Uganda Airlines Launches Direct London Flights

Uganda Airlines is gearing up to launch direct flights to London, significantly boosting connectivity between Uganda and the UK. This exciting development promises to enhance economic, cultural, and social ties between the two nations.

The announcement follows a series of strategic meetings held in London by a delegation led by Uganda Airlines CEO, Ms. Jenifer Bamuturaki. From June 11th to 15th, 2024, the team met with UK aviation authorities, business communities, and the Ugandan diaspora in preparation for the highly anticipated launch.

Securing coveted landing and departure slots at London Heathrow Airport marks a major milestone for Uganda Airlines. This achievement follows the acquisition of two Airbus A330-800 Neo aircraft in 2020 and 2021, specifically to service this route. While the wait for the inaugural flight continues, it’s attributed to finalizing certification processes with the UKCAA and EASA.

The demand for a direct Entebbe-London route is undeniable. In 2019 alone, over 84,000 passengers flew between these two cities, making Entebbe the second-largest unserved African market for London flights. This high volume underscores the potential success of the new route.

This expansion into the European market aligns with Uganda Airlines’ broader strategy for international growth. Just last year, the airline launched direct flights to Mumbai, India, and several destinations in West Africa. The London route will be their 13th destination and a significant step towards positioning Uganda Airlines as a major player in African aviation.

The benefits of this new route extend far beyond convenience for Ugandan travelers. It’s expected to attract tourists and business travelers, injecting a much-needed boost to Uganda’s tourism and economic sectors.

As Uganda Airlines prepares for this historic launch, anticipation is high. Direct flights between Entebbe and London promise a new era of connectivity, opening doors to a wealth of opportunities for travelers. With continued expansion and a commitment to excellence, the future of Ugandan aviation appears to be soaring.

Source: Nile Post.

Kenya backs to UN tourism growth agenda

In Summary

•Kenya was elected to chair the UN Tourism’s Committee on Tourism Competitiveness until 2027 earlier this year, after defeating strong bids from Thailand and Malta.

•UN Tourism Secretary General Zurab Pololikashvili has called for more cooperation within the regions, including joint meetings.

Kenya has committed to supporting the UN Tourism’s growth and sustainability agenda aimed at promoting tourism as a leading economic activity. Tourism is the world’s fifth export earning category as of the close of 2022.

The 121st session of the UN Tourism Executive Council was held in Barcelona, Spain, and chaired by Saudi Arabia Minister for Tourism, Ahmed Al Khateeb.

Kenya called for enhanced collaboration and resource mobilization to strengthen the organization, amidst the global economic strains.

“Global tourism is recovering fully from the effects of the pandemic and many destinations are getting past the mark of the pre – Covid era. The world is alive to the gains of the tourism sector and Kenya is aligned to tap in other global trends” Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua, who sent a delegation to Barcelona, said.

He said Kenya is committed to working closely with the UN Tourism and member states, to ensure tourism continues to be a key economic driver.

Mutua urged member states to explore innovative ways to raise funds and partner with other UN agencies such as the UN-Habitat and the private sector.

He said Kenya would leverage on the various programmes of UN Tourism in various areas including capacity building, community-based tourism, artificial intelligence, innovation, education, product promotion among others.

The CS further highlighted the need to regularize the election cycle and address non-compliance of membership fees as key to providing predictable budgeting and financing, that allows the UN Tourism to effectively execute its core functions of supporting regional workshops and initiatives.

As chair of the Committee on Tourism and Competitiveness until 2027, Kenya aims to steer other members into leveraging global data, research, case studies and partnerships to enhance global policies, as well as its own tourism policies and strategies.

The country also seeks to ensure the interests and needs of African and developing countries are represented amidst the voices of more established tourism markets on the global stage.

Kenya was elected to chair the UN Tourism’s Committee on Tourism Competitiveness until 2027 earlier this year, after two rounds of voting, defeating strong bids from Thailand and Malta.

