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Funding ready for US$50 million Cape Coast Airport—Kofi Adda
Feasibility studies have been completed and funding source identified for the construction of an airport at Ankaful, which is within the Cape Coast Municipal Assembly, to serve the Central Region– a major tourism hub.
The airport and other ancillary facilities, which is to be sited on a 600 acre land at Ankaful, is expected to cost about US$50million to construct. Minister for Aviation, Joseph Kofi Adda, briefing the Paramount Chief of the Oguaa Traditional Area,
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No aircraft delivered for home-based carrier yet—Aviation Minister The Ghana’s Ministry of Aviation has debunked news making rounds on social media that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is to present five aircraft to the ministry for the commencement of the long-awaited new homebased carrier for the West Africa nation. A statement issued and signed by Aviation Minister, Joseph Kofi Adda, on Sunday, PAGE 03
Emirates clinches three gongs at the World Travel Awards Emirates has been named as the World’s Leading Airline in three major categories at the World Travel Awards 2020: World’s Leading Economy Class, Airline Rewards Programme and Airline Lounge - Business Class. Earlier this month, Emirates also took home four regional World Travel Awards for the Middle East’s Leading Airline Brand; Middle East’s Leading Airline Lounge - Business Class; Middle East’s Leading Airline Rewards Programme and Middle East’s Leading Airline Website. PAGE 02
Osabarima Kwesi Atta II, about the project during a working visit to Cape Coast on Thursday said: “I am here today answering a call of the President to assess the feasibility and viability of constructing an airport in Cape Coast. Our team from the Ministry of Aviation, Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) have investigated the various sites and completed the feasibility studies. “We have also identified the source of funding. If we get the approval of the Ministry of Finance and Parliament, Cape Coast will have an airport. We are working on building an Airport for Cape Coast. “The feasibility shows that it is viable. We have been able to source the funding upwards of US$50/60million. Cape Coast is very important when it comes to tourism and education. There was a feasibility study done in 1997/8 and we have had to update that before
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No aircraft delivered for home-based carrier yet— Aviation Minister November 29, said: “This is certainly not true as no agreement has been signed yet with the strategic partner so far identified. This would have to get the consent of Cabinet and Parliament. “We wish to let the public know that we are at an advanced stage in our negotiations with EgyptAir on a Strategic Partnership arrangement to relaunch a National Flag Carrier but the matter has not yet received Cabinet and certainly not Parliamentary Approval.” Before the planned home-based carrier can start operations in Ghana, it must secure the relevant certification from the aviation sector regulator, Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) but that is yet to be done. Mr. Adda noted that: “It must obtain an Air Carrier License (ACL) and an
Operator Certification (AOC) before we can take delivery of and operate any airline or use any aircraft.” “It is indeed true that when Cabinet and Parliament finally do respectively approve and ratify the Partnership Agreement, the new Flag Carrier will commence operations with at least five (5) aircraft. However, we wish to state that the President is not yet delivering the aircraft as those processes have not been concluded. “The Ministry of Aviation and indeed the Government of the New Patriotic Party is quite optimistic and hopeful that this agreement will go through this year to place the Black Star back in the sky to give Ghanaians the benefit of air service under the national flag but it is not today,” Mr. Adda added. JOSEPH KOFI ADDA, GHANA’S AVIATION MINISTER
Funding ready for US$50 million Cape Coast Airport—Kofi Adda we could make pronouncements on whether we could construct an airport in Cape Coast.” On his part, Osabarima Kwesi Atta II said: “It’s been long overdue but better late than never. We are happy that the decision has now been made. I will engage my people to cooperate with the airport authorities. But should there be any problems, as in any human endeavour, we will see to it that it is settled quickly.” The Central Region, which is a major tourism destination in the country, given its rich history and UNESCO World Heritage castles sited along the coast, is only accessible to tourists by road. Connecting with the regional capital, Cape Coast, from Accra is hampered by heavy vehicular traffic. It takes about two (2) hours
to connect from Accra on a typical weekend when many people usually travel for tourism and social events. The Member of Parliament for Cape Coast North, Barbara Asher Ayisi, said it was imperative for the Central Region to have an airport. “Cape Coast is a hub of tourism as well as the citadel of education. I believe that the airport will really open up Cape Coast and boost tourism.” Cape Coast played a crucial role in the success of the Year of Return held in Ghana last year. Indeed a total of US$1.9 billion was generated into the economy through activities related to the “Year of Return.” The programme also brought about an increase of over 200,000 in total arrivals into the country.
