In the past week, a major continental convention took place in Libreville, Gabon, bringing together key aviation stakeholders. Meanwhile, the world experienced the largest IT outage in history, severely impacting airline operations globally. Namibia released its 2023 Tourist Report, highlighting significant growth in arrivals. Tanzania renewed its Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) with a Middle Eastern country, and an African airport signed a sister agreement with an airport in the USA. Additionally, new routes were inaugurated or announced, fleet renewals occurred, and a notable appointment was made alongside other significant incidents. Read the article below to discover more details on these developments and other important events in the African aviation industry.
Introduction.
The Ninth ICAO Africa & Indian Ocean Aviation Week, organized by ICAO WACAF and ICAO Eastern and Southern African Regional Office, kicked off in Libreville, Gabon. With over 350 participants from 180 countries, the event was inaugurated by the Vice President of the Gabonese Republic alongside International Civil Aviation Organization President Salvatore Sciacchitano and Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar. Held from July 15-19, 2024, the week aimed to enhance air travel safety across Africa and the Indian Ocean amidst challenges like climate change and regional terrorism.
Boeing has cautioned its customers about potential delays in the delivery of the B737 Max in 2024 and 2025, with some deliveries now expected to be pushed to 2026. Meanwhile, Airbus announced the certification of the A321XLR (Extra Long Range) single-aisle aircraft by the EASA – European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). The A321XLR, the world’s longest-range single-aisle aircraft, is set to enter service later this year. After over 900 flight test hours and extensive certification processes, this model promises to burn 30% less fuel and produce fewer CO2 emissions per seat compared to previous generation competitors, at half the trip cost of modern widebodies.
On July 19, 2024, the largest global IT outage in history, attributed to a faulty update of CrowdStrike cybersecurity software by Microsoft, disrupted stock exchanges, banking services, online shopping, airlines, and various businesses worldwide. Several airlines around the globe grounded their flights, and many more reported delays. In Africa, South African Airways experienced intermittent technical outages at their contact centers due to the global network issue, advising customers to expect long hold times for new bookings, changes, or ancillary purchases. Flight delays and cancellations were anticipated. However, Africa’s largest airline group, Ethiopian Airlines, and Airlink reported no disruptions to their IT systems or flight operations.
African Aviation: Projections and Statistics.
According to the newly released Namibia Tourism Statistics report for 2023, the country experienced a remarkable 87.4% increase in tourist arrivals, reaching 863,872 compared to 461,027 in 2022. The top ten origin markets were South Africa (349,728), Angola (112,336), Germany (79,989), Zambia (56,243), Botswana (56,157), Zimbabwe (30,460), USA (25,526), UK (18,426), France (16,002), and the Netherlands (14,822). Male tourists constituted 60.7% of the total arrivals. Hosea Kutako International Airport processed 96,613 arrivals (11.2%), Walvis Bay 77,114 (8.9%), and Eros Airport 7,593 (0.9%). Airlink was the leading carrier with 65,487 passengers (34.4%), followed by FlyNamibia (30,353 or 15.9%), Eurowings Discover (21,699 or 11.4%), South African Airways (16,697 or 8.8%), Ethiopian Airlines (12,037 or 6.3%), with TAAG Angola (3,796) and Qatar (1,760) sharing 2%, while other airlines accounted for 36,723 (19.3%).
Aircraft abandonment at major airports in Africa has become a significant problem. These disused aircraft pose safety and security concerns for air travelers and other airport users. Efforts to persuade the owners of abandoned planes to remove them have been largely unsuccessful. A notable example is Nigeria’s primary gateway, Murtala Muhammed International Airport, which has become a boneyard for unworthy aircraft. Despite several efforts by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the relevant ministry, aircraft owners have used their influence to frustrate these efforts. In contrast, Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) has taken a proactive approach by auctioning unused aircraft littering the country’s airports. Recently, KAA auctioned up to 92 parked aircraft under the Kenyan law of Disposal of Uncollected Goods Act to prevent airports from becoming aircraft graveyards.
There are growing concerns in West Africa regarding domestic airfares, which have surpassed the cost of some intra-African flights. For example, domestic routes in Nigeria, such as Lagos to Abuja or Anambra to Lagos, often cost more than flights from Lagos to Accra, Ghana. Passengers are reportedly paying N230,000 (USD 144) for a 45-minute flight within Nigeria, compared to between N233,000 (USD 145) and N300,000 (USD 187) for flights from Lagos to Accra. This discrepancy has been attributed to ticketing offices of airlines working closely with online vendors to inflate domestic ticket prices, especially on the day of travel.
Air Service Agreements (ASA’s) and Airline Agreements/Partnerships.
