A total of 570 delegates from the aviation sector yesterday resolved to engage their home governments to liberalise and open up air spaces within Africa to ease movements.

During the closure of the 55th African Airlines Association Annual General Assembly (AFRAA) in Kampala, Uganda on Tuesday, delegates unanimously agreed that opening up air spaces within African countries is a game changer for the sector.

“So far, 37 out of 54 countries have subscribed to the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) but majority have not fulfilled the commitment. The problem is that most countries are protective and as AFRAA, we have engaged them to open up their air spaces because it is a good initiative. For example, Morocco who opened up its air space to Europe at first were hit hard but in the long run got a lot of traffic,” AFRAA Secretary General Abderahmane Berthe said.

“Another major problem we have is visa restriction which is a complex thing and as AFRAA we cannot do much about it, but we are still engaging governments to facilitate free movement of people as this will facilitate trade and tourism,” he added.

According to Berthe, AFRAA’s revenue loss for 2022 at $3.5 billion, representing 20 percent of 2019 revenues, will narrow down to $1 billion in 2023.

The 2022 statistics from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) indicates that African airlines carried 67 million passengers out of the total 3.4 billion who travelled worldwide during the same period, accounting for two percent of global traffic.

Berthe said the mismatch between capacity and demand and the limited commercial cooperation between local carriers may explain the low load factor in Africa.

Uganda Airlines CEO Jenifer Bamuturaki said the meeting underscored the need for bringing on board more women in top hierarchies of the sector like CEOs and pilots to encourage them to take up leadership roles.

She also handed over the AFRAA presidency to her Egyptian counterpart, who will host the 56th annual general meeting next year.

Source:  The East African

The International Air Transport Association (IATA), which is the global representative body for the airline industry, has again highlighted the problem of high commercial aviation costs in Africa and urged African governments not to increase them. These costs come from higher-than-global-average fees, levies and carbon and other taxes imposed on air transport, tourism and trade, by African governments. This is not only a problem for airlines, particularly African ones, who are still recovering from the Covid pandemic, but also for the economic development of the countries that are imposing such costs.

‘[In Africa] the average airfare is already 30% higher than the industry average and the jet fuel cost is 10% to 20% higher than the global average,” pointed out IATA regional VP Africa and the Middle East Kamil Al-Awadhi, in his address to the fifty-fifth annual general meeting of the African Airlines Association (AFRAA), in Entebbe, Uganda. “Higher costs would discourage customers who are sensitive to prices, resulting in lower demand and revenue for airlines and other stakeholders in the aviation sector, such as airports, ground handlers, suppliers and air navigation services. They would also hamper economic development and limit the opportunities for job creation and income generation. High-cost leads to high price, which reduces demand and growth in a price elastic market, and ultimately affects connectivity negatively.”

He urged African governments to follow the policies of the intergovernmental International Civil Aviation Organization, on aviation charges and infrastructure. He further urged African States to consult with the industry and with airlines to create an operational environment that was fair and cost-effective and would bring the benefit of a better-connected continent.

Another major financial issue facing airlines in Africa was that of blocked funds, he cited. A number of African governments had banned the repatriation of money, accrued through ticket sales, by airlines based in other countries. In September, the global total figure for blocked airline funds was $2.36-billion; of that total, African countries were responsible for $1.68-billion.

“Aviation is capital intensive,” he pointed out. “Cash flow is key for airlines’ business sustainability – when airlines are not able to repatriate their funds, it severely impacts their operations and impacts their decisions on where to fly. But the risk of blocked funds is not just limited to airlines; the negative impact extends to the countries blocking the funds. It impacts the country’s economy and its connectivity, and it hurts investor confidence and reputation. Aviation is not only an economic enabler; it is a pillar of modern economies. Governments must prioritize aviation and find sustainable solutions in the clearing of blocked funds, and we continue to offer our support in any way we can.”

On the bright side, working together, IATA and AFRAA have had success in persuading a number of African governments to unblock airline funds, he reported. Since 2018 a “significant amount” of such funds have been released by Angola, Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria and Zimbabwe. The two associations are also advising governments on the best practices to clear the backlogs of blocked funds.

Source: Engineering news

After an almost four-year hiatus, South African Airways (SAA) has reintroduced its flights connecting Johannesburg and São Paulo. The reinstatement of this route signifies a pivotal moment for the airline, reestablishing crucial international connectivity between South Africa and Brazil.

As of Monday 6, the airline resumed operations on the Johannesburg-São Paulo route, utilizing the Airbus A330-300 for its service. SAA’s reservation system reflects the availability of two weekly flights to cater to travelers seeking connectivity between the two vibrant cities.

