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

Artist Impression: New Victoria Falls International Airport Opening April 2015

New Victoria Falls Airport set to open in April 2015

The Victoria Falls International Airport expansion project which is expected to be completed in April 2015 will have the capacity to handle 1,2 million passengers per annum and can also accommodate three Boeing 747 aircraft at any one time. The completion of the runway will also pave way for the contractors to resurface and extend the current runway to convert it to a taxiway. The civil works are expected to be completed in November paving way for the aircrafts to land on the new 4km runway, while electrical works, lighting, air traffic navigation and instrument landing systems will be completed by the end of the project. Upgrades include not only a new terminal building but also three aerobridges, a new perimeter fence, a broader runway to accommodate wide-bodied aircraft, a new fire station, a new control tower plus an extension to the parking area. In keeping with many modern airports, the new terminal will exploit natural light through a glass façade and provide visitors with an incredible first impression of the Victoria Falls area.

 

Entrance to the Victoria Falls Airport with the Construction site on the Left

 

Road heading to the current Victoria Falls Airport Terminal

 

Facing the current International Terminal with the new Terminal in the Distance

 

Entrance into the current Domestic Terminal, it was revamped before the 2013 UNWTO summit

 

The current International Terminal which will be converted into the Domestic Terminal

 

Looking out at the new Terminal Construction site

On-going Construction Work at the new International Terminal 

Victoria Falls ready to host Routes Africa 2014

According to Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe (HAZ), Victoria Falls chapter chairperson, Jonathan Hudson, Victoria Falls is ready to host Routes Africa 2014 forum for the first time. He said while there were no major refurbishments to be expected for the forum to be held from June 22-24, this year, indications were that hosting the event would see the country derive major economic benefits. Routes Africa, the largest route development forum for the entire African region is a forum where airlines, aviation, tourism and government representatives  from the continent meet to explore opportunities to develop the aviation industry. The event will be organised by the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ).

 

“As HAZ I think we are ready for the forum which will see about 400-500 delegates in attendance."

Much work was done last year as the country prepared to co-host the 20th session of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) general assembly,” he said. Clement Mukwasi, a tourism executive in the resort town said the forum was also coming at a time when the country was making aggressive strides to make Zimbabwe a leading tourism destination.

 

“As operators we feel all is in place. UNWTO last year was a platform that is opening such avenues and we are hoping that such forums pay dividends through increased arrivals by tourists,” he said. Victoria Falls International Airport, situated 21km south of the town, provides easy access to Victoria Falls and is currently served by scheduled domestic and regional flights and charter flights from various parts of the world.

 

The airport is currently implementing a major infrastructure upgrading project at a total cost of $150 million including construction of a new runway, international terminal building and control tower and is expected to be completed by December 2014.

 

Source: The Chronicle

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

Zimbabwe signs 7 Air Services Agreements

 The government says it has ratified seven bilateral air services agreements in a development which will see more tourist arrivals and an improvement on the sector's gross domestic product (GDP) contribution. The Minister of Tourism and Hospitality, Walter Mzembi revealed that cabinet approved the ratification of seven bilateral air service agreements, adding that the move is expected to boost the sector's revenue and its contribution to the GDP.

Mzembi, who was addressing senior army officers at the Zimbabwe Staff College, said his ministry has adopted several strategies which will be used to achieve the targets which were set by the government. "We are expected to contribute at least $3 billion to the GDP by 2018 from the current $851 million," he said. Mzembi said some of the strategies to improve the tourism sector's GDP contribution include the liberalisation of visas and the internal distribution of tourists. Currently, the tourism sector contributes 10 percent to the GDP.

Meanwhile, airline passengers have increased by 24 percent with the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ) saying the figures recorded last year confirm that the country's connectivity has improved. A total of 594 000 arrivals came through local airports in 2013 up from 481 000 in 2012. Harare International Airport accounted for the bulk of the arrivals. CAAZ attributed the increase to improved connectivity brought about by new airlines in the skies. The hosting of major conferences such as the UNWTO General Assembly, as well as Air Zimbabwe's resumption of normal services were also cited as other factors that contributed to the increase in arrivals.

