► FLEET UPDATE BULLETIN: Nasair Eritrea, Viajes Guinea, Air Madagascar, Forces Aériennes du Bénin and AeroJet Angola.

The following is a fleet update bulletin for aircraft that are in use, have been in use or will be in use for these listed airlines: Nasair Eritrea (UE), Viajes Guinea (GS),  Air Madagascar (MD), Forces Aériennes du Bénin and AeroJet Angola.

► MAURITANIA: Military Tucano EMB-312F crashes near Aoujeft; 1 dead.

An Embraer Tucano EMB-312F military aircraft belonging to the Mauritanian National General Staff (Air Wing) crashed yesterday (Monday 18 March) morning at 10h50L whilst out on a test flight. The aircraft came down 7km south-east of Aoujeft, a desert town in the Adrar Region of western Mauritania, roughly 500 kilometers (300 miles) north-east of the capital, Nouakchott.

► KENYA: Updates on ALS Aircraft Leasing, Mombasa Air Safari, Skyward International and Phoenix Aviation ops.

Kenyan operators ALS - Aircraft Leasing Services (K4) and Skyward International Aviation have taken delivery of an Embraer ERJ-145 and a Fokker 50 respectively while Mombasa Air Safari (RRV) and Phoenix Aviation are to retire their Let 410s and McDonnell Douglas MD83 respectively.

► EQUATORIAL GUINEA: See Pics of Punto Azul's first of three Embraer ERJ145.

Equato-guinean carrier Punto Azul (ZR) is to commence operations with its three Embraer ERJ145s leased from ECC Leasing Company Ltd, a subsidiary of Embraer, and operated by South Africa's National Airways Corp. (NAC). The first Embraer ERJ145 (MSN 145244 | PR-PSQ) was delivered to NAC in late February.

► MOZAMBIQUE: See a pic of MEX-Moçambique Expresso's first Embraer E145 Jet.

As previously reported by The African Aviation Tribune, MEX-Moçambique Expresso (MXE), the domestic and regional subsidiary of LAM Linhas Aéreas de Moçambique (TM), is set to receive the first of two Embraer ERJ145s (MSN 145.266 | C9-MEX).

► ZAMBIA: SA Airlink puts ERJ135s onto Kruger/Mpumalanga - Livingstone route effective late March.

SA Airlink (4Z) will enhance its Kruger Mpumalanga - Livingstone, Zambia service with the introduction of  Embraer ERJ 135 jets onto the route from 22 March 2013.

► COTE D'IVOIRE: (Pic) Air Cote d'Ivoire to launch domestic network in coming months following arrival of E170 Jet.

Air Côte d'Ivoire (HF) has taken delivery of its Embraer 170 (MSN 307 | F-HBXH) wet-leased from Air France thereby supplementing the carrier's current fleet of two Airbus A319s.

► ZIMBABWE: Air Zimbabwe to get two ERJ135s; to start Munich, London, Nairobi, Mauritius flights in March?

A new dossier on Air Zimbabwe (UM) entitled "Aircraft rotation for summer 2013" purportedly showing the carrier's service resumption plans for Summer 2013, has been published with Embraer Regional Jets set to join the fleet. Additionally, flights to the UK, Germany, Ghana, Mauritius, Kenya and Nigeria are planned.

► BRAZIL: Angolan Air Force takes delivery of three Embraer A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft.

Brazil's Embraer Defense and Security today delivered the first three of six light attack and advanced training A-29 Super Tucano turboprops to the Força Aérea Nacional Angolana (National Air Force of Angola), at a ceremony held in Gavião Peixoto, São Paulo, Brazil. 

► BOTSWANA: SA Airlink to start Johannesburg - Kasane from late March.

