(Posted 08th October 2024)
Courtesy of Mr. Alex Koech and Aero Trails Ltd.
Introduction.
The inaugural International Air Transport Association (IATA) World Safety and Operations Conference (WSOC) took place from October 1-3, 2024, at Mövenpick Hotel & Palais des Congrès in Marrakech, Morocco hosted by Royal Air Maroc. The event brought together over 800 industry leaders from 58+ countries for 45 hours of expert sessions across four key tracks: Safety, Cabin, Flight Operations, and Crisis Management. The conference tackled critical aspects of aviation safety, including operations, maintenance, and emergency response.
One of the highlights was IATA’s unveiling of its new platform, IATA Connect—an interactive, secure tool designed to enhance collaboration among safety, security, and compliance professionals within airlines, regulatory bodies, and auditors.
On a related note, South Sudan made a significant legislative advancement last Monday as its Parliament passed the South Sudan Aviation Authority Act 2012 (Amendment) Bill 2024. This bill aims to modernize and consolidate the country’s aviation laws, granting financial and administrative autonomy to the Civil Aviation Authority. It also establishes a robust framework to ensure the safety and security of South Sudan’s airspace, aerodromes, and airstrips, aligning with international standards.
African Aviation: Projections and Statistics.
According to IATA’s latest data, global passenger demand in August 2024 (measured in Revenue Passenger Kilometers or RPK) surged by 8.6% compared to August 2023. Capacity (Available Seat Kilometers or ASK) also rose 6.5%, with load factors hitting a new record high of 86.2% (+1.6 ppt). Africa, holding a global market share of 2.1%, outpaced the global average with a 10.1% year-on-year rise in passenger demand, while capacity increased by 7.3%. The continent’s load factor climbed to 77.8% (+2.0 ppt), reflecting the continued recovery of African aviation.
Global Air Cargo Demand continued its impressive growth, rising 11.4% year-on-year in August 2024, marking the 9th consecutive month of double-digit increases. Cargo capacity reached an all-time high, with yields up 11.7% compared to last year, and 46% above pre-pandemic levels. African airlines saw a 7.5% growth in air cargo demand, with the Africa-Asia market leading the way, growing by 21.1% year-on-year.
Zimbabwe’s Aviation Sector has also shown remarkable recovery, with a 24.8% surge in passenger traffic in the first half of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. Passenger movements jumped from 820,667 to over 1 million (1,024,121), signaling a strong rebound. Cargo traffic rose 7% year-on-year, and the arrival of two new airlines, FlyNamibia and CemAir (Pty)Ltd, further supports growth. The country is on track to surpass two million tourists this year.
In Morocco, Marrakesh Menara Airport (RAK) saw a 30.6% increase in passengers in the first eight months of 2024, with August alone welcoming 740,479 passengers, up from 554,129 in August 2023. The airport’s continued growth highlights its importance as a key hub in the region.
Over in the Indian Ocean, Seychelles International Airport has welcomed over 300,000 passengers by week 38 of 2024, signaling a strong rebound in travel demand. The Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) is confident that the airport will meet, if not exceed, its projected 420,000 arrivals for the year, reflecting the archipelago’s growing appeal as a global destination.
Air Service Agreements (ASA’s) and Airlines Agreements/Partnerships.
The National Civil Aviation Authority of Angola (ANAC) and the TANZANIA CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY(TCAA) signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on September 27th in Luanda. This agreement sets the stage for implementing a Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) between the two nations, enhancing connectivity and cooperation in the region’s air services.
In a significant step toward rekindling air links, Nigeria’s federal government and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have renegotiated their Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA). The deal, signed on September 28th in Dubai, clears the way for Emirates to resume direct flights to Nigeria, while Air Peace Limited can also restart operations to the UAE, boosting travel and trade between the two countries.
Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and his cabinet have endorsed bilateral aviation agreements with Chad and Malta, granting Ethiopian Airlines the third, fourth, and fifth freedoms of the air. This move aims to strengthen connectivity, allowing the airline to operate both passenger and cargo flights to these destinations, further expanding its global reach.
In an exciting development, Airports Council International – ACI Africa has partnered with ADB SAFEGATE to drive the Africa Airport Development Program (AADP). This collaboration focuses on three key areas: training and development, expert support, and providing crucial industry insights. This is a major step towards fostering professional excellence and sustainable growth in Africa’s airport industry.
Qantas has announced a new codeshare partnership with Airlink, expanding its reach into South Africa and beyond. The deal allows Qantas to place its “QF” code on Airlink’s domestic flights, offering seamless connectivity between Johannesburg and nine South African destinations, with plans to extend to other southern African countries soon.
Liebherr Aerospace and Transportation and EGYPTAIR MAINTENANCE AND ENGINEERING have inked a three-year agreement for the maintenance of heat transfer equipment on EGYPTAIR’s Airbus A320ceo/neo fleet. This contract also extends to other airlines supported by EGYPTAIR MAINTENANCE & ENGINEERING, enhancing the reliability and performance of these aircraft.