Local travel and tourism executive, Zodwa Mkandla said the government should be commended for its extensive marketing efforts of the country, highlighting that this augurs well for the tourism industry. "This means the airlines are making money, the travel agents are making money and I am sure CAAZ is smiling all the way to the bank," she said. Data from CAAZ shows that Harare International Airport recorded 435 000 arrivals, 90 percent of which were international arrivals while Victoria Falls and Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo airports recorded 107 000 and 45 100 passengers respectively.
 

Air travel has been on the increase in the country since Zimbabwe embraced some of the key principles of the open skies policy. Some of the airlines that resumed flights into the country include Emirates, British Airways, Mozambique's lAM Airlines, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Egypt Air.

 

Source: Bulawayo24

Zimbabwe Govt Signs Pact With Qatar,Turkey

GOVERNMENT has signed Bilateral Air Service Agreements (BASA) with the Qatar and Turkish government which will result in the latter's airlines flying into Harare. A BASA is an agreement which two nations sign to allow international commercial air transport services between their territories.

 

This was revealed by Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Walter Mzembi during a tourism stakeholders meeting held recently where he castigated Government for its slow response to signing such agreements which are very critical to the tourism sector. The BASA with Qatar had been on the table for the past seven years despite the fact that Qatar Airways was among several airlines that had expressed a strong interest in flying to Zimbabwe.

 

Qatar Airways is seeking to link Zimbabwe to destinations in the Far and Middle East, Indian sub-continent, Europe and Australasia via the airline's hub in Doha. Zimbabwe Tourism Authority chief executive Mr Karikoga Kaseke said while a BASA was critical in the establishment of air service between two countries; it was not the only option. He said that countries could also go the route of a Memorandum of Understanding while the BASA is being concluded. "The alternative to a BASA is an MOU which can be drawn up and signed within a week or two while waiting for the BASA which takes longer to conclude but obviously not seven years, that is too long," he said.

 

This is not the first time that the Government has delayed in signing a BASA, it also took time to sign one with the United Arab Emirates to enable Emirates airlines to fly into the country. Emirates only managed to start operating between Harare and Dubai in February 2012 several years after it had expressed interest to establish service between the two cities. Apart from Emirates, Zimbabwe has welcomed the return of KLM, which last flew into Harare in 1999, Air Namibia, Egyptair, Linhas Aereas de Mocambique Airline.

 

Since 2009, Zimbabwe has been a major target of several airlines that are seeking to establish or re-establish air-links with Harare because of the centrality of Harare within the Southern African region and problems besetting the national airline, Air Zimbabwe which has prevented it from reclaiming it former routes. Air Zimbabwe resumed domestic flights in 2012 before introducing service on the Harare-Johannesburg route last year.

 

Several foreign airlines suspended flights into the country between 1998 and 2008 due to the economic challenges prevailing in the country at the time. Among them were Austrian Airlines, Swiss Air, Air India, Air France and TAP Air Portugal, Air Mauritius, Linhas Aereas de Mocambique Airline, Royal Swazi Airlines and Air Seychelles, Air Tanzania, Ghana Airways, Air Uganda and Air Cameroon.

 

Source: AllAfrica

Zimbabwean LCC startup, flyafrica.com, set to get first Czech B737-500

 

 

flyafrica.com (FZW, Harare Int'l) is set to take delivery of its first of five ex-CSA Czech Airlines (OK, Prague) B737-500s Skyliner Aviation has reported. The Zimbabwean start-up's first twinjet, T7-FAA (msn 26539), was recently spotted in an all-white livery prior to its handing over to flyafrica.

Research shows the airline has acquired the Air Operators Certificate granted to defunct Zimbabwean Low Cost Carrier, Fresh Air (Zimbabwe) (Z7, Harare Int'l). Initial destinations are believed to include Harare Int'l, Victoria Falls and Johannesburg O.R. Tambo.

