The International Air Transport Association (IATA) warned that the damage being done to the African aviation industry and on economies by the shutdown of air traffic owing to the COVID-19 pandemic has deepened. According to new data published today by the Air Transport Action Group of which IATA is a member:

• 5 million African jobs will be lost in aviation and industries supported by aviation in 2020. This is well over half of the region’s 7.7 million aviation-related employment.
• 172,00 jobs will be lost in aviation alone in 2020. This is about 40% of the region’s 440,000 aviation
• GDP supported by aviation in the region will fall by up to $37 billion. This is 58% below pre COVID-19 levels.

“The breakdown in air connectivity in Africa has severe social and economic consequences for millions. No income means the lack of a social safety net for many. Governments need to do all they can to reconnect the continent safely. Keeping borders closed, or imposing measures such as quarantines, that deter air travel, will result in many more livelihoods being lost and further economic shrinkage along with hardship and poverty,” said Muhammad Albakri, IATA’s Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East.  

Testing to Restart Aviation in Africa

To minimize the impact on jobs and the broader African economy, an accelerated recovery of air transport across the region is paramount. This can be achieved through COVID-19 testing as an alternative to restrictive quarantine measures. 

Thirty-one countries in Africa are opening their borders to regional and international air travel. In 22 countries, however, passengers are still subject to a mandatory 14-day quarantine.  This effectively stops people from travelling. IATA is calling for the systematic testing of passengers before departure. This will enable governments to safely open borders without quarantine and better support recovery efforts.

“Quarantine measures are crippling the industry’s recovery and hampering its ability to support social and economic development. Testing for COVID-19 will enable Africa and the world to safely re-connect and recover,” said Albakri. Source: https://www.iata.org/en/pressroom/pr/2020-10-01-01/

Emirates is to resume service to five African destinations next month, taking its rebuilt network across the continent to 19 cities.

The carrier will relaunch flights to Johannesburg, Cape Town and Harare on October 1, followed by Mauritius on October 3, and Durban on October 4.

Harare will operate as a twice weekly linked service with the existing Lusaka route, while the carrier said that flights from Dubai to Mauritius will initially operate weekly, “supporting the Mauritian government’s repatriation efforts to bring its citizens home, and enabling the recovery of the country’s tourism industry by safely connecting leisure travellers from Europe, the Far East and the Middle East to the popular Indian Ocean island destination”.

The latest additions bring Emirates’ network to 92 destinations worldwide, and follows the recent resumption of flights to Amman, Abuja and Lagos.

The figure is still well below the 140-odd destinations served by the carrier before the onset of Covid-19 – Emirates’ chief operating officer Adel Al Redha recently told CNBC that the airline expected to be serving all of its destinations by summer 2021.

Source: https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/2020/09/27/emirates-to-resume-flights-to-cape-town-durban-and-johannesburg/

Ethiopian Airlines several weeks ago officially completed a 86,000-square-meter terminal expansion at Addis Ababa’s Bole International Airport. With the capacity to serve 22 million passengers a year, Africa’s main transit hub is now home to the continent’s second largest capacity airport after South Africa’s O.R. Tambo International.

But this is no ordinary terminal project: the $300 million Terminal 2 has the distinction of being the world’s first completed amid the pandemic and designed with an eye towards biosafety.

Aside from daily airport cleaning procedures, this means digitized features, including state-of-the-art thermal scanners, 30 self-check-in kiosks, 60 check-in counters, 32 arrival immigration counters with eight e-gates, 16 security screening areas, touch-free sanitizing gel dispensers, and socially distanced gate seating.

“We are now providing a contactless experience,” Ethiopian Airlines’ Miretab Teklaye, director of integrated marketing, told Skift. “Using the Ethiopian mobile app, you can book, pay, check in, print tags, drop baggage, scan your boarding pass at immigration, or at the lounge. [It’s] about empowering the customer to own the experience end to end.”

Built in multiple phases over three years, the ultramodern terminal is part of Ethiopian’s strategy to continue investing in infrastructure, one of its four key pillars. The project was financed by EXIM Bank China and designed by Singapore firm CPG.

Although the airline went from growth mode to survival mode in March, future plans remain in place for the redesign of Addis’ domestic terminal by 2021, as well as an 80 to 100-million-passenger $5 billion airport just 39 kilometers southeast of the capital.

Like the world’s major commercial carriers, Ethiopian has suffered a massive loss in passenger flight revenue since Covid-19, to the tune of $1 billion by the close of June 2020. What’s notably different, however, is that the airline hasn’t been impacted negatively in the way other carriers have: no government bailout request, no layoffs and no salary reductions. Instead, it has managed to turn a profit.

