Gov’t suspends all non-essential travel for public officers

The government has suspended all non-essential travel for public officers in new austerity measures aimed at reducing public expenditure.

In a circular issued on Monday, October 2, Head of Public Service Felix Koskei said the move was in line with the constitution’s demands on prudent and responsible utilization of taxpayers’ money.

The categories of foreign travel that have been frozen include benchmarking and study visits, training and related capacity-building initiatives, research, academic meetings and symposia.

Others are conferences and meetings of general participation, side events, showcase events and exhibitions, and caucus and association meetings and events.

“Art. 201(d) of the Constitution demands the prudent and responsible utilization of public money, a principle that remains the guiding anchor of the Government’s current fiscal consolidation and monetary policy strategies. A key outcome of these interventions has been the reduction of the resource envelope available to undertake the wide-ranging activities that have been planned in pursuit of respective governmental mandates at both National and County levels.

“This has necessitated the need to scale down and prioritize spending, focusing on the critical operations and activities that are essential to service delivery to the citizen,” Koskei said adding that the decision follows an advisory from the National Treasury.

At the same time, Koskei announced restrictions for the delegations accompanying state officers for foreign trips including the President, First Lady and Deputy President.

In the new guidelines, the delegation accompanying the President, the First Lady and the Deputy President will be limited to approved officials with a direct role in the scheduled activities.

Further, officials accompanying Cabinet Secretaries and Governors shall not exceed three persons including the head of the delegation while delegations headed by Principal Secretaries have been restricted to two.

“Where the Cabinet Secretary is to be accompanied, at least one (1) of the delegates shall be a technical officer specialised in the subject matter of the foreign engagement, with no security or personal assistants/logistics officers other than as exempted,” the communiqué reads.

“It is reiterated that Cabinet and Principal Secretaries in the same ministries shall not be away on foreign travel at the same time, unless the foreign engagement expressly demands the same.”

The period of official visits has also been capped at a maximum of seven days including the travel days.

Source: People daily

Tourism: More airlines increase flight frequencies to Seychelles Islands

Seychelles is becoming more accessible to visitors from other parts of the world with an increase in airline connections and flight frequencies, said Tourism Seychelles, the marketing arm of the tourism department

Last Saturday, Condor Airlines resumed seasonal flights to Seychelles with a new innovative aircraft, the Airbus A330Neo-900. The charter airline links Seychelles directly to Frankfurt in Germany.

Condor will operate a weekly direct flight enhancing the connection between Germany and Seychelles and from November 21 to March 12, 2024, it will add an additional weekly flight to the route.

Edelweiss Airline, the renowned Swiss leisure carrier, also resumed operations with a weekly direct flight from Zurich to Seychelles.

Another European carrier, Turkish Airlines, will operate three weekly flights end of October connecting Seychelles to Istanbul.

Ethiopian Airlines, one of Africa’s leading carriers, is set to increase its flight frequency to Seychelles to twice daily flights in October giving more options for travellers from various parts of the world including the African continent.  

Emirates remains the leading carrier for travellers to Seychelles, currently maintaining seven flights weekly and resuming its double daily flights as of October.

Meanwhile, Aeroflot, Russia’s national airline, will expand travel frequency to Seychelles as of October 16. The airline will have three weekly flights connecting Moscow directly to Seychelles, making sure that the Eastern European country remains among the top source markets for the island.

The new flight connections are expected to increase visitors’ arrivals to Seychelles in the fourth quarter.

The director general for Destination Marketing, Bernadette Willemin, said, “It gives us great pleasure to witness the surge in flight connections between Seychelles and crucial markets. The Seychelles Islands have always been known for their unparalleled natural beauty and vibrant culture and with these new connections, we eagerly anticipate welcoming travellers from across the globe to experience our unique paradise.”

The figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics on September 7, show that a total of 28,177 visitors arrived in Seychelles in August 2023, representing a decrease of 4 percent compared to August 2022. However, year to date figures show that 229,205 visitors disembarked in Seychelles compared to 216,777 over the same period in 2022.  