In the digital realm, Amazon Payment Services has entered into a strategic partnership with EGYPTAIR, enhancing the airline’s online payment experience. Supported by Banque Misr, this collaboration will streamline payment processing, making it easier for travelers worldwide to book flights and access EGYPTAIR services.
Ethiopian Airlines Group has teamed up with Ethiopian Tourist Trading Enterprise(ETTE) to build Ethiopia’s first duty-free mall. This state-of-the-art shopping and leisure center will showcase luxury brands, promote local culture, and contribute to Ethiopia’s growing aviation and tourism sectors.
TRAX AVIATION LIMITED has been appointed as Uganda Airlines’ cargo sales agent at Entebbe. Starting October 1st, 2024, TRAX will handle cargo sales and bookings, boosting Uganda Airlines’ cargo operations and expanding its footprint in the global air cargo market.
Routes and Airline Connectivity.
On October 3, Jet2.com and Jet2holidays celebrated the launch of their inaugural flights to Morocco. The first departures to the vibrant coastal city of Agadir took off from Birmingham, Leeds Bradford, London Stansted, and Manchester airports, opening new doors for UK holidaymakers seeking a Moroccan escape. Additional services from Bristol are set to commence on October 6, with Glasgow following on November 3. This expansion underscores Jet2’s commitment to offering more sunny getaways for travelers across the UK.
After a nearly two-year hiatus, Emirates resumed its highly anticipated flights to Lagos, Nigeria, on October 2, 2024. The airline suspended operations in September 2022 due to the inability to repatriate over $85 million in ticket revenue. Now back on track, the Dubai-Lagos route will be served daily by a Boeing 777-300ER, offering a premium experience with 8 First Class suites, 42 Business Class seats, and 304 Economy Class seats.
In a major milestone, Qantas has brought its A380 superjumbo to Africa for the very first time, with flights to Johannesburg commencing on September 30. This six-times-weekly service adds over 130,000 seats annually between Australia and South Africa, replacing the B787-9 previously used on the route. Qantas now joins Emirates and British Airways in flying the A380 to Johannesburg.
Air France has announced the resumption of its Paris-Cape Town route for the winter season, starting October 8, 2024, and running through March 2025. With 27 weekly flights to South Africa, the route has been reinstated in response to the strong demand for travel between the two cities. Meanwhile, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will increase capacity to Cape Town, adding two additional weekly flights starting December 17, 2024, as part of its winter schedule.
Beginning October 1, Air Botswana introduced new scheduled services to Durban (King Shaka International Airport) and Windhoek, Namibia from Gaborone. These routes will operate three times a week on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, enhancing connectivity between Botswana and key regional destinations.
Delta Air Lines has upgraded its daily nonstop service between New York JFK and Accra with the Airbus A330-900 Neo, effective October 2, 2024. This modern aircraft, equipped with 281 seats, will add approximately 1,000 additional weekly seats on the popular US-Ghana route, offering passengers a more comfortable travel experience.
South African Airways (SAA) has announced the addition of a third daily flight between Johannesburg and Windhoek, Namibia, starting October 27, 2024. Meanwhile, Airlink has revealed plans to launch flights between Johannesburg and Kinshasa on March 28, 2025, with the service operating three times a week using an Embraer E190 aircraft with 98 seats.
AIR AUSTRAL is set to increase its flight frequency to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport, introducing a third weekly flight starting December 10, 2024. This additional service will run through to January 28, 2025, offering more options for travelers during the holiday season.
Airline Fleets and ACMI’s.
ASKY AIRLINES, based in Togo, continues to modernize its fleet with the arrival of its fourth Boeing 737 Max (ET-BAT) on October 1, 2024. This addition marks a significant step in the airline’s long-term growth strategy. In a bittersweet moment, ASKY also retired its very first aircraft, an 18-year-old Boeing 737 NG (ET-ANG), which has proudly served in ASKY colors for nearly 15 years. The fleet upgrade is part of the airline’s ongoing efforts to enhance efficiency and service quality across its network.
In Burkina Faso, Air Burkina has taken delivery of a new Embraer E190 on September 28, 2023. The aircraft, configured with 6 business class seats and 92 economy seats, is set to revitalize regional flight operations. Its inaugural flight will cover the Ouagadougou-Bamako-Dakar route, bolstering connectivity across the West African sub-region.
South Africa‘s Federal Airlines Pty Ltd, known for its premium air taxi services between Johannesburg and the country’s luxury game reserves, has expanded its fleet with the induction of a second Pilatus Aircraft Ltd PC-12 NG. This new aircraft will further elevate Federal Airlines’ bespoke private charter services, offering passengers an enhanced flying experience to South Africa’s most exclusive destinations.