In late March, while other African airlines were grounded, Ethiopian saw the opportunity to recoup its passenger revenue loss by expanding its established 10-fleet cargo unit. The airline converted 25 passenger planes to cargo and deployed its 54,000-square-meter, high-tech pharma wing to store and distribute Covid-19 medical supplies and millions of PPE donations from China and from the UN World Food Programme to over 80 countries in Africa, Canada, the U.S., Europe, Asia, and South America.

OPENING THE DOOR TO NEW OPPORTUNITIES

In addition, the global shutdown opened the door to new opportunities, such as transporting Norway’s fish exports and Kenya’s flower exports. As a result of the skyrocketing demand through June, the airline doubled its cargo revenue and its cargo route expanded to 74 destinations.

“If cargo hadn’t been our strategic pillar back in 2010, we couldn’t do anything now,” Teklaye said.

Additional cash revenue sources have come from MRO services, another of Ethiopian’s established business units — 40 aircraft from sub-Saharan Africa, plus a Middle East carrier — as well as from 63,000 repatriation charter flights to the Americas, Middle East and Asia since March. Ethiopian’s veteran CEO Tewolde GebreMariam recently shared that the airline’s decision to diversify over the years had proven to be “a life-saving decision.”

In June, just as PPE cargo and repatriation demands decreased, Ethiopian Airlines began resuming its commercial flights. Thirteen aircrafts have been reconfigured back to passenger and the airline is currently operating 68 daily flights, albeit at limited capacity and reduced frequency, to destinations such as Dubai, Istanbul, Paris, London, and two of Ethiopian’s heaviest Africa routes – Ghana and Nigeria. It’s a number that keeps shifting as more governments lift flying bans.

Experts have expressed doubt that increased cargo revenue could keep Ethiopian afloat long-term. With other African airlines crumbling, the current aviation climate may also open the door wider to outside competitors looking for a share of African skies. But Ethiopian remains optimistic it can empower its fellow African carriers, while continuing to eye global opportunities in cargo, MRO, and even in hospitality with vacation packages aimed at Addis Ababa’s 70 percent transit passengers, incorporating the city’s new green and historic attractions, such as Unity Park and Entoto Park.

‘DON’T WASTE CRISES’

“We say here all the time: we don’t waste crises,” Teklaye said. “We have a diversified customer base, diverse business units, and a diverse geography. We have an experienced management team with a legacy of handling crises. We are anticipating opportunities at a granular level and see where we can serve. The passenger business will slowly be coming, but the cargo and other services – we’ll keep looking at the options.”

How much longer Africa’s leading airline will manage to remain intact until its passenger numbers return isn’t certain. But for now, Ethiopian Airlines’ ability to generate revenue and turn a profit while avoiding Covid-19’s devastating financial impacts — which have crippled aviation industry giants — is as unprecedented in the industry as the pandemic itself.

Source: https://skift.com/2020/09/23/ethiopian-airlines-debuts-first-covid-era-contactless-terminal/

For the past 40 years, World Tourism Day has highlighted the power of tourism to touch on almost every part of our societies. Right now, this message is more important than ever.

The theme of World Tourism Day 2020 – Tourism and Rural Development – is particularly relevant as we face up to an unprecedented crisis.

Tourism has proven to be a lifeline for many rural communities. However, its true force still needs to be fully deployed. The sector is not just a leading source of employment, particularly for women and youth. It also provides opportunities for territorial cohesion and socio-economic inclusion for the most vulnerable regions.

Tourism helps rural communities hold onto their unique natural and cultural heritage, supporting conservation projects, including those safeguarding endangered species, lost traditions or flavours.

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought the world to a standstill. Our sector is among the hardest hit with millions of jobs at risk.

As we join forces to restart tourism, we must live up to our responsibility to ensure that tourism’s benefits are shared by all.

This crisis is an opportunity to rethink the tourism sector and its contribution to the people and planet; an opportunity to build back better towards a more sustainable, inclusive and resilient tourism.

Placing rural development at the heart of tourism policies through education, investment, innovation and technology can transform the livelihoods of millions, preserve our environment and our culture.

As the ultimate cross-cutting sector, tourism contributes directly or indirectly to all of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Harnessing tourism as a driver of rural development will keep the global community on track to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, our ambitious plan for people and the planet.

As we mark the 75 years of the United Nations, it is time to really fulfil tourism’s massive potential, including its unique ability to drive development for rural communities, backing up our pledge to leave nobody behind.

HAPPY WORLD TOURISM DAY! – Zurab Pololikashvili, UNWTO Secretary-General

Source: https://voyagesafriq.com/2020/09/22/world-tourism-day-2020-official-message-from-unwto-secretary-general/

Regional low-cost carrier JamboJet has partnered with various hotels to promote domestic travel.

The campaign dubbed “Now Travel Ready” is part of the airline’s strategy to encourage air travel as the country begins its Covid-19 recovery process.