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Emirates clinches three gongs at the World Travel Awards The airline took top rankings across both the global and regional categories based on a record voter turnout from tourism consumers, a testament to its ongoing efforts and focused approach to continually enhance the customer experience in spite of challenges posed by the global pandemic. The latest honours come hot off the heels of a flurry of other award wins over the last few weeks, including four wins at the Business Traveller Middle East Awards, the Best Airline for 2020 at The Sun Travel Awards, Best Long-Haul Airline at The Times and The Sunday Times Travel Awards, in addition to being rated as the safest airline in the world for its response to the COVID-19 pandemic according to the Safe Travel Barometer. Part of the airline’s commitment to deliver outstanding value to customers is through industry-leading service and products across every class of travel. In Emirates’ Economy Class, customers can explore over 4,500 on-demand entertainment channels on the airline’s award-winning inflight system, ice. The airline also caters to every palate with regionally inspired multi-course meals and
complimentary beverages. In early November, Emirates signature onboard dining experience returned while observing strict health and hygiene measures. In line with the airline’s ongoing efforts to ensure a seamless and safe customer journey, as well as provide technology options to enhance the overall experience, the Emirates app has also been enhanced to allow customers to sync their entertainment options prior to boarding, as well browse menus on their personal devices both online and offline. To further safeguard customer health and wellbeing, Emirates has put in numerous safety measures across every customer touchpoint on the ground and in the air, including the distribution of complimentary hygiene kits containing masks, gloves, hand sanitiser and antibacterial wipes to all customers. The airline’s Business Class lounge in Concourse B in Dubai delivers elevated comfort and service for Emirates’ premium customers. With safety and hygiene measures in place, customers can relax, savour global flavours, and catch up before they
board their next flight. The Emirates Business Class lounge at Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport has also gradually revived its renowned prepandemic offerings such as full food and beverage services, quiet areas, amongst other experiences. Emirates Skywards, the loyalty programme of Emirates and flydubai, recently marked its 20 year anniversary and has grown its base
to over 27 million highly engaged members in 180 countries by offering value in bespoke experiences, brand partnerships and digital technologies. To meet and exceed the evergrowing expectations of consumers for a better digital experience, the airline has made significant investments into its mobile and digital channels, such as personalized ice playlists via Emirates app, 3D cabin previews ahead of travel, tickets bidding for highly sought after event and sporting experiences using Skywards Miles, amongst numerous other innovations. The Emirates app has been downloaded over 25 million times, on the back of solid consumer uptake for a joined up experience across all touchpoints. During the pandemic, emirates.com became an information ‘hub’ for the most up to date travel information for consumers and industry stakeholders. The annual World Travel Awards is a prestigious event that acknowledges, rewards and celebrates organisations within the travel, tourism and hospitality sectors, and is recognised as a hallmark of industry excellence. Winners were announced at a Grand Final event in Moscow, Russia.
UNWTO launches #MyAfrica campaign to promote unique Tourism Stories The World Tourism Organisation(UNWTO) has unveiled the #MyAfrica campaign to celebrate and encourage the sharing of travel and tourism stories from the continent. The social media campaign is purposed to create powerful storytelling about Africa through the conveyance of solid messages and emotional stories which will contribute to spreading positive narratives on the region and reposition it as a competitive, attractive, and safe tourism destination in the minds of future travellers. These stories must also showcase the uniqueness and the diversity of the African continent as well as highlight the immense potential the tourism sector holds to foster the sustainable economic growth of local communities. The new initiative forms part of the world tourism body’s effort on promoting Africa which it deems critical now more than ever as key to restoring market confidence and build a strong image so as to restart tourism in the continent and accelerate the
recovery process of the region from the severe impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak. The #MyAfrica campaign falls in line with the “Advocating the Brand Africa” which is one of the ten priorities of the UNWTO Agenda for Africa – Tourism for Inclusive Growth. Guidelines Participants should answer these 3
questions: 1. Why did you choose to work in tourism or in a field related to tourism? 2. How has tourism helped you grow? 3. In 3 words, describe Africa as a diverse tourist destination. STEPS 1. Record a video answering those questions.
