► TANZANIA: FastJet sets Dar es Salaam, then Nairobi as first launch hubs.

FastJet, the nascent Pan-African LCC carrier being planned by Stelios Haji-Ioannou of easyJet fame, today announced that its first operating base would be in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, followed by Nairobi, Kenya, pending the certification of the Airbus A319 there.

► ZIMBABWE: Tanzania's Precision Air eyes Harare via Blantyre before year end.

Tanzania's  Precision Air (PW), in addition to announcing its partnership with Vodacom Tanzania in launching M-Pesa - an innovative method of paying for one's air tickets using cellphone airtime - and having received a shot in the arm last week when 41% shareholder Kenya Airways (KQ) announced it would inject "between USD4 - 6million" into the carrier from its own USD80million loan from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to help aid the Tanzanian regional carrier's fleet expansion plans, today announced plans to resurrect its service to Harare, Zimbabwe albeit via Blantyre, Malawi, and not Lilongwe, Malawi, as originally intended.

► TANZANIA: LAM Mozambique to increase Maputo - Dar Es Salaam flights from November.

Mozambican national carrier Linhas Aéreas de Moçambique, better known as LAM Mozambique Airlines (TM), has, via the Agência de Informação de Moçambique (the official Mozambique News Agency), announced it is to increase the frequency of its Embraer 190 operated flights between Maputo, Mozambique and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania from 2x weekly, to 3x weekly.

At present the reservation system does not reflect the update, but when it does, we will update this post

► SOUTH AFRICA: SAA looking at Ghana for a potential West Africa hub as biting economic times push Mango to go regional.

In a Q&A session before the South African Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Public Enterprises on Tuesday 28 August 2012, South African Airways (SA) CEO Siza Mzimela gave an overview of SAA's current financial state and outlook in addition to future route developments, critical to the carrier's long term viability.

► RWANDA: RwandAir announces CRJ900 routes; introduces other additional frequencies.

With the first of its two new Bombardier CRJ900NGs (MSN# 15286| 9XR-WH) due in by the middle of October 2012 and the second due in mid November, so Rwandan national carrier RwandAir (WB) has outlined the future routes they will be used on, in addition to various new frequencies to come into effect from 31 October 2012.

RwandAir CRJ900 '9XR-WH'

RwandAir CRJ900NG Routes

RwandAir: Kigali, Rwanda – Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

-Effective 31 October 2012

• WB440 KGL1730 – 2030DAR CR9 | 1234567
• WB441 DAR2100 – 2200KGL CR9 | 1234567

Kigali, Rwanda – Entebbe, Uganda

-Effective 31 October 2012

• WB422 KGL1440 – 1625EBB CR9 | 1234567
• WB423 EBB1655 – 1640KGL CR9 | 1234567

Kigali, Rwanda – Nairobi, Kenya

-Effective 31 October 2012

• WB404 KGL0155 – 0410NBO CR9 | 1234567
• WB406 KGL1455 – 1710NBO CR9 | 1357
• WB402 KGL1455 – 1710NBO CR9 | 246

• WB405 NBO1155 – 1210KGL CR9 | 1234567
• WB407 NBO2125 – 2140KGL CR9 | 1357
• WB407 NBO2125 – 2140KGL CR9 | 246

Source [Airline Route]

Additionally, various new frequencies have been announced:

• Entebbe, Uganda: from 17x to 33x weekly flights.
• Brazzaville, Congo & Libreville, Gabon: 3x to 5x weekly flights.
• Dubai, UAE : from 6x to 13x weekly flights.
• Lagos, Nigeria: from 3x to 7x weekly flights.
• Johannesburg, South Africa : from 8x to 10x weekly flights.

Source [RwandanFlyer]

Kigali, Rwanda – Dubai
-Planned service increase from 6x weekly to daily. The daily service operates nonstop in both directions, replacing 3x weekly nonstop and 1-stop service via Mombasa, Kenya.

