Airlines Africa

Airlines Africa

Airlines Africa October 29, 2012

1

Serving the Airline Industry and Airline Professional Across Africa

Precision Air’s First AGM and Signs AASA Urges Government and for Support on ATR 42-600s

Precision Air Services recently IPO, from where the airline raised Industry to Align held its first annual general meeting Tshs12 billion.

(AGM) since being listed in the Dar

The airline has achieved a 233 Policies and es Salaam Stock Exchange (DSE) in per cent increase in passenger numDecember 2011. bers from 249,000 in 2004 to 825,000

The airline, which is headquarin 2012, the fastest growth of any Strategies tered in Dar es Salaam posted a regional airline. The company has pretax profit of TShs 1.84 billion for the year ended March 31 2012, an increase of 18.3 percent over the previous year.

Total revenues soared to Tsh163 billion from TShs 114 billion over the same period. Net profit for the year was TShs 634 million.

Precision Air is the first Tanzanian airline to be listed on the bourse.

7,056 new investors joined the Precision Air family in the December 2011

expanded by covering a record 14 destinations Tanzania and Sub Sub-Saharan region with the widest network in the country.

According to the Chairman of the Board, Michael Shirima, Precision Air is committed to delivering on shareholder value. “We will remain steadfastly focused on our vision of being the airline of choice. We welcome our Continued on Page 2

The sustainability and profitability of air transport in Southern Africa depended on the alignment of government policies and industry strategies, including reforms to competition and ownership rules that would stimulate growth in the sector.

This was the consensus reached at the recent Airlines Association of Southern Africa (AASA) AGM and Conference held in Maputo, Mozambique and attended by over 200 industry leaders and government policy makers.

The meeting took place against the backdrop of a gloomy outlook for Africa’s airlines, which are expected to record a combined $100 million loss this year (before adjustment for inflation).

“Although this performance seems consistent year on year, Continued on Page 4

www.airlines-africa.com

October 29, 2012

Airlines Africa

Precision Air’s First AGM and ATR Support Continued from Page 1 new shareholders and believe that together we remain confident in our long term objective of realizing returns to our shareholders.”

Precision Air has exhibited consistent growth in both operations and financial performance.

Alfonse Kioko, Precision Air group managing director and CEO, explained that while the global aviation industry was facing strong headwinds, Precision was one of the “best of breed” in a tough industry. “revenue passenger per kilometer (RPK) was 424 million, up from 318 million seat kilometers, a growth of 33% over the previous year.

“We are proud that our key headline numbers have shown consistent improvement over the previous year,” said Kioko. He added that 2012 marked another milestone with the opening of is ultra-modern aircraft hanger at the Julius Nyerere airport, adding significant operational support at Precision Air’s hub.

Precision Air continues to successfully provide self-handling at its key Tanzanian destinations. The airline uplifts an average of almost 70,000 passengers a month. The airline’s frequent flyer program Paa Royal, now in its second year, has generated a strong loyalty following among frequent flyers.

The airline is the country’s designated second national carrier under the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the only Tanzanian carrier certified under IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA), the recognized airline industry standard for operational safety.

According to Kioko, Precision is poised for further growth. “We are dynamically focused on leveraging our key technical and operational competences, particularly on developing and investing in well trained operating crew, focusing on profitable routes, carefully managing exogenous facwww.airlines-africa.com

tors such as fuel prices and the use of more efficient technologies, to achieve even stronger results and to deliver on shareholder value ” concludes Kioko.

ATR 42-600 Support

Precision Air also recently announced that it had selected Sabena technics for the component support of its new fleet of ATR -600s. This selection marks the extension of an existing five-year contract signed with Sabena technics in 2010. Their collaboration being a success, Precision Air has decided to trust the MRO provider with its future ATR-600s.

Precision Air will phase-in four ATR 42-600s and one ATR 72-600 starting from November 2012. The ATR 72-600 will be delivered in 2014.

With this acquisition, Precision Air will bring its fleet of ATRs up to 14 aircraft and will become the largest operator of ATR aircraft in Africa.