In addition to announcing flights to Vilanculos, Mozambqiue, SA Airlink (4Z) will commence a scheduled Johannesburg – Kasane (Botswana) service, from Friday 22 March 2012. The initial schedule will operate on Days 1357 departing Johannesburg OR Tambo at 11h45 arriving back in Johannesburg at 15h50. From August 2013 the service will operate daily.

► MOZAMBIQUE: SA Airlink to start Johannesburg - Vilanculos from March 2013.

Following the withdrawal of Federal Air (7V) from the route earlier this month, SA Airlink (4X) is to introduce 5x weekly Johannesburg (ORTIA) - Vilanculos, Mozambique flights effective 22 March 2013. The flights will initially operate 3x weekly (Days 135) to be increased to 5x weekly (Days 12357) from July 2013.

► MOZAMBIQUE: MEX-Moçambique Expresso to base two leased ERJ145s in Nampula, Tete as LAM's pax numbers grow 9% in 2012.

MEX-Moçambique Expresso (MXE), the domestic and regional subsidiary of LAM Linhas Aéreas de Moçambique (TM), is to operate two leased Embraer ERJ145s on behalf of LAM during the first quarter of this year.

► ZAMBIA: Ethiopian Airlines to start Ndola ops from March 2013 as Kenya Airways adds direct Saturday flight.

Zambia's third largest city, Ndola, is to see an increase in its regional connectivity with Ethiopian Airlines (ET) set to launch 3x weekly Boeing 737-700 flights to the Copperbelt from 31 March 2013, whilst competitor, Kenya Airways (KQ), is to introduce a once weekly Embrarer E190 Nairobi – Ndola terminator service, also effective 31 March 2013.

► COTE D'IVOIRE: Air Cote d'Ivoire to add an Embraer E170 as further routes in West Africa are announced.

According to Airline Route, the Ivory Coast's new national carrier, Air Côte d’Ivoire (HF), is set to receive an Embraer E170 to add to its two Airbus A319s, as the airline seeks to expand its operations.

► CAMEROON: Camair-Co considering either Embraer EJets or Bombardier CSeries for mid range fleet; to add a possible third 787?

Alex Van Elk, the CEO of Cameroonian national carrier Camair-Co (QC), says the airline is considering either Embraer E-Jets or Bombardier's upcoming CSeries for its mid-range fleet, with an extra Boeing 787-8 to be added to its shopping list.

► MOZAMBIQUE: Kaya Airlines launches Inhaca Island, Machangulo and Zongoene flights.

According to the Agência de Informação de Moçambique (AIM), Mozambican private carrier Kaya Airlines (IK) has announced the launch of flights to the resorts of Inhaca Island, Machangulo and Zongoene, likely out of its Maputo hub.

■ NIGERIA: Dana Air, Skyjet Aviation awarded AOCs by Civil Aviation Authority.

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), on Wednesday, issued new Air Operator's Certificates (AOC) to Dana Air (9J) and Kaduna-based Skyjet Aviation. 

 

► KENYA: Freedom Airline Express set to receive second Embraer 120ER Brasilia.

Kenyan air charter and scheduled ops company, Freedom Airline Express Ltd, is set to receive a second Embraer 120ER Brasilia (MSN 247 | 5Y- ?) as it seeks to expand its operations.

■ NIGERIA: Embraer provisionally agrees to partner Government in Nigerian airline refleeting initiative.

Fresh from the announcement of its intention to open its first African Authorized Aircraft Service Facility (AASF) in Kenya next year, Embraer, the Brazilian regional aircraft manufacturer, has provisionally agreed to collaborate with the Nigerian Government's efforts to assist domestic Nigerian airlines in acquiring new aircraft "at concessionary rates."

■ KENYA: Embraer to open an Authorized Service Facility in Nairobi with Kenya Airways in 2013.

Embraer, the Brazilian regional aircraft manufacturer, has set its sights on Nairobi, Kenya and partner Kenya Airways (KQ) as a potential base for its first Authorized Aircraft Service Facility (AASF) in Africa to be opened in early 2013.