■ AIRBUS: Airbus releases its 2013-32 Global Market Forecast.

As aviation becomes increasingly accessible in all parts of the world, future Journeys will increasingly be made by air particularly to and from emerging markets. According to European aircraft manufacturer, Airbus' latest Global Market Forecast (GMF) in the next 20 years (2013-2032), air traffic will grow at 4.7 per cent annually requiring over 29,220 new passenger and freighter aircraft valued at nearly USD4.4 trillion. Some 28'350 of these are passenger aircraft valued at USD4.1 trillion. Of these, some 10'400 will replace existing aircraft with more efficient ones. With today’s fleet of 17'740 aircraft, it means that by 2032, the worldwide fleet will double to nearly 36'560 aircraft. 

► CAMEROON: Camair-Co to bid for one of Air India's B777-200LRs?

Cameroon's national carrier, Camair-Co (QC), has reportedly set its sights on acquiring one of Air India's five B777-200(LR)s that were recently put up for sale. Abu-Dhabi-based megacarrier, Etihad (EY), has also expressed an interest in the jets.

► ETHIOPIA: National Airways now eyeing a pair of ERJ135s for its fleet.

Ethiopian private airline, National Airways (7N) has reportedly abandoned previously announced plans to acquire and operate Fokker 50s and Embraer EMB-170s, and now has its sights set on Embraer ERJ-135s instead. 

► NIGERIA: (Pic) Azman Airlines first B737-300 rolls out the paintshop in Norwich.

Azman Air, the Kano-based startup run by entrepreneur, AbdulManafi Yunusa, has seen its first B737-300 (MSN 28570 | 5N-?), formerly with bmi baby, roll out the paint shop in Norwich in the United Kingdom.

► NIGERIA: (Pic) Start-up Discovery Air's first B737-300 rolls out the paint shop.

The first of two B737-300s, (MSN 28571 | 5N-BQO) formerly with brussels airlines(SN), has been painted in the livery of its new owner, Nigerian start-up, Discovery Air, and has been parked at London Southern Airport awaiting delivery to Lagos. A second ex-bmibaby (WW) B737-300 (MSN 28870 | 5N-?) is also expected.

► LIBYA: (Pics) Ministry of Defense takes redelivery of Gaddafi's repainted A340.

The Libyan Ministry of Defense has taken redelivery of an Airbus A340-300 (MCN 151 | 5A-ONE) following an overhaul and a refit in Toulouse, France. The aircraft was made famous as the private jet of deposed Libyan strongman Muammur Gaddafi prior to his death in 2011.

► ANGOLA: Iberia announces Luanda as first exclusive A330 destination from late October.

Spanish carrier Iberia (IB) has confirmed that Luanda, Angola will become its first international route to be served by its A330-300 exclusively, with effect from October 27. Iberia currently has four of the type in service. The wide-bodied, long-haul aircraft connects the capital cities of Spain and Angola twice a week, on Mondays and Fridays.

■ EGYPT: Despite heavy sustained losses, Fadel outlines his longterm vision for Egyptair.

Egyptian Minister of Civil Aviation, Mr Abdul Aziz Fadel, says the current Egyptian government is determined to map out the future for a New Egypt by leveraging the country's aviation and tourism sectors to help kick start the stalled economy. The minister's comments come against the back drop of plunging tourist arrivals caused by the country's ongoing political and social unrest which thus far have cost national carrier, Egyptair (MS), "considerable losses". Previous reports stated the national airline's arrivals had dropped 10% since the military coup of July 3 and the ensuing civil unrest. 

► CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: (Pics) Karinou Airlines' first B737-300 rolls out the paint shop!

The Central African Republic's Karinou Airlines (U5) first B737-300 (MSN ? | TL-TSM) has rolled out the paint shop at the CAC Aircraft Services hangar in Florida. Previously due in early Q2 of this year, the aircraft is currently parked in Miami awaiting its ferry flight to Bangui M'poko International. Its exact details are not available at this time (i.e whether it is a lease or an outright acquisition).

► TUNISIA: Syphax Airlines deploys its A330 into revenue service on Paris CDG flights.

