الثالثاء 2018/7/31
صورة أرشٌفٌة
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وزٌر الطٌران ٌتفقد مطار أسوان الدولى والصالة الموسمٌة بمطار القاهرة كتب :محمود عبد الغنى تفقد الفرٌق ٌونس المصرى وزٌر الطٌران المدنى ،الٌوم اإلثنٌن ،مطار أسوان الدولى ،وذلك فى إطار سلسلة جوالته المٌدانٌة لجمٌع المطارات المصرٌة ٌرافقه الطٌار طارق فوزى رئٌس مجلس إدارة الشركة المصرٌة للمطارات، وكان فى استقباله الطٌار محمد كمال مدٌر المطار. وتفقد وزٌر الطٌران صاالت السفر والوصول الدولى والداخلى ومنطقة خدمات الركاب ،كما تفقد اإلجراءات األمنٌة بالمطار ،واطمأن على االستعدادت الالزمة الستقبال الحركة السٌاحٌة بمدٌنه أسوان ووجه بتحسٌن الخدمات المقدمة للركاب. وأكد الفرٌق ٌونس المصرى ،أن وزارة الطٌران ال تدخر جهدا فى سبٌل استعادة حركة السٌاحة وتعمل على تقدٌم كافة المبادرات والحوافز لشركات الطٌران الوطنٌة والخاصة بالتعاون مع وزارة السٌاحة. كما تحفز وزارة الطٌران المدنى شركات الطٌران األجنبٌة على تشغٌل رحالت شارتر ومنتظمة إلى المطارات السٌاحٌة ،ومنها مطار أسوان، كما رحب الوزٌر باستقبال مطار أسوان الدولى ألول رحلة طٌران سٌاحٌة شارتر مباشرة من إسبانٌا إلى أسوان بعد توقف استمر لمدة 9سنوات. وفور عودته إلى مطار القاهرة قام وزٌر الطٌران المدنى بجولة تفقدٌة لمبنى الرحالت الموسمٌة بمطار القاهرة المخصص لرحالت مصر للطٌران إلى جدة والمدٌنة المنورة لمتابعة سٌرالعمل والوقوف على آخر االستعدادات الستقبال ضٌوف الرحمن مع بداٌة تشغٌل رحالت الحج من مطار القاهرة إلى األراضى المقدسة اعتبارا من بعد غد األربعاء ،كما تفقد تجهٌزات الخٌمة المكٌفة التى تم إعدادها خارج مبنى الرحالت الموسمٌة الستقبال مودعى الحجاج وذوٌهم ووجه باالنتهاء من كافة الترتٌبات الالزمة الستقبال الموسم.
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http://www.ahram.org.eg/
المصرى :نحفز الشركات األجنبٌة على تشغٌل رحالت شارتر ومنتظمة إلى المطارات السٌاحٌة كتب :تهانى عبد الرحٌم ــ هشام عبد العزٌز أكد الفرٌق ٌونس المصرى وزٌر الطٌران المدنى ،أن الوزارة تحفز شركات الطٌران األجنبٌة على تشغٌل رحالت شارتر ومنتظمة الى المطارات السٌاحٌة ومنها مطار اسوان ،مرحبا باستقبال مطار اسوان الدولى ألول رحلة طٌران سٌاحٌة شارتر مباشرة من إسبانٌا إلى أسوان بعد توقف استمر لمدة 9سنوات. جاء ذلك خالل تفقده مطار أسوان الدولى وذلك فى إطار سلسلة جوالته المٌدانٌة لجمٌع المطارات المصرٌةٌ ،رافقه الطٌار طارق فوزى رئٌس مجلس ادارة الشركة المصرٌة للمطارات وكان فى استقباله الطٌار محمد كمال مدٌر المطار .وتفقد وزٌر الطٌران صاالت السفر والوصول الدولى والداخلى ومنطقة خدمات الركاب واإلجراءات االمنٌة بالمطار واطمأن على االستعدادات الالزمة الستقبال الحركة السٌاحٌة بمدٌنة أسوان موجها بتحسٌن الخدمات المقدمة للركاب ،مضٌفا أن الوزارة ال تدخر جهدا فى سبٌل استعادة حركة السٌاحة وتقدٌم المبادرات والحوافز لشركات الطٌران الوطنٌة والخاصة بالتعاون مع وزارة السٌاحة. وفور عودته الى مطار القاهرة قام وزٌر الطٌران المدنى بجولة تفقدٌة لمبنى الرحالت الموسمٌة بمطار القاهرة المخصص لرحالت مصرللطٌران الى جدة والمدٌنة المنورة لمتابعة سٌر العمل والوقوف على آخر االستعدادات الستقبال ضٌوف الرحمن.