This collaboration is not the first one between the airline and Sabena technics: Precision Air awarded the MRO provider in August 2010 with a five-year contract for the supply of component repair and overhaul services, including pool access with advanced standard exchange components service.

“I would like to thank Precision Air for the renewed trust they placed in our company,” said Rodolphe Marchais, chairman and CEO of Sabena technics. “As the leading ATR maintenance provider, we have been preparing for the ATR-600s, developing the right capability and making the appropriate investments.”

Airlines Africa Airlines Africa is the definitive weekly news and information source serving the African airline and transportation community. Copyright © 2012 It is published 48 times annually by Defense House Publishing. All rights reserved.

No portion of this publication may be copied, reproduced, duplicated stored or retransmitted in any form without the expressed written pemission of the publisher.

Honeywell and AGS Partner

2

Addressing the needs of the ever expanding global aviation industry, Honeywell has entered into a new distributor agreement with commercial aircraft spare parts supplier, American General Supplies, Inc (AGS). Under the terms of the agreement, airline customers throughout Africa will have access to Honeywell’s range of avionics, mechanical components and wheels and brakes, as well as the support of its global maintenance, retrofit and overhaul (MRO) services.

The agreement between Honeywell and AGS, was first announced during AFRAA’s 2011 conference, represents Honeywell’s commitment to supporting the growth of aviation in emerging markets across the globe.

Responding to a clear demand from African carriers AGS will provide its diverse customer base with access to Honeywell’s large portfolio of OEM quality parts and services, ensuring fleets stay operational.

AGS is a commercial aircraft spare parts supplier to the aviation industry, suppling airframe, engine, and avionic components; chemicals; ground support equipment, tools, and shop equipment. The company also provides a wide range of services to the airlines and support organizations, including establishing branch stock at client locations, consignment of customer surplus parts, repair and overhaul services, and providing technical assistance and training.

Jeff McKaughan Publisher jeffm@airlines-africa.com 1- 443-243-1710 For details on advertising, please contact the publisher.

Airlines Africa P.O.Box 236 Forest Hill, MD 21050 USA October 29, 2012

3

Airlines Africa

Arik Air is Awarded Best Security and Safety Conscious Airline Honor

Arik Air, West and Central Africa’s largest airline has been adjudged the Best Security and Safety Conscious Airline in West and Central Africa for the second consecutive year. The honor was bestowed on the airline at the 9th Security Watch Africa Award

Jo’burg Airport Holds Exercise

Airports Company South Africa along with essential stakeholders recently conducted a full scale emergency simulation exercise at O.R. Tambo International Airport. The exercise, dubbed Exercise First Aid, was aimed at improving the state of readiness of all roleplayers in terms of handling major aircraft incidents at the airport.

“As a mandatory requirement in terms of aviation legislation, a full scale exercise has to be conducted every two years,” said Unathi Batyashe-Fillis, ACSA’s communications manager at O.R. Tambo International. “The purpose is to test the response preparedness of all role players involved in an aircraft related accident/incident. Our last full scale emergency exercise titled Operation Phoenix was conducted in 2010, a few months after the successful facilitation of the FIFA Soccer World Cup. We have made some great strides since then in terms of coordinating the roles of various stakeholders.”

As per the South African Civil Aviation Authority legislation, as defined by the ICAO, the airport has a comprehensive emergency management system in place. This system must be tested through a full-scale emergency simulation every two years.

The objective of today’s exercise was to test all roleplayers’ procedures with regards to a communicable disease and a security related scenario.

The four hour long simulation took the form of a medical threat onboard an International aircraft carrying 26 passengers and three crew members. www.airlines-africa.com

held in Accra, Ghana.

According to the organizers, Arik Air was conferred with the award because of the airline’s commitment to high standard of security and safety in its regional operations since inception as well as compliance to the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO’s) standard for aviation operations internationally. The organizers found the airline’s security and safety standards exemplary in West and Central Africa.

The Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, who was among the several dignitaries from Nigeria and Ghana that witnessed the ceremony, presented the award to Arik Air’s Aviation Security Training and Standards Manager, Akeem Oladimeji.

Amosun congratulated Arik Air and other award recipients and hoped it would spur them to do more exploit.