“With the launch of this campaign, we want to show our customers the new normal of travel. From the moment they leave their home, to when they get to the airport, arrive at their destination, the hotels they can stay at and the measures in place, as well as the activities they can take part in,” said Jambojet head of sales and marketing, Titus Oboogi. 

The airline resumed operations on July 15 with three daily flights to Mombasa, two to Kisumu, two to Eldoret, one to Malindi, and four weekly flights to Diani.

The hotels that are part of the campaign include Swahili Beach Resort and Diani Sea Lodge in Diani; Ciala Resort, Grand Royal Swiss Hotel and Sovereign Hotel in Kisumu; Voyager Beach Resort, Pride Inn Hotels and Hotel Englishpoint in Mombasa.

Others are Turtle Bay Beach Club, Plan Hotel Resorts, Ocean Beach Resort & Spa and Luxury Springs Villas in Malindi and Watamu; The Noble Hotel and Naiberi Resort in Eldoret.

Last week, the airline announced entry into charter operations to address emerging consumer needs and diversify its product offering.

Source: https://www.the-star.co.ke/business/kenya/2020-09-23-jambojet-launches-a-campaign-to-encourage-domestic-travel/

Kenya Airways resumed flights to Tanzania yesterday following the lifting of the ban with the carrier banking on the route to connect passengers travelling to other destinations using their network.

The airline charged Sh23,095 for a one-way ticket to Dar and Sh22,680 (210) from Dar to Nairobi, which is nearly the same price that it was charging before the Covid-19 pandemic.

KQ was allowed to fly to the neighboring state last week after Kenya exempted Tanzanian citizens from a list of countries whose nationals would be required to undergo a mandatory two-week quarantine upon arrival in Nairobi.

“We are pleased to resume our services to Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar following this announcement by the Tanzanian government. Tanzania is critical to both Kenya and East Africa’s economic growth and we look forward to our continued collaboration,” said Allan Kilavuka, KQ chief executive officer.

The Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority announced the resumption and restoration of all flights by Kenyan operators with immediate effect last week, just a day after Nairobi included Dar in the list of safe countries.

“This is to confirm that the government of Kenya through its circular issued by KCAA on September 15 removed the requirement of 14 days mandatory quarantine for all arriving passengers from the United Republic of Tanzania,” said Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) director general Hamza Johari.

“In view of that and on a reciprocal basis, Tanzania has now lifted the suspension for all Kenya operators with immediate effect.”

Tanzania had earlier said it would not allow Kenya Airways and three other local airlines from flying to the country until its citizens were exempted from a two-week quarantine, with Nairobi insisting that it would not compromise on the health of Kenyans at the expense of commercial interest.

The first KQ flight to Dar es Salaam departed from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport – Nairobi yesterday morning with the second one expected to leave on Wednesday. Thereafter KQ will operate two daily flights to Dar es Salaam.

KQ’s first flight to Zanzibar will depart on September 26 and the carrier will thereafter operate three times a week – on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

Source: https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/corporate/companies/Boost-for-Kenya-Airways-as-flights-to-Tanzania-take-off/4003102-5625896-ct112x/index.html

With international travel set to resume following the ban on international travel at the start of South Africa’s Covid-19 lockdown in March, all systems are in place – all the Airports Company South Africa is waiting for is the list of countries from which visitors will be allowed.

https://spkt.io/a/1059308 Cape Town International Airport is ready to resume international travel, says the CEO of Airports Company South Africa (Acsa), Mpumi Mpofu. During lockdown, the airport’s income had been “decimated”, she said. With international travel resuming in October, things are looking up. 

Mpofu spoke to Daily Maverick as Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula inspected the airport’s readiness to accept international travellers.

“From the 1st [of October] onwards, we can only grow,” said Mpofu, adding that apart from waiting for the list of countries from which visitors are allowed to travel, “we are good to go”. There have been applications from airlines to land in South Africa, but the airlines were also waiting for the approved list of countries of origin. 

Mpofu said SA airports had been “decimated” and it could take up to five years to recover the income lost during the Covid-19 lockdown.  

Mpofu told Daily Maverick about the future of the airport and how Covid-19 affected these plans: 

“If there’s a lesson we’ve learnt from Covid, it is that airports are exciting places but they need not be passenger revenue related – and that’s exactly the diversification strategy we’re going to be taking forward so that we continue to be financially viable.” 

Cape Town International Airport, along with OR Tambo and King Shaka International, will be the only SA airports allowed to accept foreign travellers when international travel resumes on 1 October, said President Cyril Ramaphosa this month. Following Ramaphosa’s announcement, Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma said other ministers would be announcing the new regulations. 

