Travelport to offer United and British Airways NDC content

Travel technology firm Travelport has renewed its multi-year agreement with United Airlines that beginning this month will include the carrier’s New Distribution Capability content.

Travelport’s NDC content and servicing solution for United will become available to all agency customers in the US and the EMEA region in August. Access will then be extended to customers in Latin America and the rest of the world “in the coming weeks”.

Agencies using Travelport will be able to search, compare and book United’s NDC offers, as well as service NDC bookings, including modifications and cancellations.

Jason Clarke, chief commercial officer, travel partners at Travelport said: “We’re laser-focused on modern retailing and making new content sources, like NDC, easier for travel agents. Our partnership with United Airlines provides a streamlined booking experience with simplified access to United’s dynamic offers and ancillaries to our agency network anytime, anywhere.

“Our NDC solution is designed to support travel retailers with complete end-to-end servicing that goes beyond the booking process, allowing agents to easily manage trip changes on the go while offering superior levels of service to their travellers.”

Travelport is the third GDS to provide United’s NDC content, following Amadeus and Sabre, after the carrier announced last week that it plans to remove its Basic Economy fares from EDIFACT channels.  

Travel agents using Travelport+ will have access to NDC content via the Content Curation Layer (CCL) feature, which provides faster search responses and more relevant, accurate search results via machine-learning capabilities, according to the company.

Travelport on Thursday (3 August) announced NDC content from British Airways is now live on its platform for customers in the UK and Ireland, and will be followed by a global rollout.

Clarke said the company will provide “even more extensive offerings” from British Airways, including “personalized offers tailored to customer needs”.

Source: Business Travel News Europe

Kenyan passport climbs six positions in latest global rankings

The Kenyan passport has improved six places in the global mobility ranking to position 67, up from the 73rd place it ranked in January while moving one step up in the continent to occupy the seventh most powerful position.

The Henley Passport Index Report released on Wednesday further shows that the number of countries that Kenyans can visit without a visa, or obtain one on arrival, increased to 76 from 73 in January.

The mobility score measures the number of countries that a person holding a given country’s passport can visit without possessing a visa or the nations where they can get a visa on arrival.

Mauritius, which has maintained its top position on the continent, improved five places in the global rank to hold position 29, showing that holders can visit 148 countries visa-free.

It was followed by South Africa (51), Botswana (58), Namibia (62), Lesotho (64) and eSwatini, with Kenya toppling Malawi which came 68th position in the globe. Tanzania emerged position 69 while Zambia and Uganda came positions 70 and 72 respectively.

Singapore dislodged Japan from the world’s top rank, allowing visa-free users to access 192 countries, followed by Germany, Italy and Spain, which all came position two at 190 each.

Afghanistan’s passport ranks the lowest, only allowing holders to visit 27 countries visa-free. It comes immediately below Iraq, Syria, Pakistan, Yemen and Somalia, among others, in that order.

Kenya’s document’s boost is attributed to a government deal inked with its South African and Eritrean counterparts to remove visa travel restrictions.

The strength is set to improve after the Senegalese government this week agreed to allow Kenyans to tour the country without visa requirements.

In 2015, Kenya first made public the decision to roll out new chip-embedded passports for its citizens in efforts aimed at taming rampant forgery and impersonation of holders.

The electronic passport was initially to be launched in December 2016, but the unveiling was over the years extended several times.

The government, however, finally set last December as the deadline for phasing out the old generation passports, with the move being part of a binding commitment to migrate to the new East African e-passport.

Source: The East African

Bank of Tanzania (BoT) issues license to new DPO Pay

DPO Pay says it has been operating successfully throughout Africa since 2006 and was recently acquired by Network International.

Dar es Salaam. The Bank of Tanzania (BoT) has permitted an African digital payments provider, DPO Pay, to operate as a Payment Service Provider in Tanzania, the company said in a statement yesterday.

The DPO is registered locally under One Payment Tanzania Limited.

The company has been licensed in line with the National Payment System Act, 2015 which requires all Payment Service Providers (PSPs) to undergo a rigorous license application process to provide payment services in Tanzania.