UN Tourism Secretary General Zurab Pololikashvili made a call for more cooperation within the regions, including joint meetings.

The Americas and Africa will meet in 2024 and Kenya will be part of the Africa talks slated for July 2024 in Zambia.

Source:  The-star.  

Kenya optimistic to receive increase of Chinese tourists

The number of Chinese tourists bounding for Kenya may triple over the next few years, following a surge in arrivals to the East African country last year, according to the tourism authority in Kenya.

Kenya’s tourism sector, a pillar industry, sees a huge opportunity in the Chinese market, and the country will intensify cooperation with industry players in China to tap the potential, June Chepkemei, the chief executive officer of the Kenya Tourism Board, said on Wednesday.

Tourism arrivals from China last year exceeded 52,000, a 161 percent growth compared with 2022, she said.

“China was the most improved tourism source market in 2023. Majority of the tourists come for leisure holidays followed by business and conferences,” she said at a tourism promotion event in Kenya’s capital Nairobi, which was held in collaboration with the Chinese city of Zhengzhou.

“Kenya Tourism Board is keen to collaborate with many stakeholders like media, governmental bodies, private sector partners like China based tour operators, online travel agencies, corporates and airlines to market Kenya,” Chepkemei said, adding that Kenya sees a huge opportunity in large number of Chinese outbound tourism and aims to attract 150,000 tourists annually.

Chinese tourists restarted to travel overseas in January last year, with the lifting of overseas travel restrictions by the government. Outbound travel from China was largely halted for three years, to prevent transmission of the virus, since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kenya, she said is the home of human origin hence people from across the globe are welcome to visit the east African country, to experience the thrill of adventure, enjoy authentic cultural immersive experiences and view teeming and diverse wildlife.

This is in addition to enjoying pristine beaches with warm waters, welcoming and hospitable Kenyans as well as enjoy Nairobi – the best city to visit in year 2024 according to Lonely Planet.

On Wednesday, the Kenya Tourism Board expressed an intention to partner with Zhengzhou Radio and Television station to market Kenya as a tourist destination to Chinese.

“Media plays a very key role in amplifying destination marketing. We are keen to leverage Kenya’s and China’s vibrant media landscapes to keep the tourism narratives alive, telling experiential stories to inspire travel,” Chepkemei said.

She said Kenya Tourism Board is happy to share video content of Kenya’s tourism experiences with Zhengzhou Radio and Television Station. The content will showcase Kenya to Chinese people, aimed at sparking or keeping alive the interest and desire to visit MagicalKenya, an all year-round destination.

To further woo Chinese travelers to Kenya, on May 10, the Kenya Tourism Board in partnership with the Hunan Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, launched China-Kenya Tourism Service Platform, aimed at linking Chinese travelers with the Kenyan tourism market.

Towards the end of last year, the board also held roadshows in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou to market Kenya as a year-round destination among Chinese tourists. ‘

The shows involved business-to-business sessions between travel trade officials from Kenya and tour operators from China.

The Kenyan tour operators got an opportunity to reconnect with their counterparts in China and got clear understanding of the tourists’ interests and preferences.

Source: China Daily.

Kenya Airways Enhances African Connectivity with New Maputo Flights

Kenya Airways resumed its direct flights between Nairobi and Maputo, offering three weekly flights on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. This relaunch provides a convenient travel option for passengers originating from Kenya and serves as a vital connection point for travelers from other African cities via Nairobi.

The expansion will allow Kenya Airways to improve intra-Africa connectivity, which is crucial for driving economic growth, enhancing trading opportunities, and expanding businesses across local and intercontinental economies. This new route supplements KQ’s current service to Nampula, Mozambique, strengthening its regional footprint.

“Today’s launch is a tangible testament to KQ’s remarkable progress and the exciting future ahead. As we unveil our 45th destination -Maputo – we mark a major milestone in our network expansion journey,” says the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr Allan Kilavuka.

