Uganda Airlines (UR) has kick-started the 41st week of the year by launching a new long-haul route between Uganda and India. The airline will fly non-stop between the two countries up to three times a week with its relatively new Airbus A330neo aircraft.

Inaugural flight to Mumbai

The flag carrier of the Republic of Uganda inaugurated its India operations on October 7, with a flight from Entebbe International Airport (EBB) to Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM).

The airline has two A330-800s in its fleet: 5X-CRN and 5X-NIL. The first flight (UR430) was operated with 5X-NIL. It departed EBB at 10:39 UTC and arrived at BOM around 17:19 UTC after a six-and-a-half-hour trip. The touchdown in India marked a significant milestone for Uganda Airlines, as Mumbai became its second intercontinental destination after Dubai.

UR430 was captained by Robert Wakhweya, a Chief Pilot at the national company. The return flight (UR431) departed BOM at 20:09 UTC and flew for about 6 hours and 24 minutes before arriving at EBB at 02:33 UTC. According to the airline’s booking website, flights will be operated three times per week with the following schedule:

Serving the Indian market

Although Uganda Airlines is the only airline operating scheduled flights on the EBB-BOM route, it becomes the fourth major East African carrier to serve Mumbai after Air Tanzania, Kenya Airways, and Ethiopian Airlines, which all operate the Boeing 787 Dreamliner from their respective hubs.

While Uganda celebrates 61 years of independence, the national carrier’s inaugural flight was welcomed by various stakeholders from the airline, as well as the Indian and Ugandan governments. Uganda Airlines Board Chairperson Priscilla Mirembe said to UBC;

“We have waited for this day for a long time, and we feel it is going to be very important for the economies of Uganda and India. There is a lot we can bring in terms of our resources and goods to India. As an airline, this is a big achievement because one of our aims is to connect Uganda to different parts of the world, especially as a landlocked country.”

Upon arrival, the stakeholders attended the India-Uganda Trade Summit in Mumbai to assess the opportunities for enhanced economic and social cooperation. During the summit, Uganda’s Minister of Works and Transport General Katumba Wamala called for the revision of India’s Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) with Uganda to allow Uganda Airlines to fly to other cities within the South Asia country.

The state-owned airline is seeking to expand its presence in India by launching two more destinations: Delhi (DEL) and Chennai (MAA). While discussions between the relevant authorities take place, the airline’s country manager expects the services to commence within the next three months, according to Moneycontrol. With over 45,000 Indians in Uganda and thousands more Ugandans traveling to India for business, tourism, school, and health care, the South Asian country is a massive market for the airline.

Adding another destination in October

The next destination on UR’s list is Lagos Murtala Muhammed International Airport (LOS). Flights between Entebbe and Lagos will start on October 19, operating three times a week on Sundays, Mondays, and Thursdays with the A330-800. It will be the only carrier operating flights on this route.

Despite having two three-year-old widebodies, Uganda Airlines only serves two long-haul destinations. Apart from Dubai and Mumbai, the A330neos are also flown to Bujumbura (BJM), Johannesburg (JNB), Juba (JUB), and Nairobi (NBO). Other destinations are served with four CRJ900LRs.

Source: Simple flying

The Royal Air Force (RAF) quick reaction alert (QRA) team mobilized to intercept a Kenya Airways Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner this afternoon. Flight KQ100 was heading from Nairobi to London Heathrow before RAF Typhoons arrived on the scene.

Already on the ground

The 787 is currently taxiing at London Stansted following the interception that took place over British airspace. The plane has vacated the site’s Runway 22. According to AviationSource News, there have been unconfirmed reports of bomb disposal units on their way to assist on the ground.

Ongoing updates

Lines of aircraft began to form as the situation unfolded, and Essex police started investigating the situation. Sky News has also shared that its understands that the Typhoon jets took over the interception from French aircraft.

Simple Flying reached out to London Stansted and Kenya Airways for comment. Stansted has since responded with the following update:

The aircraft, which was en route from Nairobi to London Heathrow, landed safely and was escorted to a remote stand with Essex Police in attendance. The incident has been stood down and the airport is open and flights are operating as normal.

Kenya Airways noted that it received an alert of a potential security threat and that its teams worked with security authorities in the UK and Kenya to carry out a risk assessment.

The below images posted on X show emergency service vehicles at Stansted Airport. The aircraft in question can also be seen. Essex police eventually shared that it found nothing of concern on the plane.

Stansted is the designated airport for dealing with security issues in the United Kingdom. The facility’s proximity to key RAF bases allows key resources to be swiftly deployed while the size of the location enables potential risks to be isolated from other areas.