Tourism is the top contributor to the economy of Seychelles, an archipelago in the western Indian Ocean.

Seychelles is currently served by five additional airlines – Air Seychelles, Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, Air Austral and Kenya Airways.

Source: Seychelles News Agency.

New JKIA Terminal Construction To Start In January

The government plans to modernize and expand Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) as it seeks to make it competitive regionally.

Caleb Kositany, Chairman of the Kenya Airport Authority (KAA), said that the new facility will reduce congestion at Kenya’s main port of entry and exit.

Kositany said that the facility will reinforce JKIA’s status as Africa’s premier hub and gateway into East and Central Africa.

The KAA Chair spoke on Sunday when he presided over Togolese passenger airline Asky Airlines inaugural flight from Lome-Nairobi as the company expanded its presence in East Africa.

The airline will be flying four times a week between the two nations.

Its expansion to Kenya now provides travelers with connecting flights to Abidjan, Abuja, Accra, Bamako, Bangui, Bissau, and Beirut.

Others are Brazzaville, Conakry, Cotonou, Dakar, Douala, Freetown, Kinshasa, Lagos, Libreville, Monrovia, N’Djamena, Niamey, Ouagadougou, Pointe Noire, & Yaounde.

JKIA, which was constructed in 1978, is Kenya’s crucial airport and is home to Kenya Airways and Jambojet, among other airlines.

It handles over 5 million passengers annually. Initially, it was meant to accommodate 2 million travelers per year.

Source: Capital Business

Calls for a united Africa at the tourism forum in Botswana

Africans are yet to understand the full extent of their potential as a united force and embracing the Africa Continental Free Trade Area agenda could just be what the continent needed to make this realisation. That’s according to Susan Akporiaye, President of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies.

She was speaking at the Africa Tourism Leadership Forum in Gaborone Botswana where stakeholders in the industry, including government officials, have gathered to devise ways to improve intra-Africa travel and trade.

“I know this continent has so much wealth, so, so much that we don’t have an idea or have a clue of how powerful we are in Africa and if we can just … I don’t know how to call it, maybe bring our pride down … we are too scared of each other. We are so, so scared of each other,” she says.

Cultural stereotypes among Africans, she says, are holding Africans back and maybe something Africans may need to overcome before the AfCFTA agenda is fully embraced.

“The average Nigerian believes a South African doesn’t like them, that they hate them,” she laments.

AfCFTA is an economic integration programme launched by the African Union in 2018 to make improve intra-Africa trade having been ratified by 47 of the 54 African countries. It intends to achieve its goals of increasing intra-African trade and fostering industrial growth by establishing a single market that facilitates the unrestricted movement of people, investment, goods, and services across the African continent.

The African tourism industry is looking to the adoption of this programme to improve tourism on the continent and it has dominated discussions at the 6th tourism forum currently under way in Gaborone.

Among the suggestions put on the table is for Africa to create its own travel culture, which should possibly include getting rid of passports. That’s according to Kenya Tourism Federation CEO Susan Ongalo.

Source: SABC News

Building Bridges to a Sustainable Future: The 2023 WTTC Global Summit

In a milestone event that promises to reshape the contours of the global Travel & Tourism sector, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) today unveils the bold theme and agenda for WTTC’s 23rd Global Summit taking place in Kigali, Rwanda: “Building Bridges to a Sustainable Future”.

This year’s eagerly awaited Global Summit, set to unfold from the 1 – 3 November 2023, takes place in Africa for the first time, recognizing the phenomenal growth the Travel & Tourism sector across the continent has witnessed in recent years.

Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: “This Global Summit is a rallying cry for leaders, innovators, and change-makers from all corners of the globe to come together and craft a new vision for the sector.

“It’s an unparalleled opportunity to be at the forefront of shaping a sector that is not only resilient but is also committed to the principles of sustainability and inclusivity.

“Africa is the perfect venue for our Global Summit, as the sector embarks on a significant new chapter. Africa has the world’s youngest population and by 2033, $1 in every $13 created in Africa, will come from Travel & Tourism and 1 in 17 jobs will be in Travel & Tourism. This demonstrates the huge potential the continent’s sector has for new jobs and new economic growth for young people across Africa.”

