flyafrica.com CEO Adrian Hamilton-Manns Discussing Expansion into Africa

Restructuring of Fly 540 Angola and Ghana

 

fastjet, Africa’s low cost airline, today confirms that as previously announced, two of its loss-making Fly540 businesses are being restructured with the objective of increasing shareholder value. The Fly540 businesses operate on a traditional airline model and not the fastjet low cost model.

 

After a detailed evaluation of the potential of Fly540 in both Ghana and Angola, fastjet has concluded that, although these countries present very significant long-term opportunities for the fastjet low cost model, in the short term fastjet intends to fully focus on the considerable potential of opportunities in East and Southern Africa. 

 

As a key part of the restructuring, two group-owned ATR aircraft previously operating in Ghana and Angola have been taken out of service and are currently in the process of being sold.  While a leased aircraft continues to operate in Ghana, the Angolan operation has been temporarily suspended, pending the return to service of two leased aircraft on completion of required maintenance.  Further details on the restructuring of both 540 operations will be announced in due course.

 

Fastjet interim chairman and CEO, Ed Winter, said: “Management has been carefully considering how best to restructure the Fly540 business which we inherited and this is a highly significant and very positive development in that process.

 

“We are currently focused on expanding the low cost fastjet network in East and Southern Africa by establishing bases in Zambia, Kenya and South Africa and these plans are progressing well.  However, our overall vision is to create a pan-African low-cost network and, as such, launching the low cost fastjet model in both Angola and Ghana remains firmly part of the Company’s long-term plans.”

Fastjet Zambia planning to serve Johannesburg Once Operational

 

Fastjet Zambia will operate from Lusaka to Johannesburg O.R. Tambo once the airline is launched Fastjet Chief Commercial Officer, Richard Bodin, has revealed. In an interview with iafrica.com, Mr Bodin said plans for their new Zambian subsidiary were progressing well. "We are still very keen to establish an operation in Johannesburg O.R. Tambo," he added. "What we are currently working towards is to link our destinations with Johannesburg. Once we have established our base in Zambia, which we expect could be within the next three to six months, the very first route launched will be Johannesburg."

As previously reported, Fastjet Zambia is currently in the process of acquiring its Air Operators Certificate. "Zambia was chosen because obviously the market there offers great opportunities but also because the authorities there were very welcoming and keen. It is inevitable that countries with the most forward-thinking mentality are going to be the ones that attract us. And South Africa is certainly going to be a cornerstone," he added.

Bodin added that Fastjet was currently in talks with several countries over the possibility of their establishing a Fastjet franchise.

 

Source: ch-aviation

IATA appoints new Area Manager for Southern Africa

 

GENEVA, Switzerland – Mr. Janaurieu (Jan) D’Sa has been appointed Area Manager for Southern Africa, based in Johannesburg, with the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Mr D’Sa is currently IATA’s Assistant Director Industry Distribution and Financial Services for the Africa & Middle East region, managing a 50-strong team responsible for Industry Settlement Systems and based in Amman, Jordan. He will take up his new position based in IATA’s Johannesburg office early next month.

 

Mr. D’Sa, who reports to Mr Raphael Kuuchi, IATA’s new Vice President for Africa, is responsible for IATA’s activities and industry and stakeholder affairs in South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland, Namibia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi and Angola. Prior to joining IATA in 2002, Mr D’Sa worked in the telecommunications and security industries.

 

The Area Manager Southern Africa appointment marks Mr D’Sa’s return to the region. Prior to his current assignment in Jordan, Mr D’Sa served IATA’s member airlines as the body’s regional manager for Safety, Operations & Infrastructure and Industry Settlement Systems between 2005-2010.

 

Source: eturbonews

Fastjet still has eyes on South African Market

 

A domestic operation in South Africa is still on the cards for Tanzanian-based low-cost airline, Fastjet, with several more regional hubs being considered to grow intra-African routes. Capacity on the airline’s new Dar es Salaam – Lusaka service, launched last month, has been doubled with Chief Commercial Officer, Richard Bodin, commenting that plans to establish an independent base in Zambia have progressed well. "We are still very keen to establish an operation in Johannesburg," he added. "What we are currently working towards is to link our destinations with Johannesburg. Once we have established our base in Zambia, which we expect could be within the next three to six months, the very first route launched will be Johannesburg."

 

The long-term plan is to see different Fastjet-branded companies established across Africa. Ownership could be almost entirely locally-owned but "it is part of our quest to democratise air travel in Africa," Mr. Bodin maintained. He said the airline had no plans to syndicate its brand beyond the continent. And while new routes and hubs will be established in places of least resistance, a South African operation remains a priority. "We are in discussions with a few governments and companies which have seen the impact that affordable airfares have had.