Source: ch-aviation

Emirates Heads to Harare Shopping Malls

 

HARARE, ZIMBABWE, November 16, 2013: Emirates, which flies daily from Harare to Lusaka and Dubai, will be on the ground meeting shoppers in Harare this weekend and next to share the excitement of flying and visiting Dubai.

 

Visitors to Westgate Mall on November 16 and 17, and to Sam’s Levy on November 23 and 24, stand a chance of winning two Economy Class tickets to Dubai with the airline’s raffle draw. Entrants will be asked to answer three simple questions about the airline, and their answers will be entered into a prize draw for the tickets. The Emirates team will also be talking about what Dubai has to offer as a leading leisure and business destination that has something to offer everyone. They will also explain the benefits of the airline’s Skywards frequent flyer programme, which offers lounge, ticket and shopping benefits. Visitors to the stand will be able to sign up for Skywards on the spot, as well as book tickets for travel they are planning.

 

Joining Emirates Skywards is free and members receive benefits every time they fly.  There are four membership tiers – Blue, Silver, Gold and Platinum.  Benefits for Skywards members include travel and lifestyle rewards, priority check-in, lounge access, extra baggage allowance and bonus Miles, depending on the membership tier. Members earn Skywards Miles when they fly on Emirates and partner airlines and through a wide range of leisure and lifestyle partners. Skywards Miles can then be redeemed for a range of rewards such as flights on Emirates and other partner airlines including Qantas, easyJet, TAP, JetBlue and Alaska Airlines, and for flight upgrades, hotel accommodation, excursions with Arabian Adventures, and car rentals.

 

Miles can be used for tickets to major sporting event and concerts. Members can also choose to donate their Miles to a range of charity partners including The Emirates Airline Foundation and Sightsavers.  Redemption opportunities are consistently being expanded. The airline flies to more than 130 destinations in 77 countries through its Dubai gateway.More than a third of the world’s population lives within a four-hour flight from Dubai, and two-thirds are within an eight-hour flight. Today, Emirates operates nearly 3,200 flights globally per week to 137 destinations in 77 countries. Since January 2012, it has launched new services to over 20 destinations, adding air transport connections that will benefit trade and tourism to Dubai and beyond.  Most recently it started services to Conakry on October 27, and Sialkot on November 5, with Kabul scheduled to begin service on December 4.

PICS: New Bulawayo Airport Terminal

 

Special thank you to Zimkids Orphan Trust for the pictures.

First Pic of Air Zimbabwe's ERJ145

Thanks to the African Aviation Tribune, these are the first pictures of Air Zimbabwe's Embraer ERJ145 (MSN 145607 / ZS-BBH) which currently operates on domestic routes (Harare, Bulawayo, Victoria Falls). The Embraer jet is currently on wet-lease through Solenta Aviation in South Africa.
Air Zimbabwe is currently offering special fares on its domestic and regional routes in-order to gain lost market share.

Precision Air still planning Harare Route

According to a recent statement, Precision Air has announced it is in the process of reviewing its operational 5-year plan as part of its expansion and business review. The announcement comes three (3) months after Precision Air announced the appointment of the first female MD and CEO in Africa, Ms. Sauda Rajab.

Ms. Sauda revealed the Airline was undergoing the said review setting course for operational and fleet expansion measures and re-assessment of the airline's current position which will have deep impact on Precision Air's business landscape and finances.

“The next 5 years will be exciting ones for the Airline and the plan will involve massive growth in Precision Air’s operations and will therefore require major injection of funds. Various investment options are being reviewed and once the plan has been finalized and approved by the Board it will be shared with various stakeholders and the public at large” said Ms. Sauda. The report also mentions the much awaited route to Harare will soon be launched with expected continual fleet review and increase.