In addition to Maputo, this expansion aligns with Kenya Airways’ broader network strategy for 2024, which includes more frequent flights to popular destinations such as New York, Paris, Lagos, Accra, and Freetown.

“Aviation is critical to boosting national GDPs by creating jobs and fostering economic activity. The increased intra-African travel will act as a catalyst for economic development across the continent. Our passion lies in fostering connections across the continent, making trade and travel between our nations more accessible than ever before,” Allan Kilavuka further added.

Speaking at the same event, Julius Thairu, Kenya Airways Chief Commercial and Customer Officer, noted that KQ’s expansion is linked to KQ’s mission of propelling Africa’s prosperity by connecting its people, markets and cultures. “The demand for air travel is soaring, and we’re determined to meet it by expanding our reach and fostering connections between Africa’s rich cultures and thriving economies. Adding Maputo to our network strengthens ties between Kenya and Mozambique, opening doors for increased trade, tourism, and cultural exchange.” he said.

Maputo, besides being a major trade hub for southern Africa, captivates visitors with its blend of history and culture. Portuguese colonial influences are visible in its architecture, while lively markets and a thriving art scene showcase contemporary Mozambican life. Whether you’re looking for relaxation on pristine beaches or exploration in museums, Maputo offers an unforgettable experience.

The three weekly scheduled flights are as follows:

RouteDayFlight No.Departure TimeArrival Time
Nairobi to MaputoWed, Fri, SunKQ7400950hrs (local)1300hrs (local)
Maputo to NairobiWed, Fri, SunKQ7411350hrs (local)1845hrs (local)

Source:   Travel and Tourworld.

Ethiopian Cargo and Liege Airport Celebrate 17 Years Partnership

Ethiopian Cargo and Logistics Services and Liege Airport, the Ethiopian cargo hub in Europe, have celebrated 17 years of successful partnership. The two organizations reaffirmed their commitment to boost freighter operations and strengthen the strategic alliance that has played a significant role in connecting Europe to Africa and beyond.

Over the past 17 years, Ethiopian Cargo has played a significant role in positioning Liege Airport as a leading cargo hub in Europe. In 2023, Ethiopian uplifted approximately 160,000 tons of cargo from Liege, facilitating efficient and reliable transportation of goods between Europe, Africa, and the rest of the world.

Celebrating the estimable partnership, Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO, Mr. Mesfin Tasew said, “This partnership has been instrumental in Ethiopian Cargo’s success as one of a global leader in the air cargo industry. Liege Airport provides us with a strategic location and world-class infrastructure, enabling us to offer our customers seamless and efficient cargo solutions. We are grateful to the management of Liege airport and our stakeholders for the unwavering support we have been receiving for the 17 years.”

Laurent Jossart, CEO Liege Airport, expressed his pleasure saying, “We are delighted with our long-term partnership with Ethiopian Cargo. Ethiopian is a magnificent success story and continues to grow here. The company links different continents (Africa, Asia, Europe, North and South America, Middle East) with a fleet of state-of-the-art aircraft. Their Boeing 777s have an average age of 7 years and are among the most efficient aircraft in terms of noise and environmental performance. We are honored by Ethiopian’s confidence in Liege Airport, and we will always be at their side to help them in their development.”

The partnership between Ethiopian Cargo and Liege Airport has been mutually beneficial, contributing to the growth and development of both organizations. Ethiopian Cargo’s extensive network and operational capabilities, combined with Liege Airport’s modern infrastructure and efficient processes, have resulted in a highly effective and reliable cargo hub.

Ethiopian Cargo and Logistics Services has proudly operated cargo flights to and from Liege Airport since 2007. With a vigorous schedule, Ethiopian operates approximately six freighter flights each day to Liege from its hub Addis Ababa and other origins operating with B777-200F and B767-300F.