Responding, Arik Air’s representative, Akeem Oladimeji, thanked the organizers of the award and stated that the award bears testimony to Arik Air management’s huge investment in

AVAILABLE ENGINES:

safety and security. He stressed that the airline’s Aviation Security (AVSEC) Department is the most sophisticated in the industry and the airline’s commitment to safety is second to none in West and Central Africa.

Arik Air has invested a lot of money on itemizer equipment used to trace drugs. The airline, which has 300 security staff in its employment, is the only Nigerian airline that conducts an independent secondary screening of passengers prior to departures.

The airline also places a lot of emphasis on training and certification of its security personnel. The airline’s aviation security training and standards manager and the chief security officer are ICAO certified aviation security professional managers.

This is the third time Arik Air has won the Security Watch Africa award. The airline first won the award in 2007/2008 as the Best Security Conscious Airline in Nigeria and also as the Best Security and Safety Conscious Airline in West Africa in 2011.

The International Institute of Professional Security also gave Arik Air an award for excellence in 2009/2010 in recognition of the airline’s security consciousness.

PW118B PW121 - ATR / -8 PW123 PW124B PW150A

LEASE • BUY • SELL • POOL • EXCHANGE AOG 24/7 SUPPORT willislease.com Tony HarTman +46.768.863960 thartman@willislease.com

October 29, 2012

4

Airlines Africa

AASA Urges Government and Industry to Align Policies and Strategies Continued from Page 1 indicating that Africa’s airlines are, to some extent, immune to fluctuating global economic fortunes, it is clear we are not making progress. We are still making losses and the prospects for a sustained turnaround are not evident, even if there is a global upswing.

Within Southern Africa, and more specifically in South Africa, we are in crisis,” outlined AASA CEO, Chris Zweigenthal.

AASA called for improved partnerships between the airline industry, its service providers and particularly governments, to ensure that policies and strategies were aligned to achieve the objectives and goals in the interest of the respective states and the aviation industry.

“The trading environment for airlines has never been tougher. In 2012, the global industry is on track to deliver a 0.5 percent return on turnover for a net profit of $ 4.1 billion.

Why is it that in the developed SADC markets and particularly within the South African domestic market, does it appear that growth is constrained and the industry is battling? Some airlines are achieving relative success, but within South Africa Velvet Sky ceased operating, 1time is in business rescue and SAA is experiencing major challenges of its own. In addition, Air Zimbabwe and Air Malawi are operating limited services and working on turnaround strategies,” he added.

Airlines in the region are being squeezed from all sides. The global economic environment had negatively influenced trading conditions, resulting in weakened business on traditional European long-haul markets. And while there were signs of new light in the US, Far East and Middle East, www.airlines-africa.com

airlines had to absorb the additional costs associated with opening and developing new routes to those markets.

This was compounded by the imposition of additional costs by way of airport, air navigation, weather, safety and security charges, carbon taxes and most significantly, stubbornly high fuel prices, all of which eroded revenue generation.

Simultaneously governments were slow to provide relief from regulatory constraints on market access or to strengthen the industry by reforming foreign ownership and shareholding rules. In addition, South Africa’s failure to fully incorporate the Cape Town Convention into legislation – it conflicts with other laws and policy continued to deny airlines of cheaper financing and lower insurance premiums. Education standards and poor youth perceptions of airline-related careers were another challenge to the industry’s urgent need to develop a pipeline of talented people to enable it to meet the predicted doubling in the demand for air transport over the next 15 years.

Citing the rapid growth of Etihad, the Abu Dhabi-based carrier, Zweigenthal said it offered a valuable lesson on the importance of strong partnerships and the alignment of policy and strategy, which should be applied in Southern Africa: “The secret to their success – partnerships – in every aspect of their business. This starts with their Government, where there is complete alignment, agreement and trust of each other on the strategy in respect of trade, tourism, marketing, education, etc. within the UAE, and the positioning, growth and development of their airline. It’s a question of working with rather than against each other. It’s about recognizing each other’s strengths and leveraging these for the benefit of their whole.”