The flight schedule for this newly revived route is as follows

SA 222: Departure from Johannesburg (JNB) at 11:15, arrival at São Paulo (GRU) at 16:15.

SA 223: Departure from São Paulo (GRU) at 17:45, arrival in Johannesburg (JNB) at 07:45 the following day.

The frequency of flights on this route will be on Mondays and Thursdays, providing a convenient and consistent service for passengers eager to travel between these major destinations.

It’s important to note that this initiative is part of SAA’s efforts to expand its services and reconnect various international routes. In addition to the Johannesburg-São Paulo flights, South African Airways also offers flights to Guarulhos from Cape Town. The airline has adopted a twice-weekly schedule, deploying the same Airbus A330-300 aircraft for these operations.

The resumption of direct flights between Johannesburg and São Paulo is a significant move for South African Airways, marking the airline’s commitment to meeting the travel demands of passengers seeking connectivity and convenience between South Africa and Brazil. This reconnection not only facilitates easy travel for business and leisure but also strengthens the ties between the two vibrant nations. Stay tuned for more updates as South African Airways continues to expand and enhance its global network of flights.

Source: Airspace-Africa

Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen on Tuesday unveiled four new measures set to be introduced at JKIA to improve efficiency and promote good passenger experience.

While on a tour of the airport alongside Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) officials, the CS revealed that the government would install modern screen technology at the main gate to enhance security.

Through the use of the new technology, the CS detailed that passengers will no longer have to alight from the vehicles to be screened in a separate room during arrival.

Murkomen also noted that a self-check-in system would be introduced at the airport to promote efficiency. This is aimed at reducing the long queues that have been witnessed at the airport’s checking points.

“Airlines will be required to upgrade their ticket printing to avoid long queues. We shall also deploy technology in the Advance Passenger Information (APS) system to provide prior information on passengers for more efficiency and enhanced security,” Murkomen stated.

Further, KAA was tasked with the construction of canopies which passengers can seek shade under during weather conditions such as rains.

As part of improving the customer experience, the government will improve on constructing comfortable seating areas, providing free Wi-Fi and installing more charging ports at the airport.  Breastfeeding booths will also be revamped.

The improvement of the drainage system was also highlighted as a priority owing to the ongoing heavy rains witnessed in the city and across the country.

Notably, Murkomen’s visit to the airport came after passengers were left stranded due to flooding witnessed in sections of the airport.

“Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen has today announced measures aimed at enhancing service delivery at JKIA. Central to these reforms is a Service Charter that will bring together all govt agencies operating at the airport under a one-stop shop to provide seamless service to passengers,” KAA noted in a statement.

“The airport charter will bring together Immigration, Customs, Kenya Airport Police Unit (KAPU), Port Health, the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) & other Govt. Agencies at the airport under the leadership of KAA,”

On the other hand, it was proposed for the airport to have a standalone police force that will be tasked with overseeing general security. Talks will be held with Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki over the matter.

Source: Kenyans.co.ke

Etihad Airways is resuming flights to East Africa with daily flights from Abu Dhabi to Nairobi set to start on May 1, 2024.

The new route connects Kenya’s capital with Etihad’s growing global network, and will help foster important cultural and economic ties between the UAE and the East African powerhouse.

Etihad will operate daily flights to Nairobi, utilising the Airbus A320, featuring both Business and Economy cabins.

Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are thrilled to be re-starting flights to Nairobi, a dynamic and exciting city in itself and also the gateway to a Kenyan safari, a dream adventure for many travellers, offering a view of the diverse and magnificent wildlife of Africa.

“Equally, we will be delighted to welcome guests from Kenya to our extraordinary home as well as offering them access to our growing global network.”

The relaunched flights will restore commercial non-stop passenger connections between the two cities, and guests traveling from Kenya will be able to connect with Etihad flights to the GCC, the US, Europe, India and South-East Asia.

The link will further stimulate cross-business and trade opportunities between the UAE and the growing Kenyan economy.

Source: Arabian Business

Uganda Airlines has commenced direct connectivity to Lagos from Entebbe International Airport with three weekly flights to Lagos, thereby deepening competition on international route.

Flights from Nigeria to other African countries have continued to take several hours as a result of poor connectivity.

When the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) was launched in January 2018, it was enthusiastically embraced as the key that would unlock air travel in Africa.

Although 33 countries in the continent are signatories to the project, many countries in Africa have not open their airspace for a single air market in the continent.

Uganda airlines is however changing this narrative with direct flight from Africa’s most populated country.