AURIC AIR SERVICES LIMITED, a leading safari and charter airline in Tanzania, has strengthened its fleet with the addition of a Pilatus PC-12 NG. With capacity for 8 passengers, the new aircraft will enhance Auric Air’s safari and private charter operations, offering more flexibility and comfort for passengers exploring Tanzania’s stunning landscapes.
In Djibouti, Ivory Jet Services, a specialist in private jet charters and medevac services, is expanding its reach with the opening of a secondary base in Côte d’Ivoire. The company is also looking to add Bombardier Global 5000 jets to its fleet, a move that will enable it to serve larger and longer-range markets across Africa, catering to a growing demand for premium private air travel.
Air Zimbabwe Private Limited has successfully completed a major overhaul of kush air’s Boeing 737 (tail sign 5N-BMS), registered in Nigeria. The airline’s engineering and maintenance team carried out a meticulous 2C-Check, along with a Corrosion Prevention and Control Program (CPCP). They also executed critical mechanical and avionics component changes to ensure airworthiness, positioning Air Zimbabwe as a reliable provider of comprehensive maintenance services in the region.
Aviation Infrastructure, Financing & Profitability.
The region of Béni Abbès is set to build a new international airport, spanning 3,430 hectares in the Zeghamra zone, 30 km from the regional capital, as announced by Abdelmadjid Salmi, Director of Transport. This project will enhance access to the remote region and boost tourism by making Béni Abbès more accessible.
On October 3, 2024, Botswana’s President H.E. Mokgweetsi Masisi launched the Special Economic Zones Authority (SEZA), introducing the country’s first airport city zone. This strategic initiative aims to attract investors, boost tourism, and position Botswana as a hub for global businesses, driving economic growth.
Air Seychelles has reported a USD 7 million profit for FY2023, exceeding budget expectations and surpassing its five-year plan. This marks the airline’s second consecutive year of profitability, driven by its 2022 turnaround strategy. The airline also reduced its Nouvobanq loan by USD 4.9 million and fully repaid its USD 4.5 million lease deferral debt, solidifying its financial stability.
VISA/PASSPORTS
Uganda’s Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control has reinstated the Visa on Arrival option for all visitors following technical challenges during an upgrade to the country’s e-Visa platform. The issue caused the e-Visa service to be temporarily unavailable, preventing visitors from applying and paying for visas online. The restoration of the Visa on Arrival aims to resolve the disruptions and ensure smooth entry for travelers to Uganda.
People & Appointments
Emirates has announced a strategic rotation of its outstation managers to strengthen its commercial presence in key African markets. Abdulla Adnan, previously Manager for Tanzania, has been reassigned to Morocco, while Omar Alhemeiri will take over the Tanzania post from Algeria. Cathrine Wesley, formerly overseeing Ghana and Ivory Coast, will now lead operations in Algeria, with Saood Al-Aqili stepping in as the new Country Manager for Ghana.
Meanwhile, the Air Congo project, set to launch before the end of 2024 in partnership with Ethiopian Airlines, has appointed Mesfin Biru, Ethiopian Airlines’ Regional Director for France and the Maghreb, as its Director General. Ethiopian Airlines has committed seven aircraft to the budding airline, positioning it as the future flag carrier of the D.R. Congo.
In other news:
The Zambia Civil Aviation Authority (ZCAA) briefly suspended Kenya Airways flights to Lusaka amid a bilateral dispute. This action was a response to Kenya’s refusal to approve Zambia Airways 2014 flights into Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport using a wet-leased B737-700 aircraft. Kenya Airways operates two daily flights from Nairobi to Lusaka, including a direct morning flight and an afternoon service with a stopover in Harare, Zimbabwe. In a positive development, Kenyan authorities have agreed to allow Zambia Airways 2014 Limited to operate flights into Kenya.
In Tanzania, the first three Skyleader 600 aircraft manufactured by AAL have commenced operations after receiving certification from aviation authorities. These aircraft arrived at Julius Nyerere International Airport, marking a significant milestone for the Morogoro-based company.
In a bid to reduce operational costs and reliance on fossil fuels, Kenya Airways has launched three innovative projects. The airline has opened a bottling plant capable of producing approximately 4,500 liters per day, minimizing dependence on external suppliers. Additionally, it introduced a Pyro-Diesel Plant with a production capacity of 700 to 1,000 liters of diesel, which will cut fuel expenses and lower its environmental footprint. Lastly, Msafiri House, located near the airline’s headquarters, has been transformed into a centralized Operations Control Centre (OCC) for managing flight crews, inflight operations, and fleet management.
Air Arabia Maroc has launched an enticing promotion, offering 500,000 seats starting at just 14 euros each way on direct flights from Spain to various destinations in Morocco. This early bird offer is available for bookings until October 20, 2024, for travel between March 1, 2025, and October 25, 2025, providing a fantastic opportunity for travelers planning their next adventure.
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