2. Write your voice! Send us the transcript of your story. 3. Look into your camera, click and share with us your favourite portraitpic. 4. Send it to comm@unwto.org with the subject #MyAfrica, stating your name and country of residence. (Source: voyagesafriq.com)
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Airbus re-sells six unwanted jets built for AirAsia Airbus has found buyers for six aircraft from the A320neo family rejected by one of its main customers, Malaysia’s AirAsia, as it works off a surplus left by the coronavirus crisis, industry sources said. Unwanted jets have become an emblem of pandemic-induced problems in the aerospace industry that have come on top of a chill in ties between two of its major players. Tensions became unusually public when Airbus in April invited tenders for six jets that AirAsia had failed to take delivery of. It has now found homes for all six, the last of which is being delivered this month, a European industry source told Reuters. Airbus provided no comment. Airbus has been steadily increasing deliveries as it strikes deals with airlines to reschedule deliveries or store jets. It said last month it had reduced an overhang that it had been unable to deliver during the crisis by 10 units to 135 jets. The redeployment of AirAsia orders is expected to trim the surplus further as deliveries top output in November.
Airbus is seeing strong demand, relative to the rest of the battered sector, for its A321neo jet, and the aircraft has broadly held its value, the European source said. It is sticking with plans to increase output of the single-aisle jets. The A321neo competes with the two largest versions of the Boeing 737
MAX, which won approval last week to re-enter service after a 20-month grounding in the wake of two crashes. Aircraft Values Boeing is expected to re-sell dozens of 737 MAX whose buyers cancelled during the grounding, potentially depressing prices. According to the UK-based
consultancy IBA Group, all aircraft have lost some value during the COVID-19 crisis but the A321neo is trading around 5% below its inherent value while the MAX is 10% below hurt also by the recent grounding. Doubts remain, however, about demand for a larger Airbus, the A330neo, whose largest customer, AirAsia’s long-haul unit Air Asia X, is seeking new funding to survive. AirAsia said in April it would stop taking deliveries of all Airbus jets this year and review remaining orders. The move exacerbated concerns about demand in Southeast Asia, which was already struggling with overcapacity before the crisis. AirAsia’s relations with Airbus were further clouded when it was drawn into an Airbus bribery case before being cleared by local investigators, industry sources have said. AirAsia co-founders denied any wrongdoing in a sports sponsorship deal cited in a wider Airbus bribery settlement with prosecutors in January. The European source said AirAsia remained an important partner for Airbus. (Reuters)
Aviation industry agrees vital slot use relief The Worldwide Airport Slot Board (WASB), comprising Airports Council International (ACI World), the International Air Transport Association (IATA), and the Worldwide Airport Coordinators Group (WWACG) released a joint recommendation for airport slot use relief for the northern summer 2021 season. The organizations called on regulators worldwide to temporarily adopt more flexible slot rules in line with the recommendation as quickly as possible in order to preserve essential air transport connectivity. As a result of the collapse in demand from the COVID-19 crisis, some 65% of direct city pair connections vanished in the first quarter of 2020. Slotregulated airports serve almost half of all passengers and are the backbone of the global scheduled airline network. But recovery is impossible while there is no certainty on the rules governing the use and retention of airport slots. The existing slot rules were never designed to cope with a prolonged industry collapse. Regulators temporarily suspended the rules for Summer and Winter 2020 to give
the industry vital breathing space. International air traffic, though, is only expected to return to about 25% of 2019 levels by summer 2021. In order to preserve connectivity while air traffic recovers, a more flexible system of slot regulation is essential. The Worldwide Airport Slot Board (WASB) which is the forum for bringing together representatives from the airport, airline and slot coordinator community to agree positions on slot rules, has worked on
a proposal to regulators that preserves the best of the existing rules, while providing the necessary flexibility to aid recovery. The WASB position recommends the following be adopted before the end of 2020: Airlines that return a full series of slots by early February to be permitted to retain the right to operate them in summer 2022; A lower operating threshold for retaining slots the following season. In normal industry conditions this is set at 8020. The WASB recommends this be amended to 50-50 for Summer 2021; A clear definition for acceptable non-use of a slot. For example, force majeure as a result of short-term border closures or quarantine measures imposed by governments. Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s Director General and CEO said: “It is vital that regulators quickly adopt the WASB proposals on a globally harmonized basis. Airlines and airports need certainty as they are already planning the 2021 Summer season (which begins in April) and have to agree schedules. Delays in adopting new rules will further damage the industry at a time when industry finances, and