DPO Pay managing director, Judy Waruiru said the license highlight the firm’s commitment to compliance and regulatory standards.

“This milestone demonstrates our dedication to driving financial inclusion and economic growth in Tanzania, empowering businesses of all sizes to thrive in the digital era.

“We will continue to prioritise the security of transactions, adhering to stringent data protection protocols and industry best practices,” Ms Waruiru said in the statement.

DPO Pay says it has been operating successfully throughout Africa since 2006 and was recently acquired by Network International, a leading enabler of digital commerce across the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region.

It has worked closely with regulators across the continent to obtain new licenses as requirements vary in each country to ensure secure and uninterrupted services for its merchants and partners.

DPO Pay has gained significant recognition and trust among prestigious business in various industries including hotels and resorts in Arusha, Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar, where it has extensive experience in the travel and tourism sector.

The company, the statement said, has established itself as the preferred payment solution for major merchants in the region, including industries such as Airlines, Hotels, online retailers and logistic companies.

With a firm focus on expanding its network, DPO Pay continues to seek collaboration with top-tier businesses and brands, and cater to the diverse needs of merchants across various industries.

The company’s robust security systems ensure that merchants and consumers can transact with confidence, safeguarding their sensitive information and maintaining the highest standards of integrity. With the recently updated DPO Pay Mobile app, merchants are able to collect and receive payments anywhere and anytime.

DPO Pay provides efficient payment solutions enabling businesses and individuals across the continent to accept both local and international payment options.

It has developed integrated payments technology to support businesses of all sizes in over 20 countries and accept payments securely and swiftly in multiple currencies and through diverse payment methods including cards, mobile money, bank transfers, USSD, and EFT.

Source: The Citizen

All-Boeing Future: Kenya Airways To Retire Its Embraer & Bombardier Aircraft

The carrier wants to adopt a single-type fleet strategy and is targeting Boeing aircraft.

Kenya’s flag carrier plans to retire its Embraer and Bombardier fleet in favor of Boeing aircraft as it looks to incorporate “mono fleeting.” This cost management strategy will be implemented in line with the airline’s long-term fleet and route development plans.

So far, Kenya Airways (KQ) has disclosed plans to phase out its Embraer Regional Jets and Bombardier aircraft to increase capacity and meet passenger demand. It is progressively moving towards becoming an all-Boeing operator, which the board has approved.

Mono fleeting

Fleet commonality can be a game changer for KQ. By operating aircraft that share common parts, and other characteristics, the airline will gain more control of its training and planning while reducing operating and maintenance costs.

Although airlines rarely disclose how much they pay OEMs for aircraft acquisition, they get significant discounts when making large orders. Mono fleeting can also help KQ to receive bulk discounts when purchasing new aircraft. Kenya Airways Group Managing Director and CEO Allan Kilavuka said;

“What mono fleeting does is to simplify our fleet and bring more commonality to the type of aircraft that we fly. It helps particularly with our training and planning and reduces costs because of the type of crew that we need, spare parts, financing and bulk discounts we can get.”

Increasing narrowbody capacity

Kenya Airways’ mono fleeting strategy is part of the plan to increase its narrowbody capacity. According to ch-aviation’s fleet database, the airline currently has a fleet of 21 narrowbody aircraft, including 13 Embraer 190s.

KQ is looking to phase out this fleet of regional jets as they are not providing the airline with enough capacity. The board has already approved the decision to streamline its fleet and acquire new Boeing jets, but it will not be implemented immediately. Allan Kilavuka added;

“We also want to increase the capacity of our narrowbody fleet as the current Embraer fleet that we have is too small. We tend to have payload issues; in other words, we cannot carry all the luggage that we need, so we want to increase the size over a period of time. That’s why we are going for the mono fleeting strategy.”

Looking at the airline’s last annual report, in 2022, the group operated a fleet of 39 owned and leased aircraft. The fleet consisted of nine Boeing 787-8s, eight B737-800s, 13 ERJs, two B737-300Fs, and seven DHC 8-400s. The fleet had been reviewed to ensure that it was fit to serve the network growth.

