Civil Authority of

VolumeVolume 5 Weight for it... Cargo Matters AFRICAN AIR CARGO MARKET

AVI-QUOTES: : HEAR WHAT THE PROSPECTS TO EXPERTS HAD TO SAY AWAKEN THE GIANT

Feature Interview Destination All In A Day's Work Issues for Low Cost In Fastjet's COO Sylain Tokwe Mukosi NHS Customer Services Africa. Bosc Shingairai Dzingwa

Editor's Note

Aviation Magazine 1st Edition/2018

t is that time of the year when it gives me featured on page 18. I hope great pleasure to introduce you to this you will be inspired by her Iyear's first edition of Aviation Magazine. story as I was. As always, it is my sincere hope that you What will be the will enjoy reading it as much as my team Aviation Magazine without and I enjoyed preparing it. Most of our news on the development valued readers will agree that despite of the industry in Africa? In monumental challenges that dogged the Avi-News you will see the African aviation sector last year; great introduction of flights achievements have none the less scored. between and Africa is indeed on the rise. Air cargo is one by Proflight and the of the prime contributors to a viable linking of Harare to Cape aviation industry. Most African countries, Town from Kigali by Zimbabwe included, have economies RwandAir. Much more awaits which are driven by agriculture or mining. you in Avi-News. Efficient air aviation is prerequisite for Each successive edition of ensuring competitiveness on the global Aviation Magazine is our humble market. endeavour towards ensuring that Take for an example, the agricultural the magazine continues to curve a fresh produce which is highly perishable ~ niche for itself as a must read vegetables, fruits and flowers ~ it must aviation magazine. My team and I reach the consumer farm fresh. Hence, the owe it to our stakeholders, the importance of efficient air transportation readers and advertisers. system to the economy. On the same vein, efficient air transportation is crucial in Happy Reading, ensuring that mineral reach their markets in AJ Hungwe conformity to scheduled times. In this Editor edition, we are honoured to have one of Africa's top aviation executives in Dr Elijah Chingosho, who will provide you with insights on African Aviation: Its background, current state, market leaders, form of cargo, the Montreal Convention of 1999 (MC99) - all of these aspects were examined and put in such a way that you, our dear reader will enjoy and understand. Our resident aviation analyst Professor Wolfgang Thome caught up with fastjet's Chief Operation Officer, Mr Sylvain Bosc on the side-lines of the World Tourism Mart in Cape Town. In this interview, Sylvain highlights the stabilization plans and turnaround strategy that fastjet have employed with great success. He also shares his thoughts on the trend of low cost carriers in Africa and elsewhere. A special welcome goes to Mr Alexandre de Juniac Director-General and CEO of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) whose Op-ed is featured in this magazine. Bienvenue Monsieur! My favourite piece in this edition is the commemoration of International Women's Day, which was celebrated under #pressforprogress. We took part in these celebrations and showcased phenomenal women in aviation who continue to break Anna Julia Hungwe barriers in their fields of trade. A special interview with Ruramai Chibaya, a female fire fighter - yes a female fire fighter

2 Aviation Magazine Vol 5 CONTENTS 4. View from the control tower 6. Africa: Prospects to awaken the giant 8. Avi news 10. Low cost to fly africa, but….. 12. What a shot AVIATION 14. Five in five 16. CAAZ celebrates Women's Day MAGAZINE 18. Meet a firefighter, who is female 20: Insightful quotes EDITORIAL 22. The african air cargo market 25. Issues for Low Cost In Africa TEAM 30. How aviation can help African economies take off 33. Seven aviation trivia facts you probably didn't know 34. SAA: Don't bother with business rescue Editor Annajulia Hungwe 38. START UP: New entrant into the Zimbabwean [email protected] skies 39. CAAZ commissions new sewer system at JM Consulting Editor Monica Cheru-Mpambawashe Nkomo international airport [email protected] 40. Zim air rally 43. Tourism news Content Nunurai Ndawana 44. Tokwe Mukosi: a giant stirs [email protected] 50. All in a day's work 52. Flying tips Photography CAAZ PR [email protected]

Advertising Tendai Mbirimi Civil Aviation [email protected]