While airlines, ACSA, ATNS and the Dept of Tourism had established a better understanding of each other and a constructive relationship, Zweigenthal said there was “an urgent need to identify a common agenda across other government departments and bodies which impacted on the air transport sector, ie. Transport, Finance, Public Enterprises, Environ-

AASA New Chair and Deputy Chair

Marlene Manave, CEO of LAM Mozambique Airlines, was elected to chair AASA for the next 12 months while Comair CEO, Erik Venter will serve as deputy chairperson.

It was also announced that Comair will host the AASA general meeting in 2013.

Marlene Manave

Erik Venter ment, Trade & Industry, Home Affairs, Health, Education, International Relations and Civil Aviation Authorities among others.”

AASA’s AGM once again provided for frank but constructive discussion on issues including airline ownership, South Africa’s failure to ratify the Cape Town Convention and its negative implications for airlines seeking cheaper financing and insurance premiums and the urgent need to develop a pipeline of talented people to work in an industry which has to prepare for a doubling in the demand for air transport over the next 15 years.

October 29, 2012

Airlines Africa

5

Severin Air Safaris Has Approval to Add Cessna 206 to AOC

Severin Air Safaris, a tour operator and luxury safari airline from Kenya has obtained approval from Kenya Civil Aviation Authorities to include and operate its latest addition, the Cessna C206. The new aircraft can take five passengers plus pilot and is available for charter flights out of Mombasa.

Severin Air Safaris believes the aircraft will improve the travel experience for tourists arriving in Kenya as it reduces driving time from Mombasa Airport to the beach resorts at the southern and northern coast from more than two hours to less than 30 minutes. Game parks situated between Mombasa and Nairobi can easily be reached by aircraft and benefit clients by giving them more time in the game parks instead of bumpy roads.

In addition to the C206, the airline currently operates a Cessna Grand Caravan with an Oasis interior and expects to take delivery of a second Grand Caravan in about a week.

When asked about the airline’s operation, Guillaume Schaack, assistant to the managing director/quality manager, told Airlines Africa, “Our main business are the luxury air safaris, so this utilizes the majority of flight hours.

I would say it’s about 80 percent air safaris and 20 percent charter, but we are working on selling more charter flights. The airline received in AOC in January 2011.

With the arrival of the additional Grand Caravan, Severin Air Safaris expects to bring on at least one more crew in the next few weeks to manage additional flight operations.

The new aircraft is equipped with very comfortable leather seats and www.airlines-africa.com

has the latest in avionics, making the aircraft one of the safest in the world.

Together with the Cessna Caravan— the backbone of Severin Air Safaris’ fleet, the company now provides a fleet catering for every need of the savvy traveller.

As for the future, the airline currently has its fleet decided. “At the

moment we only look at the Caravans for future expansion,” said Schaack.

“We decided on the Caravan because of its reliability, its cost structure and because it’s a high-wing aircraft, it supports our idea of scenic air safaris as the guests can observe the scenery much better.”

Livingston Airline and Africa

Livingston airline company recently presented its flight operations plan for the 2012-2013 winter season during its press conference. During the event, Livingston’s Sole Administrator Riccardo Toto and the carrier’s Sales Director Giorgio Valenti spoke to journalists.

Flights operated with 306-passenger Airbus A-330 (18 First Class seats, 18 Comfort Class seats, 270 Basic Class seats).

Long-haul destinations: Kenya, Zanzibar, Mauritius and the Caribbean.

October 29, 2012

6

Airlines Africa

Air Seychelles Partners for Education and Announces New Domestic Services

Air Seychelles has signed an agreement with the University of Seychelles (UniSey), pledging to offer internships and opportunities for university students to participate in the airline’s graduate development management program.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed by Cramer Ball, Air Seychelles’ chief executive officer, and Marina Confait, vice chancellor of University of Seychelles, at a ceremony held on the university’s Anse Royale campus.

As part of the new agreement, the airline will arrange lectures, collaborate on joint research projects and provide practical experience through internships and participation in the graduate management program.

Ball said, “This relationship will be a hugely beneficial for both Air Seychelles and the University of the Seychelles. It will see students putting their theoretical learning to practical use in a dynamic workplace setting, supplementing their education in a truly innovative way.