With its first A330-200 (MCN 345 | TS-IRA) now good to go, Tunisian carrier, Syphax Airlines (FS), has deployed the aircraft on its first revenue flights with effect from Thursday August 22. According to the airline, the first routes serviced have been its high frequency/high demand Summer high season flights to Paris CDG.

■ SOUTH AFRICA: mango seals deal with Acro Aircraft Seating for its 737 fleet.

South African LCC, mango (JE), has sealed a contract with UK-based passenger aircraft seat manufacturer, Acro Aircraft Seating, for the manufacture and installation of its Ultra R seats aboard mango's entire fleet of Boeing 737-800 aircraft. The deal, which includes six shipsets and equates to 1116 economy class seats, marks the first major African client for the Redhill, Surrey-based manufacturer.

► NIGERIA: Discovery Air sets sights on two B737-300s; ops due soon?

Lagos-based startup, Discovery Air, is reportedly in the process of acquiring two 737s as part of efforts to launch operations. However, as of this posting, it is unclear as to whether or not the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority has granted the carrier its Air Operators Certificate.

► SOUTH AFRICA: Comair to take delivery of first 737-800 for its British Airways franchise.

South Africa's Comair Ltd is set to deploy its first B737-800 (MSN 30403 | ZS - ?) to its British Airways franchise. The aircraft had previously seen service with India's Jet Airways (9W).

► TANZANIA: fastjet A319 grounded following birdstrike.

fastjet (FN) says one of its three Airbus A319s was temporarily grounded in Tanzania following a birdstrike on August 8. The incident resulted in some flights between Dar es Salaam and Mwanza being cancelled.

■ MAURITIUS: Air Mauritius selects DW International's GRPS Web UI for RAIM Predictions.

Air Mauritius (MK) has selected DW International's GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) RAIM/RNP Prediction Service Web-based User Interface (GRPS Web User Interface). Air Mauritius will be using the GRPS Web User Interface to support its Performance-based Navigation (PBN) operations, including Basic-RNP 1 as now required for Hong Kong International Airport.

► TANZANIA: Air Tanzania to tentatively operate MA60s, Y12s as part of deal with China's JoyAir.

Air Tanzania (TC) is reportedly to acquire five Xian MA60s and three Harbin Y-12  turboprops (whether they are on lease or outright purchase is unclear) from JoyAir (JR), a Chinese carrier that is 95% owned by China's state-backed aircraft manufacturer and Xian's parent, the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), with the remaining 5% held by China Eastern Airlines (MU).

► CONGO (KINSHASA): Air Kasaï now leasing a B737-200Adv from Gryphon Airlines.

Kinshasa-based Air Kasaï has added a B737-200Adv (MSN 22123 | ZS-EVE) to its fleet on lease from South Africa's Gryphon Airlines. Air Kasai also operates the Congo's sole ATR72-200 and various smaller Antonovs.

► TANZANIA: Precision Air goes all prop as last 737 is withdrawn from service.

Tanzania's Precision Air (PW) has reportedly retired its last remaining B737-300 (MSN 28573 | 5H-PKS) from service with the aircraft now listed by a US-based leasing firm as being available for either sale or lease immediately. The move effectively leaves the Dar-es-Salaam based carrier with an exclusively turboprop fleet of five ATR42s and five ATR72-500s.

► MOROCCO: Royal Air Maroc names Sukhoi, Bombardier and Embraer for possible 100-seater tender.

Royal Air Maroc (AT) says it will tender for between 12 and 15 new 100-seater aircraft should trials with two Embraer E190s, currently on lease from Holland's Denim Air ACMI, prove to be successful. Among the contenders mentioned are Bombardier's C-Series, Embraer E190 and surprisingly, Sukhoi's Super Jet 100.

► SENEGAL: Senegal Airlines operating a CemAir CRJ100 as grounded A320 causes headaches.

Senegal Airlines (DN) has, since earlier in the year, replaced an ATR72-200, (MCN 460 | ZS-XCB), wet-leased from Solenta Aviation, with a CRJ-100, (MCN 7338 | ZS-CRJ), wet-leased from fellow South African operator, Lanseria-based CemAir.