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KAAO Calls For Embracing of KCAA, Stakeholders Forums

by Kwabe Ben
written by Kwabe Ben
The Kenya Association of Air Operators (KAAO) has commended the proposed enhanced industry engagement rule-making process between the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority and stakeholders in the industry. This is with the aim to enable relevant and open engagements for both the aviators and stakeholders in the space to ease the way business is handled.
KAAO which has for years been calling for an inclusive engagement process between the different industry stakeholders termed the first Aviation Thought Leaders Forum, since the creation of the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority, as a step in the right direction and one that will improve synergies between the regulator and the operators.
KAAO emphasized that this inclusive engagement will lead to extra benefits for the air transport industry including increased collaboration in the rule-making process as well as a reduction in bureaucracy and red tape that continues to inhibit transparency and accountability.
“This engagement is a progressive move that will allow better engagement between KCAA and stakeholders, reducing the friction that has existed for years. The outcome of the process should reduce surprises in regulations and amendments and simplify oversight by the regulator,” said Mbuvi Ngunze – Chairman, of the Kenya Association of Air Operators.
At the meeting, KAAO members pointed out the red tape was rife in the KCAA processes (Certificate of Airworthiness renewal, AOC/AMO/ATO certificate renewal, and aircraft inclusion).
KAAO members also took the government to task over the continued dilapidated infrastructure calling for increased investment in the sector and further urging the government to reinvest revenue collected from the sector to develop, improve and maintain the existing infrastructure.
“Governments around the globe have become more innovative in funding large aviation infrastructure projects through different financing mechanisms. The government should focus on investment in infrastructure that is both strategic and revenue-generating” Liz Aluvanze – CEO Kenya Association of Air Operators commented.

PS State Department of Transport Mohamed Daghar engages stakeholders during the 1st Aviation Thought Leaders Forum

KAAO Chairman Mbuvi Ngunze also applauded the regulator saying it was refreshing to see a focus on a risk-based approach towards aviation medicine after a presentation by KCAA Chief Medical Assessor Dr. Festus Ilako.
The industry noted with appreciation the move towards automation of the KCAA processes, a move that will increase efficiency and transparency.
“The government has prioritized the delivery of services to all Kenyans including the aviation sector and as a Ministry, we promise improved and efficient services going forward. We have heard your concerns, but as witnessed by this important forum, we are willing to come in as partners with the stakeholders as aviation is one of the biggest contributors to GDP and without which other areas such as tourism and trade cannot flourish,” Mohamed Daghar – PS Transport.

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AviationBusinessTravel

Kenya Airways To Begin Four Direct Flights From Mombasa-Dubai

by Ndungu Brian
written by Ndungu Brian

Kenya Airways will commence operating four direct flights from Mombasa to Dubai, United Arab Emirates beginning December 15, 2022.

The flights on the new route were scheduled to start at the beginning of December but were affected by the just concluded pilot’s strike.

According to KQ, the introduction of the Mombasa-Dubai route has been necessitated by rising ticket demand; the commencement of flights is expected to boost the Kenyan coastal region tourism industry through direct access to and from the Middle East.

“The introduction of this route is key and strategic as it will open up the Kenya coastal region, boost the tourism and hospitality industry as well as stimulate trade to the coastal city. This launch is part of Kenya Airways network expansion strategy and commitment towards supporting the recovery of the tourism and hospitality industry in Kenya,” said Julius Thairu, Kenya Airways Chief Commercial and Customer Officer.

Thairu noted that the route will give tourists from the Middle East, Russia, Northern Europe and Australia direct access to the coast region tourism and hospitality industry.

The Mombasa- Dubai route is further expected to attract travelers to the Middle East for holiday and religious trips.

“The region’s traders of electronics, clothes and other consumer goods will also benefit from the belly cargo capacity that will be available on the flight.”

Additionally, the flights offer increased capacity for direct exports of seafood and fresh produce directly to the Middle East.

Mombasa to Dubai flights will depart from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and make a stop in Mombasa’s Moi International Airport to pick up additional passengers.

The four flights will increase KQ frequencies to Dubai to 14 times per week from the current 10.

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AviationCovid-19

Fly 748 Calls For Collaboration To Enhance Air Safety Standards Post-COVID

by Brian Yatich
written by Brian Yatich

Fly 748 has called for closer collaboration to enhance safety standards as airlines across the industry are on a recovery path post-COVID.

According to Moses Mwangi, the airline’s Managing Director he says there is still a huge opportunity for local airlines to partner in including oversight in areas of reporting and investigations and safety data information sharing.

“We need to adopt a more aggressive approach to manage recurrent operational risks, and learn from each other while incorporating international best practices if we are to uphold and rise even higher in bolstering our safety standards,” said Mwangi.

