RSS 2.0 FeedThis is Africa's biggest aviation and travel indaba and portal updated daily.
Kulula Airline ( South Africa)- The Funny-side
Cover Story
Load Factors Drop as Passenger Demand Falls - Freight Stabilises
Sun, May 03, 2009
African carriers showed the weakest performance in March with a 15.6% fall in demand. But they did the best job at matching capacity to demand with an aggressive cut of 15.1%. While cross border travel within Africa grew during February, African carriers continued to lose market share.
Featured Stories
Huntress kills an elephant with a bow and arrow and posts the sickening images on the net
Sun, May 10, 2009
“It is sickening but unfortunately there are people who are willing to do this. “Elephants live in tight family units and we know through research that they show signs of being able to grieve. There are people who would say that this is not far short of murder.”
Dubai firm invests in game reserve
Mon, May 04, 2009
Recently Zimbabwe’s neighbouring country also said it was investing more money in tourism to attract more tourists ahead of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Boeing 787 Dreamliner Moves to Flight Line for Testing
Mon, May 04, 2009
The 787 Dreamliner has orders for 886 airplanes from 57 customers.
MAF Dedicates Its First KODIAK Missionary Plane
Sun, May 03, 2009
Photo: Nine hundred guests joined MAF in dedicating its first Kodiak aircraft at its headquarters in Nampa, Idaho, May 2. The cutting-edge missionary plane will be deployed in Papua, Indonesia.
Boeing Unveils Performance, Comfort Changes to Next-Generation 737s
Fri, May 01, 2009
SEATTLE, - Boeing [NYSE: BA] today announced that seven airlines will be the first to incorporate the new, spacious 737 Boeing Sky Interior starting in late 2010. The interior features soft, blue-sky-like lighting overhead.
Emirates Holidays unveils a new world of choice
Sun, Apr 26, 2009
Emirates Holidays, the tour-operating arm of Emirates airline, has unveiled its A World of Choice 2009-2010 brochure. For the first time its extensive range of exciting holidays to over 120 destinations across the world has been consolidated into one comprehensive, easy to use format. All holiday options can now be found within one bumper edition.
Air China Cargo Receives 747-400 Boeing Converted Freighter
Sun, Apr 26, 2009
XIAMEN, -- Boeing [NYSE: BA], Air China Cargo and TAECO (Taikoo Aircraft Engineering Co.) today celebrated the redelivery of the carrier's first 747-400 Boeing Converted Freighter, the first of three 747-400BCFs ordered by the airline. The airplane is converted from an Air China 747-400 Combi.
Turkish Airlines 2008 net profit up 327 pct
Sun, Apr 12, 2009
The FINANCIAL -- Turkish Airlines has announced its Consolidated Financial Results for the year 2008. According to its financials, THY was able to achieve 26% increase on Net Profit of $874 mn.
Lufthansa 1Q passenger numbers fall 7 percent
Sun, Apr 12, 2009
The FINANCIAL -- Lufthansa’s passenger numbers declined in the first three months of 2009 under the impact of the downswing and the persistently difficult economic situation.
DUBAI AIRPORTS HONOURED FOR EXCELLENCE BY NEWSWEEK
Sun, Apr 12, 2009
“The growth and development of Dubai city and of Dubai Airports is closely inter-linked. As the city has grown, Dubai Airports has seen an increase in the number of its client airlines and their passengers, bringing more business, industry and professional expertise to enhance Dubai’s business acumen and standing in the world community. Dubai Airports is honoured to be part of and contributing to the city’s continuing success.”
Boeing to Adjust 2010 Twin-Aisle Airplane Production Plan
Sun, Apr 12, 2009
"These are extremely difficult economic times for our customers," said Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Scott Carson. "It's necessary to adjust our production plans to align supply with these tough market conditions. We are in close contact with our customers as we continue to monitor this dynamic business environment."
News : Air Traffic Control
Inspector General staffing report validates NATCA’S concerns
Sun, May 03, 2009
WASHINGTON – A report released today by the Department of Transportation Inspector General on the critical air traffic controller staffing issues at three major California FAA facilities vindicates what the National Air Traffic Controllers Association has long said about the safety concerns that come from a loss of experienced controllers and the vast amount of work now needed by the FAA to dig out from the deep hole caused by FAA labor, staffing and “run it like a business” failures during the Bush Administration.
