Trivia 2022 (miscellaneous news)

[rwandan-flyer]

Health issues


Ethiopia: Legendary Ethiopian Airlines CEO Tewolde GebreMariam quits after 37 years

The longserving CEO of Africa's largest airline Ethiopia Airlines has stepped down, citing ill health. Starting at the firm in 1985, he become CEO in 2011. He leaves behind a strong legacy, the envy of other African airlines who struggle to match Ethiopian's operational efficiency. https://www.theafricareport.com/186585/ ... s-at-firm/

[rwandan-flyer]

The CEO of Aksy (subsidiary of Ethiopian Airlines) becomes the new boss of Ethiopian.

Note that before the covid Asky was profitable, so no worry for Ethiopian

Ethiopian Appoints Mesfin Tassew as Group CEO

Mesfin Tassew has been chosen to succeed Tewolde Gebremariam as chief executive officer (CEO) of the Ethiopian Airlines Group.

Mesfin has served the national carrier for nearly four decades, including as chief operating officer since 2010. He will take the helm from his position as managing director of Asky Airlines, based in Togo. Ethiopian holds a stake in the Togolese carrier.

Busera Awel, vice president of strategic planning, will serve as acting CEO until Mesfin completes his transfer from Asky.

The Group has also made significant changes to its board of directors. Girma Wake has been appointed chairperson, while new members include Teklewold Atnafu, Temesgen Tiruneh, Yilma Merdasa (Lt. Gen.), and Tadesse Tilahun.

https://addisfortune.news/news-alert/et ... group-ceo/

[rwandan-flyer]

Egyptair serves The Comoros on a charter flight from Cairo since 3 weeks. The flights are only available in Travel Agency and not in the Egyptair website.

2 flights per week with tag service with Dar Es Salaam (Tanzania). DAR is a highly requested demand for Comorians. Maybe Egyptair will be able to sell tickets between DAR and HAH.

I don't know if Turkish Airlines has plans to relaunch its route to Moroni, which it operated seasonally, before the covid. . There is also Air Tanzania, Ethiopian and Kenya Airways which serve Moroni


© Bogo-city de Moroni

[Homo Aeroportus]

45 years ago, on 27 March 1977, the worst ever aviation accident occurred at Tenerife Los Rodeos (now Tenerife North, TFN/GCXO).
A KLM B742 took off without clearance and rammed a Pan Am B741 that was still backtracking on the RWY.
All 248 on board the KLM perished while 335 died in the Pan Am where 61 survived the crash and subsequent fire.

The thorough accident investigation led ICAO to reinforce the importance of using correct phraseology and readback as well as restricting the use of the word "Take Off" to that specific clearance and its readback, prior to which reference shall be made to "Departure".
Unfortunately it is still not uncommon to hear the "Cabin crew take off in 2 minutes"

H.A.

[convair]

45 years ago, on 27 March 1977, the worst ever aviation accident occurred at Tenerife Los Rodeos (now Tenerife North, TFN/GCXO).
A KLM B742 took off without clearance and rammed a Pan Am B741 that was still backtracking on the RWY.
All 248 on board the KLM perished while 335 died in the Pan Am where 61 survived the crash and subsequent fire.

The thorough accident investigation led ICAO to reinforce the importance of using correct phraseology and readback as well as restricting the use of the word "Take Off" to that specific clearance and its readback, prior to which reference shall be made to "Departure".
Unfortunately it is still not uncommon to hear the "Cabin crew take off in 2 minutes"

H.A.

Not being in the aviation industry, I understand "departure" as the moment the plane leaves the gate (or its parking place). The pros' jargon is obviously very different!

[sn26567]

Air Europa will keep a fleet of 35 aircraft, down from 60 in 2019, with plans to grow to 41 aircraft by July 2022. The ten B787s on order is not guaranteed and is facing delivery delays. Air Europa Express will only operate with five aircraft, 12 less than in 2019.

[rwandan-flyer]

TAAG Angola plans to open a Luanda Madrid route. Between 2011 and 2016, Iberia had operated an LAD-MAD link in A330-300.

This would be the 2nd route in the EU for TAAG. Lisbon is served, but flights to Porto are suspended.


https://www.facebook.com/TAAGLinhasAere ... 68/?type=3

[fcw]

Unfortunately it is still not uncommon to hear the "Cabin crew take off in 2 minutes"
H.A.

What has communication between cabin crew and pilots to do with RT phraseology?
Luckily it’s April fools’ day, so you can pretend it was just a joke.

[Homo Aeroportus]

Unfortunately it is still not uncommon to hear the "Cabin crew take off in 2 minutes"
H.A.

What has communication between cabin crew and pilots to do with RT phraseology?
Luckily it’s April fools’ day, so you can pretend it was just a joke.