Mwangi spoke ahead of a three-day conference on air safety in Mombasa. The 33rd International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers Associations (IFATCA), the regional meeting brought together over 200 air traffic controllers and other aviation professionals from across Africa and the Middle East.

Kenya Air Traffic Control Association President, Joshua Ngere has reaffirmed their commitment to air safety to manage a growing number of travellers taking it to the sky.

“We need to re-strategise air traffic control as it increases post-COVID. we have working papers that will help us deal with the growing numbers,” said Ngere.

Ngere called on all stakeholders to maintain high standards of training and strict adherence to rules and regulations as well as standards set either by the industry at the international or at the operator level.

Kenya Civil Aviation Authority Director General, Emile Nguza said the only way to work together to bolster the industry is through collaborations from the operator’s, regulator and service provider’s side.

“Each one of us should learn to exchange different experiences that we encounter so we may give a certain level of exposure to stakeholders who may not necessarily realise that a particular challenge in the field is an urgent concern,” said Nguza.

Fly 748 was among the airlines, air operators, equipment suppliers, and aviation training schools that showcased their products and service offering at the conference.

“This is a forum that exposes aviation professionals to critical aeronautical information, their link to aviation safety and track commitments made by operators,” said Mwangi.

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AviationNews

Rising Number Of First-Time Travelers Boosting Airline Industry Recovery

by Ndungu Brian
written by Ndungu Brian

Fly 748 has projected positive prospects for the airline industry in 2022 despite the tough operating environment occasioned by the Ukraine war, COVID-19 and incoming general elections.

According to the airline, the pent-up demand for air travel since the government eased COVID-19 restrictions, is helping the sector to manage higher operating costs caused by increased fuel prices, inflation, a higher tax on spare parts and fluctuating foreign exchange rates.

Fly 748 Managing Director Moses Mwangi said more and more people are taking advantage of airfare discounts and bundled travel accommodation packages to fulfill a long-held desire, especially for first-time travelers.

“More people are taking to the sky compared to two years ago when we were at the height of the pandemic. The sector is returning to pre-pandemic levels and operators are cutting losses on their way to full recovery,” said Mwangi.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) forecasts net losses in Africa’s Aviation sector to be 0.7 billion dollars in 2022 on rising passenger numbers- Demand (RPKs) is expected to reach 72 percent of pre-crisis (2019) levels, and capacity to reach 75.2 percent.

A sustained efficiency in operations, a track record of safety, reliability and an overall strategy of demystifying flying in Kenya through competitively priced airfares have resonated with Kenyans such that Fly 748 has been nominated as one of the best domestic airlines of the year by the Africa Mashariki Transport Awards (AMT).

Rising Number Of First-Time Travelers Boosting Airline Industry Recovery

“We are impressed by the growing number of first-time travelers and those who are building a strong loyalty to this brand, an affirmation of our efforts to revolutionize air travel in the country,” said Fly 748 Chairman, Ahmed Jibril.

748 Air Services (K) Ltd is a reliable aviation company that provides both air charter services and scheduled services.

It operates daily flights to Mombasa, Diani, Malindi and Kisumu from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), Terminal 2. Fly 748 also flies daily to the Maasai Mara from Wilson Airport.

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AviationNews

KQ Plane servicing license revoked by the European Union

by Ndungu Brian
written by Ndungu Brian

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has revoked a license it had granted Kenya Airways (KQ) to maintain UK-registered aircraft after it failed a compliance audit.

The national carrier said the agency withdrew the license because, during the certification audit, the agency requested that KQ separates some of its general storage and have a temperature control device in compliance with European standards.

The EASA is a certification and regulatory body that covers airlines that operate in Europe and those that want to do maintenance for European registered carriers.

It conducts certification, regulation, and standardization and also performs investigation and monitoring.

“As you may know we are in the tropics and our manuals do not require us to have temperature controls such as those in Europe where there are extremes,” KQ director for technical Gilbert Bett told the Business Daily on Friday.

Dubai Islamic Bank opens New Branch in Nairobi ‘Banda Street Branch’

“We are, however, working on compliance.”

Kenya Airways had applied for the EASA certification (EASA Part 145 requirements for a Part 145 Maintenance) as part of strategic growth for maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) as well as the prospect to service and maintain European registered aircraft.

The EASA is one of the certifying bodies KQ works with. The national carrier’s primary regulator is the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA).

KQ has always complied with the EASA and all certification requirements by other regulatory and certifying organizations.

“Compliance is our license to operate. This is why we worked with EASA. It forms part of our MRO to service and maintain European-registered carriers.”

Revocation of the license will deny KQ revenue in plane maintenance for European Union-registered airlines.