صورة أرشٌفٌة
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"مصر للطٌران" تسٌر رحلتٌن لحجاج مالً إلى األراضً المقدسة كتب :طه عبٌد: سٌرت شركة مصر للطٌران االثنٌن ،رحلتٌن جوٌتٌن لنقل حجاج دولة مالً إلى المملكة العربٌة السعودٌة ألداء مناسك الحج . وقال الطٌار أحمد عادل رئٌس الشركة القابضة لمصر للطٌران ،إنه من منطلق الدور الرٌادي للشركة فً القارة اإلفرٌقٌة ،فإنها تنقل هذا العام حجاج دولة مالً علً رحالت خاصة إلى األراضً المقدسة ،بإجمالً 4 رحالت جوٌة . ٌذكر أن الشركة سٌرت 8رحالت جوٌة من بٌنهم 6رحالت جوٌة من مطار برج العرب باالسكندرٌة ،إلً المدٌنة المنورة لنقل 1860حاجا من حجاج قرعة االسكندرٌة والبحٌرة ،وبعثات مصر للطٌران والداخلٌة وترانزٌت جوهانسبرج.
صورة أرشٌفٌة
https://www.vetogate.com
مطار القاهرة ٌقدم خدمة 5نجوم للحجاج بالصاالت كتب :محروس هنداوي انتهت الصالة الموسمٌة بمطار القاهرة الدولً والمخصصة لرحالت شركة مصر للطٌران للحج والعمرة ،من استعداداتها الستقبال أولى أفواج الحج غدا األربعاء ،وذلك ضمن الجسر الجوي للشركة الوطنٌة لنقل أكثر من 50ألف حاج للعام الجاري. وأكدت مصادر مطلعة بمطار القاهرة ،أنه تم االنتهاء من إنشاء كافتٌرٌا مجهزة داخل صالة الترانزٌت لخدمة حجاج بٌت هللا الحرام ،باإلضافة إلى توفٌر 100مقعد مجهز لراحة كبار السن "مقعد جلدي" ،وإنشاء كافتٌرٌا مكٌفة أمام الصالة مزودة بعدة شاشات لخدمة المودعٌن والمستقبلٌن. ومن المقرر أن تبدأ شركة مصر للطٌران ،غدا األربعاء ،جسرها الجوي، لنقل أكثر من 50ألف حاج إلى األراضً السعودٌة ألداء مناسك الحج، وذلك بحضور الفرٌق ٌونس المصري وزٌر الطٌران المدنً ،واللواء أحمد جنٌنة ،رئٌس الشركة القابضة للمطارات والمالحة الجوٌة ،لسفر حجاج قرعة محافظتً جنوب وشمال سٌناء.
صورة أرشٌفٌة
http://www.vetogate.com
«مصر للطٌران» تبدأ جسرها الجوي لنقل الحجاج بمطار القاهرة ..غدا كتب :محروس هنداوي تبدأ غدا األربعاء شركة مصر للطٌران ،الجسر الجوي ،لنقل أكثر من 50 ألف حاج إلى األراضً السعودٌة ألداء مناسك الحج ،بحضور الفرٌق ٌونس المصري وزٌر الطٌران المدنً ،واللواء أحمد جنٌنة ،رئٌس الشركة القابضة للمطارات والمالحة الجوٌة. وأعلن الطٌار شرٌف عزت ،رئٌس شركة مصر للطٌران للخطوط الجوٌة ،أنه من المقرر أن تبدأ الشركة مرحلة سفر الحجاج عبر الصالة الموسمٌة بالمطار ،غدا األربعاء ،متجهة إلى مطار جدة الدولً لسفر حجاج قرعة محافظتً جنوب وشمال سٌناء ،بٌنما تقلع أولى الرحالت الجوٌة المتجهة إلى المدٌنة بعد غد الخمٌس ،لسفر حجاج قرعة محافظتً الجٌزة وبورسعٌد. ٌذكر أن شركة مصر للطٌران بدأت جسرها الجوي لنقل حجاج بٌت هللا الحرام ،أول أمس األحد ،من مطار برج العرب الدولً ،بإقالع رحلتها رقم 5501المتجهة إلى المدٌنة المنورة لسفر حجاج قرعة وزارة الداخلٌة.
