commentary

Mar 1, 2016
Category: Commentary
Posted by: aaUser

ABELHAMID ADDOU, the new Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Royal Air Maroc, has taken over the helm of the Moroccan national flag-carrier from Driss Benhima at a critical juncture for the airline. The Kingdom of Morocco’s geographical location in North Africa enables it to act as a strategic bridge between Africa and Europe, and even North America.

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Feb 1, 2012
Category: Commentary
Posted by: aaUser

AFRICAN AVIATION magazine was launched 22 years ago with the raison d’etre of promoting aviation development in Africa in order to foster socio-economic growth, travel, trade and tourism and thus improve the lives of the people of Africa.

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Apr 1, 2011
Category: Commentary
Posted by: aaUser

Severe civil unrest sweeping across North Africa and the Middle East and the prolonged political crisis in Côte d’Ivoire, West Africa, have major implications for the African airline industry just when it seemed to be on the verge of an upswing.

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Dec 1, 2010
Category: Commentary
Posted by: aaUser

The landscape of the African airline industry has changed significantly in the past 25 years, Numerous former stalwart national carriers such as Air Afrique, Ghana Airways, Nigeria Airways and Zambia Airways have gone bankrupt; several privately owned airlines, such as Arik Air in Nigeria, Precisionair in Tanzania and Fly540 in Kenya, have gained ground; and low-cost carriers, such as Atlas Blue in Morocco, and Kulula, 1time and Mango of South Africa, have emerged with varying degrees of success.

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Nov 30, 2009
Category: Commentary
Posted by: aaUser

African airlines face a daunting challenge in meeting their future fleet financing requirements. On the one hand, Boeing, the US aircraft manufacturer, forecasts that African carriers will require 620 new commercial jet aircraft between 2009 and 2028 worth a total of US $70 billion.

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Mar 30, 2009
Category: Commentary
Posted by: aaUser

The imminent launch of flight services by ASKY Airlines presents a unique opportunity for the parties involved to translate their vision of a successful joint venture airline in Africa into reality

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Nov 30, 2008
Category: Commentary
Posted by: aaUser

The African Airlines Association (AFRAA) appears to be facing an uphill struggle in convincing African Governments to adopt a common air transport policy and implement the Yamoussoukro Decision on air transport liberalisation.

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Nov 1, 2008
Category: Commentary
Posted by: aaUser

When the history of African aviation comes to be written – unless urgent action is taken now – the Yamoussoukro Decision will be recorded as a monumental example of indecision by the African continent

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Mar 30, 2008
Category: Commentary
Posted by: aaUser

Consolidation – in its various guises, such as mergers, acquisitions, alliances and joint ventures – is once again high on the agenda of the global airline industry as it braces itself for another painful market downturn.

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Nov 1, 2007
Category: Commentary
Posted by: aaUser

Addressing AFRICAN AVIATION Magazine’s First African Aviation Finance & Leasing Conference held in Cairo, Egypt, 16 years ago, Steven F. Udvar-Hazy, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of US-based International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC), provided a crystal clear vision of how African airlines can succeed and prosper.

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Oct 2, 2007
Category: Commentary
Posted by: aaUser

The contrasting fortunes of three African airlines – Kenya Airways, South African Airways and Nigeria Airways - provide a salutary lesson for Africa’s aviation and political leaders.

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May 2, 2006
Category: Commentary
Posted by: aaUser

No airline in Africa can justly claim to have worked as hard and for as long as Ethiopian Airlines (ET) to bring Africa together. For the past 60 years, this pioneering airline has been driven by a Pan-African vision and zeal to develop air links across the continent, thereby facilitating travel, trade, tourism and economic development in Africa.

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Feb 20, 2006
Category: Commentary
Posted by: aaUser

The recent spate of commercial airline accidents in Africa, with the attendant tragic loss of lives, has once again focused the world’s attention on the African aviation industry and the urgent need for the African continent to improve its air safety record.

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Feb 1, 2006
Category: Commentary
Posted by: aaUser

The urgent need to reform and revitalise Nigeria’s potentially buoyant aviation industry was sharply driven home by two separate aircraft accidents towards the end of 2005. Both accidents involved privately-owned airlines and both resulted in a large loss of lives.