The carrier said it did not have any aircraft under maintenance that requires EASA certification.

“There is no revenue loss as there is no aircraft under maintenance that requires EASA certification. We do not have any European-registered aircraft under maintenance,” said Mr. Bett.

The carrier has been diversifying into new revenue streams to shore up its earnings, which stood at Sh70.22 billion in the year ended December, partly lifted by alternative sources such as air charter services.

For instance, in 2021, the national carrier reached a deal with the lessors to only pay when they fly leased aircraft following the grounding of its services on the back of Covid-19, which saw planes remain idle.

The plan saw the carrier save $45 million (Sh4.7 billion) in fees after it changed the lease terms on its aircraft fleet, opting for hourly rates in place of fixed costs.

Planes grounded

However, two lessors in April opposed their new payment terms, a move that saw them ground their planes at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi.

The new arrangement has seen the cost of maintaining its fleet drop from Sh28.5 billion in 2020 to Sh16.6 billion last year.

The carrier narrowed its net loss for the year ended December by 56.58 percent on higher revenue as travel picked up with the easing of Covid-19 restrictions.

KQ reported a net loss of Sh15.8 billion in the review period compared to a net loss of Sh36.2 billion the year before when travel restrictions hit operations hardest, including grounding its planes for months.

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Rwanda Air plane skids off runway at Entebbe airport
AviationEast Africa

Rwanda Air plane skids off runway at Entebbe airport

by Ndungu Brian
written by Ndungu Brian
monitor

By DAILY MONITOR

A RwandaAir passenger plane with about 60 people on board skidded off the runway while landing at the Entebbe International Airport in Uganda early Wednesday, officials confirmed.

All the passengers and crew were disembarked safely, they added.

The RwandaAir flight from Nairobi overshot the runway as it was landing at 5.31am, according to airport sources.

In a statement, Rwanda’s national carrier RwandAir, said, “RwandaAir flight WB464 upon landing at Entebbe International Airport early this morning was involved in a runway excursion as a result of bad weather. All passengers and flight crew deplaned safely with no reported injuries.”

Uganda’s Civil Aviation Authority said the second (alternate) runway 12/30 was operational for small and light aircraft. 

“All efforts are underway to remove the aircraft from the runway strip so that the main runway can return to full use,” the aviation authority said in a statement.

While investigations are ongoing to establish the cause of the incident, sources at the airport blamed poor markings on the new runway and poor visibility instigated by the morning downpour.

This is not the first time a plane has skidded off the runway.

In January 2019, an Ethiopian Airlines (Boeing 737-800) carrying 139 people skidded off the runway when it landed at just after midnight.

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Fly 748 establishes new travel routes
Aviation

Fly 748 airline establishes new travel routes in the country

by Ndungu Brian
written by Ndungu Brian

Renowned airline Fly 748 is showcasing new routes, air ticket deals and other tourism packages as momentum grows in air travel recovery.

The airline is also looking to connect face to face with current and prospective customers during the five-day bi-annual Holiday 2022 Tourism Fair taking place at the Sarit Expo Centre.

According to fly 748 Managing Director Moses Mwangi, the airline will leverage on the opportunity to showcase its current affordable flight rates and accommodation packages and market its destinations across the country.

“The outlook for travel is positive both for domestic and International travel. In line with our vision of having all Kenyans fly, we will be showcasing our competitive ticket pricing and accommodation packages that will give our customers unforgettable experiences without breaking the bank,” said Mwangi.

The event scheduled to run between 30th March and 3rd April 2022 will offer the airline an opportunity to share industry insights with travelers to boost their confidence.

“We are slowly leaving the Covid-19 turbulence behind us as the pandemic becomes endemic, giving more people confidence to fly as economies also open up to boost disposable income,” said Fly 748 Chairman, Ahmed Jibril.

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China eastern plane clashes
AviationNews

China Eastern plane carrying 132 passengers crashes

by Ndungu Brian
written by Ndungu Brian
123 passengers and nine crew members in the Boeing 737-800 are feared dead following the yesterday’s crush where it went into a dive about an hour into its flight.
 
Video clips posted by China’s state media show small pieces of the Boeing 737-800 plane scattered over a wide forested area, some in green fields, others in burnt-out patches with raw earth exposed after fires burned in the trees.

No survivors have been found as rescuers search the rugged, charred mountainside where it is believed that no foreigners were on board.

Family members have gathered at the destination and departure airports hoping to at least find the remains of the loved one in order to accord them a decent send off.

The cause of the crush remains a mystery that has puzzled a lot of experts because the Boeing 737-800 has been flying since 1998 and has an excellent safety record.