صورة أرشٌفٌة
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اللواء أحمد جنٌنة ٌتفقد مهبط مطار القاهرة وصاالت السفر والوصول كتب :محمود عبد الغنى اللواء أحمد جنٌنة رئٌس الشركة القابضة للمطارات والمالحة الجوٌة كتب محمود عبد الغنى إضافة تعلٌق تفقد اللواء أحمد جنٌنة ،رئٌس الشركة القابضة للمطارات والمالحة الجوٌة ،صباح الٌوم االثنٌن ،فى أول ٌوم عمل له رئٌسا للشركة ،مطار القاهرة الدولى لمتابعة سٌر العمل واالستعدادات النهائٌة الستقبال موسم الحج. وقام أحمد جنٌنة خالل جولته ،بتفقد سٌر العمل داخل صاالت المطار ومهبط الطائرات، باإلضافة إلى التجهٌزات التى انتهى إلٌها مطار القاهرة الدولى الستقبال موسم الحج بالصالة الموسمٌة المخصصة لرحالت مصر للطٌران ،ومبنى الركاب ،2وعلى هامش جولته التقى عدد من العاملٌن بالمطار. كان الفرٌق ٌونس المصرى وزٌر الطٌران المدنى ،قرر تعٌٌن اللواء أحمد جنٌنة، صباح الٌوم ،رئٌسا للشركة القابضة للمطارات والمالحة الجوٌة ،خلقا للمهندس محمد سعٌد محروس
صورة أرشٌفٌة
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مطار الملك عبدالعزٌز الدولً ٌعتمد الخطة التشغٌلٌة لموسم الحج اعتمد مطار الملك عبدالعزٌز الدولً بجدة الخطة التشغٌلٌة لموسم حج هذا العام 1439هـ التً تشرف علٌها الهٌئة العامة للطٌران المدنً بالتعاون مع القطاعات الحكومٌة واألهلٌة للوصول إلى الهدف المنشود حسب الخطط التشغٌلٌة المعتمدة والتً تهدف إلى تحقٌق الراحة لضٌوف الرحمن وتأمٌن سالمتهم بدءا من قدومهم وحتى عودتهم. وأكد مدٌر عام مطار الملك عبد العزٌز الدولً بجدة عصام نور أن الهٌئة كرست جهودها مع بقٌة القطاعات األخرى بإعداد الترتٌبات العملٌة الستقبالهم حٌث من المتوقع أن تصل أعداد الحجاج القادمٌن والمغادرٌن عبر المطار ملٌونٌن وثمانٌة وتسعون ألف حاج. وبٌن نور أن ما تحقق من نجاحات داخل مطار الملك عبد العزٌزٌ ،أتً انسجاما مع حرص واهتمام خادم الحرمٌن الشرٌفٌن الملك سلمان بن عبدالعزٌز وسمو ولً العهد، فً توفٌر كل ما من شأنه تحقٌق الراحة والطمأنٌنة لضٌوف الرحمن. وأعرب مدٌر عام مطار الملك عبدالعزٌز عن شكره لصاحب السمو الملكً األمٌر خالد الفٌصل بن عبدالعزٌز مستشار خادم الحرمٌن الشرٌفٌن أمٌر منطقة مكة المكرمة رئٌس لجنة الحج المركزٌة وصاحب السمو الملكً األمٌر عبدهللا بن بندر بن عبدالعزٌز نائب أمٌر منطقة مكة المكرمة على دعمهما الدائم لمطار الملك عبد العزٌز الدولً. وأشاد نور بدعم رئٌس الهٌئة العامة للطٌران المدنً من خالل المتابعة المستمرة لجودة الخدمات المقدمة لضٌوف الرحمن فً المطار ،منوها بجهود كافة الجهات العاملة بالمطار ،من خالل منظومة عمل جماعً تجسّدت فً روح الفرٌق الواحد والعمل تحت مظلة واحدة ،للوصول لما ٌشرف بالدنا الغالٌة من خدمة ضٌوف بٌت هللا الحرام.