The R/T phraseology rules are in place to prevent the undue use of the word “Take-Off” on the flight deck.
Where do you think is the pilot when s/he goes on the PA to inform the CC?

H.A.

[Lux_avi]

Unfortunately it is still not uncommon to hear the "Cabin crew take off in 2 minutes"
H.A.

What has communication between cabin crew and pilots to do with RT phraseology?
Luckily it’s April fools’ day, so you can pretend it was just a joke.

The R/T phraseology rules are in place to prevent the undue use of the word “Take-Off” on the flight deck.
Where do you think is the pilot when s/he goes on the PA to inform the CC?

H.A.

Please.

R/T has absolutely nothing to do with cockpit-cabin comm’s.

[fcw]

The R/T phraseology rules are in place to prevent the undue use of the word “Take-Off” on the flight deck.
Where do you think is the pilot when s/he goes on the PA to inform the CC?
H.A.

R/T procedures are just what they are procedures used during communication with ATC.
Being wrong but insisting being correct was also a big contributing factor in the Tenerife disaster! (The FO expressed his doubts about the take-off clearance, the captain, like yourself a person who didn’t accept to be challenged, answered: “we go” and started the take-off roll)

[KriVa]

Speaking from experience:
It's not exactly uncommon for pilots to inadvertently transmit a message which was meant for the Cabin Crew on an ATC Frequency.
If you were to consider a perfect storm (a pilot from an aircraft taxiing to the runway uses the words "cabin crew take-off in two minutes." on the ATC frequency, whilst another is lined up and hears the phrase "take-off'') it's not hard to imagine how this could go wrong. All holes in the cheese would have to line up just perfectly, of course; there would probably have to be some lack of attention from the 'second' pilot too,... But that's exactly the nature of an incident/accident: the holes in the cheese lining up. (which, coincidentally, is also what happened in Tenerife).
It shouldn't be that hard to avoid using the phrase "take-off" anywhere except when actually cleared for take-off. Why would "cabin crew departure in two minutes" not work and convey exactly the same message? My previous employer used exactly this phrase.
In short: I support H.A.'s view on this.

[Homo Aeroportus]

Guys, why are you twisting my words like that? Just read what I wrote.
I never said that the R/T rules, i.e. with ATC, apply de jure to the cabin comms. But it does apply de facto because the flight crew shall not use the word “take-off” before the readback to the corresponding clearance.

Just tell me if for you it is appropriate for a flight crew to refer verbally to “take-off” unless the clearance has been given. If you answer No we are on the same page and there is no need to go into a who's right or wrong feud based on misinterpretation.

Thanks,

H.A.

[fcw]

Guys, why are you twisting my words like that? Just read what I wrote.
I never said that the R/T rules, i.e. with ATC, apply de jure to the cabin comms. But it does apply de facto because the flight crew shall not use the word “take-off” before the readback to the corresponding clearance.

Just tell me if for you it is appropriate for a flight crew to refer verbally to “take-off” unless the clearance has been given. If you answer No we are on the same page and there is no need to go into a who's right or wrong feud based on misinterpretation.

Thanks,

H.A.

Of course it’s appropriate, take-off is one of the most used words in the cockpit during preflight and taxi.
This is what you said:

The R/T phraseology rules are in place to prevent the undue use of the word “Take-Off” on the flight deck.

Which is plain wrong, sorry a misinterpretation if you don’t want to admit being wrong.

[fcw]

Speaking from experience:
It's not exactly uncommon for pilots to inadvertently transmit a message which was meant for the Cabin Crew on an ATC Frequency.
If you were to consider a perfect storm (a pilot from an aircraft taxiing to the runway uses the words "cabin crew take-off in two minutes." on the ATC frequency, whilst another is lined up and hears the phrase "take-off'') it's not hard to imagine how this could go wrong. All holes in the cheese would have to line up just perfectly, of course; there would probably have to be some lack of attention from the 'second' pilot too,... But that's exactly the nature of an incident/accident: the holes in the cheese lining up. (which, coincidentally, is also what happened in Tenerife).
It shouldn't be that hard to avoid using the phrase "take-off" anywhere except when actually cleared for take-off. Why would "cabin crew departure in two minutes" not work and convey exactly the same message? My previous employer used exactly this phrase.
In short: I support H.A.'s view on this.

You do have a point, but it doesn’t make HA’s statement correct though.
Avoiding the use of the word take-off in the cockpit is very difficult, it’s a very specific part of the flight which needs to be talked about quite a lot and executed correctly, referring to it with other words would cause much more confusion then accidentally pressing the wrong button.
If you want to eliminate all possible worst case scenarios best would be to find another term for the take-off clearance.

[DIBO]

I think you'll find about everywhere the 'before take-off checklist', so avoiding the word 'take-off' in the cockpit until the actual ATC T/O clearance is received, might be a bit difficult....