Sights on recovery

At its 47th AGM, Kenya Airways set its sights on business recovery by 2024 after seeing an increase in revenue and passenger numbers throughout 2022. While it still feels the long-lasting effects of the pandemic, the group predicts a strong recovery as global traffic increases and the industry continues to gain momentum.

The carrier’s turnaround strategy is still on course, and the restructuring efforts led to a 66% revenue increase in local currency, a remarkable 68% increase in passenger numbers, and a 3.5% increase in cargo tonnage. Allan Kilavuka said at the AGM;

“Kenya Airways remained resilient by taking advantage of the upsurge in travel demand through frequency increment and improved service offering. Despite some headwinds with fuel cost increasing year-on-year by 160%, and the dollar deterioration that impacted our direct operating costs, we are confident that with the restructuring initiatives introduced in 2022, the airline is poised for success and will attain its aspiration to turn around by 2024.”

The group is committed to building a robust, reliable, and sustainable airline. Kenya Airways will phase out older aircraft to operate a more modern and fuel-efficient fleet as part of its sustainable fleet development strategy.

Source: Simple Flying

Africa: Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa Lead Efforts to Attract Chinese Tourists and Revitalize Tourism Sectors

Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa are taking the lead among African nations in revitalizing their tourism markets following the pandemic.

With a keen focus on capturing the attention of Chinese travelers, these countries are strategically positioning themselves to attract visitors from China. By tapping into the growing interest of Chinese tourists in exploring Africa’s rich landscapes, wildlife, and cultural offerings, Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa aim to revitalize their tourism sectors and drive post-pandemic recovery.

According to finance.yahoo.com, The three countries, along with Egypt, were among the first popular destinations for Chinese visitors after the Asian giant relaxed two-year-old pandemic rules to allow its citizens to travel for tourism in February.

All three countries have been implementing long-term strategies — including resuming direct flights to China, relaxed e-visa requirements, direct marketing in China through embassies and travel agents — and investing heavily to woo Chinese tourists.

Kenya is expanding its focus to reach more Chinese tourists by marketing through travel agents, partnerships with airlines and tour operators and social media platforms, according to John Chirchir, acting chief executive of Kenya Tourism Board. There’s a particular focus on WeChat, Mafengwo, Weibo, and Douyin, the China-based sister video channel to TikTok.

Chirchir said Kenya recorded 8,000 arrivals between January and April this year compared to just under 6,000 for the same period last year.

In 2022, Kenya earned $2.13 billion in income from tourism after a surge in visitors as COVID restrictions eased around the world, according to the tourism board. The ministry has forecast Kenya could recover to 2019 tourism numbers by 2024.

Similarly, South Africa has targeted job growth with the resumption of Chinese tourist activities in the country, said Nomasonto Ndlovu, chief operations officer of South Africa Tourism. She told Semafor Africa that with additional direct flights resuming from China to Johannesburg, for example, the country projects to receive around 8,000 Chinese tourists per month later this year. This would bring it back to 2019 levels when South Africa received 94,000 visitors from China.

African tourist markets are focused on the vast Chinese markets as part of a wider effort to overcome difficult economic environments. Jobs and foreign exchange earnings have yet to recover after the global pandemic, and many countries are grappling with extended economic downturns exacerbated by the fallout from Russian invasion of Ukraine. Although tourism usually accounts for less than 10% of GDP in most of the larger African economies, aside from Tanzania (17%), it punches above its weight as a contributor to foreign exchange earnings.

Local travel companies are taking it upon themselves to promote their countries on the ground in China rather than just hope for visitors. “That makes it possible to cast the net wider as we showcase Kenya’s tourist attractions,” said Darlene Anjimbi, a tour manager at Kenya China Travels and Tours.

Much of the long-term tourism business in Africa has traditionally targeted Europeans and North Americans in terms of everything from the types of entertainment offered to familiar languages and cuisine at hotels and on tours — and they still dominate in visitor numbers. In Kenya for instance, travelers from the United States alone accounted for over 12% of international visitors last year.

Source: atqnews

Lobby seeks consolidation of Africa airlines to lift industry.

Issuance of passports for free to East African Community (EAC) citizens is one of the practices that can boost air travel in the region, a study published by A regional private sector lobby suggests.