“Providing Seychellois students with scholarships and work opportunities is part of our growing social responsibility program, but it is also an investment. Air Seychelles depends on local talent. These graduates are the future leaders of our national airline and our tourism industry.”

Confait added, “UniSey appreciates the commitment by our national airline to collaborate in providing students with the transfer of knowledge to real life experience within the fastpaced and constantly evolving aviation business.

“UniSey is continuously developing strategic alliances with local and www.airlines-africa.com

Cramer Ball, Air Seychelles chief executive officer, and Marina Confait, University of Seychelles vice chancellor, sign a memorandum of understanding. international partners to provide high quality, cost-effective, internationally-recognised undergraduate and post-graduate education and training programs relevant to the labor market. Our new partnership with Air Seychelles allows Air Seychelles to be part of the rich experience of the ‘UniSey Corporate Partners Network.’”

New Domestic Schedule

Air Seychelles has announced a new domestic schedule, effective October 28, which will see capacity between Mahé and Praslin increase by 38 percent.

The schedule has been enhanced to increase capacity at peak interisland travel times throughout the day.

Morning, midday and late afternoon flights will double, bringing average seats per week up to 5,216.

The increase in domestic capacity will serve the growing demand on the Praslin route, both for international connecting passengers and locals.

The numbers of domestic passengers flown have increased in the third quarter by 32 percent for international guests and 27 percent for local guests (compared to second quarter figures).

The schedule will also reduce congestion at the domestic terminal through the use of an innovative scheduling system. By scheduling multiple aircraft to operate the same flight, taking off only minutes apart, the airline can offer faster and more convenient services to guests during

peak times.

Ball said, “These changes will further affirm our role as the carrier of choice for inter-island services in Seychelles. Our mission is two-fold: to support the ever-growing tourist industry and to provide a reliable and efficient service for residents.

“Smart businesses not only respond to demand, but anticipate and prepare for it. Demand for flights to Praslin is growing, among both international and local guests, which is why we have adjusted our domestic schedule and strategy. We foresee a further surge during the holiday season, so we will also be adding additional frequencies during that time.”

Swiftair Gains 737-300F

GE Capital Aviation Services Limited (GECAS), the commercial aircraft leasing and financing arm of GE, has announced delivery of a leased Boeing 737-300F to Spain’s Swiftair S.A. to expand the carrier’s fleet.

Swiftair operates cargo flights in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East with a fleet of more than 30 aircraft.

GECAS has more than 100 freighter aircraft in its portfolio, including 737Fs and 737QCs, 747Fs, 767Fs, 777Fs and MD-11Fs. GECAS freighter aircraft are leased to 29 different operators worldwide.

October 29, 2012

7

Airlines Africa

Kenya Airways Plans Conversion of 737-300s to Freighters

Kenya Airways has announced that it will convert four of its Boeing B737-300 passenger jets into freighters as it ramps up its cargo unit to meet surging cargo transportation demand across Africa and beyond.

The first two aircraft are expected to undergo freighter modification by Aeronautical Engineers Inc. (AEI) at its authorized conversion center, Boeing Shanghai Aircraft Services, in Shanghai China.

Kenya Airways COO Mbuvi Ngunze, said that the converted 737-300 freighters was a cost effective means of boosting efficiency and reliability in the firm’s cargo unit and would translate into a significant enhancement of the firm’s revenue stream.

“We are using our own equipment with minimal additional investment making it cost effective; and since we already know the aircraft, minimal additional training is required to operate the aircraft,” Ngunze explained.

The aircraft registered as KQC will be the first of the two aircraft that will be converted. It is expected to go out of service by end of October for the conversion which is estimated to take

about three months. The aircraft is expected back into service as a freighter February next year. Upon its return, the second Boeing 737-300 aircraft will go out of service and is expected back from the conversion center as a freighter in June 2013.

The converted freighters will operate in Eastern, Central, and Southern Africa. The planned destinations include: Juba, Luanda, Bangui, Douala, Yaoundé, Kigali, Entebbe, Dar-esSalaam, Kinshasa and Bujumbura amongst others.