According to Flightradar24 data, the 787 departed the capital of Kenya at 09:18 local time, after a 13-minute delay. The aircraft was flying at 17,000 over the English Channel before descending as it traveled north along the east coast of Kent. The aircraft continued to descend along the North Sea coast and began flying over Essex. The twinjet continued its descent onto Stansted, arriving at its designated stand by 14:52 local time.

More on the aircraft

5Y-KZG is the registration of the aircraft involved in the incident. The plane, nicknamed Magical Kenya, arrived at the Kenya Airways’ facilities in April 2015, new from Boeing’s facilities in Charleston. The eight-year-old has had a busy week, flying to the likes of Dubai, Guangzhou, Johannesburg, and Paris over the last week.

The aircraft forms a fleet of nine 787s in the carrier’s holdings. According to ch-aviation, the operator also holds two 737-300s, eight 737-800s, and 13 Embraer E190s.

Source: Simple flying

The Democratic Republic of Congo has plans in motion for the establishment of a second national airline, Air Congo.

While Congo Airways recently suspended its flights due to financial troubles, the government has unveiled plans to establish a second national airline, Air Congo, in collaboration with Ethiopian Airlines Group. This strategic move aims to revitalize the country’s aviation sector, but questions remain about how the two airlines will coexist.

Congo Airways, the country’s first national airline, took off eight years ago with grand ambitions of serving destinations across Africa. However, it faced turbulence on its journey, culminating in the suspension of its flights in September due to financial challenges. The nation’s Transport Minister cited issues such as a “wrong business model,” “non-transparent administration,” and “inappropriate pricing structures” as key factors contributing to this crisis.

Nonetheless, President Félix Tshisekedi’s government remained steadfast in its commitment to enhancing the nation’s aviation capabilities. In mid-September, the decision was made to establish a second national airline, Air Congo, a concept that had been under consideration for two years, reports Politico. This venture comes with a notable partner, Ethiopian Airlines Group, a renowned player in the African aviation space. Ethiopian Airlines Group is set to provide financial support as well as invaluable expertise to ensure the success of Air Congo.

The government has set an ambitious timeline, aiming to prepare Air Congo for applying for its air operator’s certificate (AOC) within five months. Importantly, the government has expressed its intention that the establishment of Air Congo should not come at the expense of Congo Airways.

However, the specifics of how these two airlines will coexist and differentiate themselves in the market are yet to be revealed. Two years ago, Air Congo was envisioning a fleet of seven aircraft, indicating its aspiration for a robust presence in the skies.

Source: Airspace-Africa.

Low-cost carrier Jambojet says it has taken a 54 percent domestic air market share after it flew 779,000 passengers since January, marking a 23 percent increase compared to 559,830 in a similar period last year.

According to the airline, the achievement was met as a result of increasing flight frequencies across key routes to meet growing demand, especially during the peak seasons which are centered around the school calendar.

Jambojet competitors in the local market include its parent firm Kenya Airways, Mombasa Air Safari, Safarilink Aviation, Fly ALS, and AirKenya Express.

KQ launched Jambojet in April 2014, making a return to the regional low-cost carrier market, a decade after folding its former low-priced unit Flamingo Airlines in 2004.

Jambojet operates various routes with daily frequencies between Nairobi and Mombasa (nine times), Kisumu (five times), Eldoret (four or five times), Malindi (three or four times), Diani (two or three times), and Lamu (once daily). The airline also operates four weekly flights to Goma in the DRC from Nairobi and offers daily direct flights between Mombasa and Kisumu and Eldoret.

Jambojet’s competitors in the local market include its parent firm Kenya Airways, Mombasa Air Safari, Safarilink Aviation, Fly ALS, and AirKenya Express.

KQ launched Jambojet in April 2014, making a return to the regional low-cost carrier market, a decade after folding its former low-priced unit Flamingo Airlines in 2004.

Jambojet operates various routes with daily frequencies between Nairobi and Mombasa (nine times), Kisumu (five times), Eldoret (four or five times), Malindi (three or four times), Diani (two or three times), and Lamu (once daily). The airline also operates four weekly flights to Goma in the DRC from Nairobi and offers daily direct flights between Mombasa and Kisumu and Eldoret.

Source: businessdailyafrica.

Kenya Airways (KQ) is set to enhance its service to the United Kingdom, specifically London, by introducing an expanded flight schedule starting from the end of October 2023. The airline’s strategic move aims to meet the rising demand for travel on this route, offering passengers increased options for convenience and flexibility.