Authority of Zimbabwe Design and Layout Eric Nyawera [email protected]

OUR CONTACTS Contributors Elijah Chingosho 3rd Level Patrick Lucas New Terminal Building Becca Rowland R.G Mugabe International Airport Alexandre de Juniac Chris Sheppard Harare, Zimbabwe Nigel Mugamu Tel: +263 (4) 585073/88 Nunurai Ndawana Fax: +263 (4) 585100 Monica Cheru-Mpambawashe [email protected] Publisher [email protected] Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe www.caaz.co.zw Printers Natprint P/L Advertisers 102 Simon Mazorodze National Handling Services- Inside front cover 04621730 Air Zim - Inside page 1 Zimparks - Page 7 Social media CAAZ - Page 21 Facebook:Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe Proflights - Page 39 Twitter: @caaz_online Aviation Ground Services - Page 42 Instagram: @caazonline Car Safe -Inside back cover Air -Back cover @SeanMutikani

Vol 5 Aviation Magazine 3 VIEW FROM THE CONTROL TOWER

Never before has African aviation been for remarkable transformation that will this much accessible. While the build prosperity while connecting the continent was projected to realize African continent. continual year on year growth for the next Kuuchi went on to share insights from two decades, it is heartening that true to an IATA survey which shown that if just 12 projection, air transport is on the key African countries opened their upsurge. It is becoming a preferred markets and increased connectivity, an means of passenger and cargo carriage. extra 155,000 jobs and US$1.3 billion in Last year, Zimbabwe registered an annual gross domestic product (GDP) increase in both aircraft and passenger will be created in those countries. This is movement. Compared to 2016, cargo an inspiring possibility. Although 32 grew by 12% and passenger by 9%. African Union member States are yet to Thanks to our collaborative marketing sign, it is a major step forward that 23 strategies and operational efficiency States endorsed commitment to SAATM. which are positively impacting on Already, Ghana, Rwanda and Mauritius consumer behaviour towards aviation. have scrapped visa requirements for This growing trend is noticeable Africans. Removal of visa demands is an through the coming of new airlines and incentive for intra-African trade and opening of new routes. Signs show that tourism. I commend the Zimbabwe David Chawota General Manager/CEO Victoria Falls continues to be growing in Department of Immigration for visa popularity. In April, Ethiopian Airlines requirements reviews which they are Airport in April. These ponds have an started deploying a B787 Dreamliner doing. It is my earnest belief that once extended capacity to cater for the while Airlink upgraded their concluded and effected, arrivals into the airport's future needs. As best practices service to an 83 seat Avro85. RwandAir country will henceforth increase as dictate, sewer ponds must have a water commenced 16 May to ply the Harare- economic hubs like , Senegal purification process that recycles used Cape Town route, while in July; Proflight and are bound to take water for downstream usage. In our Zambia is due to start a four times weekly advantage. case, the water will be used for irrigation Lusaka-Harare service. Meanwhile, DHL Amid the opening up of skies, it is of the tree plantation that we planted. RG increased their cargo carrying capacity important that borders be opened up Mugabe International airport is set to a B737-400 freighter. too. Recently, influential Nigerian undergo a US$ 153 million upgrading These developments are evident of bloggers and personalities visited which will position it at par with other the positive growth we are experiencing. Zimbabwe. Impressed with what they major airports on the continent. The However, as we continue registering saw, it is obvious that they are publicizing improvement will run concurrently with upwards growth, it is appropriate to the supreme beauty of our country to the the proposed demerge of CAAZ into two counsel ourselves against resting on our biggest middleclass community in units, a regulatory body and an airports laurels. There is still work to be done by Africa. Harare is poised to benefit from management company. all of us who are engaged in the entire flight schedules which were announced The separation is meant to avoid self- aviation supply chain. I am confident in , by Royal Air Morocco country regulation; hence the airports company each of us is resolved to continue playing manager at the anniversary celebrations will specialize in the provision of our roles to the best of our abilities. of - service. It was infrastructure and service, leaving the Nevertheless, it is my duty and pleasing to hear of their plans for regulatory function to regulatory arm. solemn responsibility to implore schedules that include Harare among This is in line with best practices and an everyone across the aviation sector to other Eastern and Southern Africa ICAO recommendation. essentially dedicate ourselves towards destinations. Safety is at the heart of the aviation sustaining the growth we have so far Victoria Falls is a highly sort after sector. I am proud to share with you that achieved. Fortunately, our growth is destination. It is good that it is already our record is improving. As our airports spurred on by the laudable high office linked to prime cities as Nairobi, Cape undergo renovations, there too must be commitment to open the African skies. It Town and Addis Ababa. However, we equal attention towards improvement of augurs well indeed for the aviation sector must work towards linking it with the human capital. Manpower that 23 African Heads of States and Marrakesh, a likewise prime tourist development is essential to efficiency. Governments affirmed to the Single destination in North Africa. This will boost My heart wish is that we all treasure our African Air Transport Market, (SAATM) traffic; thereby improve economies of proud work ethics. Ancient wisdom has it Zimbabwe included. This agreement both countries. In keeping with the Civil that it is through dedication to duty that essentially removes all restrictions, Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe [CAAZ] one earns adoration of their families and among them; restrictive traffic rights, commitment to developing and fellow citizenry. I wish you wellbeing in which were an encumbrance to upgrading all our airports, I am pleased 2018 second half. My anchor statement movement of aircraft. It is incumbent to confirm that JM Nkomo and Victoria is a tribute to all aviators for their upon us as aviators to maximize on Falls International Anna Airport Julia were Hungwe collective responsibility. benefits inherent in the agreement to refurbished and upgraded, resulting in a Until the next edition of Aviation open up skies. I agree with Raphael surge of traffic flow. We commissioned Magazine, safe landings. Kuuchi, IATA Vice President for Africa new sewer ponds and reticulation when he said SAATM has the potential system at JM Nkomo International