[rwandan-flyer]

Kenya Airways is looking for a partner in West Africa to join the JV with South African Airways (and to be a competitor of the Ethiopian's presence in West Africa with Asky, Ethiopian and Tchadia Airlines).

Kenya Airways had a code share agreement with Air Burkina, when KQ served Ouagadougou.Since KQ has suspended its service from OUA, I don't know if the code share is still

There is Air Cote d'Ivoire. The Abidjan hub is one of the largest in the region. Cote d'Ivoire had talks South African Airways to launch flights to the USA. SAA has said that it would not be profitable, they preferred to go to Accra.

South African Airways snubs Abidjan airport https://www-jeuneafrique-com.translate. ... r_pto=wapp

Ethiopian has started flights from ABJ to New York, but the route close during the covid pandemic. Kenya Airways could operate its flight to New York via Abidjan using the ACI hub to feed its flights. SAA could resume its flights to Abidjan to feed the ABJ hub.

This would make a competitor to Asky Ethiopian which offers flights to South Africa, the United States and Ethiopia at Lome. It could be attract passengers pax who used to travel from Dakar, Accra and Lagos to the USA on Delta, United and Air Senegal.

Air Senegal. An important hub in the region. DKR is served by KQa nd same thing KQ also use DKR for a commercial stopover for its flights to New York, but Air Senegal already serves USA and that there is Delta Airlines. SAA could resume its flights to Abidjan to feed the Dakar hub with traffic from Southern Africa.

Make your bets, but it can become interesting what is happening in Africa. Everything is done "to stop" the growth of Ethiopian Airlines and also Middle Eastern and European airlines.

Ethiopian Airlines: Lome (Asky), Ndjamena (Tchadia Airlines), Lusaka (Zambian Airways), Lillongwe (Malawian Airlines) and maybe Kinshasa (Air Congo?)

Kenya Airways / South African Airways: Johannesburg (South African Airways), Nairobi (Kenya Airways), Abidjan? Dakar?

Qatar Airways: Casablanca (Royal Air Maroc), Kigali (RwandAir)


KQ eyes West Africa partner for new hub strategy

National carrier Kenya Airways (KQ) is seeking a West African partner airline to join its two-member pact with South African Airways (SAA).

The two loss-making carriers in November last year signed a strategic partnership framework in South Africa in a move that will see them eventually form a Pan-African carrier next year.

“The intention is to invite a West African airline at some point in the future to also join. We will have a three-hub strategy of Nairobi, Johannesburg, and the West African hub to create better opportunities and services for our customers,” said KQ Board chairman Michael Joseph in an investor briefing on Tuesday.

https://nation.africa/kenya/business/kq ... y--3769652

[rwandan-flyer]

TAAG Angola plans to open a Luanda Madrid route. Between 2011 and 2016, Iberia had operated an LAD-MAD link in A330-300.

This would be the 2nd route in the EU for TAAG. Lisbon is served, but flights to Porto are suspended.


https://www.facebook.com/TAAGLinhasAere ... 68/?type=3

2 flights per week from June 23, 2021. Code share with Iberia. A return to Paris is planned. The company had removed its line to Paris in 2006 following the inclusion of the company on the EU blacklist.

I don't know if they will have a high load factaor. Angola's problem is that the country is very dependent on oil. And when the prices are not favourable, it is the economic crisis. Furthermore, the country blocks revenue from ticket sales (500 million USD in 2018, but since then it has fallen: https://www.reuters.com/article/angola- ... NL8N1PD3LG). It's not a good environment for airlines serving the country.

KLM (covid didn't help), Iberia, British Airways and recently Kenya Airways closed their routes.

TAAG does not have a large network in Africa.

It mainly relies on the Lusophone market both on point-to-point and on connecting via LAD (Lisbon-Maputo, Sao Paulo-Maputo, Lisbon-Sao Tome or Praia-Maputo) and on South Africa. Luanda not located completely in the extreme south of the continent (like Johannesburg), TAAG could tap into the traffic West Africa - East Africa, East Africa - Southern Africa and African of West - Southern Africa and surely make profits on its routes to Dubai and Beijing which closed a few years ago.

Angola is among 10 biggest African economy. We are not in a small market https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki /List_of_African_countries_by_GDP_(nominal)

By the way, it has reactivated its B777-200ERs (only the 777-300ERs make pax on long haul) which do cargo on Honk Gong via Sao Paulo: https://www.transportjournal.com/en/home/news/ artikeldetail/connecting-hong-kong-and-sao-paulo-via-angola.html

Angolan state-owned TAAG will connect Luanda (LAD) with Madrid (MAD) starting June 23 with two weekly flights.