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Jun 19, 2005
Category: Commentary
Posted by: aaUser

The impressive growth and success of Kenya Airways in the tough international airline industry continues to justify its proud claim to be 'The Pride of Africa.' The very focused and well-run national carrier of Kenya once again was unhesitatingly named 'African Airline of the Year' at the recent Annual African Aviation Awards Ceremony in Mauritius organised by AFRICAN AVIATION Magazine

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Jun 1, 2005
Category: Commentary
Posted by: aaUser

The armed security personnel permanently guarding Virgin Nigeria’s solitary Airbus A320 aircraft sitting at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, indicate the problems besetting Nigeria’s proposed new flag-carrier, in which Virgin Atlantic Airways, UK, headed by Sir Richard Branson, has a 49% equity stake.

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Apr 2, 2005
Category: Commentary
Posted by: aaUser

Financial autonomy has continued to elude the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) since it was established in the 1960s, in spite of the important role the Commission plays in promoting aviation development in Africa.

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Oct 1, 2004
Category: Commentary
Posted by: aaUser

The abrupt departure of yet another senior member of the leadership team of South African Airways (SAA) is a stark reminder of the serious management crisis at Africa's largest airline. In recent years, SAA seems to have been operating a revolving-door management policy with top executives coming and going at an alarming rate.

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Feb 1, 2002
Category: Commentary
Posted by: aaUser

Air Afrique, the pioneering multinational airline launched in 1961, has ceased operations completely after being officially declared bankrupt on 7 February this year. The big question now is whether each member country of Air Afrique may try to establish their own airline to provide essential domestic and external air services. The recent launch of Air Senegal International, a joint venture with Royal Air Maroc, indicates a new trend in this direction. 

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Jun 30, 2001
Category: Commentary
Posted by: aaUser

South African Airways, Africa’s largest carrier, is in danger of being knocked off course by the uproar over its controversial former Chief Executive Officer, Coleman Andrews. According to Public Enterprises Minister, Jeff Radebe: “It has now become clear that since 1998 there has been a systematic erosion of corporate governance at SAA.” The serious allegations levelled against Andrews by the Government of South Africa have called into question the soundness of the airline’s fundamental business strategy.

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Dec 11, 2000
Category: Commentary
Posted by: aaUser

Ten years ago we embarked on a bold mission to promote the airline industry in Africa. This was predicated on our belief that aviation can be vital catalyst for Africa’s economic and social development.

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Feb 11, 2000
Category: Commentary
Posted by: aaUser

Air safety is back in the international spotlight following the recent spate of accidents around the world - from Switzerland, to Côte d’Ivoire, to the USA. In Africa the loss of a Kenya Airways Airbus A310-300ER just after take-off from Abidjan airport in January, and an EgyptAir Boeing 767-300ER shortly after take-off from New York, last October, have proved particularly traumatic due to the large loss of lives involved. Until the official investigations are completed, it would be wrong to allocate blame for either of these accidents. 

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Aug 14, 1999
Category: Commentary
Posted by: aaUser

The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) is about to introduce perhaps the most liberal regional air transport regime ever attempted in Africa. This bold initiative has profound implications for existing airlines in the 21 member states of COMESA.

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Feb 1, 1999
Category: Commentary
Posted by: aaUser

President Bill Clinton’s ‘Safe Skies for Africa’ initiative provides a unique window of opportunity to mobilise the significant political will and financial resources required to properly address some of the pressing challenges facing the African aviation industry. It is unique because never before has a United States President made such a direct commitment to help improve African aviation. 

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Dec 30, 1998
Category: Commentary
Posted by: aaUser

Thirty years after its formation the African Airlines Association (AFRAA) is still determinedly championing the interests of African airlines. While successive AFRAA airline Chief Executives have come and gone, many of the problems facing the continent’s carriers have doggedly remained, with several new challenges emerging.

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Dec 11, 1998
Category: Commentary
Posted by: aaUser

Why have the overseas creditors who recently repossessed four Airbus A310–300s from Air Afrique now served a claim on the airline demanding a sum of money which exceeds the total original price of the aircraft – given that Air Afrique has already returned the four young aircraft, made a pre-delivery downpayment of US$80 million (25% of the original cost) and has paid US$173 million to creditors?