Abuja and Kano, have been approved as entry points for the airline by the federal government under the Bilateral Air Services Agreement, BASA, between both nations in line with the Single Africa Air Transport Market, SAATM.

The launch of flight services to Lagos by Uganda’s flag carrier, Uganda Airlines would help to close the gap in the travel needs of travelers from West Africa and East Africa.

The flights will be taking place on Mondays, Thursdays, and Sundays and the flight will take under 5 hours. A return ticket for Economy class will be US$ 510 Economy and Business class at $1800.

Speaking shortly after the inaugural flight, Nelson Ocherger, Uganda’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, stated that the approval by the Nigerian government would open a landscape of business opportunities to both nations. He noted that Ugandans await when Nigerian carriers would commence services to the country.

According to him: “The importance of air transport underscores the promotion of trade and investment and it allows Africa to leverage on all African Union, AU, agenda. We thank the Nigerian government for the necessary approval to do this operation.” “Uganda through the Uganda Civil Aviation Academy has partnered with the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria to train Ugandan pilots, engineers, and other aviation professionals.”

Yusuf Tuggar, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador who Director of Airport Protocol represented in the Ministry, Ambassador Oludare Folowosele said Ugandan Airline’s operation was an opportunity to bridge West Africa and East Africa air transport hiccups, lamenting air connectivity as a major challenge in Africa wondering why Africans would travel to Europe first before connecting another African city while wasting over 12 hours on a trip that is normally three or four hours.

He said, “It is ridiculous to go to Europe before connecting two African neighboring countries. What we are doing today would lead to wealth creation, shortening travel time from one country to another rather than depend on Europe all the time for flight connections.”

Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, who was represented by Hassan Ejibunu, Director of Air Transport Management in the Ministry, stated that aviation remains the best way for Africa to connect her people and promote inter-Africa business in line with Africa’s 2063 Agenda, as championed by the continent’s leaders.

“Aviation has a huge market that should be explored by indigenous African Airlines, as no other Nations can develop the aviation sector for us, except us Africans. We need to do this in the interest of our over 1.37 billion people, which is 17.4 per cent of the world’s population. I wish to, therefore, challenge Nigeria’s local airlines to seize the opportunity to start operating regional and continental flights to make SAATM and YD achieve their aims, as envisioned by African leaders.”

Source: Business Day

Passengers travelling to New York have a reason to smile after the national airline Kenya Airways announced plans to increase flights between the two destinations.

Kenya Airways on Monday announced that it will be increasing its weekly flights from the current four to five from Sunday next week (October 29) and have daily flights from December 4.

“Celebrating five years milestones of 1,700 flights and 72,000 Kilometres to John F Kennedy (JFK) International Airport,” the statement read.

“Starting October 29, 2023, we offer you additional flights from four times to five times weekly from Nairobi to New York and daily flights starting December 4, 2023.”

Kenya Airways has been operating flights to London since its inception as a gateway to the United Kingdom for business travel, leisure travel, trade, and educational purposes.

A flight from JKIA to JFK lasts for about 15 hours eastbound and 14 hours westbound on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

The launch of the inaugural direct flights in 2018 saw Kenya become the first East African country and the eighth in Africa to operate direct flights to the US.

In Africa, only South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, Cape Verde, Ethiopia, Senegal and Morocco were the only countries that were allowed to make direct flights to the US then.

Kenya was allowed to fly directly to the US following its approval for Category One status by the US Federal Aviation Administration in April 2017, and JKIA’s elevation to the status of a Last Point of Departure.

Category one rating means an airport complies with standards set out by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

It means that a country’s civil aviation authority has been assessed by FAA inspectors and has been found to license and oversee air carriers in accordance with ICAO aviation safety standards.

In September, KQ announced the introduction of two daily flights to London, effective October 29.

“Starting October 29, 2023, fly 2x daily to London from Nairobi with Kenya Airways for all your corporate, business, leisure, or academic travel needs. Book Now, ” KQ said.

The airline’s customers will have the option of choosing between a morning flight, KQ 100, and an evening flight, KQ 102, allowing for more travel options, convenience, and flexibility.

This comes barely a week after Kenya’s national carrier, was crowned Africa’s leading airline for the fifth time.

The award went to its economy class service and inflight magazine (msafiri) at the World Travel Awards 2023.

The airline was feted at the Africa and Indian Ocean World Travel Awards Gala held on October 15 in Dubai.

Allan Kilavuka, Kenya Airways group chief executive officer and MD said the award was a recognition of listening to their clients.

“It is about listening to the customers and understanding their needs. Our goal is to be the preferred Africa carrier and we are constantly innovating to improve our guest’s customer experience,” said Kilavuka.