Airlines in the region can also consolidate, going the European or American way, which the study by the East African Business Council (EABC) notes, would stimulate passenger and cargo movement by air.

The study, which analyses aviation laws, reports and academic publications, pokes holes into the current industry practices against the cost of operations and the push for open skies initiative.

It is titled Study on Air Space Liberalisation in the East African Community: Focus on Cost Drivers and Regulations.

The study, commissioned by EABC in partnership with Trademark East Africa and funded by Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Dutch government, focused on six areas – operational costs, existing air transport regulations in EAC, effects of domesticated EAC space, benefits of adoption of the EAC Single Space Agreement and the impact of aviation costs on cargo volumes and evaluation of best practices in other regions.

One of the best practices suggested in the study published in April is the consolidation of the airline business in the region through mergers and acquisitions.

It argues that airline consolidation, mergers and acquisitions in the United States and Europe resulted from the need to stimulate growth within the industry.

“It is a practice that can be adopted,” reads the study. It documents that from 2000 to 2010, the US airline market consolidated into four airlines.

The study also notes that the same trend is slowly being replicated in Europe.

“The Air France-KLM merger, which took place on May 5, 2004, rekindled European airline’s interest in consolidation. The EAC can adopt and consolidate airlines to increase their competitiveness globally,” it states. The study measured air transport competitiveness as assessed in the World Economic Forum by looking at airport connectivity and efficiency.

Connectivity measures the level of integration of a country within the global air transport network while efficiency is based on services. This includes issues to do with frequency, punctuality, speed and price.

“The rankings indicate that on average, EAC countries are ranked low in terms of competitiveness indicators,” the study says. The region also has limited infrastructure, which is a challenge to the air transport sector. The study cites South Sudan, which lacks full control of its airspace due to a lack of well-developed infrastructure and qualified personnel.

“In Burundi, the number of flights to Bujumbura is limited, compounded by a lack of a national carrier, which contributes to an increase in the cost of air transport,” notes the study.

South Sudan’s challenges are also exacerbated by insecurity.

The study has also faulted the lack of harmonised charges, fees and taxes imposed by the respective national regulations and authorities. It notes that Juba International Airport is the most expensive airport in the EAC region with an airport tax on passengers of sh18,300 (USD 122).

“The charge is more than twice the departure taxes charged by the different partner states,” the study says.

Entebbe International Airport charges $50.6 (Sh7,500) for every departing passenger, with$40 (Sh6,000) as passenger service charge and $10 (Sh1,500) as security charge and $0.6 (Sh90) as passenger handling charge.

Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), on the other hand, charges a passenger service fee of $50 (Sh7,500) for every departing passenger and does not charge extra charges for security and passenger handling services. Julius Nyerere International Airport for its part, charges a passenger service charge of $37 (Sh5,550) and a security charge of $10 (Sh1,500).

Bujumbura International Airport and Kigali International Airport have the lowest passenger departure charges of $40 (Sh6,000) and $42 (Sh6,300) respectively.

The study found out that ticket prices also vary greatly even for the same distance and same airline if the departure time is different or if the ticket is booked at different times.

Ticket prices are even higher if there is a connection involved.

“EAC member states such as South Sudan and Burundi with limited direct flights and without national airlines, were generally found to have high average ticket prices,” the study says. It documents that the ticket price per kilometre in the EAC region is more than twice the ticket price for destinations in Europe and other countries in Africa.

“The average ticket price per kilometre in the EAC is  Sh58 ($0.39 )/km compared to only $0.21 (Sh30)/km in other African countries and $0.12 (Sh18)/km for destination airports in Europe, Asia and the Middle East,” the study adds.

The study notes that there are so many barriers to a vibrant air travel ecosystem and they need to be “knocked down.”

Some of these include reviewing check-in times. “Most passengers are tired of getting to the airport so early; let’s cut bag-free, pre-screened short-haul flyers some slack and allow them a 20-minute window to check in,” reads the study.  The study recommends the implementation of visa waiver programmes in all countries where most business and tourism come from to spur air transport in the region.

