(Posted 01st October 2024)
Introduction.
On Thursday, September 26, 2024, Zimbabwe’s Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Felix Mhona, confirmed that the country had ratified and acceded to four key international civil aviation conventions. President Mnangagwa officially signed the 1999 Montreal Convention, the 2010 Beijing Convention on the Suppression of Unlawful Acts relating to International Civil Aviation, and the 2016 Montreal Protocols amending Articles 50(a) and 56 of the 1944 Chicago Convention. This was formalized at the ICAO headquarters in Montreal, Canada, on August 29, 2024.
Meanwhile, Uganda Civil Aviation Authority has issued a NOTAM (A0146/24) announcing partial runway closures at Entebbe International Airport due to scheduled maintenance. From September 30 to October 31, 2024, runway 17/35 will be unavailable daily between 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM. More details can be found in AIP Uganda AD 2-HUEN-1-6 (22 Feb 2024).
African Aviation: Projections and Statistics.
According to CAPA – Centre for Aviation, the Europe-to-South Africa airline market has seen a 2.8% decrease in seat capacity in 2024 compared to 2023, reaching only 77% of its 2019 levels. The market experienced growth in the three years leading up to COVID-19, but the pandemic’s impact, including the withdrawal of South African Airways (SAA) and three smaller operators, led to a significant reduction in capacity. The number of operators has dropped from 13 to 10 over the past five years, SAAs’ exit being the most notable. Heathrow-Cape Town remains the largest route by seats. Eight of the 14 Europe-South Africa routes are year-round monopolies, with three more operating as winter monopolies. British Airways leads the market with a 26.4% seat share in 2024, followed by KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Lufthansa, each holding around 16%. Turkish Airlines ranks fourth with 13.8%, while Air France, Virgin Atlantic, Swiss International Air Lines, and Condor Flugdienst GmbH hold smaller shares.
In North Africa, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Egypt have a combined fleet of 61 business jets, with Morocco dominating at 27 aircraft. Egypt follows with 16, while Libya has 10. Tunisia and Algeria have smaller fleets of three and five aircraft, respectively. The region’s fleet is relatively young, averaging 15 years, except for Tunisia, where the average fleet age is 30 years. Midsize and super-midsize jets make up 40% of the fleet, with Textron/Cessna Aircraft Company leading the market, accounting for 45% of the total, particularly with popular models like the Citation XLS/XLS+, Sovereign, and Mustang.
Kenyan airlines saw a surge in jet fuel purchases in 2023, signaling a rise in air travel. Data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) shows airlines purchased 661,100 tonnes of jet fuel in 2023, an 11% increase compared to the previous year. This marks the highest fuel consumption since the COVID-19 pandemic, reflecting the aviation sector’s strong recovery.
Air Service Agreements (ASA’s) and Airlines Agreements/Partnerships.
The Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the African Civil Aviation Commission AFCAC in Dakar, Senegal, last Wednesday. The agreement, signed by Mohamed bin Faleh Al-Hajri and AFCAC Secretary General Adefunke Adeyemi, with Qatar’s Ambassador to Senegal Youssef bin Shaaban Al Sada in attendance, focuses on enhancing operational and technical cooperation in civil aviation. The collaboration will cover key areas like air safety, aviation security, air transport, environmental protection, and training.
RwandAir Ltd has appointed AirlinePros International as its General Sales Agent (GSA) in South Korea, strengthening its presence in this rapidly growing market. Similarly, Uganda Airlines has partnered with AirlinePros as its GSA in Zimbabwe, where Aviation Ground Services (AGS) will provide airport ground handling services for Uganda Airlines’ new flights to Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport. These moves aim to boost both airlines’ market presence in their respective regions.
TAAG-ANGOLA AIRLINES LIMITED, seeking to expand its cargo operations, has signed an MoU with Habana Forwarding for cargo import and export on the Luanda-Lisbon and Luanda-Havana routes. The deal, signed by TAAG’s Chief Commercial Officer Miguel Carneiro and Habana Forwarding Chairman Cenén Portuindo Hernández, aims to strengthen Luanda’s position as an international trade hub.
Ethiopian Airlines is embarking on a digital transformation through a partnership with McKinsey & Company. This collaboration will focus on integrating AI and other technological innovations to enhance traveler personalization and streamline travel experiences from start to finish.
Norse Atlantic Airways has selected Swissport South Africa to handle its cargo operations, beginning on October 28. The agreement will support Norse Atlantic’s three weekly flights between London Gatwick and Cape Town International Airport.