With sessions on resilience and sustainable growth, the growing impact of AI and understanding new and emerging markets, the Global Summit is set to cover the key challenges and opportunities facing the sector.

The latest Economic Impact Research from the global tourism body reveals a staggering ten-year forecast for Africa’s Travel & Tourism sector. In 2033, WTTC predicts that the Travel & Tourism sector will contribute more than $300BN to Africa’s economy and jobs in the sector will grow significantly, reaching more than 36MN in total.

In Rwanda, WTTC is forecasting that by 2033 the Travel & Tourism sector will contribute more than $2.1BN to the national economy and will support almost 568,000 jobs. This is testament to Rwanda’s commitment to sustainable tourism, diversifying the experiences it offers, and promoting awareness of its rich biodiversity, culture and heritage, and art.

The 2023 WTTC Global Summit seeks to be the catalyst for this change, offering a platform where vibrant ideas meet opportunity, and where the future of Travel & Tourism will be redrawn and redefined.

Source: Hospitality net.

Jambojet puts its local business share at 54pc

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.

Niger Bans Air France & All Other French Aircraft from Its Airspace

Nearly four weeks after re-opening its airspace to international flights, the Republic of Niger has banned all French aircraft, including the Air France fleet, from operating there. Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron says that France will withdraw troops and end military cooperation with the West African country.

Niger Airspace restrictions

Niger’s airspace was closed entirely for all flights on August 6 following a military coup, which saw the ousting of the democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum. The airspace was eventually opened on September 4, allowing several airlines to fly over the country and return to Niamey.

However, the country has issued a new restriction affecting French commercial and military flight operations. This was stated in a letter from the Presidency of the Republic of Niger, per a statement sent to the Agency for Air Navigation Safety in Africa (ASECNA) on September 23. Part of the statement read;

“Niger has decided to restrict access to its airspace. This remains open to all national commercial flights and international aircraft, with the exception of French aircraft and those chartered by France, including the Air France fleet.”

“In addition, all operational military flights and special flights remain prohibited unless exceptionally authorized by the authorities”

The Presidency added that this decision reflects the wishes of the people of Niger, through the government’s voice, to regain control of the country’s airspace. We contacted Air France for a comment, but it had not been available at the time of publication.

Operations in West Africa

West Africa has been a very important market for the French national carrier for years. Following the closure of the Nigerien airspace, Air France suspended flights to Niamey (Niger), Bamako (Mali), and Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) due to safety concerns.

Consequently, the civil aviation authorities of Mali and Burkina Faso canceled the airline’s authorization to operate its summer 2023 flights, citing its failure of prior notification, which resulted in passenger inconveniences. From Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG), AF operated daily flights to Bamako, four weekly to Niamey, and three weekly to Ouagadougou with its Boeing 777 and Airbus A330 aircraft.

The French airline has not returned to these destinations, and the new restriction issued by Niger will further affect its operations in West Africa. Meanwhile, it continues to fly to other destinations in the region, including Abidjan (ABJ), Accra (ACC), Dakar (DSS), and Lagos (LOS).

Flying to and over Niger

When the country’s airspace was shut nearly two months ago, airline operations in and around the continent were severely affected, especially those flying between Europe and Sub-saharan Africa. Many carriers were forced to cancel flights, replan schedules, and reroute via other countries.

Since September 4, some carriers have resumed flights to Niamey Diori Hamani International Airport (NIM), including Ethiopian Airlines, Royal Air Maroc, and Turkish Airlines.

Similarly, airlines rerouting via other countries have begun flying over Niger again. For example, British Airways’ A380 Johannesburg-London service, which was forced to fly over Gabon, the Gulf of Guinea, and Ghana, to mention a few, has resumed operations through Nigerien Airspace.

Source: Simpleflying

Nigeria returns $29mn in trapped funds – IATA

Nigeria appears to have returned USD29.2 million in foreign airlines’ blocked funds in the past four months, according to the latest statistics released by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

In a statement on September 19, the association said Nigeria presently accounts for USD783 million of blocked airline funds, while in another statement in June, it said Nigeria was withholding USD812.2 million in April 2023.