According to a media advisory sent out this week, Mbalula was supposed to announce new travel regulations and directives while doing an inspection of the airport’s facilities. This was his third visit to airports – he had previously visited OR Tambo and King Shaka to inspect their readiness. 

Despite being an hour late for the briefing, Mbalula did not announce new regulations, but only inspected the airport’s facilities. When pressed for information on the regulations, he would only say that the department was “looking at” opening up more train lines, including the resumption of long-distance services and increasing load capacity for long-distance taxi operations. 

He said that the department was “looking at every country from Dubai… next week we’ll announce that”. The Department of Transport is working with the departments of health, home affairs, and international relations and cooperation to determine the countries from which travellers would be allowed. 

When asked about the new regulations, Mbalula said: “Before the 1st of October you’ll know.” 

During the inspection, Mpofu told Daily Maverick the airport is expecting 180,000 visitors on 820 flights during October. 

Two initiatives announced by the airport were the introduction of thermal scanners that can detect passengers with high temperatures when they pass through scanning stations, and converting into an e-system, which will ease the travelling system for travellers. 

After being taken on a tour of the airport’s thermal detectors, screening sections and sanitizing stations, Mbalula declared the airport ready to accept international travel. 

Mbalula is expected to reveal the new travel regulations next week, before international travel reopens on 1 October. 

Source: https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2020-09-25-cape-town-international-airport-is-ready-for-international-visitors/

Uganda Airlines will resume scheduled flight operations effective 01st of October, now that the airport reopening date has finally been confirmed.

Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, Juba and Mogadishu will be the first four destinations the airline will fly to, using their CRJ900 aircraft.

According to information received from the airline will a second tier of destinations see the resumption of flights at a later stage, among those being Mombasa, Bujumbura, Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar.

The airline at the same time also confirmed that their pre-pandemic planned launch of flights to Johannesburg, Kinshasa and Lusaka remains on target too and an announcement is expected in due course about the dates when these additional destinations will be served.

Ahead of the resumption of flights has the airline put strict health and safety protocols into place to give passengers the confidence to fly again.

Meanwhile has a source close to Uganda Airlines also confirmed that the first Airbus A330-800Neo is due for delivery before the end of the year.

This signals clear intent to also launch intercontinental services soon after the first of two such ordered aircraft has been put into service – unlike neighbours RwandAir which, according to reliably sources from Kigali has cancelled the delivery of their order for two brand new Airbus A300Neo’s as well as two Boeing B737MAX.

Uganda Airlines plans to first serve such long haul destinations with the new Airbus A330-800Neo aircraft with flights to London but also plans to launch services to China and Dubai before eying further expansion.

Source: ATC News https://atcnews.org/2020/09/21/ugandaairlines-publishes-flight-schedule-effective-01st-october/

Ethiopian Airlines Group has announced the resumption of its flight services to Victoria Falls, African’s most spectacular natural site effective 06 October,2020.

Esteemed Customers are kindly informed that Facemasks will be mandatory for travel and are requested to satisfy destination entry requirements such as PCR COVID-19 Clearance certificate issued by the recognized facility within 48 hours from the date of departure, in line with WHO guidelines. Up to date destination entry requirements can be found on our website using the link https://www.ethiopianairlines.com/aa/travel-updates

As countries continue to open their borders and relax travel restrictions, Ethiopian is ready to increase frequencies to accommodate the demand by focusing on the wellbeing of customers and staff. Ethiopian is happy to welcome back business and leisure travelers to these destinations.

Source: https://voyagesafriq.com/2020/09/24/ethiopian-set-for-a-return-to-victoria-falls-on-oct-6/

The much-anticipated Dubai Expo 2020 will now run from October 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022 due to the impact of the Coronavirus.

The expo had been scheduled to run from October 20, 2020 to April 10, 2021 but was moved to a later date due to the highly contagious virus that has disrupted lives and negatively impacted the economy globally.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Minister of State for International Cooperation Director General and Expo 2020 Dubai Bureau Ms Reem Al Hashimy said, “At the Expo we know we need to deliver better than what was planned before. We have the chance to respond to how our world has changed. And so, we must seek new definitions of success. We must create an opportunity for the world to come together, not just physically but also virtually. We must achieve tangible positive outcomes. We must inform wisely and inspire utterly, a world that deserves better than it has today.”

She further said, “We continue to make strong progress as we prepare for a new Expo that will reunite the world in 2021, with far-reaching precautionary measures allowing us to keep all event preparations on track while ensuring the health, safety and wellbeing of everyone working throughout the COVID-19 crisis,”.

She expressed optimism at resumption and on the deeper impact that the new World Expo will have at shaping a better post pandemic world. “we look forward to harnessing that power of collaboration and innovation, helping us emerge from this crisis stronger than ever,” the Minister of State said.