KQ renovated the economy-class inflight service in 2023. This included a rollout of tray service in economy class to replace the existing box service and an extra hot meal starter and yoghurt for breakfast on specific mid to long-haul flights across the network.

Source: The-star

In order to deepen economic ties and air connectivity, Uganda Airline, on Thursday, launched direct flight from Entebbe International Airport to Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos.

Before now, air connectivity between the two countries took 10 hours but has been reduced to three and a half hours as Uganda airlines debuts in Nigeria.

Speaking at the Entebbe route launch press conference in Lagos, the chief executive officer, Uganda Airlines, Jennifer Bamuturaki, said the flight service will be three times a week and will cut travel time from 10 hours to three and half hours.

She stated that the launch of flight services to Lagos by Uganda’s national carrier would help to close the gap for travellers shuttling to the West and East African countries.

“In October 2022, I visited Nigeria and I mentioned that Uganda airlines is coming to Nigeria. I am here with profound pleasure that Uganda airlines is here exactly a year later, October 2023, as we made our maiden flight to Lagos today.

“This flight was exactly three and a half hours. We cut out close to 14 hours from Lagos to Entebbe so that means that if you are flying to Mumbai, Dubai, you don’t need to fly 10 hours just come to Entebbe in three and a half hours and be in Dubai in another four and half hours. If you are going to Mumbai, three and half hours to Entebbe, one hour in transit and another 6 hours into Mumbai so we have closed the gap between Eastern Africa countries and the West,” she said.

Source: ntm

Rwanda plans to set up an aircraft hangar and centre of excellence in aviation training in Kigali, aiming to build local capacity and empower the labour force in the aviation industry, not only in Rwanda but also in the region and beyond, The New Times understands.

According to an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) report on the Aircraft Hangar and Centre of Excellence Aviation Training Centre Project, by Akagera Aviation, dated May 2023, the project will cost an estimated $53.5 million (approx. Rwf65 billion).

It indicated that as Rwanda invests in the construction of its international airport in Bugesera and its airplane fleet, skilled personnel are required to manage, operate, and maintain these investments.

Therefore, the report noted, that the African Development Bank (AfDB) will assist the government in establishing the Centre of Excellence for Aviation Skills (CEAS), which will serve as an aviation academy training centre to meet the demand for qualified human capital.

The project is in line with the Government of Rwanda’s vision to develop the transportation sector by enhancing the quality and dependability of transport services while reducing costs.

1. Project objectives

The aviation industry in Rwanda is experiencing rapid growth and has set its sights on becoming a leading centre for aviation excellence. As part of this goal, the objective of the proposed centre of excellence in the aviation training centre and aircraft hangar project is to provide training for pilots, maintenance staff, air traffic management personnel, and other related fields. The aircraft hangar will also serve as a shelter for airplanes and a facility for technical activities.

2. Capacity and developer

Akagera Aviation Limited (developer) plans to build an aircraft hangar at Kigali International Airport that can accommodate eight Beechcraft King Air size aircraft. They also propose the establishment of an aviation training centre of excellence, which will cater to a maximum of 490 students.

The centre of excellence will offer different aviation training/courses such as pilot training, maintenance training, cabin crew, dispatch, ancillary courses, air traffic management courses, aeronautical information services, aeronautical meteorological services, aeronautical communications operations, communication navigation, and surveillance, airport emergency services (operations), and other supporting programs.

Again, the centre will partner with higher learning institutions to provide academic aviation courses.

3. Drone piloting training

Given the increasing importance of drones applications in Rwanda, the centre of excellence will also provide drone piloting training along with other manned aircraft pilot training courses such as, Private Pilot License classroom (PPL), Commercial Pilot License (CPL) training, Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL), Flight Simulator Recurrent training and other advanced pilot training for specialised missions.

4. Cost and staffing

Cost estimation involves predicting project expenses, including materials and labour. The project’s total cost amounts to $53.5 million, divided into infrastructure and equipment expenses of $29.1 million and $24.4 million, respectively. The construction phase will require up to 1,000 workers while the operation phase takes up to 98 workers, as per the above-mentioned report.

5. Financier

The proposed hangar and centre of excellence aviation training centre project will be financed by the African Development Bank (AfDB).

The AfDB’s financial support for the project is a testament to their commitment to promoting sustainable economic development and social progress in the region by investing in critical infrastructure and human capital development.

6. Construction timeframe

It is estimated the construction will take a period of 24 months. Construction of the aircraft hangar and the aviation training centre of excellence will involve site fencing and managing site access and contact points, and pollution generation control and management during construction works, among others.

Source: Newtimes