4 Aviation Magazine Vol 5 Patrick Lucas

frica is often coined as a sleeping Congo and Cote d'Ivoire. Investment in giant poised for a mass infrastructure is also a vital component Aawakening. The second largest in developing Africa's future as a means and second most populous continent of connecting it to both local and global Africa: on the globe boasting over 1.2 billion economies. Whether these finances are inhabitants, Africa will be a vital drawn from the public purse or through Prospects to participant in the global economy as private stakeholders, the development well as aviation in the years to come. It is of safe and sustainable infrastructure awaken the giant home to some of the fastest growing are instrumental pieces in Africa's Patrick Lucas economies on the planet such as development paradigm. Ethiopia, Democratic Republic of >>>p5

Vol 5 Aviation Magazine 5 Infrastructure financing further investment in airports will be with one another to retain and attract the made especially from private traffic they need. pipeline stakeholders when the prospect of A fundamental prerequisite for The potential for private sector increased throughput could be realized achieving connectivity is formalised involvement and financing has already through the liberalization of air transport. market access. This is obtained by made important inroads. Countries like ratifying bilateral agreements that Ghana, Mozambique, Nigeria and remove restrictions on air transport The opportunities: Tanzania are all places where private among countries. Once this achieved, Airport networks - Africa's preferred sector partnerships are in the pipeline to the African aviation market as well as the management model develop airport infrastructure. Foresight financing of infrastructure will be poised Several countries have opted for a to see Africa as an important investment for lift off. network approach to developing destination in the years to come extends infrastructure and operating airport far and wide. For instance, China facilities and services that is, the remains one of the largest foreign direct operation of all or some airports within a investors in Africa. Whether this is under About the Author; country as a group, under a single the form of capital financing, actual Patrick Lucas joined ACI in April 2011 ownership and control structure. Under construction by Chinese companies or and is currently Head of the Airport the airport-network approach, several some other consortia, Chinese Business Analytics Unit within the ACI organizational models are found, but in investors and businesses represent key Economics Department. An economist most cases they share a common stakeholders in the development of by profession, Patrick has over 15 years feature: costs and revenues are pooled airport infrastructure. Such parties have of experience in quantitative positions at the network level and the network is major stakes at airport hubs in major and analytical economics. He is considered a single business entity. economies like Nigeria and Ethiopia to responsible for several of ACI's As of 2016, 132 out of 191 countries name a couple. analytical outputs and for overseeing its (69%) have some kind of airport network global data collections in connection to arrangement, either directly operated by the airport business. In addition to a government through a civil aviation economic analysis, member reports, Enhancing African authority or a ministerial department, or analytic briefings and statistical through a corporatized national or sub- connectivity: advisory, he has led the authorship of national airport network company. Africa Challenges and Opportunities ACI's major flagship publications: the stands out as the region with the largest The challenges: Seizing the benefits of World Airport Traffic Report and the number of State airport-network liberalization Airport Economics Report. arrangements (51). There is no denying that Africa is a He also oversees the production of Airport networks contribute to the diverse continent culturally, politically ACI's World Airport Traffic Forecasts. He social and economic development of and economically, which has the is currently the Secretary for the the surrounding communities by potential for achieving greater