 

"Zambia was chosen because obviously the market there offers great opportunities but also because the authorities there were very welcoming and keen. It is inevitable that countries with the most forward-thinking mentality are going to be the ones that attract us. And South Africa is certainly going to be a cornerstone," he added.

 

Source: iafrica

Zambia Govt still looking for a partner in the establishment of a national airline

 

The Zambian Government is consulting renowned airlines to get experience as it looks for an equity partner to set up a national airline. Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communications Yamfwa Mukanga said Government is still looking for a partner in the establishment of a national flag carrier. Mr Mukanga said in an interview recently that running an airline industry is not an easy thing, hence the need by Government to enquire from firms that have been in the aviation sector for long. He said Government will not sit idle but keep on working towards the introduction of an effective airline that can contribute significantly to the country’s economic growth.

 

Recently, Government sent a delegation to the Middle East state of Qatar to consult on how it can help Zambia set up a national airline and a become a central hub in passenger and cargo traffic. He said Government has learnt a lot of lessons from the defunct Zambia Airways that collapsed a few years ago including other international airlines that are not operating. “We have visited Boeing, Airbus and now the Qatar government to ask them if they can consider Zambia and come on board for the establishment of an airline and a hub. We want to partner with big players so that we lessen the high capital costs of establishing the airline.

 

“We know how to run an airline – we ran Zambia Airways … [although] it went down. This time around we don’t want to make the same mistake like we did with Zambia Airways,” Mr Mukanga said. The minister said if Zambia becomes a central hub, it will help sustain economic development and help boost the aviation and tourism sectors. He said Zambia has a geographical advantage over most African countries hence this could benefit the country from trade that will be passing through the airport.

 

“The mission to Qatar was to see whether they can set up a hub here in Central Africa because our position is that if Zambia was a central hub, then everybody else will try to feed in and out of the country … it will be very good for us because I believe if we make Zambia a hub then transport and cost of doing business will be reduced,” he said. Mr Mukanga, however, said he is yet to get a full report from the team that went to Qatar. “They just came back and they will be giving us an update on what they discussed because we are asking from our cooperating partners – those who would want to come on board and help us,” he said.

 

Source: LusakaTimes

Fastjet to Increase Lusaka Zambia Flights

 

African low-cost airline fastjet PLC Tuesday said it will increase capacity on its new route between Dar es Salaam in Tanzania and Lusaka in Zambia after it met strong customer demand, and it predicted it would be providing a daily service on the route in the future.

 

The airline only launched the route, its second outside Tanzania, on February 3, although it had said at that time that it hoped to be able to increase capacity on the route in the future. It started with a twice-a-week service and will now add a third rotation service each Tuesday. In a statement, it said it has been experiencing high load factors on the route and several flights have been completely sold out.

 

"Our research suggested that this was going to be a successful route with high demand but initial passenger numbers and interest have exceeded expectations. We expect to add still more capacity on this route - our target is to operate daily," Chief Commercial Officer Richard Bodin said.

 

Fastjet added that its plans to establish a base in Zambia are progressing. It is incorporating a company in the country and has started the process of getting an air operating certificate in Lusaka.

The airline currently operates several routes within Tanzania under the fastjet brand. Its first "international" route was between Dar es Salaam and Johannesburg, while it added the Lusaka route this month. Fastjet shares were up 5.1% at 2.05 pence Tuesday morning.

 

Source: LSE

Proflight Zambia Year of 2013 STATS

Fastjet Recruiting Senior Commercial Planning and RM Analyst

 

 

Fastjet.com is Africa’s newest airline; having taken over fly540 operations in four countries across Africa we are consolidating the management functions in Europe and turning fly540 into a pan-African low-cost airline.  Fastjet has introduced modern and reliable western aircraft into African markets and fill the aircraft using aggressive inventory management and low lead-in prices.  The airline is backed by investors with experience in both the airline industry and the African marketplace.

 

Fastjet.com is looking to recruit a Senior Commercial Planning and RM Analyst to work for the fastjet commercial department.  This is a very hands-on role that will quickly expand in responsibilities as the airline grows.  The role will be based in Gatwick with occasional overseas travel and will report to the Head of Revenue Management & Route Development.

