(Posted 15th October 2024)
Introduction.
Week 41 of 2024 marked Global Customer Service Week, with many organizations in both aviation and other sectors celebrating employees who have gone “Above and Beyond.” This year’s theme inspired reflections on the customer experience journey. At AeroTrail, we want to extend our heartfelt appreciation to all our AeroTrailers—our loyal followers and readers—who fuel our passion to keep delivering consistent and insightful content. A big thank you from the entire AeroTrail team!
African Aviation: Projections and Statistics.
Between January and July 2024, 1,268 flights were operated between Africa and Latin America and the Caribbean, with a total capacity of 378,000 seats. This marks a significant 108% increase in seat capacity and a 97% rise in flights compared to the same period in 2023. Additionally, routes between the two regions grew by 50%, with four direct routes currently available, up from three in 2023. Over the next two decades, air traffic between Africa and Latin America is projected to grow at an average annual rate of 5.5%, and 3.8% for Africa-Central America and Africa-Caribbean routes.
In The Gambia, the 2024-2025 tourism season is expected to welcome 232,000 tourists, according to Gambia Tourism Board Director General Abubacarr S. Camara. This will be supported by a total of 57 flights per week, including 24 chartered and 33 scheduled flights. Key contributors include TUI UK, Corendon Airlines, TUI Holland, TUI Belgium, TAP Air Portugal, Rainbow Tours S.A, Vueling Airlines, and newcomers like Apodo. Additionally, established carriers such as Air Peace, ASKY AIRLINES, Air Sénégal S.A, Royal Air Maroc, Turkish Airlines, and Brussels Airlines will still operate regular flights, further boosting connectivity to The Gambia.
Air Service Agreements (ASA’s) and Airlines Agreements/Partnerships.
Algeria’s National Civil Aviation Agency and Qatar’s Civil Aviation Authority have signed an updated air services agreement in Algiers, aimed at enhancing economic cooperation and tourism between the two countries. The agreement, signed by Mohammed bin Faleh al-Hajri, head of the Qatari Civil Aviation Authority, and Hassan Boulfelfel, director general of the Algerian Civil Aviation Agency, allows Qatar Airways to operate an unlimited number of passenger and cargo flights between Doha and Algiers, opening new avenues for travel and trade.
In a significant move for regional connectivity, Malawi and the Democratic Republic of Congo have signed a Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA). This agreement enables their national airlines, Malawian Airlines Limited and Congo Airways, to operate direct flights and provide air services under agreed protocols. The deal was formalized by Malawi’s Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Engineer David Mzandu, and Kayembe Katubalondji Francois, Director of Aviation Transport for the Congo Civil Aviation Authority.
Meanwhile, Angola and Rwanda’s national civil aviation authorities have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Luanda to implement their Air Services Agreement (ASA), further strengthening aviation ties between the two nations.
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the Government of Angola have reached a landmark agreement to collaborate on developing a national strategy for the Next Generation of Aviation Professionals (NGAP). This initiative aims to cultivate a sustainable and robust aviation workforce to support Angola’s growing air transport sector.
In Egypt, Minister of Civil Aviation Sameh El Hefny met with Uk Sarun, the Cambodian Ambassador, to discuss a proposed civil aviation agreement focused on boosting trade, economic collaboration, and tourism between the two countries. He also held talks with Bahrain’s Ambassador to Egypt, Fawzia bint Abdulla Zainal, to explore enhanced cooperation in air transport.
On the safety front, the African Airlines Association (AFRAA) and the AviAssist Foundation signed a Memorandum of Understanding at the World Aviation Festival in Amsterdam on October 9, 2024. The MoU, signed by AFRAA Secretary General Abderahmane Berthe and ATR Flight Safety Officer Christopher McGregor, aims to enhance aviation safety across Africa.
Finally, Azerbaijan’s national carrier, AZAL, is expanding international travel options for its passengers through a partnership with Ethiopian Airlines. This collaboration provides passengers with access to new routes and convenient transfers, as well as the ability to book a single ticket for flights on both airlines, ensuring seamless baggage check-in services from start to finish.
Routes and Airline Connectivity.
Air Arabia Maroc has announced the launch of a new direct route from Tetouan Saniat R’mel Airport to Rotterdam The Hague Airport in the Netherlands, starting October 28, with flights scheduled every Monday.
United Airlines revealed plans for three new non-stop flights from Washington Dulles International Airport to Dakar, Senegal, starting May 23, 2025. This addition will bring United’s destinations in Africa to six cities, having first begun flights to the continent in 2019.
Air India Limited, owned by Tata Group, will commence a new route between Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM) and Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) starting November 25, 2024. The service, using Airbus A321neo aircraft in a three-class configuration, will operate three times a week, complementing its existing Delhi-Nairobi route.
flyadeal is set to expand its network in Egypt starting November 11, 2024, with new routes connecting Jeddah to Sohag and Madinah to Cairo. Tickets for these routes are now available on the airline’s website and app.
Royal Air Maroc will launch a direct route from Casablanca to Toronto on December 8, 2024, marking its second Canadian destination after Montreal. The service, operating three times a week with a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, will strengthen the airline’s Americas network, which includes routes to New York, Washington, Miami, and São Paulo.
Neos Airline, an Italian private carrier, will begin direct flights from Italy to Lagos, Nigeria, starting October 30, 2024. Initially operating once a week with a Boeing 787-800, the frequency will increase to three weekly flights after the first month.
Zambia Airways 2014 will launch non-stop flights from Lusaka’s Kenneth Kaunda International Airport to Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport starting October 27, 2024. The airline will operate four weekly flights on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays.