Forecasting and Statistics offering enhanced connectivity for all throughput at African airports. Yet, even Subcommittee, which reports to ACI's regions and ensuring that all areas with positive signs on the investment World Economics Standing Committee. remain interconnected without any front in key hub airports, the continent as Lastly, Patrick delivers courses in Airport community being neglected in a given a whole still faces many challenges and Economics, Airport Business Analytics, State. The business model also allows risks. Besides macroeconomic Statistics and Forecasting as a member for economic and social development, vulnerability to external shocks, broader of ACI's Global Training Faculty. for instance by generating tourism flows security concerns and the threat of Prior to joining ACI, Patrick worked and by enabling business opportunities. terror, African aviation continues to be for a United Nations statistical office stifled by a combination of factors in the where he contributed to major global medium-term, including protectionism. Prospects for African reports aimed at analyzing economic Further liberalization and and social progress based on competition across all sectors of air airports internationally comparative data. In this transport would enable access to new African airports will continuously try to role, he was also responsible for markets within the continent and on an enhance their connectivity through air devising indicators to monitor global intercontinental basis. That is, a service development. In an effort to development targets, survey planning loosening of regulatory constraints in attract new traffic, either as a gateway to and design, training and aviation policy would create fertile tourist destinations in their home methodological standardization across grounds for enhanced connectivity and countries or as a point of connection for Member States. investment in Africa. The a seamless onward journey, airports implementation of Yamoussoukro have been propelled into an With expertise in both Decision in 1999, aimed at deregulating environment where they must applied econometrics air services, has been slow and limited. compete for new markets and retain and financial Thus the potential benefits of liberalising existing ones. economics, Patrick intra-African air markets remain largely At the same time, the necessary holds a bachelor's unrealised. For instance, according to infrastructure capacity within the air degree from McGill InterVISTAS, an aviation consultancy, transport value chain is required. University and a master's degree in the agreement of a more liberal air That includes not only airport economics from market between South Africa and Kenya infrastructure but also intermodal Concordia University. in the early 2000s led to 69% rise in transport and hotel accommodation for passenger traffic. Moreover, in the leisure and business travellers to name context of infrastructure development, a few. Airports now have to compete

6 Aviation Magazine Vol 5 PF-HarareLusaka-A4.pdf 1 2018/06/12 9:54:59 AM

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K ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES SIGNS PURCHASE AGREEMENT FOR 10 FIRM Q400 AIRCRAFT

Bombardier Commercial Aircraft announced today that it has concluded a firm order for 10 new Q400 aircraft with Ethiopian Airlines. The order also includes purchase AVINEWS rights for five additional Q400 aircraft. Based on the list price of the Q400 aircraft, the firm order is valued at approximately $332 million.

PROFLIGHT ZAMBIA TO ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES DEPLOY INTRODUCE HARARE SERVICE DREAMLINER TO VICTORIA FALLS Zambian regional Proflight Zambia is set to introduce 4 times weekly flights Africa's largest airline, Ethiopian Airlines on between Lusaka and Harare with effective Sunday 11 March 2018 deployed a Boeing 787 from 4 June 2018. The route will be serviced Dreamliner on its Addis Ababa-Victoria Falls- by a Jetstream 4100 then an Bombardier Gaborone route. The Dreamliner became the CRJ100 upon route maturity. second scheduled wide bodied aircraft to land at the Victoria Falls International Airport since its commissioning in November 2016. ROYAL AIR MOROCCO INTRODUCE HARARE, MAPUTO FLIGHTS