The AFRICAN AVIATION & AEROSPACE UNIVERSITY (AAAU) in Abuja has also marked a significant milestone by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ENAC – Ecole Nationale de l’Aviation Civile (ENAC) in Toulouse, France, on September 23, 2024. The partnership includes an Advanced Masters Programme for industry professionals, an exchange programme for undergraduate students, and advanced training programmes for AAAU lecturers, fostering knowledge transfer and academic enrichment.
Routes and Airline Connectivity.
On September 20, 2024, Tourism Seychelles announced the return of German leisure carrier Condor, which resumed flights from Frankfurt (FRA) to Seychelles International Airport (SEZ) on Mahé Island, operating an Airbus A330-900neo. Swiss leisure airline Edelweiss Air AG followed suit with its inaugural flight to the islands on September 21, 2024, using an Airbus A340-300. Both airlines are scheduled to operate weekly flights. Additionally, Aeroflot – Russian Airlines is set to return on October 2, 2024, with two weekly flights from Moscow, and Turkish Airlines will reintroduce four weekly flights from Istanbul starting October 28, 2024. In the last quarter of 2024, Chinese carrier Sichuan Airlines is expected to launch the first direct non-stop charter flight between Chengdu, China, and Seychelles.
On September 25, 2024, Uganda Airlines expanded its network with direct flights to Lusaka, Zambia, and Harare, Zimbabwe—marking the airline’s 15th and 16th routes, respectively. This is the first time in 23 years these cities have been directly connected to Uganda. The airline is operating four weekly flights on these routes with CRJ900-LR aircraft, following the recent addition of Abuja, Nigeria, to its growing route map.
India’s IndiGo (InterGlobe Aviation Ltd) will begin direct flights from Bengaluru to Port Louis, Mauritius, on November 19, 2024. This marks the first post-pandemic commercial route between the two cities. Operated four times a week, the new service is expected to boost tourism, trade, and business ties between India and East Africa.
Emirates has announced a fourth daily flight between Dubai and Johannesburg, starting March 1, 2025. The new service will be operated by a three-class Boeing 777-300ER, providing an additional 708 seats daily. This follows Emirates’ recent addition of a second daily Airbus A380 service on the same route, which began on September 1, 2024.
South African Airways (SAA) will increase its Johannesburg-Perth route to four weekly flights starting December 8, 2024, and to five weekly flights from January 7, 2025. Airlink has also added an extra flight on its Johannesburg-Maputo route, effective October 1, 2024.
Low-cost carrier Transavia, part of the Air France-KLM Group, is expanding its network for the summer 2025 season with new routes from Bordeaux. Beginning March 30, 2025, the airline will offer flights to three African destinations: Marrakech (four times weekly), Agadir (four times weekly), and Dakar (once weekly). Fares will start from €37 for Morocco and €119 for Dakar.
Fly Skyward Express is launching its first international route, connecting Nairobi to Dar es Salaam with thrice-weekly flights starting November 15, 2024, using a Fokker 100 aircraft. The new service will compete with Kenya Airways, Air Tanzania, and Precision Air Tanzania on this popular regional route.
Italian low-cost carrier Neos SpAwill begin regular flights to Nigeria on October 30, 2024, with thrice-weekly services to Lagos.
AIR TANZANIA COMPANY LIMITED is set to launch direct flights between Dubai and the spice island of Zanzibar on October 27, 2024, marking its second UAE route following the Dar es Salaam-Dubai link that commenced in March 2024.
Airline Fleets and ACMI’s.
Kenyan carrier Renegade Air has unveiled the country’s first-ever ATR 72-500 aircraft, leased from Abelo and specially converted into a cargo configuration. This addition is a key milestone for Renegade Air as it strengthens its domestic and regional operations, enhancing its ability to meet growing demand in the cargo sector.
Meanwhile, Burkina Faso’s national carrier, Air Burkina, has received an 11-year-old Embraer 190LR (MSN 19000625) from China, previously operated by Hebei Airlines Co. Ltd. The aircraft’s configured with 6 business seats and 92 in economy is expected to revitalize the airline, which has been grounded since April due to financial constraints. The airline’s existing fleet includes a Boeing 737-500, currently parked, and an Embraer 175 in storage.
Tanzania’s AURIC AIR SERVICES LIMITED has expanded its fleet with the addition of a Pilatus Aircraft Ltd PC-12NG aircraft. The aircraft’s flat-floor cabin comfortably seats up to 8 passengers, making it ideal for groups or families. With this addition, Auric Air is enhancing its charter services, offering unparalleled comfort and convenience for travelers seeking their next adventure.
Aviation Infrastructure, Financing & Profitability.