4.8 million jobs in air transport, hang by a thread.” “Creating a globallycompatible approach to the crucial issue of airport slots is an important part of underpinning a recovery of aviation. The united position of the air transport industry on what needs to be done to protect connectivity and choice in the best interests of passengers is a clear signal to regulators of the extreme urgency of the situation. Action is needed now as any delay makes recovery for air transport, and the global economy, more difficult. We need regulators to recognize the crisis we are in and act with speed and flexibility,” said Luis Felipe de Oliveira, Director General of ACI World. “WWACG welcome the possibility to work out a common ground together with IATA and ACI World for the preparation of the 2021 Summer season. It is important that relevant authorities take appropriate action to secure the aviation industry the necessary predictability in the planning process in these extraordinary times for the entire industry,” said Fred Andreas Wister, Chairman, WWACG. (Source: IATA)
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Uganda airlines expands network ahead of long haul launch in early 2021 Following the announcement of Kinshasa as Uganda Airlines’ next destination two weeks ago has the airline now also confirmed that Johannesburg remains in focus for the rollout of the next phase of network expansion. Represented in South Africa by Airline Pros International will Uganda Airlines aim not only to capture traffic from Uganda to South Africa and back – the route is presently ‘vacant‘ after South African Airways has withdrawn from it – but will also hard sell connections from South Africa via Entebbe to the planned long haul destinations in the Middle East – Dubai – Europe and China.
The choice of Airline Pros International also puts Uganda Airlines in good company of other leading African and international airlines like Air Seychelles, Air Austral, Proflight Zambia, Airlink, TAAG, LAM, Air Botswana, Air Namibia, Air Senegal and Air Cote D’Ivoire. Uganda Airlines will take delivery of their first A338Neo just before Christmas this year and a second such aircraft is due to join the fleet in early 2021. Together with four CRJ900 short and medium haul jets does the airline plan to serve key African cities and connect them via Entebbe to London and China.
ICAO: CORSIA offsetting kept on track for 2021 pilot phase Efforts to offset emissions from international flights have been kept on track during the current 221st Session of the ICAO Council, with new decisions being adopted by the 36-country body on eligibility units and sustainability certification schemes supporting the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA). The latest Council endorsements mean that all implementation elements for CORSIA are now complete, and that everything is prepared for the start of its pilot phase in 2021. ICAO Council President Salvatore Sciacchitano remarked on the welcomed developments that “ICAO set out a vision for carbon-neutral growth in international aviation, and this week we have seen that vision bear fruit. The Council’s decisions on eligible emissions units and sustainability certification schemes are the final steps necessary for CORSIA’s timely implementation.” “The steps that ICAO has taken to address climate change go hand-inhand with our efforts to promote the sustainable growth and long-term prosperity of international aviation,” added ICAO Secretary General Dr. Fang Liu. “CORSIA’s implementation elements are ready, and States and airlines are ready to make use of
them.” Pursuant to recommendations from its CORSIA Technical Advisory Body (TAB), the Council decided on a second set of eligible emissions units for use with offsetting requirements in the 2021-2023 pilot phase of CORSIA. The units were issued to activities under approved programmes, subject to their respective scope of eligibility and eligibility dates. Based on the recommendations of the Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection (CAEP),
the Council also approved the organizations which are now eligible to certify the sustainability and lifecycle emissions values of CORSIA eligible fuels. Since the adoption of the CORSIArelated Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) in 2018, ICAO has developed the remaining elements needed for the programme’s implementation. This includes the ICAO CORSIA CO2 Estimation and Reporting Tool (CERT), harmonized
methodologies to account for lifecycle CO2 reductions from sustainable aviation fuels, and the CORSIA Central Registry (CCR) to facilitate the CO2 reporting from States to ICAO. The final building blocks for completing the CORSIA implementation package were set in place this week, with the agreement on the second round of eligible emissions units and the sustainability certification schemes. (Source: ICAO)
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How a collective infrastructure push will boost global growth