Ethiopian Cargo’s extensive network spans over 135 international destinations across Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and the Americas. The company’s commitment to expansion continues. As of May 2024, Ethiopian Cargo added Hyderabad and Ahmedabad from India to its fast-growing cargo network, bringing its total dedicated freighter destinations to 70. Furthermore, Ethiopian Cargo and Logistics Services envisions operating 90 dedicated freighter destinations by 2035, supported by a fleet of 37 dedicated freighters, solidifying its position as one of a global leader in the air cargo industry.

Source: Corporate Ethiopian Airlines.

Dubai Tourism signs deal to ease payments

The Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism) and Al Ansari Exchange have signed an agreement to facilitate payments for a range of tourism and travel-related services.

Under the agreement, partners of Dubai Tourism, including hotels, event organisers, tour operators and tourism companies, will be able to make payments for services through 183 branches of Al Ansari Exchange across the UAE.

The agreement was signed by Ahmed Khalifa Alfalasi, CEO of corporate services and investments, Dubai Tourism, and Rashed Ali Al Ansari, general manager of Al Ansari Exchange.

Alfalasi said: “The partnership will take our payment system to the next level of reliability and convenience. This agreement means that our partners no longer need to visit Dubai Tourism offices to make payments.”

Al Ansari said: “We are pleased to collaborate with Dubai Tourism to enable customers to pay the travel and tourism services fees through our wide branch network across the UAE. Under this agreement, all companies, organisations and individuals working in the travel and tourism sector are able now to make payments with ease and convenience.”

Source: Khaleej Times.

MICE industry has bounced back

South Africa’s MICE industry has bounced back from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Gary Koetser, CEO of Century City Conference Centre and Hotels in Cape Town.

In an interview with Tourism Update, Koetser said the MICE industry “took a hell of a knock during COVID”, and that there was much talk at the time that conferencing would never be the same again.

However, in retrospect, there were many positives for MICE that came out of COVID, Koetser believes.

One of these positives was that people realised the critical need for in-person meetings and interactions.

‘Doing unbelievably well’

Koetser said that, in fact, the MICE industry was doing unbelievably well, and he provided the following stats from Century City to prove his point:

Average size of conferences has increased by 26% in Q1 of 2024 compared with Q1 of 2023.

Revenues have grown by 24% in the Conference Centre when comparing Q1 of 2024 with Q1 of 2023.

Delegates attending conferences have a longer length of stay. The average length of stay from conference delegates is 15% longer than other market segments such as traditional corporate and leisure guests. They stay for the conference and then have either added on days to their itinerary for other meetings or leisure.

11 International conferences are already secured for the next 12 months compared with six in the previous year. These conferences will bring over 6 000 delegates to Century City and amount to approximately R40 million (€2m) in revenue for the local economy.

Booking pace is up 15% this year compared with last year for the next six months (July-December), and forecasted to be 21% up on revenue compared with the same period last year.

R15 million (€758 660) investment into a new venue, The Verve, and refurbishment of the Conference Centre, which commenced in July 2023 and was fully completed in March 2024.

“Some hotels can host up to 300 delegates, maybe 350 at a push, and then the Cape Town International Convention Centre can accommodate the larger conferences from 1 500 delegates upwards. Therefore our Conference Centre was purpose-built for conferences between 350 and 1 200 delegates,” said Koetser.

He added that the Conference Centre was driving occupancy into the six or seven surrounding hotels, which are all within walking distance of the Conference Centre as well as foot traffic into the numerous restaurants in the area. Shopping at the neighbouring shopping centre Canal Walk was also very popular with conference attendees.

‘Confercation

Koetser said Century City had coined a new phrase – ‘confercation’ – (conferencing with vacation), similar to the ‘bleisure’ trend, and that it seemed to be increasingly popular.

“We’re also seeing an increase in, and it is something that we are promoting, bringing your partner with you when you come to Cape Town for a conference. And this is something we’ll be promoting soon, partners staying for free when traveling with their spouse to a conference.”