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Jan 24, 1998
Category: Commentary
Posted by: aaUser

Airline industry consolidation is quickly gathering pace across the world, with carriers in North America, Europe and Asia clearly taking the lead. The trend is evidently towards the formation of a few (perhaps just two or three) powerful, global airline ‘blocs’ each consisting of a group of strategically-chosen carriers from diverse geographical regions.

 

 

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Mar 31, 1997
Category: Commentary
Posted by: aaUser

Kenya Airways has come a long way since the KLM investment in January, 1996, and its public flotation in June, 1996. The Kenyan airline’s new shareholding structure symbolises the momentous changes that have been wrought.

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Mar 30, 1997
Category: Commentary
Posted by: aaUser

European airlines, which already carry the lion’s share of international passenger traffic to and from Africa, are continuing to make significant in-roads into the African air transport market. This penetration has had contrasting consequences for several African airlines. Some are benefitting from their link-up with much stronger foreign carriers, while others view the encroachment with concern.

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Nov 20, 1996
Category: Commentary
Posted by: aaUser

Ron Montgomery, the United States Federal Aviation Administration’s Senior Representative for Sub-Sahara Africa, faced a barrage of questions during AFRICAN AVIATION’s Fifth Annual Conference on ‘Aircraft Maintenance & Engine Overhaul in Africa’ held in Cairo, Egypt, in November, 1996.

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Nov 30, 1995
Category: Commentary
Posted by: aaUser

Interviewed by AFRICAN AVIATION magazine in early 1994, shortly after he took over the helm of Ethiopian Airlines, Dr Ahmed Kellow said that what the national carrier needed most was decisive leadership and a clearly-defined business strategy for the 1990s, and beyond.

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Jan 30, 1995
Category: Commentary
Posted by: aaUser

Landing in Dar-es-Salaam on a flight straight from bustling Johannesburg one is immediately struck by the contrasting levels of economic and aviation activity in Tanzania and South Africa. Nonetheless, while there may be a lack of financial resources in Tanzania at present, there is an abundance of goodwill among the people and potential riches in the country’s under-tapped tourism industry. Certainly, improved air transport links would assist in developing Tanzania’s economy and tourism business. 

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Jan 30, 1995
Category: Commentary
Posted by: aaUser

Alliance, the new joint venture airline, could become a shining example of airline co-operation in Africa. If it is to succeed, the two major tests it must pass are to be profitable and to ensure that all its shareholders benefit.

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May 11, 1994
Category: Commentary
Posted by: aaUser

What do the Yamoussoukro Declaration (circa 1988) and the African Joint Air Services (AJAS) project (circa 1989) have in common? The answer: Both are laudable schemes aimed at enhancing African airline co-operation and they have both been delayed in their implementation by the lack of resources or commitment (or both).

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Nov 30, 1993
Category: Commentary
Posted by: aaUser

The gospel according to John Robson, delivered during the recent International Air Transport Association (IATA) Annual General Meeting in Dallas, Texas, did not provide much succour to the vast majority of assembled airline executives.

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Nov 30, 1993
Category: Commentary
Posted by: aaUser

The heated debate about the desirability and nature of airline industry reforms and their likely impact on smaller airlines added some zest to the 49th Annual General Meeting of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) held in Dallas, USA, in November this year.

 

 

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Sep 30, 1993
Category: Commentary
Posted by: aaUser

A strong urge to merge or, at the very least, enter into some form of strategic alliance is currently gripping the airline industry in Europe and North America, even among Europe’s state-owned carriers.

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May 22, 1993
Category: Commentary
Posted by: aaUser

The urgent need for airline co-operation in Africa is constantly reiterated. But, to be frank, not much has been achieved so far. While African Government and airline officials speak frequently and loquaciously about the benefits of collaboration, in practice most of them continue to pursue their loss-making policies in splendid isolation.

 

 

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Mar 31, 1993
Category: Commentary
Posted by: aaUser

More airlines have been launched in Nigeria in the past few years than in any other country in Africa. This large bustling nation is fast-becoming an important market for commercial aircraft, spare parts and maintenance suppliers.