On inquiry, an IATA spokesperson confirmed that the reduction in trapped funds was “due to many factors, including a weak intervention from the [Nigerian] government”. “Government intervention was not deep enough to significantly reverse the trend as the figures have started going up again. We forecast higher figures in September due to the accumulation of new sales, lack of liquidity on the Investors’ & Exporters’ FX Window and the inability of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to settle legacy matured FX (foreign exchange) bids.”

The latest IATA statistics were released during a meeting between Nigeria’s new Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, and IATA’s Regional Vice-President for Africa and the Middle East, Kamil Al Awadhi, in Abuja last week.

Al Awadhi called on the new Nigerian government for closer consultation with the aviation industry to develop short- and long-term solutions for foreign exchange access for domestic and foreign carriers.

IATA Director General Willie Walsh has warned that airlines cannot continue to provide services in markets where they cannot repatriate their revenues. A case in point has been Emirates (EK, Dubai International), which suspended services to Nigeria after the route became financially unviable, with the CBN holding on to the carrier’s ticket sales. It has demanded the repatriation of at least 80% of its remaining frozen funds and a guaranteed mechanism to prevent future remittance delays.

Emirates first suspended flights to Nigeria on September 1 after demanding the payout of USD85 million of its revenue. It reinstated them 10 days later after the CBN released USD265 million to international airlines. By November 2022, the carrier suspended flights again, citing unsuccessful negotiations with the Nigerian authorities.

Relations between the nations have thawed following the appointment of the new Nigerian president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, earlier this year. Following a meeting on September 11 between Tinubu and Emirati President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Nigerians announced an agreement was reached that would see Emirates and Etihad Airways resume flights and immediately lifting a UAE visa ban on Nigerians. However, no official statement was issued by the UAE. An unidentified Emirati official told CNN there was no change in the travel ban. Nigeria then indicated the CBN would announce a roadmap in the next two weeks to address the refunds and that modalities were being discussed with the UAE government.

Source: ch-aviation.

Kenya Airways Doubles Daily Flights to London Meeting Rising Demand

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

Dubai Tourism Unleashes Dubai’s Allure in Nairobi during the East Africa Roadshow

In a dazzling affair that captivated travel enthusiasts from Mombasa- Nairobi to Kisumu, the Kempinski Hotel was transformed into a portal to another world as the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism unveiled Dubai’s wonders in an unforgettable roadshow event. Nairobi played host to this spectacular event, underscoring the city’s significance as a hub of international connections.

A Grand Showcase of Dubai’s Best

With over 25 prominent companies gracing the occasion, the event transcended expectations. The venue buzzed with fervor as participants were treated to a variety of offerings from Dubai’s thriving tourism and medical sectors. Airlines, hotels, destination management companies, and entertainment providers came together to create a tapestry of Dubai’s offerings, captivating the audience’s imagination.

Partnerships Forged, Dreams Ignited

The event was not just a presentation; it was a gateway to another world. Attendees were given the chance to engage directly with Dubai’s products and services, forging partnerships and exploring collaborations. The room echoed with the voices of stakeholders, their discussions laying the foundation for fruitful future endeavors.

Excitement in the Air

A highlight of the day was the Dubai raffle, which added an element of thrill to the proceedings. Lucky winners walked away with exciting prizes, making the event not only informative but also rewarding.

Local Touch, Global Impact

KATA’s members, hailing from various corners of Kenya, added a distinctive local touch to the event. Their active participation illustrated the vibrant collaboration between Kenya and Dubai, setting the stage for a future filled with promising ventures.

This roadshow became more than an event; it became a platform for dreams to flourish and partnerships to thrive. As the sun set on the day, the promise of stronger connections and endless opportunities lingered, leaving attendees inspired and invigorated for the journeys ahead. Dubai’s allure had woven itself into the fabric of Kenya’s travel industry, leaving an indelible mark of partnership, promise, and endless possibilities.

Date: September 29, 2023 by Bryan Obala, KATA Media and Communications.