Air Zimbabwe takeoff at Nagoya, Japan

Emirates Three-Day Business Class Sale

 

Travellers from Zimbabwe are being offered a taste of the highlife with the latest discounts from Emirates in a three-day sale of Business Class tickets this week. Attractive discounts are being offered on the airline’s Business Class fares to selected destinations starting from June 4 until June 6, with ticket prices starting from US$2,550 for return travel from Harare to Dubai. Travel is for the period July 12 and August 4 and passengers from Zimbabwe will be able to travel Business Class to London from US$3,140 return or Geneva from US$3,485. A return trip to Paris will cost US$3,985 and Tunis is US$4,070. The fare to New York is US$5,860.
 

When it comes to Business Class, Emirates goes to great lengths to ensure comfort, efficiency and attention to detail for our passengers. On the ground, Business Class customers and Gold card members of Skywards, Emirates’ award-winning frequent flyer programme, can relax before their flights in one of Emirates’ 35 global Business Class lounges, including the world’s largest Business Class lounge located in Concourse A in Terminal 3, Dubai International Airport. Opened in January this year and spanning over 16,000 square metres, the lounge features: showcase kitchens, business centres, fully stocked bars and restaurants, a Timeless Spa with 29 treatment rooms and an entertainment zone.

Onboard, Emirates’ award-winning Business Class offers passengers state-of-the art seats with fully connected inflight communications and entertainment. A highlight is its renowned ice inflight entertainment system which offers passengers up to 1,400 channels of the latest multi-lingual entertainment and has been voted the world’s best at the World Airline Awards for eight consecutive years. Emirates’ in-flight dining options frequently exceed passengers’ expectations, offering a choice of regionally inspired menus created by award-winning chefs accompanied by some of the world’s finest beverages.

In addition, Emirates’ Business Class passengers can enjoy:

·       Complimentary chauffeur-drive service to and from selected airports;

·       Dedicated Business Class check-in desks;

·       Priority baggage handling;

·       Fast track immigration on arrival and departure from Dubai.

To book your next trip and experience Emirates’ Business Class for yourself, please visit the Emirates sales office at Wakefield Road, Avondale, Harare, book online at www.emirates.com or speak to your travel agent.

Emirates Announce New Zimbabwe Country Manager

 

Emirates has announced the appointment of Paulos Legesse as Country Manager for Zimbabwe, to support the airline’s operations in the market.

Mr Legesse, an Ethiopian national, will be responsible for overseeing the running of Emirates’ business operations in Zimbabwe, as well as managing sales and service functions for the airline's passenger, cargo and airport operations.

Paulos Legesse started his career with Emirates in 2009 as Country Manager for Nigeria and was posted as Country Manager Zimbabwe effective from April 15, 2013.

Highly accomplished and results-oriented, the new Country Manager brings a depth of knowledge and experience in the airline business spanning more than 20 years.

Mr Legesse said: “I am delighted and honoured to have been given the opportunity to lead the

Emirates team in Zimbabwe, one of Emirates key markets in Africa.”
“Emirates is the airline of choice for travellers from Zimbabwe and elsewhere. The airline enjoys a well-established reputation for its superior customer service, both in the air and on the ground. I shall strive to take the airline even further and ensure that we spare no efforts in providing Emirates passengers with unsurpassed levels of service,” he added.

Mr Legesse holds a Master of Business Administration in Aviation Management (Distinction) from Coventry University in the United Kingdom, a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Addis Ababa University, and Diploma in Accounting from College of Commerce in Ethiopia.

Mr Legesse will be based in Harare, where Emirates flies daily with a linked flight from Dubai via Lusaka.

In February this year the airline introduced a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft on the route, offering 354 seats in a three-class configuration, offering eight luxurious First Class suites, 42 seats in Business Class and generous space for 304 passengers in Economy Class.

Throughout the aircraft, passengers are able to experience the airline’s award-winning ice in-flight entertainment system with a choice of over 1,400 channels on-demand as well as meals prepared by gourmet chefs.  Emirates is also known for its award-winning service from its international cabin crew recruited from over 100 countries around the world, including Zimbabwean nationals.