The regional freighter will allow KQ Cargo to capitalize on full cargo potential on routes that are currently served by the single aisle passenger jets that includes the Embraers and Boeing 737 family. The freighter capacity would also accommodate excess baggage overspill complementing trader traffic especially in Central and West Africa.

Ngunze said that the converted freighters will add value to the firm’s cargo business by expanding flows from China to other Africa points.

At the moment, the 747 Safari Connection freighter operated by Kenya

Airways, KLM and Martin Air from Guangzhou China has been mainly focusing on West Africa bound flows.

“The regional freighters presents value addition through expansion of flows from Far East to other Africa points, a perfect business solution for the infeed, de-feed capacity mismatch,” he added.

The conversion involves extensive structural work that includes strengthening the floor, frames, door cut-out and installation of a new cargo door and surround to withstand heavier cargo loads and accommodate large freight pallets and containers. Aircraft mechanical and electrical systems will also be modified to suit the aircraft’s new mission as a freighter.

The converted freighters will be in a ten pallet format instead of the usual nine pallet on such aircraft in addition to installment of an Ancra main deck cargo loading system.

The vice president of sales and marketing at AEI Robert Convey stated that the B737-300 aircraft conversions is further proof that the narrow body freighter fleet on the African continent is continuing to move into more and modern aircraft.

The illustration below is from an

AEI presentation on their freighter conversions and may or may not reflect the Kenya Airways conversion.

AEI B737-300SF 10 Pallet Configuration g Conversion Details Freighter

www.airlines-africa.com

October 29, 37 2012

8 Partners Join for Humanitarian Aid Delivered to Addis Ababa Airlines Africa

Ethiopian Airlines Selects 787 Support

Lufthansa Technik is expanding its involvement in the provision of technical support for the Boeing 787 with signing of a long term contract with Ethiopian Airlines. Ethiopian Airlines, is the second 787 customer, next to Japan Airlines, to have appointed Lufthansa Technik to provide component support for its modern long-haul fleet.

The Boeing 787 total component support (TCS) contract signed in Addis Ababa with Ethiopian will run for a term of 10 years. Following the delivery of Ethiopian first 787, named “Africa First”, in August, Lufhansa Technik has taken on the role of providing material support using the existing material pool in Germany. Services include repair and logistics for three Dreamliners already in Ethiopian fleet and the remaining seven on order after they have been delivered.

The Hamburg based company, Lufthansa Technik, already provides component support for Ethiopian Q-400 and MD11 aircraft.

“Ethiopian new contract with Lufthansa Technik for the 787 is a continuation of existing relationship between the two and will greatly enhance Ethiopian MRO by improve its dispatch reliability, reduce maintenance cost and enhance its supply chain management effectiveness and efficiency of this ultra-modern aircraft,” said Tewolde Gebremariam, CEO of Ethiopian.

“We are delighted by the trust that has been placed in us with this second long-term contract for the extensive component support for the Boeing 787,” said Dr. Burkhard Andrich, head of aircraft component services at Lufthansa Technik AG. “And we are confident that, with our experience, we will also be able to make a substantial contribution towards the reliable and economic operation of this ultra-modern aircraft of Ethiopian Airlines, one of the most important long-haul aircraft for the years ahead.” www.airlines-africa.com

Boeing joined has joined with Ethiopian Airlines and Seattle Anesthesia Outreach (SAO) to deliver approximately 20,000 pounds of medical supplies to Ethiopia’s largest hospital. The delivery was made to Black Lion Hospital using Ethiopian’s third 787 Dreamliner, marking the first time a Dreamliner has been used as part of Boeing’s humanitarian delivery flights program.

“Ethiopian Airlines is one of Boeing’s most active partners in our Humanitarian Delivery Flights program,” said Liz Warman, director of Boeing global corporate citizenship for the Northwest region. “Our two companies have a long history together not only buying and selling airplanes, but also in leveraging our resources to help those in need.”

The airplane was delivered and flew away from Everett on October 22 and flew directly to Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa.