He also said that Century City was seeing a longer average length of stay for delegates conferencing at the Centre due to Cape Town being an attractive city for both business and leisure.

SME involvement

Century City Conference Centre is currently busy with numerous initiatives to involve SMEs in the MICE sector.

“We’re creating an art gallery within our Centre, all comprising young, up-and-coming previously disadvantaged artists to showcase their various pieces of art. There’s a story of them as the artist and their background, and then a story about the actual piece of art that they are displaying.”

Century City Conference Centre has also approached other SMEs to showcase their products at the property. For example, the women in the townships who are making beaded bangles and bags.

“We’re going to give them space in the Conference Centre, almost creating a ‘mini arts and craft market’ where conference attendees can go and buy from these small entrepreneurs that are making unbelievable products from recycled materials,” said Koetser.

Its food and menus also add to the African experience in the Centre, such as a Bo-Kaap Cape Malay-type menu or a traditional South African braai menu.

‘Share sustainability ideas’

Koetser highlighted that, in addition to large corporations and associations asking for Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment scorecards or safety and security measures before they could do business, they are now also asking to see data from a sustainability point of view.

“We’ve partnered with a company that provides software to measure our sustainability efforts so that we can hold ourselves accountable in terms of showing impact month-on-month, year-on-year”.

“We also make sure that we use the right suppliers that use sustainable materials and that our solar panels are working optimally. A significant contributor to our sustainability efforts is the dual plumbing system throughout our Conference Centre and Hotels. This allows the use of effluent water for toilet flushing, irrigation and potable water for taps and showers.”

He added that there is pressure on the MICE industry to improve its sustainability initiatives and that many corporations shouldn’t use it as a competitive advantage but rather share ideas and initiatives which will benefit the industry as a whole in the future.

“I think the catchphrase for sustainability going forward is going to be accountability, but also transparency,” Koetser concluded.

Source: Tourism Update.

AI Revolutionizes Baggage Handling Efficiency Amid Air Travel Surge

Despite a surge in passenger traffic, the air transport industry improves baggage handling efficiency, with mishandled baggage rates decreasing, aided by AI and data analysis technologies.

SITA, air transport technology solutions, reports an improvement in baggage handling efficiency despite increased passenger traffic. According to the SITA Baggage IT Insights 2024 report, mishandled baggage rates decreased from 7.6 to 6.9 per 1,000 passengers in 2023, even as passenger numbers surged to 5.2 billion, surpassing pre-pandemic levels.

Key technological advancements, particularly in AI for data analysis and computer vision in automated baggage handling, have contributed significantly to this improvement. The report notes a 63% decline in mishandled baggage from 2007 to 2023, despite a 111% increase in passenger numbers.

The air transport industry continues to face challenges, especially with rising baggage volumes. The push for digitalization, including full automation, effective communication, and comprehensive visibility of each bag’s journey, is crucial. The survey highlights the importance of self-service technologies, with 85% of airports and two-thirds of airlines now offering self-service bag drop options.

Collaboration remains essential, with SITA emphasizing the need for better data sharing between airlines and airports. Currently, only 58% of airlines share baggage collection data, while 66% of airports share delivery data with airlines. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and Airports Council International (ACI) advocate for full baggage tracking and real-time status updates to enhance passenger experience and reduce anxiety.

David Lavorel, CEO of SITA, emphasized the importance of these technological advancements: “The improved mishandled baggage rate is encouraging, especially with the increase in global passenger traffic. Investments in AI and computer vision technologies, along with better collaboration and communication, are essential for smoother operations and better passenger experiences.”

Regional Insights

North America: The baggage mishandling rate dropped from 7.1 per 1,000 bags in 2007 to 5.8 in 2023, with U.S. airlines reducing mishandling by 9% in 2023.

Europe: The region saw the largest global decrease, from 16.6 per 1,000 bags in 2007 to 10.6 in 2023.