• WB300 KGL0045 – 0830DXB 738 | 1234567
• WB301 DXB0950 – 1335KGL 738 | 2467
• WB301 DXB1010 – 1335KGL 738 | 2467

Kigali, Rwanda – Johannesburg, South Africa
-Planned service increase from 8 to 10 weekly

• WB100 KGL0100 – 0500JNB 738 | 123567
• WB100 KGL0100 – 0500JNB 735 | 4
• WB102 KGL1445 – 1845JNB 738 | 356

• WB101 JNB0800 – 1200KGL 738 | 123567
• WB101 JNB0800 – 1200KGL 735 | 4
• WB103 JNB1930 – 2330KGL 738 | 356

Kigali – Lagos, Nigeria
-Planned service increase from 3x weekly to daily

• WB200 KGL1435 – 1745LOS 738 | 1234567
• WB201 LOS1830 – 2340KGL 738 | 1234567

Source [Airline Route]

► TANZANIA: Precision Air increases capacity to Arusha and Mwanza; suspends Johannesburg, Kigoma and Mwanza.

Very strong growth in the Tanzanian domestic market has forced Tanzanian carrier Precision Air (PW) to mix, match and in some cases scratch destinations served as demand for aircraft available and profitability on certain routes has stretched the airline to capacity.

►► KENYA: Qatar Airways cancels the relaunch of Mombasa slated for late August 2012.

[UPDATED 16 August 2012] After the cancellation of its original launch date of 15 August 2012, Qatari carrier Qatar Airways (QR) will now launch their 3x weekly Doha - Dar es Salaam, Tanzania - Mombasa, Kenya route with an Airbus A320 starting 30 August 2012.

Qatar Airways in Nairobi (FGottwald)

There is some speculation that the primary cause of the route launch's sudden cancellation in early August was Qatar Airways' annoyance at "the withholding of 5th freedom rights for the Nairobi to Kilimanjaro sector of Qatar Airways' originally planned Doha - Nairobi - Kilimanjaro service, that was subsequently re routed as Doha - Dar es Salaam - Kilimanjaro".

►►[Update] Once again we got screwed folks. Our source informs us that Qatar Airways has again closed bookings for its Mombasa route effectively canning it for the meantime.

► PAKISTAN: PIA looking at returning to Nairobi and Johannesburg.

News reports out of Pakistan state that Pakistani state-carrier Pakistani International Airlines PIA (PK) has expressed interest in returning to Africa following the renewal of their fleet with five Boeing 737-800s, two B-777-LRs and two B747-800s.

PIA's 1982 Route Network with Nairobi & Dar es Salaam.

PIA last served Nairobi, Kenya from 2005 until 2006 as Karachi - Dubai - Nairobi with an Airbus A310. Dar es Salaam, Tanzania was also part of PIA's Africa Network until the 90s whilst Johannesburg, South Africa would be a début station, despite having been on the cards for many years.

"New planes scheduled to be purchased included five B-737-800, two B-777-LR and two Jumbo planes. Sources claimed that Jumbo planes would be used for Hajj purpose while B-777 for long haul flights like Huston, Chicago and Los Angeles while B-737-800 for other routes.
A well informed officer of PIA seeking anonymity said that MD PIA was also keen in revamping of routes like Nairobi, Johannesburg, Glasgow and Bangkok etc."

Source [The Nation, Pakistan]

Should the flights go ahead, PIA will face stiff opposition from UAE carrier Emirates, Qatar Airways and Kenya Airways whose collective flights and highly competitive fares forced PIA's withdrawal from the Nairobi route back in 2006.

► TANZANIA: Air Tanzania temporarily ceases operations as 737 deal with AeroVista is called off.

What was touted as a new beginning for beleaguered Tanzanian national carrier, Air Tanzania (TC), has now turned into a nasty ordeal with the possibility of litigation after Air Tanzania suspended its contract with Dubai-based ACMI AeroVista from whom it leased a Boeing 737-500, effectively grounding the carrier.

► UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: Emirates announces various changes to its Africa network for Winter 2012.

Dubai-based carrier, Emirates (EK) has announced various changes to its African network as it gears up for the Northern Hemisphere Winter.

Emirates Africa Route Network

  Emirates NH Winter 2012 Africa Changes

Dubai – Cape Town, South Africa

- Aircraft used gradually switches to an Airbus A340-300.