صورة أرشٌفٌة
1 https://www.iata.org
Airlines and Airports have their Eyes Open to Human Trafficking Montrea l – In support of the United Nations World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, Airports Council International (ACI) World and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) emphasized their joint commitment and work to help combat human trafficking. Aviation connects the world, carrying more than four billion passengers a year, but this global network is also used nefariously by traffickers to transport people against their will. Airlines and airports are determined to assist authorities by reporting suspected human trafficking cases, and making it as difficult as possible for the global air transport network to be exploited for this evil trade, which affects some 25 million people annually[1]. The industry is committed to raising awareness, helping to train staff to recognize the signs of trafficking, and putting in place reporting protocols to alert the appropriate authorities. ―Human trafficking creates misery for millions, and helps fund criminal gangs and terrorism. Aviation is the business of freedom. And we are taking action to help authorities ensure that our global network is not exploited for evil ends. As an industry, we have our eyes open, and are working with governments and law enforcement to stop trafficking. Through a joint campaign with our airport colleagues, we hope to further mobilize the aviation industry in the fight against this abhorrent trade in people‘s lives,‖ said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA‘s Director General and CEO. ―People trafficking is an appalling crime which we should do all we can to combat. The safety and security of passengers remains all airports‘ number one priority and the airport community is determined
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2 https://www.iata.org
to work with border authorities and our partners across the world in helping to put a stop to this activity. We stand together with our airline colleagues in keeping our eyes open to the signs of human trafficking. Many of our airport members are already demonstrating their commitment to the campaign. We continue to strengthen our combined efforts in awareness, training, and reporting,‖ said Angela Gittens, Director General, ACI World. To mark the United Nations World Day Against Trafficking in Persons (30 July), ACI and IATA invite airline and airport coworkers, colleagues and industry partners and supporters to raise awareness of aviation‘s commitment to fight trafficking by:
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http://atwonline.com
Ryanair’s German pilots back strike action Ryanair warns flight crew of potential job losses Ryanair‘s German pilots, represented by the Vereinigung Cockpit (VC) union, have voted to strike if the Irish LCC has not submitted a ―negotiable offer‖ by Aug. 6. According to VC, 96% of Germanbased pilots voted in favor of the strike over pay and conditions. Strikes are announced at least 24 hours in advance. VC chairman of collective bargaining policy Ingolf Schumacher said, ―We have given Ryanair a final deadline of Aug. 6, 2018, to submit a negotiable offer. Unfortunately, this has not happened so far and discussions last Friday [ended] without the hoped-for progress.‖ VC board of public relations and spokesperson Janis Schmitt told ATW there are "around 400 Ryanair pilots based in Germany, and 80% to 90% of them are directly employed [with Ryanair].‖ ―We hope that Ryanair will follow this call. There are still some days left,‖ Schmitt said. ―Even if the signal of the ballot is not taken seriously, strikes—as in other European countries—are inevitable,‖ VC said in a statement. Since negotiations began between Ryanair and VC in January on collective bargaining agreements, there has been no substantial progress. VC will hold a press conference on how to proceed Aug. 8. Ryanair operates from 19 German airports, of which10 of them are bases. Meanwhile, the Ireland-based LCC has invited the Irish pilots‘ union Fórsa to meet and discuss Fórsa requirements after Aug. 3—the fourth strike day by 25% of Irish pilots that has disrupted 3,500 customer flights.
صورة أرشٌفٌة
http://www.egypttoday.com
988 Egyptian workers return from Qatar via Kuwait, Jordan, Lebanon airports Around 988 Egyptian workers returned from Qatar via Kuwait, Jordan and Lebanon airports, which are the closest points for EgyptAir to launch additional flights to facilitate the Egyptians‘ return to spend their vacation amid the Arab boycott. EgyptAir launched six additional international flights to Qatar‘s neighborly countries. Qatar has been hit by its biggest diplomatic crisis in years after multiple Arab nations, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain, cut ties with the tiny peninsula, accusing it of destabilizing the region with its support for Islamist groups, a claim that Qatar rejects. The Arab quartet halted all land, air and sea traffic with Qatar, and withdrew their diplomats and ambassadors from the country. The Arab quartet issued 13 demands to Doha – then shortened to six principles – including closing Al Jazeera television, curbing relations with Iran and shutting down a Turkish military base. Since then, Qatar has resisted reconciliation attempts and has not exerted any effort to disassociate itself from the terrorist groups that the quartet claims are harbored and financially supported by Doha. Hence, EgyptAir launched several direct flights between Egypt and Kuwait, allowing the return of hundreds of Egyptian workers deported from Qatar. Facilitating the return of the deported workers through Kuwait highlights EgyptAir‘s decision to operate additional flights to Kuwait after the suspension of the Cairo-Doha flights as part of a compete boycott imposed on the peninsula. In its bid to resolve the current diplomatic riff between Gulf nations and Doha, Kuwait acts as a mediator between the two sides. Along with Oman, Kuwait has taken a neutral position in the dispute.
