| Air Highways to Africa, New Transportation Edition to Launch at New York Times Travel Show, February 24-26, 2006
Africa's Future is in the Air
By Mira Berman, .png) ATA, which represents the hopes, desires, plans and potential of Africa's travel - tourism industry was born in 1975 and raised under the most trying political, social and financial conditions. Today's ATA continues to seek new markets, win new friends and open new doors. So much has happened in the past decades, it's hard to fathom - but in Africa, recent years have signaled remarkable changes. Ranking high are new direct routes and realistic fares from New York and other U.S. gateways. In evaluating Africa's transportation scene, ATA members can be considered among the most astute judges of all. Ms. Berman is Executive Director, Africa Travel Association. More;> Aviation News Items
From Prof. Wolfgang Thome (ATA Uganda).
Pearl News KENYA AIRWAYS' NEW DESTINATIONS
Item from Prof. Wolfgang Thome.
With the onset of the autumn/winter schedule KQ will be adding twice weekly flights from Nairobi via Harare to Mozambique's capital city of Maputo, where incidentally Serena's hospitality can be experienced at the Polana Hotel, the city's leading 5 star property. At the same time flights commence three times a week to the Chinese city of Guangzhou, tapping yet further into the Chinese business and leisure market for the East African carrier. All three countries in East Africa, Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya are now on the approved list of the Chinese government for travellers to the region and expect a substantial upturn of traffic from China in coming years AVIATION WORKSHOP DISCUSSES NEW REGULATIONS The Uganda CAA this week discussed the new draft regulations for Uganda with stakeholders in the presence of observers from their counterparts in Kenya and Tanzania, the panel for harmonization at the East African Community and members of the US FAA who supported the exercise. Over 220 submissions were made by stakeholders, namely the Uganda Association of Air Operators (UAAO) but also from Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF), the police air wing, Uganda Air Force, air traffic controllers association and the meteorological department. While a good number of objections were taken care of during the meeting by amendments, alterations or deletions from the presented text, other areas were deferred for further discussions with stakeholders. The President of the Uganda Tourism Association during the closing ceremony underlined the partnership between regulator and aviation fraternity but also called for an intensified institutional dialogue between the parties to address issues as an ongoing practise and asked the regulators to accept the private sector stakeholders as full partners and not only call upon them when convenient or impossible to ignore. He also asked for membership in the aviation bodies UAAO and BAR to be made mandatory by the regulator to bring all aviation companies under a private sector platform and then allow them a regular consultation with the CAA and other relevant government bodies.
KENYA TO STUDY RAIL LINK FROM AIRPORT TO THE CITY
Assistant Minister for Transport in Kenya, Andrew Ligale, had during a recent workshop of East African Airports Association announced that the Kenya Government was studying the possibility of a rail link between the airport and the city centre. The main rail line from Mombasa to Nairobi runs near the perimeter of the airport and a link could substantially speed up the transfer time from the city to the airport. KQ TO OFFER LONDON &endash; MOMBASA DIRECT FLIGHTS
From December onwards Kenya Airways will ease travel from the UK to the Kenya Coast by introducing a weekly B 777 service ever Friday evening from Heathrow via Nairobi to Mombasa. This will make clearing customs and immigration of visitors on this flight in Nairobi a thing of the past, as they will do their clearance in Mombasa, from where the flight is then due to return non-stop to London. Demand for Kenya holidays has rocketed during the year inspite of lingering anti travel advisories and the entire region has recorded a renewed interest of overseas visitors International Air Cargo Forum and Exposition
Calgary, Alberta, Canada, September 2006.