Asia Pacific: Maintained the lowest mishandling rates globally, at 3.0 per 1,000 bags in 2023, reflecting successful digitalization investments.

Source: Data Q

EAC renews joint tourism marketing as Kenya taps influencers

East Africa has revived plans to jointly market the region’s tourism as a bloc, in what could end a decade-long of back and forth among member states, as rivalry played out.

The marketing push builds on the 2023 East African Regional Tourism Expo (EARTE) and the Magical Kenya Tourism Expo (MKTE), where EAC member states agreed to enhance collaboration and adopt an integrated tourism marketing strategy, in order to boost competitiveness, attract more tourists and increase earnings.

Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda are leading the drive under a new EAC brand “Visit East Africa – Feel the Vibe”, launched in November during the regional expo in Nairobi, aimed at promoting the bloc as a single investment and travel hub.

The latest development come even as rivalry remains between Kenya and Tanzania, the biggest safari and beach destinations in the region.

The two countries share the annual wildebeest migration between the Maasai Mara National Reserve and the Serengeti National Park, recognised as one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World.

Tanzania has been taking advantage of Kenya’s costly products, mainly safari which includes high park entry fees and accommodation packages, to lure international guests to the Serengeti and other destinations.

This, even as the region faces stiff competition from other blocs in Sub-Sahara Africa, which are said to be taking advantage of EAC’s lengthy business procedures, insecurity and poor infrastructure to boost their competitive edge.

According to the World Economic Forum, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania and Burundi have been trailing tourism giants such as Seychelles, Mauritius and South Africa, which have been a threat to EAC’s plans to position the region as the continent’s most attractive tourist destination, an idea mooted a decade ago.

Under the renewed marketing efforts, the EAC is now targeting to attract over 14 million international tourists annually by 2025, from 7.2 million in 2019.

Kenya, on its part, aims to capitalise on this collective momentum in its quest to achieve 5.5 million arrivals and $6.3 billion (Sh 827.6 billion) in tourism earnings by 2028.

The Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) has launched a strategic marketing campaign that involves influencers, to bolster Kenya’s tourism not only globally, but also within the East African Community market.

The board is partnering with renowned social media influencers and key media outlets from EAC member countries with an aim to elevate destination visibility, ignite travel interests and unearth new growth prospects.

Speaking during an event held to welcome the influencers and media contingent, KTB CEO June Chepkemei said that the EAC market has great potential for growth especially through regional integration.

She added that strategic deployment of marketing assets such as influencer marketing and media outreach can be pivotal drivers to spur demand and unlock new markets.

“The East African Regional Tourism Expo deliberations were a stepping stone to greater regional integration. The launch of the unified EAC tourism brand was an apt embodiment of this vision, and this influencer activation and media outreach is designed to further harness our collective strength for mutual benefit,” Chepkemei said.

According to last year’s tourism performance report, four of the top ten source markets to Kenya were from the EAC region – Uganda, Tanzania, Somalia, and Rwanda,  highlighting the potential for growth.

 “With a shared history and cultures, the EAC region is uniquely positioned to offer diverse, multi-country itineraries that capture the imagination of travellers,” said Chepkemei.

Popular social media personalities and content creators from target EAC markets will highlight key attractions across various tourism hotspots spanning from Nairobi, Mt. Kenya, the Maasai Mara, Amboseli, Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru as well as the Coast.

East African Business Council (EABC) has been pushing for the marketing of the region as a single destination, as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTA) takes shape.

Tourism, financial sector, manufacturing and hospitality are some of the sectors that EAC member states can package together to the world, according to Chairperson Angelina Ngalula.

“East African countries have abundant resources with unique features from the coast of the Indian Ocean in Kenya and Tanzania, to mountain gorillas in Rwanda, an opportunity for companies to offer regional tourism packages,” Ngalula said.

Source: The Star.

African airlines headed for 100 million passengers milestone

African airlines are likely to cross the 100 million passengers mark for the first time in 2025, on the back of an aggressive push to open new routes and increased frequencies by local carriers.