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http://atwonline.com
British Airways to end 767 operations will end Boeing 767 operations in the fourth quarter, some 28 years after it received the first USbuilt twin-aisle. BA has seven remaining 767-300ERs in its fleet. They are used on a small number of short-haul routes to European destinations such as Amsterdam, Athens, Rome, Frankfurt, Stockholm and Istanbul, typically in two-class, 244-seat configuration. They are also occasionally used on domestic UK services.
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1 http://www.theeastafrican.co.ke
African airlines fly to the Gulf seeking alliances, survival in crowded airspace Monday July 30 2018 A Qatar Airways A350 taking off from the Airbus headquarters in Toulouse, France. Middle East carriers are expected to make a profit of $1.3b this year, making them attractive partners for Africa. AFP PHOTO | REMY GABALDA In Summary IATA report released last month showed that Africa continues to be the weakest region in aviation, a trend that has persistent over the past four years. African airlines are projected to make a loss of $100 million, as they did last year, with per passenger loss narrowing to $1.5 million from $4.6 in 2016. Air Mauritius is courting Kenya Airways (KQ), South African Airways (SAA) and RwandAir over the formation of a new regional alliance. More by this Author African airlines are seeking partnerships and alliances as they try to remain afloat, with the Middle East carriers becoming the likely suitors as they seek to turn around their fortunes while improving cost efficiencies. This comes as the latest International Air Transport Association (IATA) report released last month showed that Africa continues to be the weakest region in aviation, a trend that has persistent over the past four years. ―African airline losses have shrunk as commodity prices rose and load factors improved. However, their breakeven load factors are relatively low, as yields are a little higher than average despite the lower costs. However, few of the airlines are able to achieve adequate load factors, which average the lowest globally at 61.5 per cent in the first six months of 2018,‖ IATA said.
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2 http://www.theeastafrican.co.ke On average, African airlines are projected to make a loss of $100 million, as they did last year, with per passenger loss narrowing to $1.5 million from $4.6 million two years ago. On the other hand, the Gulf carriers are expected to make a profit of $1.3 billion this year, up from an average of $1 billion they registered in 2017, while their passenger revenue will grow to $5.89, up from $4.81 last year making them attractive partners for the African airlines. Last week, it emerged that Air Mauritius is courting Kenya Airways (KQ), South African Airways (SAA) and RwandAir over the formation of a new regional alliance. It is still not clear how this alliance will work but if successful will be a gamechanger that will allow these four carriers to leverage their combined size to improve unit-cost efficiencies. This development comes at a time Nigeria is also competing with South African Airlines for attention from Gulf carriers after announcing the relaunch of a new national airline at the Farnborough Air Show in the United Kingdom last week. Ethiopian Airlines is also said to be in the race to acquire shareholding in the Nigerian airline as it seeks to protect its West African hub, a development that is expected to dent the fortunes of both Kenya Airways and Rwandair, which have made West Africa a key market over the years. However, it is the race to get a stake in the Nigerian arline — whose home country is the continent‘s most populous states and West Africa‘s largest air travel hub — that will now leave Kenya Airways and Rwandair looking elsewhere for revenue. This comes at a time African airline traffic grew by 7.5 per cent, yet capacity rose by only 3.6 per cent, according to IATA, an indicator of the demand for more capacity on the various routes in the market. partnerships
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3 http://www.theeastafrican.co.ke 'Nigerian project' Nigerian Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika met with Qatar Airways chief executive officer Akbar Al-Baker, a meeting where he made reference held discussions with other airlines on joint venture to the airline boss as a ―potential partner or investor.‖ Mr Sirika also met the chief executive officer of Ethiopian Airlines Tewolde GebreMariam. ―We expect to face competition over the Nigerian project from Qatar Airways,‖ Mr Tewolde told Bloomberg. The Nigerian airline is expected to be run as a public-private partnership and should become profitable in three years, with the government holding a 5 per cent stake. Qatar Airways, one of the bidders, currently has stakes in carriers including British Airways owner IAG SA and Latam Airlines Group SA. Ethiopian Airlines, also a front runner already runs Malawi Airlines and Togo-based Asky Airlines. It is also angling for equity stakes in Zambia, Mozambique, Chad and Guinea by the end of this year. Last week it announced that it would be acquiring a 20 per cent stake in Eritrean Airlines and will also be helping to run existing operators in Equatorial Guinea and the DR Congo. African and Asian routes As it is, KQ is already facing strong competition on its African and Asian routes as the average fare declines due to competition. In its annual report for the year ended December 2017, the national carrier stated that more than half the revenue decline was the result of the drop in average fares on its routes. ―This downward trend in fare is the result of increased competition and overcapacity on ‗Intra-Africa‘ and ‗Africa-Asia‘ traffic flows,‖ said KQ in its financials.