Columns : Flight Safety
IATA Expands Agreement with CIS to Improve Aviation Safety - Broad Agenda to Engage Russian Aviation
Sun, Apr 26, 2009
Moscow - The International Air Transport Association (IATA) today announced the signing of an agreement with the Interstate Aviation Committee (IAC, also known by its Russian abbreviation which is MAK) to improve aviation safety throughout the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).
Aviation industry aims to make SA aerodromes safer
Sun, Apr 12, 2009
“While these are positive developments for the aviation industry and the economy, the downside thereof is that there is also an increasing number of smaller aerodromes being established, with a significant number of them being unlicensed and therefore unregulated,” - Jordaan
European Union adds Benin, Kazakh airlines to blacklist
Sun, Apr 12, 2009
BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Commission added six airlines from Kazakhstan and all carriers from the West African state of Benin to its airline safety blacklist on Thursday, and kept a ban on Indonesian airlines.
News : Environment
Columns : Tourism and Travel
Kenya’s tourism to suffer as China cuts foreign trips by civil servants
Sun, Apr 26, 2009
China is clamping down on junkets organized by government officials, which could take a bite out of the country’s tourism spending in Kenya and other African markets.
KENYA IS A TOURISM DESTINATION FOR AFRICANS TOO
Sun, Apr 26, 2009
Kenya’s officials want to further boost the country’s tourism industry by promoting it as a tourism destination not only for overseas visitors but also for Africans. Kenya is a luring and well established tourism destination with beaches and wild life reserves. It is an important part of the country’s economy and Kenyans want it to contribute even more. The Kenya Tourist Board (KTB) and Kenya Airways (KQ) are thus going to invest Sh50 million (€ 500.000) into a marketing campaign that would promote the country as a tourism destination for Africans. The aim is to diversify the source market.
Ugandan tour operators warned
Sun, Apr 12, 2009
KAMPALA, (Xinhua) -- Uganda Tourist Association has warned local tour operators against pricing outside the global market as the financial crisis hits.
Gecko Adventures invites agents on a free African safari – no strings attached!
Sun, Apr 12, 2009
Gecko’s Adventures is inviting travel agents on safari in Africa for free - and they can bring a buddy for 25 per cent discount.*
Southern Africa Direct partners with SATSA
Fri, Apr 03, 2009
Southern Africa Direct and the Southern Africa Tourism Services Association (SATSA) have entered into a marketing partnership that provides SATSA members with access to a highly targeted, international multi platform marketing medium.
News : Aviation Financial
Columns : Flight Safety : FLS Videos
VIDEO: SAA Air Crash
Sun, Apr 12, 2009
South African Airways Flight 295 was a Boeing 747-244B Combi called "The Helderberg" that crashed on November 28, 1987 killing all 159 passengers aboard. What really brought The Helderberg down?
Lead Stories
Zimbabwe: Air Zim, CAAZ in Urgent Need of Funding
Sun, May 24, 2009
CAAZ might have a very hard time to explain where all the revenue it earns has gone to and as to what all the money that is owed to international financiers bought. It might be time for heads to roll at both CAAZ and Air Zim inorder to establish a proper business mentality.
Kids go free to Dubai with Emirates
Sun, May 24, 2009
“Knowing that their child will travel, stay, eat and play for free takes a huge degree of financial pressure off the family budget. We hope that this enticing offer from Emirates will enable more families to have their annual holiday in this exciting destination.”
Ethiopian to acquire two B737-800 aircraft
Sun, May 24, 2009
Today, Ethiopian operates 22 modern jetliners (nine Boeing 767-300 ER, six 757-200 ER, five 737-700, one 757-260 and one 757-200 freighters) and five Fokker 50s. The airline also operates two leased MD 11s and B747-200s freighters. Currently, Ethiopian has the largest cargo fleet in Africa reports the Ethiopian review.
Iran and Zimbabwe to establish airlinks
Fri, May 01, 2009
Johannesburg - Iran has expressed its willingness to establish air links with Zimbabwe to improve accessibility between the two countries, the Herald reported on Friday.
Harare- bound B737 aircraft crashes killing 7 people
Fri, May 01, 2009
Kinshasa - The death toll from the crash of a Boeing 737 that went down over a village in Congo has risen to seven, officials in Congo and neighboring Central African Republic said on Thursday.