Beginning at the end of October, Kenya Airways will double its daily flights to London, resulting in a total of two long-haul flights per day. This significant increase will raise the weekly flights between Nairobi and London from the current ten to a total of fourteen, a development that has been warmly received by the airline’s clients.

Passengers traveling to the United Kingdom with Kenya Airways will now have the choice between a morning flight, identified as KQ 100, and an evening flight, designated as KQ 102. This expanded selection of flight times is expected to cater to diverse traveler preferences, ensuring a more tailored and convenient experience for customers.

KQ100 will be departing from Nairobi every morning, while the KQ102 aircraft will be taking off for London in the evening on a daily basis. This scheduling adjustment is poised to facilitate increased passenger movement between Kenya and the United Kingdom, aligning with Kenya Airways’ commitment to meeting the needs of its discerning passengers.

To accommodate this expanded service, Kenya Airways will deploy the state-of-the-art B787 Boeing Dreamliner on the Nairobi-London route. This aircraft selection will result in a weekly total of 14 flights, a significant increase from the current 10 flights per week.

The decision to add these extra flights highlights the airline’s dedication to addressing the growing demand for travel on this route, driven by a variety of factors, including market demand and passenger preferences.

Kenya Airways has been diligently serving passengers traveling to London for various purposes, including business, leisure, trade, and education. With the introduction of these additional flights, the airline is poised to further solidify its position as a key player in the air travel industry, providing enhanced accessibility and options for travelers between Nairobi and London.

This strategic move follows the airline’s resumption of daily flights to New York in December 2022, marking its proactive response to the evolving landscape of air travel in the wake of the challenges posed by the Coronavirus pandemic.

Source: Switch Tv

Kenya Airways has donated one of its Boeing 737-700 aeroplanes to Mangu High School.

The donation is aimed at supporting aviation studies in the school that will later feed the airline with personnel in the aviation sector.

The school, which will be celebrating 100 years next year, is among the first institutions to start teaching aviation studies in the country and has several of its former students working at the airline in various departments.

It also becomes the first to receive a complete aeroplane from the airline through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) after donating an engine to the Technical University of Kenya in 2016 for the same purpose.

Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said the donation is an act of nobility and an affirmation of KQ’s support for the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).

He lauded the airline’s CSR initiatives that bequeath students with tactical, technical and technological know-how that will give them an edge over their peers.

‘‘I wish to thank Kenya Airways for this commendable act of CSR that will inspire hope in the students of Mangu High School, assist in the modelling of their skills and transform abstract theories into practicable concepts,’’ said Murkomen

He added, ‘‘This initiative also underscores the importance of Public-Private Partnerships(PPP) in advancing our government’s education and aviation reforms and ensuring that  our young people have access to the requisite tools and opportunities necessary for the creation of successful careers.’’

The CS spoke today during the handover at hangar 1 at the airline’s head office in Embakasi.

He said the aviation sector in Africa has expansive opportunities and vacancies that remain unfilled.

According to a recent report by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Africa needs 55,000 skilled aviation professionals in the next two decades, including 15,000 pilots, 17,000 technicians and 23,000 cabin crew.

‘‘The question therefore remains; how can we as a country, benefit from these opportunities? What do we need to do to establish dominance in the continent’s aviation sector and export talent and skills to the continental and global markets?’’ he posed. 

He said one of the ways of doing this is by encouraging the creation of incubators for innovation and talent development.

Beyond its flight and cargo operations, KQ has an active aviation hub, known as Fahari Innovation Hub that acts as a springboard for new ideas and data-driven innovations.

It also has an approved aviation school known as the Pride Centre that offers a range of courses to prepare candidates for a successful career in the aviation sector.

Kenya Airways chief executive officer Allan Kilavuka said the aeroplane boasts of impressive specifications including a wingspan of 35.79 metres and a length of 33.63 meters, making it substantial and iconic aircraft.

‘‘It also has a seating capacity of 16 seats in the business class and 100 in economy and has served countless passengers throughout is remarkable career. Manufactured in 2003, it has aged for two decades, accumulating an impressive over 56, 861 flight hours and 20,966 flight cycles,’’ said Kilavuka.

He added: ‘‘It was retired from active service in December 2021 and now it embarks on a new journey as an educational tour for the Mangu High School students.’’

KCB Bank has donated Sh5 million to support its movement from the hangar to the school and equip the school with aircraft learning equipment such as flight simulators and aircraft maintenance tools, while Crown Paints will donate paint for the repainting the plane that will now be registered as 5W MHC from 5W KQH.

Kilavuka, who reiterated that the airline will also offer technical support to the school, said they have started discussions with universities particularly TUK and Kenyatta University (KU) on matters aviation.

