► UNITED KINGDOM: British Airways announces changes to Africa network from October onwards.

British Airways (BA) has announced various changes to its African timetable effective 28 October 2012 some of which have been previously reported on here at The African Aviation Tribune.

British Airways' Africa Network

● British Airways Africa Timetable ●

-Effective 28 October 2012

-Additional changes remain possible

• London Heathrow – Accra, Ghana: First Class service on 777-200ER is only available on Thursdays and Fridays in W12 
• London Heathrow – Agadir, Morocco: 2x weekly service operated by BA, operating on weekends. This replaces existing BMI operation on Day 26 
• London Gatwick – Algiers, Algeria: Service reduces from daily to 5x weekly in Winter 2012 (1x Daily in W11) 
• London Heathrow – Cairo, Egypt: (BMI) 1x Daily A321 CANCELLED (20 July 2012)
• London Heathrow – Cairo, Egypt: Boeing 747-400 replacing 777-200ER from 01 October 2012 
• London Heathrow – Cape Town, South Africa: BA042 from CPT shifts from morning hours departure in NW11 back to evening departure in NW12

               -BA043 LHR1735 – 0700+1CPT 744 1234567
               -BA059 LHR1930 – 0855+1CPT 744 1234567

               -BA058 CPT2050 – 0625+1LHR 744 1234567
               -BA042 CPT2220 – 0800+1LHR 744 1234567

• London Heathrow – Casablanca, Morocco: Service operates 4x weekly in W12 with BMI Airbus A319 aircraft, same as W11 CANCELLED (20 July 2012)
• London Heathrow – Entebbe, Uganda: Revised operational day to Day 247 from LHR, Day 135 from EBB 
• London Heathrow – Freetown, Sierra Leone:  2x weekly Boeing 767, replacing 3x weekly A330-200 bmi operation: 

             - BA137 LHR2230 – 0525+1FNA 767 36
             - BA136 FNA1100 – 1730LHR 767 47

• London Heathrow – Johannesburg, South Africa: Service to continue to operate at 14x weekly. Planned 17x weekly service increase cancelled 
• London Heathrow – Khartoum, Sudan via Beirut: (BMI) 3x weekly A321 
• London Heathrow – Lusaka, Zambia: Operational day changes from Day 357 to Day 257 (LUN departs next day) 
• London Heathrow – Luanda, Angola: Service continues to operate with 4-class Boeing 777-200ER twice a week. Previously 1 of 2x weekly to be operated with 3-class aircraft 
• London Heathrow – Marrakech, Morroco: (BMI) operation reduces from 5x to 3x weekly 
• London Gatwick – Marrakech, Morocco: Service increases from 3x weekly to daily

Read More Here [Airline Route]

► KENYA: Gulf Air reduces Nairobi service from October.

Bahrain-based carrier Gulf Air (GF) will reduce its Bahrain - Nairobi, Kenya service from 6x weekly, to 5x weekly effective Winter 2012 (i.e 28 October 2012).

Gulf Air started services to Nairobi last year in July. 

Of late, the carrier has had viability problems on some of its Africa routes, most notably Entebbe, Uganda, which was axed after just 4 months in service.

A Gulf Air Airbus A319 (DJ)

Gulf Air: Bahrain – Nairobi, Kenya
 - Effective 28 October 2012, service reduces from 6x to 5x weekly

• GF715 BAH1005 – 1515NBO 319 23
• GF717 BAH2120 – 0230+1NBO 319 456

• GF718 NBO0315 – 0805BAH 319 567
• GF716 NBO1600 – 2050BAH 319 23

Read More Here [Airline Route] 

► UGANDA: NasAir Eritrea starts Asmara - Entebbe direct.

Eritrean private airline Nasair Eritrea (UE), yesterday started direct Asmara - Entebbe, Uganda flights using a Boeing 737-200. Until that maiden flight, Entebbe was served via Juba, South Sudan, according to NasAir's timetable.

► UGANDA: Turkish Airlines flight to Johannesburg diverts to Entebbe.

A Turkish Airlines Airbus A330 TC-JNM recently enroute from Istanbul to Johannesburg, South Africa was forced to divert to Entebbe, Uganda following engine problems.

The aircraft landed safely, though passengers were forced to wait for a replacement aircraft to be dispatched from Turkey.

THY Turkish Airlines A330 TC-JNM (Alfonso Rodenas Pena)

"A Turkish Airlines Airbus A330-300, registration TC-JNM performing flight TK-40 (dep May 10th) from Istanbul (Turkey) to Johannesburg (South Africa) with 250 passengers, was enroute near Entebbe (Uganda) when the crew needed to shut an engine (CF6) down. The aircraft diverted to Entebbe for a safe landing."

Read More Here [The Aviation Herald]

● UGANDA: Ugandan CAA seeks partners to develop Entebbe Airport; Plans to build second runway.

With the rapid growth occurring in the Ugandan civil aviation field, it stands to reason that the country's infrastructure would have to be up standard, in order to stand any hope of being a player in the region, given Kenya's dominance.

 

Uganda's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)’s Corporate affairs Manager, Mr Ignie Igunduura stated that Uganda’s Aviation will perform better in the next twelve months and coming years provided the economy sustains its growth.

“We have been growing and expect to sustain this growth. Air transport does not work in isolation. It facilities the economy and in turn, the economy facilities it. Provided the indicators of growth are still present and bearing results in our economy, Aviation will also keep growing,” Mr Igunduura said.

Read More Here [The Monitor, Uganda]

It seems that for once, a government run department is taking the initiative to lead the field, instead of playing a game of catch up. Recently, the Ugandan Civil Aviation Authority issued a tender in the Ugandan Investment Authority's website seeking partnerships with foreign companies for the following projects at the Entebbe International Airport: 

• Design and construction of new cargo centre
• Renovation and refurbishment of general aviation terminal for domestic use 
• Development of an export processing zone at the airport, similar to the Freeport at Dubai International Airport
• Construction of an in-flight catering services unit
• Development of a ferry port at Entebbe airport area
• Construction of an aircraft maintenance hanger
• Construction of passenger loading bridges 
• Provision of airline business operations

"The Civil Aviation Authority has a five-year strategic plan to expand Entebbe Airport that includes remodelling the car parking lot to a multi-levelled one, and double the aeroplane hangars from the current 11 to 22. It is also planning for a second runway to accommodate bigger planes like those owned by Qatar and Emirates Airways."

Read More Here [TradeInvestAfrica]