Friday, March 29

Aviation

7318e35eb9382ac93bb8bbce1c61ea3c 1
  • Luxury Tourism in East Africa has been on an upswing following the reopening of air travel.
  • Marriott and Radisson Blu are leading the line in Investments in Luxury Tourism in East Africa.
  • American hotel brand Marriott International is eyeing over 30 hotel openings  in Africa by the close of 2024

 East Africa has emerged as a magnet for luxury tourists seeking unforgettable experiences, as evidenced by the increasing investments in high-end travel and accommodation in the region.

This region, comprising countries Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, and castelli gabba decathlon bmx castelli gabba custom maple leafs jersey custom maple leafs jersey adidas yeezy boost 350 turtle dove keyvone lee jersey asu football jersey sac eastpak dallas cowboys slippers mens jordan air force 1 nike air max 90 futura blundstone uomo sit top kayak fsu football jersey others, has witnessed a surge in high-end tourism from global hotel chains pumping investments in …

Read More
kq cargo plane 3
  • Kenya Airways Cargo introduced a pair of Boeing 737-800 converted freighters two months ago to expand its cargo capacity.
  • Kenya Airways will also resume direct passenger flights between Nairobi and Mogadishu starting 15th February 2024.
  • KQ already operates the passenger version of the 737-800.

Kenya Airways Cargo (KQ Cargo) has expanded its route network to include direct cargo flights between Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Mogadishu in Somalia.

The new route will be served weekly, effective 09th February 2024, and is expected to grow to two (2) weekly frequencies in April 2024. KQ Cargo has partnered with GSA Global Cargo LLC, a global cargo sales and service agent based out of UAE, as the cargo logistics partner to service the route.

KQ Cargo recently increased its freight capacities with the entry into service of a B737-800F, which offers an extended range, connecting vital cargo hubs and opening …

  • Major African airlines have been hard hit since the Covid-19 pandemic struck.
  • This year is however expected to bring good tidings for the industry, albeit low profit margins.

  • IATA expects a return to profitability for the global airline industry in 2023, as airlines continue to cut losses stemming from the effects of the pandemic to their business in 2022. 

The global aviation industry is set for a bounce back this year as airlines navigate turbulence that has shaken the industry since 2020, threatening to bring down carriers in the market.

Major African airlines have been hard hit since the Covid-19 pandemic struck.

A report by the African Airlines Association (AFRAA) indicates the pandemic hit Africa’s aviation industry in 2021, resulting in an estimated $8.6 billion loss.

While the figure was less than the $10.21 billion loss recorded by the sector in 2020, it was still a 49.8 per cent decline …

Kenya Airways PLC (KQ) implementing contactless transactions

Kenya Airways has reduced its half-year loss by 19.6 per cent to Sh11.5 billion, from Sh14.4 billion posted during a similar period last year, on account of cost-cutting initiatives implemented during the period.  

In a statement, the airline says the measures helped to partially offset a deceleration in revenues.

During the period under review, the airline’s total operating costs declined by 10.4 per cent to Sh34.6 billion from Sh38.6 billion recorded the previous period.

Meanwhile, total revenue reduced by 9 per cent to Sh27 million, which is attributable to the cessation of domestic scheduled operations in the month of April 2021.

Read: African airlines’ passenger traffic increase by 9.9 per cent in six months to June 2017

It was also on the back of travel restrictions, and lockdowns due to a surge in virus cases in key domestic and international markets including the UK, India, China, UAE, and the US.…

Kenya Airways PLC (KQ) implementing contactless transactions

Kenya Airways PLC (KQ) says it is implementing contactless transactions to enhance customer and staff health and safety priorities, at a time when touchless payments are witnessing tremendous growth in usage.

In a statement, the Kenyan carrier says it is implementing the service, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The service will be effective from 1st September 2021.

“The contactless transactions align with the airline’s strategy to develop  sustainable business operations through investing in innovative processes and technologies for customer safety and security throughout the customer journey,” KQ said.

KQ says it will encouraged its customers to use mobile money, credit or debit cards to make any transactions at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), including purchasing tickets and paying for checked-in baggage.

Commenting on the development, Julius Thairu, Acting Chief Commercial and Customer Experience Officer said the aviation industry is increasingly adopting touchless technologies to keep passengers safe, …

www.theexchange.africa

Kenyan-based low-cost carrier Jambojet has announced plans to begin operations to North Kivu Capital, Goma in the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, as well as to the Kenyan coastal island of Lamu.

In a statement, the carrier says the move is part of its expansion program, at a time when the coronavirus pandemic continues to have a devastating impact on the aviation sector in the region as well as across the world.

The company said its inaugural flight to Goma will be on 10th September 2021, starting with 2 frequencies weekly, with flights expected to grow to 4 frequencies weekly, flying on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday.

The airline announced that it will be flying to Lamu 4 times weekly, starting 15th September 2021.

Commenting on the announcement, Jambojet Board of Directors Chairman Vincent Rague said the expansion plan has been in motion for 3 years.

“Three years ago, …

South Sudan Kenya visa

Kenya has been lauded for its decision to waive the requirement of obtaining a visa to enter the country by citizens of the Republic of South Sudan who hold valid passports.

In a statement, the East African Community (EAC) Secretary General, Dr. Peter Mathuki, said that the move was in line with the decision announced by the Chair of the EAC Heads of State, President Uhuru Kenyatta, during the 21st Ordinary Summit of the EAC Heads of State held on 27th February, 2021.

“This demonstrates the goodwill among the EAC Heads of State in promoting regional integration and revamping relations, which is set to boost intra-EAC trade,” said Dr. Mathuki.

Other Partner States that have also waived visa requirements for South Sudanese citizens are the Republic of Rwanda and the United Republic of Tanzania.

Dr. Mathuki lauded the Republic of South Sudan, which has in the spirit of reciprocity also …

tourism sector

Lufthansa Group’s newest leisure airline Eurowings Discover has commenced direct flights to the Kenyan coast, at a time when the country’s tourism sector is expected to post modest recovery in 2021.

Eurowings Discover commenced its flights on the 24th of July 2021 with two weekly flight services from Frankfurt, Germany to Mombasa, with onward flights to the region.

Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife Najib Balala said the flights will result in the region receiving more international tourists.

This comes at a time when a study by Deloitte has forecast Kenya’s international arrivals to rise by 37 percent to 806,000 this year.

Balala said that the flight was a testament to the strides Kenya is making in the recovery of tourism activities, which were minimal due to restrictions brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

He noted that the Kenyan coast was a popular destination for European …

Africa’s aviation industry represents a huge market that the continent’s airlines need to exploit more fully; however over the years, the sector has competed unfavorably with other international carriers.  This is because of high air transport costs, poor intra-Africa connectivity/market access limitations as well as the high costs of operations. 

 

Last month, the African Aviation Industry Group (AAIG) held a high-level webinar to weigh in on practical solutions to reduce the high cost of air transport operations in Africa. The webinar themed “Achieving Affordable Air Transport across Africa”, saw stakeholders converge to determine what ails the industry as well as recommendations to propel the industry ahead.

  …

Subscribe to unlock this article

Login to read this article for free and get 3 free premium articles. Subscribe today for unlimited premium articles and more.

Digital

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

STAY INFORMED

Unlock Business Wisdom - Join The Exchange Africa's Newsletter for Expert African Business Insights!

Stay ahead of the game with our weekly African business Newsletter
Recieve Expert analysis, commentary and Insights into the enviroment which can help you make informed decisions.