‘‘This is to make sure that we are impacting influence in their curriculum to be relevant to us and meet current industry demands,’’ he said.

 Mangu High School principal John Kuria thanked the airline for the donation, saying it will further fire up the dreams of these students to achieve their dream careers

‘‘It will also go a long way in ramping up the numbers of students in aviation technology,’’ he said.

Mangu High School Alumni Association chairman Ronald Meru, who paraded four pilots who are alumni said aviation programme is the school’s pride.

 ‘‘The partnership will facilitate the aviation studies at the school and ensure the aviation technology is well taught in accordance with the standards that the students require,’’ he said.

General Michael Gichangi, Kenya Airways board chairman and also an alumnus of Mangu said the school has been instrumental in the aviation industry of the country since independence and the donation is a major milestone will strengthen the impetus it has given to the industry.

Source: Standard media.

In a significant stride towards enhancing global connectivity, Condor Airlines, a well-established German leisure and vacation airline, has recently launched direct flights from Frankfurt to Mombasa. This move comes after nearly two decades of successful operations in Kenya, primarily serving Mombasa, and marks a pivotal moment for Condor’s foray and return to Mombasa, Kenya’s coastal city.

Condor Airlines has long been a prominent name in the aviation industry, synonymous with quality service, efficiency, and a commitment to providing travelers with unforgettable experiences. Their decision to expand operations to Mombasa underscores the growing importance of Kenya as a key destination in East Africa.

At a recent meeting hosted by the airline at the Boma Hotel in Nairobi, travel agents had the privilege of engaging with Condor’s product offering and management team. The gathering provided a unique opportunity for industry stakeholders to gain insights into Condor’s expansion plans and the airline’s mission to further connect East Africa with Germany.

Condor’s activities in Kenya will be managed through a General Sales Agent Agreement, AVIANETAVIAREPS Travel Management Ltd. The airline activities will be headed by Ms. Lilian Musyoka, who brings a wealth of experience to her role. While speaking during the launch, Ms Musyoka expressed Condor’s dedication to facilitating seamless travel between the two regions. She highlighted how Condor’s new direct route to Mombasa aligns perfectly with the airline’s commitment to providing travelers with efficient and convenient connections.

“As Condor Airlines extends its reach, travelers can look forward to a new era of connectivity and exploration. This expansion not only opens doors for German tourists to experience Kenya’s rich cultural and natural wonders but also beckons Kenyan travelers to explore the vibrant landscapes and cultures of Germany,” she said.

Source: KATA NEWS

The Belgian Lufthansa subsidiary is expanding in its focus market of Africa. In a significant development for both Brussels Airlines and East Africa, the Belgian carrier is set to receive an additional Airbus A330, marking a return to its pre-pandemic fleet size. This expansion comes hand in hand with the reopening of a vital route to Nairobi and increased flight frequency to Kigali, signifying a growing commitment to East African connectivity.

The Return to Nairobi

Nairobi, Kenya, holds a special place in Brussels Airlines’ history. Having been part of their network from 2002 to 2015, the city is set to once again grace their route map. Commencing in June 2024, direct flights will connect Brussels to Nairobi, promising increased accessibility for travelers. Ticket sales for this eagerly anticipated route are already slated to begin shortly.

With the addition of the tenth long-haul aircraft, Brussels Airlines aims to strengthen its presence in Africa significantly. During the summer season, the flight to Nairobi will operate six times a week – except Tuesdays, offering ample opportunities for travel. Even during the winter season, when many routes see reduced frequency, Nairobi will remain well-connected with four weekly flights.

In order to be able to cope with growth, the airline will add a tenth Airbus A330 in the summer of 2024. This means that their long-haul fleet will be as large as before the pandemic. At that time, it had reduced its aircraft fleet by a quarter.

Dorothea von Boxberg, CEO of Brussels Airlines, acknowledges the pivotal role of this expansion, stating, “With Nairobi, daily flights to Kigali, and additional flights to West Africa, we have a stronger presence in Africa than ever before.” She emphasizes that this tenth long-haul aircraft exemplifies Lufthansa Group’s confidence in the airline and strengthens its position as the hub to Africa within the group.

The addition of the Airbus A330-300 from parent company Lufthansa signifies a seamless integration of resources within the group and heralds an exciting new phase for Brussels Airlines.

Expanding Capacity and Connectivity

This latest development underscores Lufthansa Group’s commitment to Kenya and its strategic intention to boost market growth. With the new flights to Nairobi, the Group will offer an impressive 18 weekly flights to Kenya, with 13 weekly flights to Nairobi (7 by Lufthansa and 6 by Brussels Airlines) and 5 weekly flights to Mombasa via DISCOVER Airlines.

