► ALGERIA: Iberia starts Oran, Algiers from Summer 2013.

Spanish carrier Iberia (IB), from Summer 2013, will expand its operations in Algeria, with the service resumption of Alicante – Oran and the addition of Valencia – Algiers effective 31 March 2013. The routes are to be operated with either a Bombardier CRJ200 or CRJ900 aircraft.

► SOUTH AFRICA: Air Zimbabwe unveils Johannesburg timetable; to charge USD420 return.

Air Zimbabwe (UM) have unveiled their proposed timetable for Harare - Johannesburg (ORTIA), South Africa flights set to begin 12 November 2012. The 4x weekly flights will initially be operated with a Boeing 767-200ER, before switching to an Airbus A320.

► TANZANIA: fastjet announces initial domestic and regional routes.

fastjet has revealed its first routes to be served when it launches later this month. In an bizarre interview with with Linzie Janis on Bloomberg Television's "Countdown," fastjet CEO, Ed Winter, announced the first destinations to be Tanzania, Kenya, South Sudan, Uganda and Rwanda, though could not give an exact date for operations to start, as "all the necessary government approvals were not yet in place."

► NAMIBIA: Air Namibia announces numerous changes to its timetable from January 2013 onwards.

Air Namibia (SW) has announced various changes to its operational schedule. These changes are to take effect from 15 January 2013 onwards.

■ SOUTH AFRICA: War of words ensues as Gigaba defends Mango, attacks Venter over Comair's disdain for 1Time.

The demise of LCC 1Time (T6) has led to a war of words between Comair Ltd's CEO Erik Venter and South African Minister of Public Enterprises, Malusi Gigaba.

► RUSSIA: Tunisair launches Monastir - Moscow, Tozeur - Paris CDG.

Tunisian carrier Tunisair (TU) will, in Winter 2012, launch 2 new European services: Monastir, Tunisia - Moscow, Domodedovo and Tozeur, Tunisia - Paris CDG using a combination of Airbus A319s and Boeing 737-600s.

► CAPE VERDE ISLANDS: Royal Air Maroc to launch Praia via Guinea Bissau from 2013.

Royal Air Maroc (AH) will, from 7 March 2013, start direct flights between Casablanca and Praia, Cape Verde Islands using either a Boeing 737-700 or -800 aircraft. The return leg will operate via Bissau's Oswaldo Vieira International Airport, Guinea Bissau.

► ALGERIA: Air Algérie adds various domestic, regional flights.

Air Algèrie (AH) has added 3 new connections to its domestic and regional networks effective 28 October 2012. Among the new routes are Oran - Tunis, Adrar, Algeria - Bordj Mokhtar, Algeria – Tamanrasset, Algeria and Constantine, Algeria – Tamanrasset, Algeria.

► ZAMBIA: Proflight Zambia issued AOC; to start ops to Harare in due course.

Proflight Zambia (P0), a private Zambian outfit, have at long last been granted their Aircraft Operational Certificate (AOC) by the Zambian Department of Civil Aviation, which will allow them to launch regional services to Harare, Zimbabwe amongst others.

■ KENYA: Kenya Airways issues profit warning after taking $55million hit.

Kenya Airways (KQ) has posted its unaudited, consolidated results for H1 (First Half) of its 2012/2013 Financial Year ending 30 September 2012 with a net loss of USD55.2million (KES4.788billion) being declared.

■ NIGERIA: Arik Air celebrates 6th birthday, plans large network expansion.

Nigeria's largest carrier, Arik Air (W3), celebrated its 6th birthday at an event held at its corporate headquarters in Lagos, Nigeria. 

■ ETHIOPIA: EAE to expand Bole International Airport as Ethiopian Airlines mulls cancelling its 5* hotel project tender.

The Ethiopian Airport Enterprise (EAE) is to expand the existing passenger terminal at Addis Ababa's Bole International Airport in the coming months and years, with design work already in progress.

■ SOUTH AFRICA: FastJet Plc revealed to have been 1Time's suitors.

The mysterious investor, who could have been 1Time Holdings knight in shining armor during its hour of need on Friday last week, have been revealed to be British group, FastJet PLC.

■ TUNISIA: Government blocks launch of Jasmin Airways.

Tunisia's government has again moved to protect its loss-making national carrier Tunisair (TU) this time, by blocking the launch of startup Jasmin Airways, set to operate charters out Enfidha Airport using two Airbus A320 from early 2013.

● ALGERIA: Program for the Arab Air Carriers Organization 45th AGM in Algiers.

The Arab Air Carriers Organization is holding its 45th Annual General Meeting from 5-7 November 2012 in the Algerian capital, Algiers. The symposium this year is hosted by the Chief Executive Officer of Air Algérie, Mohamed Salah Boultif, who is also Chairman of the AGM, with patron, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, President of Algeria.

■ ETHIOPIA: New Addis Ababa International Airport gets prime ministerial consent.

Ethiopia's Prime Minister, Hailemariam Desalegn, has given the go ahead to the Ethiopian Airports Enterprise to proceed with plans for a new Addis Ababa international airport, to be constructed near the town of Modjo.

■ TANZANIA: (Pic) fastjet unveils new brand & livery; to start ticket sales next week.

fastjet, the continent's first pan-African low cost carrier set to launch later this month, today unveiled its new brand image and aircraft livery as the carrier readies itself for ops. It also announced it will begin selling tickets next week ahead of the airline's first flight this month.

► SOUTH AFRICA: (Pics) Condor inaugurates Frankfurt - Cape Town flights.

The arrival of Condor flight DE6228 from Frankfurt to Cape Town at 10h52L today, marked the launch of  the airline's 2x weekly return Frankfurt/Cape Town flights. 

■ TANZANIA: Controversial Serengeti Airport at Mugumu gets go-ahead.

The Tanzanian Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) has given the go ahead for the construction of an international airport in the town of Mugumu in the Serengeti District of Mara Region, having itself, been given the green light by the Tanzanian Ministry of Transport.

►► GHANA: Ethiopian makes various operational changes to Accra, Abidjan, Cotonou, Lomé and Ouagadougou flights from late November.

Effective 25 November 2012, Ethiopian Airlines (ET) will adjust its operations to Accra, Abidjan, Cotonou, Lomé and Ouagadougou service. Of particular interest is that Accra will receive a daily 787 service, replacing its current 757.