Source: The Standard

Zambia, Kenya partner to promote outbound tourism

In a bid to promote African continental travel, a high delegation led by Zambia’s minister for Tourism, Rodney Malindi Sikumba, had a high-level engagement recently with the Kenya Association of Travel Agents (KATA) to discuss and establish a strategic partnership to promote outbound tourism from Kenya to Zambia’s tourism destinations.

The two countries aim to tap into each other’s tourism markets, a vital source for tourism influx, boosting both nations’ economies and fostering cultural exchange.

Dr Joseph Kithitu, KATA Chairperson, expressed the association’s enthusiasm for growing the travel trade and emphasised the readiness of KATA members to sell Zambia.

He stressed the need to create a business case for Zambia’s travel trade and develop a salable product out of the partnership.

 “Today, we should focus on the commercialisation of this partnership on a B2B and B2C level and capitalise on the visa-free access between our countries to promote outbound tourism flows into Zambia and vice versa. The market is ripe, ready, and can pay,” he said.

Kenya and Zambia have already signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on tourism, one of them touching on cooperation between the training institute of tourism in Zambia and that in Kenya.

While both countries are big on wildlife, there are other elements that can make them complimentary to each other in terms of product offerings.

For instance, the fact that Kenya has a big national park right in the middle of the city is a learning lesson for Zambia on how to enhance their national park in Lusaka. Zambia has 20 national parks with the largest being Kafue and it’s the second largest in Africa.

They also have the iconic Victoria Falls, which is one of the seven natural wonders of the world and hosts one of the largest mammals (bat) migration at the Kasanga national park.

This partnership is a step in the actualisation of the MOUs and will encompass various collaborative areas, such as knowledge exchange, familiarisation visits, and encouraging tourist flows between Kenya and Zambia.

Additionally, both parties will share their respective calendars of events to facilitate stakeholder engagement and foster regional cooperation in the spirit of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area.

“This partnership between Kenya Association of Travel Agents and their counterparts in Zambia is a step towards the private sector growing the tourism industry, and my ministry is rallying support behind these initiatives,” said Sikumba.

The minister further highlighted the importance of marketing and packaging Africa, coordinating the travel trade with suppliers, and establishing homegrown solutions.

“Through this partnership, Kenya’s travel trade will be trained on tourism offerings in Zambia. KATA will also provide capacity building for Zambia’s travel trade to enable them to sell the Kenyan tourism product,” noted Agnes Mucuha, KATA

Source: PD

Sustainable travel in Dubai: Eco-friendly

Dubai, a city known for its opulence and luxury, is increasingly embracing sustainability and eco-friendly initiatives. In recent years, the city has made significant strides in promoting green practices in various sectors, including tourism. In this article, we’ll highlight Dubai’s commitment to sustainability by showcasing eco-friendly hotels, attractions, and initiatives that allow travellers to enjoy the city while minimizing their environmental impact during their Dubai holiday

Green accommodation: Eco-friendly hotels in Dubai
Several hotels in Dubai have adopted eco-friendly practices and sustainable designs, offering travellers comfortable stays without compromising on environmental responsibility.

Jumeirah Creekside hotel: A green oasis
The Jumeirah Creekside Hotel has been awarded the Green Globe Certification for its commitment to sustainability. The hotel features energy-efficient lighting, water- saving devices, and a robust recycling programme. Additionally, the hotel’s lush garden surroundings provide a green oasis, creating a serene atmosphere for guests.

JA ocean view hotel: Sustainability by the sea
Located along The Walk at Jumeirah Beach Residence, the JA Ocean View Hotel is another recipient of the Green Globe Certification. The hotel focuses on energy conservation, waste management, and community engagement to promote sustainable practices. Guests can enjoy stunning sea views while appreciating the hotel’s eco-friendly ethos.

Environmentally conscious attractions
Dubai offers several attractions that showcase the city’s commitment to sustainability and environmental preservation.

Dubai safari park: Wildlife conservation and education
Dubai Safari Park, a 119-hectare wildlife reserve, is home to over 2,500 animals from around the world. The Park focuses on conservation, education, and sustainable practices, such as using solar power for its facilities and implementing extensive recycling programs. Visitors can learn about wildlife conservation while enjoying close encounters with the park’s diverse inhabitants.