During the European winter season starting in October 2024, the Lufthansa Group will operate 15 weekly flights to Kenya, further cementing its status as a major player in East African air travel.

In conjunction with these developments, Kigali is also set to benefit from increased connectivity, with flight frequencies increasing from 5 weekly to daily year-round flights starting in June 2024. This expansion reflects the growing importance of East Africa in global aviation and the commitment of Brussels Airlines and the Lufthansa Group to play a significant role in this vibrant region’s growth.

Source: Airspace-Africa

Low-cost carrier Flydubai next year will begin service between Dubai and Mombasa, Kenya, the carrier announced.

The service will begin on Jan. 17 and will operate four times per week, on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Emirates also will codeshare on the route, enabling further connections out of Dubai, according to Flydubai.

The Mombasa route will be Flydubai’s 11th in its African network, where the carrier sees “a lot of potential,” according to Flydubai CEO Ghaith Al Ghaith. “Dubai has seen steady growth in investment from Africa since Expo 2020, with more than 26,000 African companies registered with Dubai Chamber,” he said in a statement. “Our direct flights to Mombasa from January and our growing operations in Africa will further support free flows of trade and tourism between the [United Arab Emirates] and the East African markets.”

Other African destinations in Flydubai’s network include Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Alexandria, Egypt; Asmara, Eritrea; Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar in Tanzania; Djibouti; Entebbe, Uganda; Hargeisa (Somaliland) and Mogadishu in Somalia; and Juba, South Sudan.

Source: BTN

ASKY has added Nairobi, its latest destination after Luanda. Both routes are brand-new. ASKY overnights its entire fleet at outstations, and Nairobi and Luanda are no exception.

ASKY Airlines is not a big operator. According to ch-aviation, the Togo-based strategic partner of Ethiopian Airlines has just 12 aircraft: eight Boeing 737-800s and four 737-700s. Two used MAX 8s are reportedly coming. Despite the small fleet, ASKY is a highly coordinated hub and spoke airline, serving 27 destinations from its Lomé hub this August-October.

Jambo, Nairobi!

ASKY will inaugurate Lomé to Nairobi on October 1st. The Kenyan capital will be served three weekly non-stop in both directions using the two-class, 154-seat 737-800. Entirely timed to connect behind and beyond Lomé, Lagos and Accra will be especially well demanded for transit passengers.

Some 2,517 miles (4,050 km) apart, the new route is scheduled as follows:

• Lomé to Nairobi: KP78, 12:40-21:25 (5h 45m)
• Nairobi to Lomé: KP79, 09:05-11:40 (5h 35m)

Interestingly, when writing on August 12th, Nairobi passengers cannot connect to Ethiopian’s non-stop services from Lomé to Newark or Washington Dulles. (JFK has reverted to operating via Abidjan.) For now, flying via Addis Ababa is seemingly the only way with Ethiopian, with (funnily enough) Nairobi-Addis-Lomé-Newark/Dulles available.

It follows Luanda launch

ASKY began Luanda on August 2nd. Served three weekly, the 1,322-mile (2,128 km) route to the Angolan capital is, like Nairobi, non-stop in both directions using the 737-800. Alas, the inbound flight reportedly only had 55 passengers.

• Lomé to Luanda: KP76 14:25-19:00
• Luanda to Lomé: KP77, 08:00-10:35

Hang on: why remain overnight?

You might wonder why the operating aircraft remains overnight in Kenya and Angola. It is to drive connectivity, with ASKY’s entire fleet remaining overnight at outstations (i.e., not at Lomé). It incurs high costs from overnighting crew and conducting maintenance at destinations.

It results from only having one wave of flights a day, comprising one departure bank and one arrival bank. It means that ASKY barely uses some of its aircraft, with the implications of such low utilization clear.

The carrier generally only operates two roundtrip flights per aircraft in 24 hours, even on its shortest routes. It is almost unthinkable. However, one solution (to add a second wave) comes with various other considerations, costs, and problems.

60,000+ Luanda passengers

Like the carrier’s other routes, Nairobi and Luanda are timed for passengers to transit across West and Central Africa. Based on where they can connect, booking data shows that Luanda is a market of 60,000+ roundtrip passengers for ASKY, based on 2019, with around 165 passengers a day. Not many.

Being Africa, most people previously flew far out of their way from Luanda to West and Central Africa. Booking data indicates that most did so via Addis Ababa, Casablanca, or Johannesburg. Now there is a quicker, more logical transfer point to reach the regions.

Source: Simple Flying