Arik Air is set to resume domestic flight operations from Lagos to Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria, starting October 17, 2024. Additionally, the airline reintroduced connections from Abuja to Benin on October 4 and from Abuja to Port Harcourt on October 10, 2024. The Lagos-Asaba route will operate four times a week, while Abuja-Port Harcourt flights will run daily.
Kenya Airways (KQ) has announced flight adjustments for five major routes starting in late 2024. Between December 5, 2024, and January 4, 2025, KQ will add two additional flights from Nairobi to New York on Thursdays and Saturdays. There will also be additional flights from Nairobi to Comoros and Mauritius, as well as increased frequencies on routes from Zanzibar to Nairobi and Nairobi to Kigali. However, KQ will suspend passenger flights to Mogadishu, Somalia, effective October 14, 2024, due to operational challenges.
Ethiopian Airlines is adding three more flights to/from Amman, operational on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays starting November 4, 2024.
Air Sénégal S.A will launch scheduled service from Dakar to Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, beginning October 28, 2024.
Airline Fleets and ACMI’s.
Proflight Zambia has expanded its fleet with the addition of a fifth Bombardier CRJ-200 jet from Avmax Group, further cementing its status as Zambia’s leading airline. The new aircraft, arriving from Canada, brings Proflight’s total fleet to 12, following the acquisition of a British Aerospace Jetstream 4100 in July. The CRJ-200 is currently undergoing clearance and registration on the Zambian aviation register.
Meanwhile, Air Botswana is finalizing its acquisition of a second Embraer ERJ145, with the aircraft set to land at Windhoek Eros International Airport on October 11, 2024. This addition completes the airline’s purchase of two E145s, with the first arriving on September 19, 2024. Both jets will be operated by FlyNamibia on behalf of Air Botswana, enhancing the airline’s regional capabilities.
Aviation Infrastructure, Financing & Profitability.
Kenya Airways (KQ) CEO revealed to the Kenyan Senate Committee on Roads, Transportation, and Public Works that the airline is owed Sh3.54 billion (approximately USD 24.4 million) by various government agencies. The @Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) alone owes Sh2.7 billion (USD 18.7 million) in VAT refunds as of August 2024. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has outstanding air ticket bills of Sh294 million (USD 2 million), while the National Assembly owes Sh242 million (USD 1.6 million). Additional debts include Sh191 million (USD 1.3 million) from the Parliamentary Service Commission, Sh30 million (USD 207,000) from the Parliamentary Joint Services, and Sh32 million (USD 221,000) from the Directorate of Immigration Services. The CEO urged for government assistance in recovering these funds and repatriating Sh1.4 billion (USD 9.7 million) stuck in countries such as Nigeria, Malawi, Ethiopia, and Burundi.
In The Gambia, H.R.H Prince Ebrahim Sanyang is spearheading the development of Mansa Sansang, a new city spanning 44.2 square kilometers in the Lower River Region. The ambitious project will feature a modern airport, seaport, logistics and industrial zones, financial and commercial districts, and modern residential areas, alongside educational, health, and entertainment facilities.
Nigeria’s aviation sector is set for a significant boost with the upcoming launch of the country’s largest airside aviation fuel depot, the Joint User Hydrant Installation 2 (JUHI-2). This 15-million-litre capacity facility, located near Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, will start operations on October 17, 2024, ensuring a steady fuel supply for the airport and surrounding airbases.
Swissport International AG has introduced a new Pet Lounge at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport, providing unaccompanied pets with a comfortable environment complete with water, air-conditioning, and soothing music, focusing on a stress-free travel experience for animals.
Aviation Accidents/Incidents
On Sunday, October 6, a fire broke out at Skukuza Airport in Kruger National Park, Mpumalanga, South Africa. Firefighters quickly arrived on the scene and managed to contain the blaze, but the extent of the damage remains unclear. Photos circulating on social media suggest significant damage to the airport, although the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
In Gauteng, a Piper PA-28-180 Cherokee D crashed into a field near Lesedi under unknown circumstances. Both occupants were injured, with one sustaining serious injuries, and the aircraft was completely destroyed.
Meanwhile, a Togolese Air Force helicopter crashed while attempting to take off from Nioukpourma base near Dapaong. Several people onboard were injured, but details on the cause of the accident are yet to be confirmed.
In other news:
On September 27, South Africa became the fifth African nation to sign a “sister airport” agreement with Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, marking a significant milestone in international aviation collaboration. The deal was signed by ACSA CEO Mpumi ZamaZwide Mpofu and Lennon, the interim General Manager of Hartsfield-Jackson. This partnership follows a similar agreement with Namibia just a month prior, and discussions are underway for a potential deal with Kenya after a recent presidential visit to Georgia in May.
In a major leap toward developing its space industry, Namibia’s Ministry of Higher Education, Technology and Innovation (MHETI) has commissioned AAC Space Africa and Astrofica Technologies to establish a nanosatellite ground station and satellite mission design facility at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST). This facility will serve as a research and training hub for students and graduates, enabling satellite tracking and operations. The project is expected to be completed by early 2025, marking a critical step in fostering a sustainable space industry in Namibia.
In a move to strengthen ties between Africa and the Americas, TAAG-Linhas Aereas de Angola has officially joined the Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association (ALTA). This new alliance aims to enhance connectivity and promote economic, cultural, and family exchanges between the two continents.
Finally, the Fuels Industry Association of South Africa has issued a warning about a potential jet fuel supply shortage that could disrupt operations at key airports, including OR Tambo and King Shaka. In an October 10 press release, the association highlighted severe threats to the supply of aviation kerosene, citing regulatory delays in the licensing of import storage facilities by SARS and the closure of the Engen and Sapref refineries in KwaZulu-Natal earlier this year.
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