The green planet: An urban rainforest experiences
The Green Planet, an indoor tropical rainforest in the heart of Dubai, offers a unique opportunity for visitors to learn about the importance of biodiversity and environmental conservation. The facility features a four-storey living ecosystem, complete with over 3,000 plants and animals, and uses sustainable technologies such as energy-efficient lighting and climate control systems.

Sustainable initiatives: Dubai’s eco-friendly efforts
The city of Dubai has implemented various initiatives aimed at reducing its environmental footprint and promoting sustainable practices.

Solar power: Harnessing the desert sun
Dubai is investing heavily in renewable energy, with ambitious plans to generate 75% of its power from clean sources by 2050. The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, one of the largest solar projects in the world, is a testament to the city’s commitment to harnessing the power of the desert sun.

Public transportation: cleaner, greener travel
Dubai’s public transportation network, including the Dubai Metro and eco-friendly buses, offers travellers a more sustainable way to explore the city. The metro system is entirely electric, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, while the buses run on compressed natural gas, a cleaner alternative to traditional fuels.

Dubai holidays: Exploring the city responsibly
When planning your Dubai holidays, consider incorporating eco-friendly hotels and attractions into your itinerary. By choosing to support sustainable initiatives and businesses, you can enjoy the city’s many wonders while minimizing your environmental impact. From green accommodations to environmentally conscious attractions, Dubai offers a range of options for the responsible traveler, ensuring a memorable and eco-friendly experience in this dynamic city.

SOURCE: Traveldailynews  

WTTC G20 Public-Private Dialogue shines light on Travel & Tourism opportunities

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) gathered leading Travel & Tourism stakeholders and G20 Ministers in a Public-Private Dialogue in Goa to address the sector’s vast potential and challenges.

Joined by India’s Minister of Tourism, the Hon. G. Kishan Reddy, and UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili, Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO commended India’s Ministry of Tourism for its leadership during India’s G20 Presidency and highlighted Travel & Tourism’s substantial contribution not only to the global economy but to employment.

Currently representing 9.2% of the world’s GDP and supporting one in every 11 jobs globally, the sector is experiencing remarkable growth, outpacing the global economy by growing twice as fast.

Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: “It is proven where governments and the private sector work together in Travel & Tourism the economy is stronger, jobs are created, and people get to enjoy and understand other cultures. Together, businesses and governments can build back a better, stronger, and more resilient sector. Governments also heard first-hand the value of having streamlined visa processes, digital borders, and a strong focus on sustainability. We need each other to achieve this”.

During her address, Simpson emphasised the opportunities for investors, governments, and society to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through collaboration.

India’s impressive expansion in Travel & Tourism was praised as a prime example.

The sector is projected to contribute over INR 16.5TN to India’s economy this year, create 1.6MN new jobs, to reach a total employment figure of nearly 40MN people.

By the end of the decade, Travel & Tourism is forecast to contribute approximately 7% of India’s economy.

During the dialogue, Simpson addressed three key challenges facing the industry.

  1. Visa backlogs pose a significant obstacle, with excessive waiting times ranging from 200 days to a year for certain destinations. Investment in digital visas and biometrics, exemplified by Dubai Airport’s “smart gates”, is a successful example of technology streamlining travel processes
  2. Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) plays a vital role in reducing carbon emissions, with the potential to cut emissions by up to 80% compared to traditional jet fuel. However, current production levels fall short and WTTC called on all G20 countries to conduct feasibility studies on SAF, to further facilitate decarbonisation
  3. Staff shortages resulting from the pandemic continue to be a challenge. Collaborative efforts between governments and the private sector, along with enhanced training programs and targeted support for women, young people, and high-wage jobs will be crucial in addressing this issue
    Simpson also highlighted the groundbreaking environmental and social research conducted by WTTC in collaboration with Saudi-based Sustainable Global Tourism Center.

This research offers comprehensive insights into the sector’s environmental and social impact, tracking data on wages, age groups, and gender, the research aims to drive progress towards the SDGs.