Salary: Subject to Candidate
Closing Date:  Feb 9, 2014
Please send covering letter and CV to dustin.holland@fastjet.com
Start Date: Immediate

Responsibilities

 

Revenue Management Duties:
·       Make tactical and strategic inventory movements to maximise revenue
·       Analyse booking data to make inventory and pricing decisions
·       Regularly report performance and ad hoc daily reporting to support inventory movements and organizational needs
·       Produce analysis and reports with actionable recommendations to maximise revenue
·       Collate, research and report data to produce demand and pricing models
·       Review and monitor competitors actions
·       Maintain data, information and inventory set-ups in the reservation system
·       Establish seasonality and inventory profiles and make amendments as required
·       To maintain fare rules both in terms of text and system restrictions
·       Price group and other travel requests
·       Fare collection and maintenance of fare databases
·       Loading and maintaining public and private fares in the reservation system
·       Regular system testing of new features and ticketing restrictions to ensure the smooth running of the reservation system
·       Maintain agent and office access through functional restrictions and office credit limits
·       Investigate system problems and fix ticket issuance issues
·       Void and refund tickets
Qualifications
·       At least 5 years of heavy analytical experience
·       Experience in data management, finance and/or accounting
·       Airline experience
·       Highly numerate
·       Econometrics experience  would be highly valued
·       University education preferred
·       Self-starter with an intellectual curiosity
·       MS Excel experience is a MUST

Source: Fastjet

Mahogany Airlines Zambia Staff Recruitment

 

 

MAHOGANY AIRLINES, Zambia's newest domestic and regional airlines is recruiting for the following positions:
Reservation Consultant (4)

Revenue Manger (1)

Marketing Manager(1)

Reservation Controller(1)

Cabin Attendants (6)

 

Send your applications to: mahoganyair@yahoo.com You may wish to check today's papers for details. Good luck to you all and we wish MAHOGANY AIR a smooth take off ..high up into the clear, beautiful African skies!

 

Source: Zambia Tourism

Turkish Airlines to Launch Lusaka Route Soon

 

Zambia and Turkey have signed an air aviation agreement which provides for the introduction of a direct flight between Turkey's commercial capital Istanbul and Lusaka. The direct flights between the two cities are expected to start in the first quarter of this year. Zambia's Ambassador to Turkey Miriam Mulenga and Turkish Airlines chairperson Hamdi Topcu finalised the deal for commencement of a direct flight between the two countries in Istanbul yesterday.

 

Mr Topcu told Ambassador Mulenga that Turkey considered Zambia as an important destination economically which deserved to be serviced by a direct flight. He said a state-of-the-art air craft would be allocated to the Zambian route. This is contained in a statement made available yesterday by Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Zambia in Turkey Bwalya Nondo. And Ambassador Mulenga said introduction of a direct flight between Istanbul and Lusaka will enhance trade between Zambia and Turkey.

 

She noted that a number of Zambians were engaged in trading and business activities with Turkey and would find it convenient to use a direct flight to the destination. Ambassador Mulenga said a direct flight would also boost tourism and help Zambia raise arrivals to contribute more to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from the tourism sector.

 

Meanwhile the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Turkey has announced that visas to enter Turkey will, with effect from April this year, be applied for, and issued electronically to enhance efficiency in the issuance of of the documents.

 

Source: AllAfrica

Fastjet Annouces new Lusaka Route

On the day of its 1 year anniversary, lowcost carrier FastJet announced the launch date for their second international destination out of their base in Dar es Salaam. The new route will be Lusaka, Zambia and flights are due to commence on February 1, 2014, subject to all regulatory approvals. FastJet will use their Airbus A319 for their next destination and has proposed to fly initially twice a week, joining Zambia’s Pro-Flight on the route. Cost for the ticket was given as approximately US Dollars 75, one way, and in typical FastJet style subject to all regulatory fees and taxes.

"We are incredibly pleased that, in accordance with our planned growth strategy, the roll-out of our international route network is now gaining real momentum and we are fulfilling our promise to the people of Africa to democratise air travel across the continent.  We look forward to bringing the benefits of affordable, high-quality air travel to the people of Zambia" Ed Winter, Interim Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of fastjet, said.

Mr Winter is understandably chuffed about the latest development of the fast-growing airline. "We are immensely proud of our achievements over the past year. It is not only the hard work and dedication of our people that has made our first year a success, but also the overwhelming support of our passengers and the Tanzanian government, whom we would like to wholeheartedly thank," fastjet said.

 

Overcoming a number of challenges, fastjet has established itself as a reliable, affordable low-cost carrier. Over the past year, it has seen consistently strong passenger numbers and load factors, and maintained excellent punctuality and reliability records. The airline has carried over 355,000 passengers throughout its domestic network in Tanzania and internationally to Johannesburg, South Africa.
 