• EK772 DXB0350 – 1140CPT 343 1234567
• EK770 DXB0850 – 1625CPT 343 1234567
• EK773 CPT1330 – 0120+1DXB 343 1234567
• EK771 CPT1810 – 0535+1DXB 343 1234567
• EK770/771 operates with Airbus A340-300 instead of Boeing 777-300ER from 1 February 2013
• EK772/773 operates with Airbus A340-300 instead of -500 from 1 March 2013 (Service is suspended from 1 September 2012 until 30 November 2012).

Dubai – Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

- Effective 1 February 2013 (Previously stated as starting from 1 March 2013) 2-class 777-300ER replaces A340-500 hence no First Class service.

Previously announced:

Dubai – Johannesburg, South Africa 

- Effective 1 December 2012 Airbus A380 service resumes on EK761/762.

Dubai – Lusaka, Zambia – Harare, Zimbabwe

- Effective 1 October 2012 Service increases daily from 5 weekly; A330-200 operating.

 

Dubai – Tunis, Tunisia 

- Effective 1 December 2012, 3-class Boeing 777-300ER replaces Airbus A340-500; loss of First Class Suite service.

Source [Airline Route]

► TURKEY: Turkish Airlines announces changes to Africa Network for Winter 2012.

Turkish carrier Turkish Airlines (TK) has announced various changes to its African network effective Q4 of 2012.

Turkish Airlines Africa Network

Istanbul – Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
-Effective 28 October 2012 service reduces from daily to 5x weekly using 737-900ER.

• TK603 IST1910 – 0335+1DAR 739 x13
• TK604 DAR0435 – 1050IST 739 x24

Istanbul – Nairobi, Kenya 

-Effective 28 October 2012 Boeing 737-800 replaces -900ER, daily service

• TK607 IST1950 – 0325+1NBO 73H 1234567
• TK608 NBO0445 – 1020IST 73H 1234567

Istanbul – Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt
-Effective 9 October 2012 NEW 4x weekly service to its 3rd destination in Egypt. Schedule below effective 28 October 2012.

• TK700 IST0205 – 0440SSH 737 135
• TK701 SSH0640 – 0925IST 737 135

Istanbul – Kigali, Rwanda – Entebbe, Uganda - Istanbul
- Effective 28 October 2012 service increases from 4x to 5x weekly using a 737-900ER

• TK606 IST1840 – 0130+1KGL0225+1 – 0420+1EBB0520+1 – 1045+1IST 739 x27

Istanbul – Kinshasa, DRC
- Effective 27 September 2012 service increases from 4x to 5x weekly. Schedule below effective 28 October 2012.

• TK671 IST1445 – 2115FIH 739 26
• TK672 FIH2215 – 0630+1IST 739 26

Source [Airline Route]

► TANZANIA: Qatar Airways announces Kilimanjaro route changes.

Qatari carrier Qatar Airways (QR) has announced routing changes to its Doha, Qatar - Kilimanjaro, Tanzania flights. The Airbus A320 operated flights will now go via Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, thereby replacing the previously announced Nairobi, Kenya stop effective 25 July 2012.

QR has not been granted fifth freedom rights on the Dar es Salaam – Kilimanjaro sector.

Qatar Airways A320

Qatar Airways: Doha, Qatar - Dar es Salaam, Tanzania - Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
-Effective 25 July 2012

• QR546 DOH0220 – 0805DAR0905 – 1005JRO 320 x246
• QR544 DOH0735 – 1320DAR1420 – 1520JRO 320 x246
• QR547 JRO1105 – 1205DAR1305 – 1845DOH 320 x246
• QR545 JRO1620 – 1720DAR1820 – 2345DOH 320 x246

Read More Here [Airline Route]

In 2011, Qatar Airways signed an interline deal with Tanzanian carrier Precision Air Tanzania (PW) which will give passengers seamless travel options to popular holiday destinations in Tanzania and the sub region such as the Comoros Islands in the Indian Ocean, renowned for its picture-postcard beaches and beautiful landscapes, as well as the exotic island of Zanzibar.

► TANZANIA: Precision Air adds Zanzibar to Dar - Joburg route.