Simpson also underscored the potential of young people as a talent pool. With 65% of Indians under 35 years old, India’s G20 presidency recognises the need to address youth unemployment and create opportunities for this demographic.

New data from WTTC and the Sustainable Global Tourism Center also reveals that the sector experienced a 27.6% growth in youth employment between 2010 and 2019.

Despite dropping in 2020 to almost the same level it was a decade before in 2010, sector youth employment appears to be rebounding quickly.

The data also shows that Travel & Tourism’s share of youth employment has grown since 2010, from 6.4% in 2010 to 8.2% in 2021.

WTTC’s latest research highlights the importance for high-quality jobs that provide dignity in their work, to make the sector an attractive industry for young people to develop their long-term careers.

SOURCE: Traveldailynews

Record: Ethiopian Airlines Now Has 9 Weekly JFK & Newark Boeing 787 Flights

Ethiopian Airlines now serves New Jersey and New York nine-weekly, its highest frequency yet. On May 29th, it switched JFK’s one-stop from Lomé, Togo, to Abidjan, Cote D’Ivore, reverting to what it had in 2019.

Ethiopian to Newark & JFK

Africa’s largest airline inaugurated Newark in July 2016 and JFK in June 2019. Both are among the world’s busiest long-haul airports. While other aircraft have been used occasionally, they continue to revolve around the 270-seat Boeing 787-8.

The schedule is as follows, with all times local. The same plane, same flight number stopping service from Ethiopia to the US is the definition of a ‘direct’ route, with non-stops on the individual legs.

  • Addis Ababa-Lomé-Newark: 08:45-11:15, 12:45-19:45 (Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun)
  • Newark-Lomé-Addis Ababa: 21:45-11:50+1, 13:00-21:25 (Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun)
  • Addis Ababa-Abidjan-JFK: 09:00-12:00, 13:30-20:00 (Mon, Wed, Sat, Sun)
  • JFK-Abidjan-Addis Ababa: 22:00-11:35+1, 12:35-21:40 (Mon, Wed, Sat, Sun)

Addis-Lomé-Newark

Covering 7,761 miles (12,491 km) each way, this routing was first served in June 2016. Between May 2018 and June 2019, it had additional flights via Abidjan before again entirely routing via Togo.

Passengers can transit between Newark and multiple destinations in West Africa on flights operated by Ethiopian’s partner ASKY. According to Cirium data, Ethiopian codeshares to 12 places over Lomé, of which Lagos, Accra, Abuja, and Douala are probably the most important. They can also connect to numerous places over Addis, although for many, a two-stop option is less competitive.

Examining booking data suggests that passengers transiting over fellow Star Alliance carrier United’s Newark hub appear less important than might be expected, partly influenced by the arrival time of 19:45.

Addis-Abidjan-JFK

Some 116 miles (180 km) longer than its Newark routing, Addis-Abidjan-JFK covers 7,873 miles (12,670 km). Given the equipment used, I like the ‘787’ bit.

Flying via Abidjan means that Ethiopian does not benefit from the pretty extensive connectivity afforded by ASKY, but cannibalization with Newark reduces. It also serves Washington Dulles via Lomé.

Still, Ethiopian codeshares with Air Côte d’Ivoire to six places via Abidjan in July, including Accra and Lagos. However, the wait time in Abidjan from JFK is often many hours, raising the question of how popular this would be. It is much quicker and more competitive on the way back.

It seems it is happy to offset this by targeting the NY-Abidjan-NY point-to-point market, which booking data shows to have approximately 26,000 passengers in 2019. It is meaningfully larger than Lomé. And, like Newark, passengers can transit from JFK to multiple places over Addis, but, again, with two stops.

Six North American airports

Ethiopian’s North American passenger network is July sees Washington Dulles (10 weekly), Newark (five weekly), Toronto (five weekly), JFK (four weekly), and Atlanta (four weekly). The latter was inaugurated in May.

To overcome Addis Ababa’s high elevation – the airport is at 7,657 feet and more than a mile high – which limits aircraft performance on takeoff, all flights to North America stop en route. Most do so in Dublin. The exceptions are Lomé for Newark, Abidjan for JFK, and Dublin and Lomé for Dulles.

SOURCE: Simple Flying