Alongside targeting the large diasporas that left the country almost a decade ago and its strongest markets of Europe and North America, Zimbabwe’s growth strategy will be underpinned by forays into markets such as China and India.
Equatorial Congo Airlines, which operates under the brand ECAir, is set to add to its medium- and long-haul network from 2015 as it prepares for the arrival of its first Boeing 787 Dreamliner in the final quarter of next year.
The annual Routes awards are highly regarded as the most prestigious awards in the industry as they are voted for and judged by the airline network planning community.
The Zimbabwe operation of flyafrica will commence flights from July 16, 2014 initially offering a three times weekly offering on the Victoria Falls – Johannesburg.
The flight activities of Air Uganda and all other international air carriers in Uganda have been hit by the unprecedented move by Uganda’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to suspend the operating licences of all carriers flying outside of the country following an International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) audit.
The Spanish capital city will be linked to its Addis Ababa Bole International Airport hub through Rome using a Boeing 767-300ER and will increase Ethiopian’s international network to 83 destinations covering five continents.
Speaking to The HUB Daily on the sidelines of this year’s Routes Africa forum in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, Peter Mukarkate, the airline’s general manager passenger and cargo confirmed that the airline has recently concluded a detailed analysis of its markets and identified the capacity niches which would best fit demand on its network.
If it gains all approvals Just Fly will initially serve two domestic markets on a scheduled basis offering around three flights per week. These comprise links from Harare to Chiriedzi and Beit Bridge, both destinations which have not been regularly served from Harare on a scheduled basis in recent years.
Are we entering a New Dawn in the Aviation Market in Africa, or is it a False Dawn? That is the question Aidan Mooney, vice president consulting at ASM, the world route development consultants highlighted when he spoke to The HUB just days ahead of travelling out to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe for this year’s Routes Africa forum.
The landing strip, the foundations of which are already in place, and associated taxiways, in addition to the extending the existing apron area will enable the airport to handle aircraft up to Boeing 747 size and accept direct flights from destinations across a range of long-haul markets, including Europe, opening the doors for the introduction of potential tour operator packages from key markets such as the UK.
Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade is currently working to introduce new businesses processes to make it easier for foreign companies to invest in Kenya.
The founder and chairman of West African carrier ASKY Airlines, Gervais Djondo has dismissed recent speculation that South African Airways (SAA) was to open talks to acquire a stake in the Togolese carrier.
Air Namibia has been permitted to continue flight operations despite a ongoing threat by the Directorate of Civil Aviation (DCA) to revoke its Air Operators Certificate (AOC) over concerns over safety and operational procedures following recent inspections.
The Johannesburg-based carrier, already an operator of the type, will likely utilise three aircraft on its domestic routes from OR Tambo International Airport to Margate, Plettenberg Bay and Cape Town, while five others will be placed on contract perations outside the country.
The hosting of Routes Africa, the largest route development forum in the region, is a clear endorsement of the ambitions of the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe to attract new airlines into the country and improve connectivity in a continent in desperate need of better air links both internally and into other parts of the world.
Victoria Falls Airport is Zimbabwe’s gateway to the Falls, and handled more than 220,000 passengers in 2013. The Falls’ stunning views, adventure activities and nearby wildlife parks are prime drawcards for tourists, yet a major overhaul of Zimbabwe’s aviation and tourism sectors aims to broaden the region’s appeal further.
The new route will launch from July 28, 2014 and will be flown on a five times weekly basis using a two-class Airbus A330-200 configured with 30 Premier Business Class seats and 187 Economy Class seats.