Tanzanian airline Precision Air (PW) will, with effect from 1 July 2012, switch its Dar es Salaam - Johannesburg, South Africa flights to daytime flights. Presently, the Boeing 737-300 operated route departs Dar es Salaam in the late afternoon on the outbound leg,, whilst the return leg operates in the late evening.

► ZAMBIA: Zambezi Airlines recommences flights as of 17 June.

As of Sunday 17 June 2012, Zambian carrier Zambezi Airlines (ZJ) is set to return to the skies after a 7 month hiatus from service, following various safety issues raised by Zambia's Civil Aviation Authority, that have since been settled.

► TANZANIA: Precision Air further delays Harare & Lilongwe to August amid strong growth.

Tanzanian carrier Precision Air (PW) over the weekend announced that its planned new routes to Harare, Zimbabwe and Lilongwe, Malawi, would only begin "in August this year" instead of early July as originally planned as the airline intends to await the arrival of more aircraft prior to servicing the new routes.

► ZIMBABWE: Sol Air reveals planned routes as Government discord continues.

Following on from our initial report, Zimbabwean private start up Sol Air (ZS) has now revealed its plans for upcoming routes it intends to serve using a fleet of Bombardier CRJ-900s.

Amongst the cities to be served from its base at Harare International Airport are: Bulawayo, Dar es Salaam, Johannesburg, Tete (Mozambique), Lusaka and Victoria Falls. It also plans to serve Johannesburg - Victoria Falls and Johannesburg - Bulawayo, two routes that are at present serviced exclusively by South African carriers.

A familiar sight at Harare - empty slots. (William Whaley)

No further news on how a resurrected Air Zimbabwe has been performing on domestic routes has been made available. 

Meanwhile, at a recent conference of the African Travel Association (ATA) held in Victoria Falls, Shingi Munyeza, chief executive officer of hotel and leisure group, African Sun Limited (ASL) told international delegates that there was nothing wrong with African governments regulating domestic air services in order to protect troubled national airlines.

"You need to let in (foreign) airlines but ensure you don't destroy the local airline," Munyeza told the ATA congress. "

African governments have been burnt before where they have opened the skies," said Munyeza.

Once again, this adds to the notion of total discord between official Zimbabwean Government policy and private industry with regards to the serious development of local aviation, as just recently, Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Walter Mzembi stated:

"We are over-protecting Air Zimbabwe. We all know that government is a signatory to a declaration that promotes an open sky policy. What I wonder is why we have not been able to motivate any new airlines into our airspace?"

Read More Here [The Financial Gazette, Zimbabwe]

Politicking aside, the answer, however, is simple.

As long as Zimbabwe's government is willing to live with the prospect of subsidizing an inefficient millstone of the Air Zimbabwe sort whilst strangling any potential private carriers under the guise of the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ), then it will only have itself to blame when it finds its tourism and aviation infrastructure both undeveloped and underexploited, because after all, tourism thrives on reputation, and what good to a country is an airline reputed only for late arrivals and shoddy service?

► TANZANIA: Air Tanzania resumes flights (Pictures).

Air Tanzania today resumed flights between Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro and Mwanza using its newly acquired Boeing 737-500, leased from AeroVista. (Pictures Courtesy Air Tanzania Facebook)

► TANZANIA: Air Tanzania resumes domestic flights tomorrow; publishes timetable.

After being on hiatus following the writing-off of its DHC-8 at Kigoma, in April of this year, Air Tanzania (TC) is to relaunch a scheduled domestic service on the morning of Friday 18 May (tomorrow), with the use of its recently acquired Boeing 737-500, leased from AeroVista of Dubai.

► ZAMBIA: Zambezi Airlines to resume flights next month.

Following numerous court cases and the repossession of its aircraft by lessor GECAS, Lusaka-based, Zambian airline Zambezi Airlines (ZJ), is scheduled to restart services from next month.

► TANZANIA: Air Tanzania's B737-500 finally arrives (Pic included).

Two days late, but better late than never or so the saying goes. Tonight Saturday, Air Tanzania finally received its Boeing 737-500 leased from AeroVista of Dubai.