Video: KQ announce Livingstone Zambia route

KLM Seasonal Change to Harare/Lusaka

KLM is adjusting its schedule for the AMS-HRE-LUN-AMS route. From April 2nd 2013 until October 26th 2013, KLM passengers will no longer disembark in Lusaka enroute to Amsterdam from Harare. Passengers will remain on board the aircraft for the 70-minute layover in Lusaka.
Schedule:

• KL523 AMS1020 – 2025HRE2130 – 2240LUN2350 – 0945+1AMS 332 246

KENYA AIRWAYS Harare via Livingstone Zambia route

Beginning June 2nd 2013, Kenya Airways will operate scheduled flights to Livingstone, Zambia as part of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) General Assembly to be co-hosted by both Livingstone and its Zimbabwean counterpart, Victoria Falls, from 24 to 30 August. The route will operate on a triangle bases; Nairobi-Livingstone-Harare-Nairobi on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

• KQ780 NBO 1235 - 1445 LVI 1535 - 1650 HRE 1740 - 2140 NBO E90 357

Source: The African Aviation Tribune

Ethiopian Airlines 787-800 to Harare/Lusaka in October

According to the latest Ethiopian Airlines schedule, they will replace the Boeing 767-300ER with 787-800 Dreamliner service on the ADD-HRE-LUN-ADD route during the month of October. The 787-800 will operate Monday through Saturday while Sunday will be operated by 777-200LR.   

Emirates Boosts Capacity with Boeing 777-300ER February/March 2013

Emirates Airlines will increase capacity on the DXB-LUN-HRE route from 01 February 2013 by replacing 3-class A330-200 with the 3-class Boeing 777-300ER. This is a further capacity boost to Zambia and Zimbabwe, as the airline is increasing this route from 5 weekly to daily from 01 October 2012. The aircraft has a passenger capacity of 364 and features first class private suites. So far the Boeing 777-300ER only reflects for the months of February and March then reverts back to the A330-200.

Schedule:

EK713 DXB0925 – 1450LUN1620 – 1720HRE 77W D
EK714 HRE1850 – 1950LUN2120 – 0640+1DXB 77W D

Update: Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 787 to Harare/Lusaka August 20th and 23rd

Ethiopian Airlines as of 08AUG12 has revealed latest revision of planned Boeing 787 operation, which is in effect from 16AUG12 to 04SEP12. During this period, the 787 will operate several one-time service to 18 countries in Africa, Middle East and South Asia.
Planned routes and operational dates for Harare and Lusaka are as follows:

Addis Ababa – Harare – Lusaka – Addis Ababa ET873 on 20AUG12, 23AUG12

Note as ET is only operating 1 Boeing 787 aircraft in August 2012 and early-September 2012, possibility of last minute changes to other aircraft type such as Boeing 767-300ER and 777-200LR remains high.

Ethiopian Airlines Cancels 787 on Harare & Lusaka route

Ethiopian Airlines has cancelled its planned Boeing 787 ADD-HRE ADD-LUN operation that was due to begin October 28, 2012. These routes were supposed to be split and operated by a mix of Boeing 737-800 and Boeing 787.
Currently ET is operating 777-200LR on the ADD-HRE-LUN-ADD route but will soon revert back to the 767-300ER.

Emirates Annouces Daily Flights to Zambia, Zimbabwe

Starting October 1st 2012, Emirates Airlines will be flying daily to Harare via Lusaka. The linked service, which currently operates five times a week, has performed strongly since its launch on 1st February this year, said a statement from Emirates.  To date, Emirates has carried over 43,000 passengers on this route, it added.   “A daily service to Lusaka and Harare will mean greater choice for customers, while an increased cargo capacity of 40 per cent will facilitate more export business opportunities for both countries, forging greater trade links and increasing access to key trading partners in Asia and the Middle East.” 
The Dubai-Lusaka-Harare service is operated by an A330-200 aircraft in a three-class configuration, offering 12 luxurious First Class seats, 42 seats in Business Class and generous space for 183 passengers in Economy Class. EK 713 will depart Dubai at 7.25am, arriving in Lusaka 2.35pm. The service then departs Lusaka at 4.20pm and lands in Harare at 5.20pm. On return, the flight leaves Harare at 6.50pm, arriving in Lusaka at 7.50pm. It then departs Lusaka at 9.25pm and lands in Dubai at 6.40am the next day.