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4 http://www.theeastafrican.co.ke Key competitors that KQ must now contend with on these traffic flows include Ethiopian Airlines, RwandAir, Qatar Airways and Emirates. Ethiopian‘s bid for the Nigerian national carrier, if successful will make the completion worse on a route KQ flies more than four times a week. EWT, operates a West African hub from Lome, Togo where it has a domestic and regional partnership with Asky Airlines. Revenue optimisation ―The talks between Emirates Airline and SAA, which have been going on for some months, are being facilitated by our embassy in Pretoria. The airline has also been holding separate talks with Etihad Airways,‖ the UAE‘s ambassador to South African Mahash Alhameli told South African newspaper City Press. However, SAA has denied that it was seeking the Gulf airlines as strategic equity partners only confirming that it has had preliminary talks with the Kenyan national carrier, Turkish Airways, Air Mauritius, Emirates, Qatar Airways, United Airlines and Singapore Airlines. ―We have had purely commercial discussions with all these airlines with regards to code sharing, interline, cargo business as well as possibilities of these airlines taking some of our excess flight deck and cabin crew. We have not discussed any possibility of them investing in SAA as part of the strategic equity partner process,‖ SAA spokesperson Tlali Tlali said a statement, adding that these meetings have taken place over the past six months as the airline seeks to explore mutually beneficial opportunities to expand the network.‖ Kenya Airways chairman Michael Joseph confirmed in April that it had
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1 https://www.standardmedia.co.ke Kenya Airways moves to protect its turf from Kampala and Dar carriers for stiff competition following the move by Uganda and Tanzania to revive their national carriers. ALSO READ: It‘s all systems go as KQ gears for direct flights to America The two countries hope to share the regional pie that Kenya Airways has enjoyed in the larger East African routes. Kenya Airways, however, said it is unfazed by the return of the two airlines, noting that they have miles to go before they can catch up with the local carrier. Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania formed the East African airlines but split in 1976. What followed were years of decline for all the three airlines. KQ, though in turbulence, has, however, been able to stay afloat and sustain flights in Africa as well as other far-flung destinations in Asia and Europe. This was the same for Air Uganda until shut down in 2001 while Air Tanzania was able to sustain only a few local flights. Air Tanzania has, however, been rejuvenated. It has already taken off but only operates domestic flights with a single international flight to Comoros. Stay informed while on the go by subscribing to the Standard Group SMS service. Text the word 'NEWS' to 22840. It plans to start flying to other cities in East Africa, including Nairobi, Entebbe, Kigali and Bujumbura. Earlier this month, the airline received its first plane that can make long-haul flights, the Boeing Dreamliner, which it said would be used for the Indian route and other long-haul flights. Air Uganda is also preparing for take-off. The country has recently inked a deal with Airbus for delivery of an A330-800 new engine option, which has been received with criticism in Uganda as the airline is the sole customer for the aircraft with other orders having been cancelled. Air Uganda has ordered four Canadair Regional Jet 900 series (CRJ 900),
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2 https://www.standardmedia.co.ke which are set to be delivered by 2020. Both airlines appear set to steal some of the markets in the East African routes that are largely dominated by Kenya Airways. ALSO READ: Boeing to service KQ‘s US-bound planes RwandAir has in the recent past emerged as a competitor in the East African Community (EAC). KQ is, however, putting on a brave face, saying the new developments are manageable. The airline‘s Chief Operating Officer Jan de Vegt told Financial Standard that it has a strategic advantage of being in the market for long and flying to most corners of the continent. KQ, he noted, is still growing and will have made more strides before Air Uganda and Tanzanian airline can find their footing. ―We are an airline with 39 aircraft, we fly to over 50 destinations and we have a footprint across Africa. KQ is still growing this footprint and we also have connections to the rest of the world where we either fly to or can offer our customers access to global destinations through our partners,‖ Jan de Vegt said. ―It is very hard for another airline to just build that from the ground up… strategically we do have an advantage.