A China Eastern Airlines aircraft with 132 people on board crashed in mountains in south China yesterday while on a flight from the city of Kunming to Guangzhou, Chinese state media is reporting.

The Boeing 737 plane crashed in the countryside near Wuzhou city in the Guangxi region. It “caused a mountain [of] fire”, CCTV said, adding that rescue teams were dispatched to the scene.

There was no word on the cause of the crash of the plane, which flight-tracking website Flightradar24 identified as a six-year-old 737-800 aircraft.

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday ordered an investigation into the cause of the crash, state media reported.

“We are shocked to learn of the China Eastern MU5735 accident,” state broadcaster CCTV reported Xi saying, while he also called for “all efforts” towards the rescue and to find out the “cause of the accident as soon as possible”.

Local media reported that flight MU5735 had not arrived at its scheduled destination in Guangzhou after it took off from the city of Kunming shortly after 1pm (05:00 GMT), citing airport staff.

The flight-tracking ended at 2:22pm (06:22 GMT) at an altitude of 3,225 feet (983 metres) and a speed of 376 knots (696km/hour).

It had been due to land at 3:05pm (07:05 GMT).

123 passengers and nine crew members in the Boeing 737-800 are feared dead following the yesterday’s crush where it went into a dive about an hour into its flight.
 
Video clips posted by China’s state media show small pieces of the Boeing 737-800 plane scattered over a wide forested area, some in green fields, others in burnt-out patches with raw earth exposed after fires burned in the trees.

No survivors have been found as rescuers search the rugged, charred mountainside where it is believed that no foreigners were on board.

Family members have gathered at the destination and departure airports hoping to at least find the remains of the loved one in order to accord them a decent send off.

The cause of the crush remains a mystery that has puzzled a lot of experts because the Boeing 737-800 has been flying since 1998 and has an excellent safety record.

 

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Aviation

Fly 748 partners with Team Tri Fit to spur growth of Triathlon athletics in Kenya

by Ndungu Brian
written by Ndungu Brian

Renowned airline, Fly 748 has entrenched its commitment to development of the sports industry as it signs partnership with a dynamic endurance sporting group, Team Tri Fit (TTF) to grow and mainstream triathlon athletics in the country.

The airline has today announced a partnership agreement that will offer subsidized air-tickets to TTF members and participants who will take part in upcoming triathlon events, starting with the TTF Chale Island Triathlon Challenge scheduled to take place in Diani, Kwale County later in May.

“We are delighted to partner with Team Tri Fit for their Chale Island Triathlon Challenge slated for the 29th May 2022 in Diani, Kwale County as we continue to make a significant contribution to development of sports in the country,” said Fly 748 Schedule Services Manager, Alijan Merdin.

Team tri fit and Fly 748 sign the partnership deal

Team Tri Fit is a dynamic endurance sporting group that brings together amateur and professional athletes who have a desire to compete and nurture the triathlon.

In its five year plan the 65-membership sporting group seeks to develop triathlon and duathlon and increase uptake of its activities amongst Kenyans to 700 participants by 2025.

As part of its plan also TTF seeks to “Increase investment in triathlon sports in Kenya through public and private partnerships by 50 percent by 2025.As a result, I call upon   stakeholders to support our efforts in promoting and growing triathlon in Kenya,” said Michael Orwa, Team Manager,TTF.

This partnership is in line with the airline’s strategy of revolutionizing air travel in the country to enable more Kenyans to take it to the sky through competitive pricing.

The partnership comes barely a month after the airline sponsored the Kenya Police Football Club to the tune of KSh 6 Million.

The partnership was sealed at TTF Offices located at the CourtYard in Lavington.

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Aviation

Ethiopian, Qatar airlines to fly 25 extra cargo flights

by Ndungu Brian
written by Ndungu Brian

The Kenyan aviation regulator has granted Ethiopian Airlines and Qatar Airways the go ahead to fly cargo directly from Nairobi without making stop-overs at their home bases which will be a major relief to flower farmers ahead of Valentine’s Day period.

Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) director-general Gilbert Kibe confirmed that they have approved 20 flights for the Ethiopian carrier and five for Qatar Airways.

This comes barely a week after the Ministry of Transport asked freighters of any objections regarding granting permits to the two airlines. None of the freighters objected hence paving way for the approval of their requests.

The extra direct frequencies, commonly known as ad-hoc flights in aviation, will run from the end of January to mid of this month.

“Ethiopian and Qatar have been granted extra Ad-hoc cargo flights to meet Valentine’s Day demand,” said Mr Kibe.

The addition of cargo flights will mostly benefit the flower farmers who had requested more capacity at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to evacuate more produce during the peak season occasioned by the incoming Valentines and Mothers’ Day celebrations to cater for the increased flowers demand in the country.

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