 

About Emirates

Emirates, one of the fastest growing airlines in the world, has received more than 500 international awards and accolades for excellence. Emirates flies to 132 destinations in 77 countries across six continents. Operating 200 wide-body Airbus and Boeing aircraft, including an industry leading 31 A380s, Emirates has orders for an additional 198 aircraft, worth more than US$71 billion. For more information please visit www.emirates.com/zw

 

Source: Emirates Group

 

TAAG Angola to Increase Harare flights

According to reports by Agencia AngolaPress, Angolan Airline (TAAG) will increase its current Harare frequency to 4 weekly. A new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed this week between the Civil Aviation Authorities of both Zimbabwe and Angola. The new bilateral agreement allows TAAG to increase flight frequencies on the Luanda-Harare-Lusaka route to 4 per week with the possibility of fifth freedom rights. Currently no official schedule is available yet for the increase.

Source: Agencia AngolaPress 

 

Can Air Zimbabwe Become Successful Once Again?

Air Zimbabwe, the seemingly ailing national carrier is currently undergoing a restructuring programme aimed at making the airline competitive once again. Burdened with large debts and an ageing fleet of Boeing 767-200ERs and 737-200's, the carrier recently announced a fleet renewal exercise as part of the restructuring programme. Currently two Airbus A320's have joined the fleet with one recently undergoing safety inspections and certified to operate on regional routes such as HRE-JNB. Plans have also been availed to acquire new short range Embraer jets from the Brazilian maker.

But what exactly is the long term strategy for Air Zimbabwe? Several new routes have been mentioned including Durban, Mauritius, London, Lagos and Munich but is this really the best option? Currently the dominant legacy carriers on the African continent include South African Airways, EgyptAir, Ethiopian Airlines and Kenyan Airways. They are mainly characterized by their large fleets, hub-networks, expansive route-links as well as allegiances to alliances (Star Alliance, SkyTeam).

So the question is, can Air Zimbabwe compete with these dominant carriers? At the moment we have several smaller carriers making their mark on the African continent. These include Rwandair, Precisionair and probably the new player in the game Fastjet. So unlike the European and .U.S. markets where competition is highly saturated, the African market still has major potential for growth. So my next question is were does Air Zimbabwe fit into this whole picture?

As the legacy carrier that Air Zimbabwe currently is, the need to adopt a hybrid strategy can be critical to the revival of the airline. With the current small fleet it operates, a point to point strategy can be adopted where they focus on cutting costs and increasing efficiency, a strategy done very successfully by Easy Jet. At the moment Air Zimbabwe operates a Boeing 767-200ER on the HRE-JNB route which sits all day in Johannesburg before returning to Harare in the evening. The airline can adopt a fast turn-around strategy were they can do 4-8 profitable daily shifts between Harare and Johannesburg. But you ask, is there really a market for this? My answer is simply YES, but the challenge is the price. Middle income earners are not able to pay the current lowest price charged by SAA and BA Comair of $400 return trip. Air Zimbabwe can utilize their crew efficiently and adopt ancillary revenues methods from non-ticket sources such as baggage fees, food & beverage etc. Remember we are talking about point to point basis here so why not even fly into the cheaper airports like Lanseria.

Implementing Revenue Management systems to strategically control inventory, availability on GDS (Global Distribution Systems), and a reliable web presences can assist dearly in Air Zimbabwe's renewal. Some routes were Air Zim can successfully operate on a point-to-point include; Harare-Johannesburg, Harare-Cape Town, Harare-Durban, Bulawayo-Johannesburg, Victoria Falls-Johannesburg, just to name a few.
In conclusion, Air Zimbabwe can become a successful carrier once again with the right management team in place and a strategy that fits their current situation. We wish them best of luck in the near future.

Written by; Mlandeli Ndlela at HREAirportblog

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