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Mar 30, 1993
Category: Commentary
Posted by: aaUser

Airbus Industrie has emerged the winner in a major competition between aircraft manufacturers to sell new long-haul jetliners to Air Mauritius. After careful deliberation, the airline decided to purchase three Airbus A340-300s, rather than the rival Boeing 777 or McDonnell Douglas MD-11.

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Nov 30, 1992
Category: Commentary
Posted by: aaUser

Peter B. Kaoma, the Managing Director of Zambia Airways, is busy implementing an urgent rescue plan aimed at stemming the national flag-carrier’s financial losses and putting it on a sound commercial footing. He admits that achieving this goal is likely to be an uphill task, but adds that he is never daunted by tough challenges

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Nov 30, 1991
Category: Commentary
Posted by: aaUser

The achievements of Ethiopian Airlines since its formation in December, 1945, are a source of pride to Ethiopians as well as to many other Africans. The airline has a modern fleet, an extensive route network, a reasonably strong balance sheet, aircraft maintenance and aviation training expertise, very dedicated staff and a priceless reputation for efficiency.

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Jan 30, 1991
Category: Commentary
Posted by: aaUser

Legend has it that when African states gained their political independence from Western countries they were bequeathed three seemingly essential symbols of sovereignty – a national flag, a national anthem and a national airline.

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Nov 30, 1990
Category: Commentary
Posted by: aaUser

European airlines currently dwarf African airlines on Europe-Africa routes. In addition, most of them enjoy a higher passenger revenue yield on their African services than on other long-haul operations. African airlines are now examining ways to redress the imbalance.

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Jan 30, 1986
Category: Commentary
Posted by: aaUser

The past two decades have witnessed a substantial development of air transport services in Africa with the annual growth in passenger and freight traffic on African routes consistently remaining above the world average.

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Nov 30, 1985
Category: Commentary
Posted by: aaUser

With a string of sales successes in Algeria, Egypt, South Africa, Tunisia, the Ivory Coast, Nigeria and Kenya safely under is belt, an increasingly assertive Airbus Industrie has sent a warning shot across the bows of its US rival, Boeing.

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Sep 30, 1985
Category: Commentary
Posted by: aaUser

Air Afrique is a brave attempt by a number of African states to run a combined airline. It is not commercially successful, and a number of previous African airline consortia have failed. NICK FADUGBA looks at a new study recommending a combined West African airline, and examines the problems which smaller African airlines faced.

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Apr 30, 1985
Category: Commentary
Posted by: aaUser

Nigeria Airways is undergoing a sweeping administrative and operational reorganisation aimed at putting the airline on a stronger financial footing. The cost-cutting measures include a reduction in staff, a clampdown on malpractices, and the rationalisation of its fleet. Managing Director, Group Captain Bernard Banfa, says that his goal is to improve the carrier’s efficiency and turn it into a viable business concern.

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Feb 20, 1985
Category: Commentary
Posted by: aaUser

Africa’s multinational airline Air Afrique is counting the cost of severe financial and industrial problems which made 1984 the most trying of its 24 years’ existence.

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Feb 19, 1985
Category: Commentary
Posted by: aaUser

In the words of a Boeing marketing executive, 1984 turned out to be a good year, but not a great year. The 169 orders for commercial airplanes made it the best since 1981 when 193 orders were announced. In 1983, 151 total orders were announced.

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Feb 16, 1985
Category: Commentary
Posted by: aaUser

Nigeria Airways has taken delivery of all four of the Airbus A310-200s it ordered. The aircraft were officially handed over to Mr O.A. Oshikoya, Director of Legal Affairs and Company Secretary of Nigeria Airways, by Mr Roger Béteille, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Airbus Industrie, at a ceremony in Toulouse recently. Two aircraft were ferried to Lagos on 20 December last year and the two others in mid-January. 

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Feb 2, 1985
Category: Commentary
Posted by: aaUser

Government officials in Freetown, Sierra Leone, are anxiously hoping that the nation’s dogged determination to maintain an airline – against formidable economic odds – will begin to pay off this year.

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