The United Republic of Tanzania, represented by the Minister of Transport Prof. Makame Mbarawa, and Oman, represented by Eng. Nayef bin Ali al Abri, the chairman of Civil Aviation Authority – Oman (CAA), have signed a landmark bilateral agreement (BASA). This new agreement replaces the one signed over 40 years ago in 1982 and is based on the principles of open skies. It aims to remove limitations in the air travel rules between the two countries, promoting greater connectivity and cooperation.
In a move to boost economic growth and development, namibia airports company has signed a sister airport agreement with Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in the USA. This agreement is expected to enhance passenger and cargo relations between Atlanta’s airport and Hosea Kutako International Airport in Namibia, fostering a symbiotic relationship that benefits both airports.
During AFI Week, Cameroon’s Civil Aviation Authority (CCAA) and the Gabonese National Civil Aviation Agency entered into an aviation training partnership to enhance technical and operational skills in their respective civil aviation sectors. This agreement underscores a commitment to improving aviation standards and capabilities in both countries. Additionally, the Banjul Accord Group Accident Investigation Agency (BAGAIA) and the Southern African Development Community Aviation Safety Organisation (SASO) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at enhancing safety and security between the two regions.
APG Network, a global leader in airline representation, has been appointed as the General Sales Agent (GSA) for ASKY AIRLINES in France and Monaco. APG will manage comprehensive sales and marketing efforts to enhance ASKY’s market presence and sales in these regions, leveraging APG’s extensive network and expertise in airline representation.
In another exciting development, South African startup carrier JOLY AIRLINES has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indian Seacost Shipping Services Ltd. Although Joly Airlines has yet to begin operations, it has also signed a GSA agreement with South Korean Sky Platinum Air Ltd., marking significant steps towards establishing its presence in the aviation market.
Routes and Airline Connectivity.
On Tuesday, July 16, 2024, Air Cairo operated its inaugural direct flight from Almaty International Airport in Kazakhstan to El Alamein International Airport with 176 passengers. This new route is part of the Civil Aviation Ministry’s efforts to boost inbound tourism to Egypt’s picturesque destinations. Flights between Almaty and El Alamein are scheduled to continue until October, with one flight per week.
UK low-cost carrier easyJet has announced the resumption of flights to Luxor Airport (LXR) in Egypt after a hiatus of over 10 years. Starting on November 11, 2024, flights will depart twice weekly from London-Gatwick Airport (LGW) on Mondays and Thursdays. Additionally, easyJet is expanding its services to Egypt with new winter flights to Sharm El Sheik (SSH) from Liverpool Airport (LPL), starting February 14, 2025, and operating twice weekly on Mondays and Fridays.
ASKY AIRLINES has announced the resumption of service to Pointe Noire in the Republic of Congo, starting October 2, 2024. The airline last served this route in July 2020 and will now operate it using a Boeing 737 aircraft, extending its existing three-weekly Lomé-Luanda services to include Pointe Noire.
TUNISAIR has unveiled plans to expand its route network to include Douala, Cameroon, and Libreville, Gabon. These new services, marking the airline’s first foray into Central Africa, are set to commence in December 2024.
Uganda Airlines has announced new services to Abuja, Nigeria; Lusaka, Zambia; and Harare, Zimbabwe. This expansion increases the airline’s destinations from 13 to 16. The Abuja service, starting on September 12, 2024, will operate twice weekly, while the Lusaka and Harare services will begin on September 26, 2024, with four flights per week. According to CEO Jennifer Bamuturaki, the launch of these routes concludes a three-year strategic plan and paves the way for the next phase of the airline’s 10-year rolling plan.
Airlink has announced an increase in the frequency of its direct Durban-Harare service to daily return flights starting August 7, 2024. The route, operated by an Embraer ERJ145, will now include an additional Wednesday flight.
Ethiopian Airlines has commenced thrice-weekly direct domestic flight services connecting Bahir Dar to Dessie and Mekelle to Shire, starting July 20, 2024. This expansion aims to enhance domestic connectivity within Ethiopia, facilitating easier travel between these key cities.
Airline Fleets and ACMI’s.
Naweza Airways, a charter start-up from the Democratic Republic of Congo, has taken delivery of its first aircraft, a Cessna Aircraft Company 550 Citation Bravo business jet. Registered as 9S-PFJ (MSN 550-1092), this jet was previously operated by the now-defunct Serbian charter specialist, Air Pink. This marks a significant milestone for Naweza Airways as it embarks on its journey in the aviation industry.
In other news, Egypt’s private carrier Alexandria Airlines has leased its sole aircraft, a 22-year-old Boeing 777, to Saudia’s low-cost carrier flyadeal. This strategic move allows Alexandria Airlines to optimize its resources while supporting flyadeal’s expanding operations.