“Ethiopian Airlines continues to be a leader in corporate social responsibility activities in Ethiopia,” said Tewolde GebreMariam, CEO of Ethiopian Airlines. “As the flag carrier for the country of Ethiopia, we are viewed as not only an airline but also as a source of vital service for the people of Ethiopia.

We are proud and honored to work with Boeing to help our people and country where we have such great needs.”

The shipment includes several anesthesia machines to be used in the hospital’s operating rooms, patient monitoring equipment, as well as intensive care beds and other surgical equipment. SAO has more than 20 physicians, nurses and technicians in Addis Ababa who will help set up the equipment and spend the several weeks teaching in the hospital.

“Boeing and Ethiopian Airlines continue to be critical partners and supporters of our organization, helping us get these needed medical supplies to Black Lion Hospital, the largest public hospital and main teaching facility in Ethiopia,” said Dr. Julian Judelman, board member of Seattle Anesthesia Outreach. “Thanks to this partnership, we have been able to ship 40 tons of medical equipment over the last two years at little to no cost, which is important for a small non-profit organization like ours.”

The Boeing humanitarian delivery flights program is a collaboration effort between Boeing, airline customers and non-profit organizations to deliver humanitarian aid throughout the world to communities in need or crisis. The humanitarian items are loaded into the empty cargo space of new airplanes being delivered and transported to the customer’s home destination.

October 29, 2012

Airlines Africa

RwandAir’s CRJ900 NextGen

As Airlines Africa reported last week, Bombardier Aerospace has delivered the first of two CRJ900 NextGen regional jets ordered by RwandAir of Kigali, Rwanda. RwandAir’s firm order for the CRJ900 NextGen aircraft, along with options for two additional CRJ900 NextGen aircraft, was announced on March 19, 2012.

The aircraft was handed over to RwandAir during a ceremony at Bombardier’s Mirabel, Quebec facility where the CRJ Series aircraft are manufactured. The ceremony was attended by H.E. Edda Mukabagwiza, Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Canada; John Mirenge, chief executive officer, RwandAir, along with other representatives from the airline; officials from the government of Rwanda; Mike Arcamone, president, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft and several Bombardier executives and staff.

“We are very proud to introduce the CRJ900 NextGen aircraft to East Africa,” said Mirenge. “Our 50-seat CRJ200 aircraft has helped expand our markets to the point where larger capacity aircraft are required to meet passenger demand. The CRJ900 NextGen jetliner is a natural progression from the CRJ200 aircraft that has served us so well. In addition, the larger aircraft have a two-class, 75seat interior that will allow us to offer a premium service.”

“RwandAir is a perfect example of a customer that successfully integrates pre-owned CRJ200 aircraft, establishes a base and grows to become a customer of new aircraft. The CRJ900 NextGen aircraft is the ideal size to allow RwandAir to connect its regional and international markets as it looks to expand its fleet and services with modern, fuel-efficient CRJ aircraft,” said Arcamone.

“We at Bombardier are very impressed by RwandAir’s steady growth since it began operations in 2002.

Today, it is a dynamic airline and the CRJ900 NextGen aircraft will offer it even more operational flexibility,” added Arcamone. www.airlines-africa.com

9

John Mirenge, chief executive officer, RwandAir (on the left) and Mike Arcamone, president, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft in the cockpit of RwandAir’s first CRJ900 NextGen regional jet at Bombardier’s facility in Mirabel, Québec.

From left to right: John Mirenge, Chief Executive Officer, RwandAir, Her Excellency Edda Mukabagwiza, Rwanda’s high commissioner to Canada, Sylvain Leclerc, vice president and general manager, CRJ Programs, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft and Marc Duchesne, director, communications, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft during the ribbon cutting to celebrate the delivery of RwandAir’s first CRJ900 NextGen regional jet.

There are currently more than 200 Bombardier regional jets and turboprop aircraft in service with, or on firm order from, approximately 50 operators in the Middle East and Africa. Bombardier projects that over

the next 20 years, the fleet of Bombardier commercial aircraft in the Middle East and Africa will continue to grow, forecasting deliveries of 970 aircraft in the 20- to 149-seat market segments during that period.

October 29, 2012