WTTC REPORT- EGYPT
WTTC report highlights the importance of aviation liberalization for Egypt's Travel & Tourism
AIRLINE INDUSTRY IN DANGER OF TRAVELLING AT TWO SPEEDS
The airline industry's goal of sustainable profitability depends on speedy and universal adoption of Information Technology. The results of SITA's seventh annual Airline IT Trends survey, announced today, confirm there is a danger of a growing technology divide that threatens to split the airline industry into have and have-nots. The pace-setting airlines are embracing new Internet Protocol (IP) and wireless-based technologies that underpin applications, such as e-ticketing and self-service kiosks. But the survey also highlights that a significant minority of airlines are still lagging behind. "There is the spectre of a two-speed industry, with weaker airlines losing competitive advantage because of a lack of technology investment," Peter Buecking, SITA President, commented. Details-> ... IATA: Rebalancing Air Transport Industry BRITISH AIRWAYS STRIKE IMPACTS ON EAST AFRICA
Hundreds of passengers were stranded in London and beyond and across East Africa, when a 2 day wildcat strike hit what was once 'the world's favorite airline'. Repeated strike action however in recent years at the peak of the season did little to uphold this level of customer affection, when people who needed to get back to work were kept against their will in the destination or others wishing to come to East Africa for a safari or beach holiday were short changed of their annual vacation time. There was also not much 'windfall' for other airlines operating to East Africa, as during the peak season few seats are going unsold, in spite of substantial capacity increases by such airlines as Kenya Airways, which is now also using their new B 777 on the European routes. KENYA AIRWAYS GETS NEW BOARD CHAIRMAN
Following the retirement of the long time incumbent chairman Mr. Omollo Okero, under whose stewardship Kenya Airways transformed into a profitable airline striving for global status, the main shareholders KLM and the Government of Kenya have now voted Mr. Evanson Mwaniki as the new board chairman during the ongoing AGM of the airline. The new chairman also chairs the BAT board in Kenya. Mr. Ayisi Makatiani was elected as new director instead of Dr. Chris Obura, who had to retire by rotation and was not reelected. MOMBASA AIR SAFARIS Head Office at the General Aviation Terminal at Mombasa's Moi International Airport and you will step out of bright tropical heat into cool efficiency. With its separate terminal building with hard stand for aircraft parking just outside the window, you can be ticketed and through the passenger lounge for screening and then board your flight in minutes. Mombasa Air Safari has staff based at Diani Beach, Mombasa, Malindi and Lamu all along the Kenya Coast to provide friendly and efficient services on their daily flights to LAMU, AMBOSELI, TSAVO and the MASAI MARA. Owned and operated by two Kenyans, Christine Cronchey and John Cleave since 1974, they can claim to be the best known Kenya Coast airline More-> SN BRUSSELS GETS MORE AIRCRAFT
From Prof. Wolfgang Thome, Uganda. News broken to this correspondent by the CEO of SN Brussels Airlines Mr. Peter Davies indicate, that the SN management has now received the green light from their supervisory board to acquire an additional Airbus A 330 aircraft, to be deployed on both present but also new routes. According to Mr. Davies the possibility is there that Entebbe may get an additional flight per week, maybe combining it with either Kigali/Rwanda or Bujumbura/Burundi. This is due to be achieved over the next 9-12 months at which time planning for possible new routes should also be complete. Mr. Davies met the press, travel agents and corporate clients during a cruise on Lake Victoria last week, when he visited Uganda for the second time. Also introduced during the visit was the successor to Mr. Geert Lemmen, who was country manager Uganda for SN and previously SABENA for over 10 years. While Geert is now confirmed to take charge of the Freetown station, his successor will be Pierre Declerck, who will start work in Kampala in August and formally take up his new appointment. Also present were Manager East Africa, Philippe Saeys-Desmond and Peggy Esseldeurs, Vice President Africa for SN Brussels, underlining the importance SN attaches to their East African destinations in general and Uganda in particular NOV . 1 FOR KLM