Meanwhile, Congo’s flyCAA has secured its first wide-body aircraft, a Boeing 767-200. This acquisition is expected to significantly enhance the airline’s service offerings, providing greater capacity and range for its growing network.
AIR LIBYA has also expanded its fleet by adding a Bombardier Challenger 850 aircraft, acquired from KlasJet. This addition complements Air Libya’s existing narrow-body fleet and is poised to enhance its service capabilities.
Aviation Infrastructure and Financing.
The Moroccan Office National Des Aéroports has selected three companies to oversee significant security upgrades at three of its airports. The improvements will include enhanced video surveillance, access control, and perimeter security systems. The Unisystem /Ultrane Multimedia consortium has been awarded a 40 million dirham (approximately USD 4 million) contract to upgrade security at Batouta Airport in Tangier. The Alomra Group International will receive 62 million dirham (about USD 6.3 million) to enhance security at Angada Airport in Oujda. Meanwhile, the DDM/“Melinet” LLC consortium has been awarded over 35 million dirham (around USD 3.6 million) to upgrade security at Fes-Sais Airport. In total, these contracts amount to an estimated USD 13 million.
In South Africa, Lanseria International Airport, a privately run airport located in the greater Johannesburg area, is undergoing major expansions. The new developments include the construction of new Fixed Base Operator (FBO) facilities and the establishment of new Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facilities. Additionally, the airport is upgrading Taxiway Alpha and establishing a new fuel farm that will significantly increase its fuel capacity from 1 million liters to an estimated 6 million liters of JetA1 and Avgas. These expansions are in anticipation of accommodating more airlines and passengers, positioning Lanseria International Airport for future growth and increased traffic.
Appointments.
Nigeria’s Representative to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council, Mahmoud Ben Tukur, has been elected as the 5th Chairperson of the ICAO Comprehensive Regional Implementation Plan for Aviation Safety in Africa (AFI Plan). This significant appointment took place during the 27th meeting of the AFI Plan Steering Committee, held as part of the 9th AFI Aviation Week in Libreville, Gabon.
Aviation Accidents/Incidents
An Airbus Aircraft A321, registered as SU-BQL and operated by Egyptian carrier Nile Air, aborted takeoff on Runway 34L at Dammam Airports Company (DACO) in Saudi Arabia, en route to Cairo. The excessive braking caused a wheel fire, forcing the plane to stop on a taxiway. Fortunately, all 176 occupants evacuated safely, and emergency responders quickly extinguished the flames.
In South Africa, a Micro Aviation Bat Hawk Aircraft crashed under unknown circumstances while approaching Kroon Airfield, De Wildt. One of the two occupants was injured and taken to the hospital, while the aircraft sustained substantial damage.
A Kenya Airways flight, KQ307, operated by a Boeing 737-800 and bound for Nairobi from Dubai, was canceled on July 14, 2024, leaving passengers stranded for hours. The airline cited problems with the aircraft’s flight computers and issued an apology for the inconvenience.
Ethiopian Airlines faced heavy criticism after flight ET308 from Addis Ababa to Nairobi on July 19th allegedly ejected a seated passenger to accommodate a VIP, reportedly an Ethiopian minister. The airline claimed the incident was due to overbooking, but passengers were skeptical since the ejected passenger had already taken her seat.
In other news:
South Africa’s Air Traffic Navigation Service (ATNS) has indefinitely suspended all instrument navigation flights to airports in George, Kimberley, Mthatha, Polokwane, and Richards Bay, effective immediately. This decision comes amid an ongoing compliance review of the airports’ navigation infrastructure and procedures. However, visual approaches under CAVOK conditions are still permitted.
In a notable achievement, Ethiopian Airlines was honored with the prestigious Global Recognition and Appreciation Award at the first International Post-COVID Conference held in Toronto, Canada. This award recognizes the airline’s crucial role in distributing emergency supplies across Africa during the pandemic, ensuring the delivery of essential medical gear and saving countless lives.
Ethiopian Airlines has announced a significant change to its ticket payment policy. Effective immediately, passengers on flights originating outside Ethiopia must pay in the currency of their departure country or in hard currency. In contrast, passengers originating from Ethiopia, including Ethiopian citizens and foreigners with specific permits or IDs, may pay in Ethiopian birr. Foreigners in Ethiopia, however, are required to use hard currency. This policy shift aligns with a new directive from the National Bank of Ethiopia and affects all airlines operating within Ethiopian airspace.
Meanwhile, international aircraft lessors have reportedly blacklisted 13 domestic Nigerian airlines due to contract defaults. The blacklisting stems from alleged non-payment of fees, legal disputes, and refusal to return leased aircraft. Notable lessors named include Planesense, Jetcraft, AerCap, Air Lease Corporation, and Avolon. In response, some affected airlines and the @Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) have denounced the reports as malicious and issued a defense of the airlines involved.