Controllers work through lightning strike to aid flying public
Sun, Apr 26, 2009
ATLANTA – When major thunderstorms, complete with microbursts, wind shear and hail hit the Atlanta area Thursday night the air traffic control tower at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport was struck, knocking out all primary and backup radar feeds.
E.Guinea airline boss vanishes with millions
Mon, Apr 13, 2009
MALABO (AFP) — The head of Equatorial Guinea's national airline has vanished after leaving the country on a business trip with cash worth millions of euros, a company official said Saturday.
HEROIC CONTROLLERS COACH PASSENGER TO SAFE LANDING AFTER PILOT’S TRAGIC MID-AIR DEATH
Mon, Apr 13, 2009
MIAMI/FORT MYERS, Fla. – In what can only be called an Easter miracle several air traffic controllers in Southern Florida were able to guide a plane to a successful landing after its pilot fell unconscious and a passenger had to fly the aircraft – all during a heavy traffic push due to the holiday and good weather.
Kenya in a Sh50m Africa tourism blitz
Sun, Apr 12, 2009
NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 8 - The Kenya Tourist Board (KTB) and Kenya Airways (KQ) will partner in a new Sh50 million marketing campaign to promote the country’s tourist attractions in Africa.
Cathay Pacific wins ‘Airline of the Year 2009’ Award
Sun, Apr 05, 2009
Cathay Pacific Airways welcomes the announcement that it has been named Airline of the Year 2009 in the World Airline Awards run by the London-based Skytrax research organisation – the third time it has taken the honour in the past 10 years. The airline was also named Best Airline Asia in 2009.
The Japan lifts travel ban – Vic Falls leads the way
Sun, Apr 05, 2009
Japanese government has excluded the Victoria Falls area from its travel warning to Zimbabwe. Koichi Morita, the Japanese ambassador to Zimbabwe made the recommendation after touring the country to ascertain its safety.
Brazil jet crash body count reaches 24
Tue, Jun 09, 2009
The plane's wreckage and bodies were discovered in waters about 600 miles northeast of the Brazilian islands Fernando de Noronha.
Air France crash: 15 more bodies found
Mon, Jun 08, 2009
Two bodies were recovered Saturday, and Brazilian and French ships picked up the others on Sunday after pilots participating in a grid search reported additional sightings. The bodies have been found in an area about 45 miles (70 kilometers) from where the jet sent out messages signaling electrical failures and loss of cabin pressure.
U.S. to send more personnel, equipment to help search Air France 447
Tue, Jun 09, 2009
Search teams recover debris from Air France plane
News : Technical
Boeing Selects Engineering Professors for 2009 Fellowship Program
Sun, Apr 26, 2009
CHICAGO, -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] today announced the nine engineering professors who will spend eight weeks this summer learning about key research and technology programs and sharing their perspectives as part of the company's Welliver Faculty Fellowship Program.
News : Security
Air France trials NFC boarding
Sun, Apr 26, 2009
Nice Côte d’Azur Airport and Air France in conjunction with Amadeus and IER have announced a joint partnership to launch a project called Pass and Fly. The new initiative will enable members of Nice Airport’s passenger programme, Club Airport Premier (CAP) and Air France’s frequent flyer programme travelling on the Nice-Paris Orly domestic route, to pilot a new boarding solution using their mobile phones.
News : International Airlines News
BA 'The World's Favourite Airline' posts record losses
Sun, May 24, 2009
The BA -- the "World's Favorite Airline" -- has not been immune to the sinking economy.
Airlines Prepared for Swine Flu
Sun, May 03, 2009
Geneva - The International Air Transport Association (IATA) emphasised that airlines are prepared for the heightened level of alert following the World Health Organization’s (WHO) decision to move to Phase 5 of its pandemic preparedness plan.
Swiss takes delivery of its first A330
Sun, Apr 26, 2009
Zurich based Swiss International Air Lines has received its first new A330-300. The aircraft is the first of nine A330-300s ordered in September 2007 to expand the Swiss' medium to long haul network.
Star Alliance Tests RFID Bag Tag
Fri, Apr 03, 2009
The FINANCIAL -- Star Alliance has just completed testing the feasibility of using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology for enhancing the baggage check-in process.