The African Airlines Association (AFRAA) projects the passenger numbers will reach 98 million by close of the year 2024 – a 15% rise compared to 2023 figures and more than the highest ever figure of 95 million, recorded in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Despite ongoing post-pandemic hurdles, the airline sector sustained its recovery momentum this year, witnessing a resurgence in passenger demand…signifying a strong recovery for the industry,” said AFRAA in latest industry report.

From the smallest to the largest, Africa’s airline operators are almost all increasing routes and frequency, mostly concentrated within the continent. The trend expected to boost Intra-Africa connectivity.

According to AFRAA, Intra-Africa connectivity surged across regions, with major hubs such as Addis Ababa, Nairobi, Abidjan, and Lome witnessing a notable uptick in connectivity.

Ethiopian Airline is leading local carriers in regional expansion as it eyes a 30% growth in passenger numbers by mid 2024.

Among the airline’s latest route expansion include start of three-weekly services to Maun, its second destination in the Republic of Botswana after Gaborone this June.

In May, the airline launched another thrice weekly passenger services to Freetown, Sierra Leone via Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

“Ethiopian Airlines, committed to its Pan-African roots, continues to connect every part of Africa and beyond,” Ethiopian Airlines Group Chief Executive Officer, Mesfin Tasew said during the launch of Maun route.

Ethiopian Airline which champions a vast intra-Africa network operating to more than 60 destinations in the continent, airlifted about 13.9 million passengers in the year ending June 2023.

Over the past year, the airline has also launched to new international routes including London Gatwick, resumed schedules to destinations like Madrid and Bangui, and increased frequencies on existing routes like Addis Ababa-Seoul.

Kenya Airways is also strengthening its network in the continent with plans to begin a new route connecting Nairobi directly to Maputo, Mozambique starting June 14, 2024. The national carrier cited the expansion as due to growing demand for travel between East and Southern Africa.

“The demand for air travel is soaring, and we’re determined to meet it by expanding our reach and fostering connections between Africa’s rich cultures and thriving economies,” said Kenya Airways Chief Commercial and Customer Officer, Julius Thairu in a statement.

In Northern Africa, Royal Air Maroc has announced the launch of three new air routes – regional and international linking Casablanca to Naples, Manchester and Abuja from 22 June 2024 – as part of the carriers development plan to open up air routes in several promising markets.

“The launch of these routes aims to strengthen our continental positioning in favour of the African Diaspora, particularly in Nigeria,” said Royal Air Maroc Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Hamid Addou.

Other industry reports also point to growing passenger numbers across the continent and regional borders.

In early 2024, data from the Centre for Aviation (CAPA) indicated a significant surge in African air travel, with over two million weekly internal seats being filled in the week starting December 18, 2023, underscoring the growth of intra-African connectivity.

According to CAPA’s data, Ethiopian Airlines emerged as the dominant carrier in the intra-African market, capturing a 14.4% share of capacity in the week beginning January 15, 2024, representing an 11.0% increase from the corresponding week in 2023.

No other airline holds a double-digit share of capacity, with South Africa’s FlySafair being the closest contender at 9.0%, followed by Nigeria’s Air Peace (5.4%), the fast-growing regional carrier Airlink (South Africa) (4.9%), and other major international airlines in the region: EgyptAir (4.4%), Kenya Airways (4.2%), and Royal Air Maroc (3.7%).

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) projects a 9.1% increase in African airline capacity in 2024, outpacing the 8.5% demand growth defying high operational costs, low consumer spending on air travel, and connectivity issues, that it said hinder the industry’s expansion and performance.

“Despite these headwinds, there is sustained demand for air travel, which should allow the market to deliver a second year of profitability,” according to IATA.

AFRAA’s estimates show that operating revenue for March 2024 amounted to US$1.74 billion, reflecting a growth of 26% from US$1.39 billion in March 2023.

Source: Independent.