With vaccines around the corner, there is increased hope that the pandemic could soon be under better control. That said, the need for cooperative efforts to work toward a better future has never been greater. Priority areas relate to the need to produce and distribute vaccines globally, tackle climate change, and bolster the economic recovery from the crisis. An IMF report published ahead of the G20 leaders meeting argues that a synchronized infrastructure investment push could invigorate growth, limit scarring, and address climate goals. In fact, when many countries act at the same time, public infrastructure investment could help lift growth domestically and abroad through trade linkages. This positive “spillover” effect could provide an additional boost to global output. The spillovers created by higher demand are particularly impactful when economic conditions are weak and interest rates low. When economic conditions are strong, higher government spending may push inflation above the central bank’s target and trigger a monetary policy tightening, offsetting some of the initial boost to demand. But when conditions are weak and inflation is well below target, monetary policy is less likely to tighten in response to higher government spending, resulting in a greater output response. The context of ample spare capacity thus amplifies the impact of both domestic public infrastructure spending and the demand that spills over from higher public investment abroad. Our Chart of the Week illustrates this point. If economies with room to
spend were to increase infrastructure investment spending by ½ percent of GDP in 2021, raise it to 1 percent of GDP in 2022, and keep it at that level until 2025, and economies with less fiscal space spend about one third of that amount over the same period, global output could increase by close to 2 percent by 2025 (dashed black line). About a third of that impact would come from cross-border spillovers. To see this, consider a set of hypothetical scenarios where each country raises infrastructure spending on its own, without benefiting from higher spending abroad. The global impact in that case would on average be about 1.2 percent (solid black line). Bottom line: If G20 countries act together, they can achieve twothirds more at the same cost than if each country acts alone. Important additional benefits occur from specific types of infrastructure spending. For example, if such spending prioritizes green investments, it will also strengthen resilience and allow for a cleaner world for the next generation. Efficient mass transit projects, smart electricity grids, and retrofitting of buildings to enhance energy efficiency could be prioritized. Jobintensive public investment such as infrastructure maintenance or public works that are implemented efficiently are also of the essence. When policymakers across countries work together and implement high-quality, smart spending on infrastructure, the impact of their individual actions can be amplified and provide further support for all economies.
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UNWTO Partners with government to re-boost tourism industry
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he Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Zurab Pololikashvili, has met with H.E. Kais Saied, President of Tunisia, and his Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi of Tunisia during a high-level visit to the North African country. This second visit to an African Member State in the space of three weeks reaffirms UNWTO’s commitment to restarting tourism across the continent and focus on working closely with governments to promote sustainable growth and innovation. Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili thanked President Saied and his government for their strong support for tourism at this challenging
time. A key focus of the high-level meeting was exploring ways in which UNWTO can support Tunisia as it channels tourism’s power to drive sustainable development. Alongside this, the Secretary-General and the Tunisian authorities discussed UNWTO’s partnership with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), with a current project providing technical support to drive the recovery of Tunisia’s tourism sector in the wake of the pandemic. Together for future collaboration Secretary-General Pololikashvili said: “Tunisia is an example of a country effectively investing in tourism and harnessing the unique power of the sector to promote development and create opportunities for many. I
thank President Saied for his warm hospitality and for his government’s support of tourism throughout and beyond the pandemic.” In addition to the meeting with the President and Prime Minister, the UNWTO delegation also held talks with the Tunisian Minister of Tourism Habib Ammar to discuss plans for current and future collaboration. Reflecting the key priorities of UNWTO’s leadership, the talks focused on ways to boost sustainable tourism and to create jobs through innovation, education and investments, as well as tourism for rural development. Investing in Africa’s future Also reflecting UNWTO’s core priorities, most notably a commitment to developing talent and
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promoting education, the SecretaryGeneral spoke at the opening of the Tunisia Hospitality Symposium. The Symposium was held at the Carthage High Commercial Studies Institute (or IHEC Carthage), the first and most prestigious business school in Tunisia. The service sector, which includes tourism, is one of the two main economic sectors for Tunisia. According to UNWTO data, African destinations experienced a 99% decline in international tourist arrivals during the second quarter of 2020 when compared with 2019. Working closely alongside Member States from across the continent, UNWTO has realigned its 2030 Agenda for Africa to reflect the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and help drive sustainable recovery. (Source: UNWTO)
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