‖ KQ is still in a recovery mode and It is barely a year since it concluded its complex restructuring. It has been looking for partnerships to strengthen its product offering and perhaps beat the emerging competition seen in the revival of Ugandan and Tanzanian carriers as well as the existing competitors that are RwandAir and Ethiopian Airlines. ALSO READ: KQ and Fairmont Hotels and Resorts Kenya sign deal Key among these partnerships is working with the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) in the management of the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). The plan has already received cabinet backing and now awaits regulatory approvals. Emerging issues Other than being a KQ plan, it is also part of the State‘s plan to restructure the airline industry that entails propping JKIA into an African hub and KQ into a ‗world-class‘ airline. ―We are first making our own assessments and based on that, we will do a proposal but before that, there are legal steps we have to go
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3 https://www.standardmedia.co.ke through before we can talk to KAA. There is a process for the public-private partnerships that we have to follow,‖ said De Vegt. He explained that the partnership would result in speedier solutions to certain challenges at the airport that take longer to resolve due to the bureaucracy that ties down KAA. ―The most important thing is for the main user of an airport to have a good relationship with the airport‘s authority. I have worked in many airports and this is the practice across many countries,‖ he noted. ―At JKIA, there are things which are hampering our development and we want to sort them out… we are looking for better and fast solutions to these challenges.‖ ―I am not blaming KAA but they have different procedures as a Government institution whereby bureaucracy results in delays in handling emerging issues at the airport,‖ Jan de Vegt observed. He said KQ is not looking at an absolute control of the airport but noted that most national carriers are given priority that is critical to their success. ALSO READ: Factory workers hit by SA plane crash These include the Arab carriers. In Africa, Ethiopian Airlines gets preferential treatment at Bole International Airport and the local travel agents are required to give at least 70 per of the business to the airline. Rwanda does not allow other carriers to set up shop at the Kigali International Airport. ―If you look at relations in other airports, there are instances where KQ or other airlines are delayed to take off so that their national carriers can take off or land. I am not saying that we will do that but you can see how far people can go,‖ said De Vegt. KQ is also evaluating the possibility of partnerships with South African Airways (SAA). Joining forces between the two carriers, which are the second and third largest in the region, could be seen as a move to defend their turf from Ethiopian Airlines, which has been on an acquisition spree, threatening to further eat into their market share. The two airlines have been loss-making and SAA has recently hired a restructuring
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4 https://www.standardmedia.co.ke
expert to help it relook its process with hopes that it can return to profits. New owners KQ concluded its own restructuring in November last year, which resulted in the State increasing its stake as well as bringing on board banks as new owners, which now hold a 38 per cent stake in the carrier. ALSO READ: Will direct flights to New York be a game changer? SAA, under the eighth CEO since 2010, reported a seventh straight annual loss in May this year and is seeking emergency funding even as it targets break even by 2021. Though not elaborate on the level of cooperation that it is pursuing with SAA, KQ said it could range from a simple code-share agreement allowing reciprocal ticket sales to a more extensive joint venture arrangement. The two airlines joining hands could form a formidable competition to Ethiopian Airlines, which emerged as a major player in the African aviation industry. The KQ-SAA pact will also help the two defend their airspace from Arab carriers operating flights to the Middle East which serves as a connecting hub to other parts of the world. De Vegt said a partnership with SAA would enable KQ to offer its customer easy access to more destinations:
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