Information received now confirms that KLM will begin operations into Entebbe three times a week from 01st November onwards. The airline will fly a B 767-300 every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday non stop from Amsterdam to Entebbe, offering seamless connections from their entire network and their airline partners for Uganda bound travelers. In addition, through a KLM / KQ codeshare, another 11 weekly flights between Amsterdam and Entebbe route via Nairobi. Meanwhile, KLM's partner airline Air France continues to operate a weekly cargo flight to Entebbe via Nairobi, at least until the cargo capacity from the scheduled services comes into effect. CIVIL AVIATION BODIES AGREE ON SINGLE SKY During consultations between the three East African aviation bodies last week in Entebbe it was agreed to fully harmonize aviation policies and regulations amongst the East African sister states, extend full privileges to airlines licensed and registered across East Africa and open all destinations to traffic from the region. This is considered a shot in the arm of advocates for easier air operations and is bound to open new routes from country to country. The measures are to take effect by October this year, subject to ratification by the Council of Ministers during their next session Precision Air Expands: Following the return of its sole B 737 to Kenya Airways last year and the subsequent halt of flights to Johannesburg due to lack of suitable aircraft, Precision Air is now once again looking into the future with hope. A new ATR 72 aircraft has joined the fleet and apparently orders for additional new aircraft to be delivered over the next two years have also been placed. The Precision Air head office has also been moved from Arusha to Dar es Salaam, from where it operates 5 flights a week to Mombasa via Zanzibar as well as 5 flights a week from Mombasa to Kilimanjaro / Arusha. Nairobi is served daily from Dar and the Kilimanjaro Nairobi route has 3 flights a week. The present fleet now stands at 8 aircraft including one ATR 72, three ATR 42, three LET 410 and one Cessna Grand Caravan. Precision Air is 49 percent owned by Kenya Airways, which also provides management support. (Prof. Wolfgang Thome) "Open Skies for Africa Aviation Conference"
We salute the Africa/USA Aviation Summit in Washington, DC which featured the regulatory and commercial implications and opportunities of Open Skies. We built a magazine and web site around Open Skies in the USA and Canada, and are devoting an entire edition of Africa Travel Magazine that will include: • Open Skies implications for Africa
• Airline competition and Cooperation,
• Aviation regulations and air safety.
• Airports and ATC development.
• Finance strategies and sourcing funds.
• Aviation training and education.
• Maximizing Business Opportunities. Air Highways to Africa,, Aug. 2005
The total scene, from airlines to airport development, route maps and aviation history. Plus rail travel, highways and sea lanes. Visit the Air Highways Website for sample topics. South African Airways Service from New York to Johannesburg via Dakar
SAA service from JFK to Dakar to provide the only and much needed nonstop service between North America and Senegal, West Africa. These major schedule enhancements are complemented by a major service improvement &endash; one which I'm privileged to introduce to you tonight ... the progress of air travel, South African Airways style. An environment where air travel feels more like a stay at a five-star hotel than a fifteen hour flight. An environment where people can experience the finest South African hospitality, comfortably and effortlessly. An environment where the most important investment is always in the comfort of our passengers. KENYA MAKING STRIDES TOWARDS FAA CERTIFICATION
A team from the American FAA and from Miami Civil Aviation are in Nairobi at present to assess the progress made by Jomo Kenyatta International Airport towards category one approval, which is mandatory to commence flights by KQ to the United States. Miami is in contention with other key airports in the US to become the first destination in America for Kenya Airways, once the certification process is completed. The US are a key market for tourists to East Africa and also capable of absorbing much of the exports from the region like fresh fish, fruits and vegetables, besides textile exports under the AGOA (African Growth and Opportunities Act) statute, which grants African countries preferential access to the US markets. Uganda's' main international airport Entebbe is expecting FAA Cat 1 status shortly, having completed all the necessary improvements and upgrading last year. Flying to Africa via Europe?
Hotel reservations service in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Check this comprehensive Web Site:
http://holland.amsterdam.sunscale.com/ AFRICAN AIRLINES ASSOCIATION
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