Songea Airport in Tanzania’s Ruvuma Region is set to begin 24-hour operations following the completion of a TSH 40.87 billion (approx. USD 15 million) rehabilitation and expansion project. This upgrade extended the runway from 1,625 meters to 1,860 meters in length and widened it from 23 to 30 meters. The apron area was also expanded to accommodate up to four Q400-sized aircraft and three light planes, while the passenger terminal building is nearing completion. The expansion was necessary to handle the growing passenger traffic, which increased from 3,600 passengers in 2021 to around 19,620 currently.
In another development, the Government of Mauritius, in collaboration with the The World Bank and the European Union, has signed a financing agreement worth USD 200 million (USD 184 million from the World Bank and 15.6 million Euros from the EU) for the Rodrigues Airport Project. This project aims to improve air transport access and enhance climate resilience and productivity on Rodrigues Island.
Aviation Accidents/Incidents
AIR ALGÉRIE flight AH3018, an Airbus A330-202 leased from HiFly Malta, registered as 9H-HFH (MSN 950), experienced a cabin pressure loss during its scheduled flight to Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport. As a safety precaution, the flight returned to its departure point, Algiers’ Houari Boumediene Airport.
In an unrelated incident, a private jet with no proper registration number landed at Freetown Airport in Sierra Leone without authorization. The aircraft, which departed from Liberia en route to Mexico, carried a pilot and three passengers of Spanish and Mexican nationality. The plane did not take off from a recognized airfield in Liberia and lacked a landing permit for Freetown.
VISA/PASSPORTS
Rwanda and the Bahamas have officially agreed to abolish visa requirements for all passport holders, facilitating easier travel for citizens of both nations. This landmark diplomatic move was formalized on September 23, 2024, during the 79th United Nationss General Assembly in New York. The agreement follows President Paul Kagame’s visit to the Bahamas in July 2023, where he attended the country’s 50th independence celebrations and met with Prime Minister Philip Davis to discuss strengthening bilateral ties.
In other developments, the Italian Embassy in Nairobi, through a communiqué on September 24, 2024, announced the immediate suspension of Schengen visa processing for applications submitted via the Italian Embassy in Mogadishu. Applicants must now submit directly to the Nairobi embassy. There are reports suggesting that this suspension is linked to a broader European Union effort to combat human trafficking, following investigations that implicated Somali officials and criminal networks in smuggling operations.
Meanwhile, Algeria has reinstated visa requirements for Moroccan nationals, citing concerns over criminal activities facilitated through visa-free entry. The two nations had previously lifted visa restrictions nearly 20 years ago, but recent tensions have led to this reversal.
People & Appointments
Olubunmi (Bunmi) K., Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), has been appointed as a Regional Advisor for Africa on the ACI World – Airports Council International World Governing Board. Her nomination was confirmed on September 20, 2024, during the ACI Africa General Assembly in South Africa. In this role, Kuku will play a key part in shaping global airport policies and advancing the aviation industry across Africa.
Meanwhile, Gabon’s Prosper Zo’o Minto’o former ICAO Regional Director for West and Central Africa, has been elected Director General of the Agency for the Safety of Air Navigation in Africa and Madagascar (ASECNA). His election was confirmed on September 27, 2024, following the 74th extraordinary meeting of ASECNA’s Ministers’ Committee in Dakar, Senegal.
In another significant milestone, Capt. Esther Mbabazi of RwandAir, who made history as Rwanda’s first female pilot a decade ago, has been inducted into the Captain’s Club of THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF WOMEN AIRLINE PILOTS. This organization is dedicated to inspiring, supporting, and advocating for women in aviation worldwide.
In other news:
The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is set to revive Air Congo in partnership with Ethiopian Airlines, with an inaugural flight planned for December 1, 2024. During a recent Council of Ministers meeting, Deputy Prime Minister of Transport, Jean-Pierre Bemba, confirmed the joint venture, where the DRC will hold a 51% stake, and Ethiopian Airlines will own 49%. As part of the partnership, Ethiopian Airlines will provide at least seven aircraft to support Air Congo’s operations.
In other news, the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) has granted ExecuJet MRO Services Middle East approval to conduct heavy maintenance checks on South African-registered Embraer EMB-135/145 series aircraft, including the Legacy 600/650 series. This authorization, which covers checks up to the LU192-month interval, marks a major milestone for the company’s state-of-the-art 15,344-square-meter maintenance facility at Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai.
Last week, Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport faced significant flight disruptions and delays due to a reported fuel shortage, impacting several airlines, including Kenya Airways and Jambojet. The government quickly clarified that the issue stemmed from extended maintenance of the airport’s fuel hydrants, caused by a hitch in the pumping system, which took longer to resolve than anticipated.
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