The flights will be operated by Boeing 777-300ER aircraft with a configuration of 12 seats in first class, 56 seats in business class, and 225 in economy. These flights will be able to connect with Iberia’s network of destinations at Barajas International Airport, thanks to an agreement between the two companies.
Schedules and frequencies

To view the entire table, place the cell phone in the horizontal position.
Flight From Departure To Arrival Frequencies
DT 680 Luanda (LAD) 21:00 Madrid (MAD) 05:15 (+1) Thursday & Sunday
DT 681 Madrid (MAD) 23:55 (Luanda (LAD) 06:25 (+1) Monda & Friday

https://www.aviacionline.com/2022/04/ta ... -to-spain/

[rwandan-flyer]

Denver airport has set up a committee to study the possibility of having connections to Africa. The idea is rather interesting because they are people from the business world & civil socity and with strong ties to Africa. We have for example the CEO of the Bank of Kigali (the largest bank in Rwanda) and a lot of Ethiopians living in Colorado which is one of the largest African communities in the USA.

DEN big hub of Star Alliance, then we think of Ethiopian.

DIA seeking direct flights to Africa in effort to boost traffic

Denver International Airport has formed a committee to explore the possibility of opening more flights between African countries and Colorado.

Direct flights to and from Africa are rare in the United States, and nonexistent in Colorado. Unlike flights to major European countries, like London, Paris and Zurich, passengers from DIA currently have to sit through major layovers at other airports before jetting off to Africa.

“As African economies grow and mature, we want Denver to be positioned as a favored point of access for the flow of passengers and cargo,” airport CEO Phil Washington said in a press release. “Securing new long-haul routes can take many years, and the members of the Africa Air Service Committee will be invaluable in helping us to achieve this goal.”

The new committee features 16 community members and local leaders. That includes two Denver city council members and several Black business owners.
Papa Dia, the founder of the Denver-based nonprofit African Leadership Group, said he joined the group to give fellow African immigrants a voice in air travel. Dia, an immigrant from Senegal, said traveling to and from Africa is difficult for Coloradans.

“You usually take three to four flights,” Dia said. “In some cases you have to go through Europe. [It can take] days to get to your final destination, and it costs more.”

The committee’s first task will be identifying airlines and markets that provide the best tourism opportunities.

Airport officials said bringing airlines from Africa and “other disconnected destinations” to Denver was one of the main priorities in their strategic plan. Their ultimate goal is to increase traffic through the airport to 100 million people.

DIA is under relatively new leadership, with Washington taking the reins last summer. In addition to the African airline initiative, Washington is overseeing an estimated $1.3 billion budget to finish the Great Hall terminal project.

The airport's Africa Air Service Committee includes:

Geta Asfaw, Asfaw Family Foundation International
Albus Brooks, Milender White
Denise Burgess, Burgess Services
Matthew Burkett, The Flyfisher Group
Papa Dia, African Leadership Group
Andrew Feinstein, EXDO Group Companies
Lee Gash-Maxey, Colorado Black Chamber of Commerce
Yemane Gebre-Michael, CSG
Stacie Gilmore, Denver City Council
Don Gips, Skoll Foundation
Mowa Haile, Sky Blue Builders
Muluye Hailemariam, Kabod Coffee
Christopher Herndon, Denver City Council
Marc Holtzman, Bank of Kigali (BK Group)
Hon. Elbra Wedgeworth, Casel and Associates LLC.
Richard Williams, Western Union

https://www.cpr.org/2022/04/06/dia-comm ... to-africa/

[rwandan-flyer]

Like in 2014-2015, Air France still has problems in Mauritania for the same reasons. The largest private security company in the country is experiencing internal problems.

Air France in the turbulent zone in Mauritania (article for subscribers)

The Air France security cell will organize an emergency meeting on the morning of April 14 at the headquarters of the French national company. According to information from Financial Afrik, the objective of this meeting is to take stock of the situation and the context prevailing in Mauritania at a time when the Mauritanian Private Security (MSP) is experiencing internal turmoil.

https://www-financialafrik-com.translat ... r_pto=wapp

In 2014-15, AF suspended its flights for several months.

Air France: Nouakchott stop suspended due to "technical difficulties" https://www-deplacementspros-com.transl ... r_pto=wapp

In a few months, AF has had a lot of problemin West Africas (and certainly not the only one, Asky has also pbs in Mali https://www-jeuneafrique-com.translate. ... r_pto=wapp).

Mali (Air France was able to resume flights), Liberia and now Mauritania.

Ethiopian ADD-Dakar-Addis Ababa daily flight no longer stops in Bamako, but in Abuja

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Almost Full Neos B787-9 for its return to Madagascar

Welcome to the NEOS airline which made its first charter flight today, as part of the reopening of Madagascar's borders.
The Minister of Transport and Meteorology is on site, along with the Minister of Tourism, to welcome this first flight with 319 passengers from Italy, under the beautiful summer sky of Nosy be

https://www.facebook.com/MTTMMadagascar ... d7tM63GFfl