increased confidence from international financiers and lessors in the Nigerian aviation sector.
Julius Nyerere International Airport(JNIA) was the recipient of the prestigious Airport Council International (ACI) Safety Award 2024 in Category One (over 50,000 aircraft movements), with South Africa’s O.R. Tambo Airport coming in second. The award recognizes airports with exemplary safety performance and adherence to international safety standards.
After a 40-year hiatus, hang gliding flights have resumed in Tanzania’s Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world’s largest caldera, renowned for its abundant wildlife.
Namibia‘s ruling party, SWAPO, has pledged to revive the defunct national carrier, Air Namibia, as part of its election manifesto for the November 27 general elections. The party also plans to upgrade Hosea Kutako International Airport, as well as airports in Katima Mulilo and Rundu, while conducting a feasibility study for Keetmanshoop Airport.
Morocco will host the 7th edition of the International Marrakech Air Show from October 30 to November 2, 2024, at the Marrakech military airbase. This international event, dedicated to aeronautics and space, is jointly organized by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the National Defence Administration, and MEDZ, a subsidiary of the Caisse de Dépôt et de Gestion.
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