Moroccan national carrier, Royal Air Morocco DHL INCREASE CAPACITY ON (RAM), has announced plans to launch flights HARARE SERVICE to five other East and Southern African cities only two years after it began its Casablanca- Nairobi operations. It will be extending On 23 March 2018 DHL Aviation increased its operations in East Africa in the short-term with capacity from a 7 tonne capacity ATR72 new destinations like Harare (Zimbabwe), aircraft to a 20 tonne Boeing 737- 400 aircraft Maputo (Mozambique). RAM has decided to on its Harare service as a result of an increase spread into East Africa to sustain its African strategy and underscore Kenya as a regional in loads to and from Zimbabwe. The 737-400 F business hub and gateway. RAM's key will operate daily excerpt weekends. success point remained its low ticket prices.

AIRLINK UPGRADES AIRCRAFT ON MAUN AND VICTORIA FALLS ROUTES

QANTAS SETS AVIATION MILESTONE Airlink will use a new aircraft to service its WITH PERTH DIRECT FLIGHT Cape Town-Maun and Cape Town-Victoria Falls routes which will provide increased capacity and the introduction of business Qantas launched a 17 hour direct flight from class. Previously, the routes were operated by Perth to London linking to two cities with a direct a 37-seat Embraer ERJ135. Airlink will now service for the first time. Flight QF9, which use an AvroRJ regional jet with 83 seats. The originated in Melbourne, landed at London change will come into effect on June 4 for the Heathrow at 5:02 a.m. Sunday following a Cape Town-Maun service and July 2 for the 14,498-kilometer (9,000-mile) trip from Perth. Cape Town-Victoria Falls service.

ANGOLA'S AIR CONNECTION EXPRESS TO ADD SIX Q400S RWANDAIR ANNOUNCES HARARE CAPE TOWN ON A FIFTH FREEDOM Air Connection Express a public-private BASIS FROM KIGALI consortium which includes TAAG Angola Airlines launched a domestic airline operation in Angola. Fast growing RwandaAir has announced that Air Connection Express is set to acquire six new with effect from 16 May 2018, it will introduce Q400s, via African Aero Trading who on behalf of flights from its hub in Kigali to Harare and Cape the airline signed a firm purchase agreement with Town on a fifth freedom basis. This route Bombardier for the aircraft. The deal is valued at US$198 million. Delivery of the first two Q400s is development is part of RwandAir expansion expected in 1H 2019, in line with the strategy. commencement of operations. Two more aircraft will arrive by 2019 end, followed by remaining two in 2020. The Q400s will replace the use of TAAG's B737-700s on short-haul routes. Nico Bezuidenhout

LOW COST AIRLINES TO FLY AFRICA, BUT…..

Nunurai Ndawana

ormer fastjet Chief Executive these positives in mind that winter said, fares. A well-practiced strategy of Officer Edward Winter was spot "It is clear that the continent remains in maintaining viability among low cost Fon when he said the African desperate need of improved and carriers is online ticket sales, extra continent desperately needs affordable affordable aviation connectivity." charges for baggage and sale of on- aviation connectivity. His statement There is need to provide cheap and board refreshments at premium price. In came on the background of peace and accessible aviation network to cater for some instances, they use cheaper economic stability across most this growing middle class market as they uncongested airports, something that countries. On average, countries are travel for business or holiday. It was Africa lacks. recording a gross domestic product of 6 insightful and timely for Winter, well One success story that comes to percent. Also, foreign direct investment versed in low cost airlines as he is, to mind is that of a Kenyan LCC . on the continent is tripling compared to share his thoughts. It achieved phenomenal growth, previous years. Hence, consumer However, it has to be noted that increasing its routes by almost double, spending inevitably rise, driven by the compared to full board carriers, low cost from four to seven. They have a proud growth in middle societies. carriers are thin operational margins record of flying a million and half Presently, Nigeria and South Africa venture. Their success hinges on passengers in three years. Recently, the are among the highest growing middle carefully managed shoestring budget high flying LCC added two Bombardier class societies in the world. It was with so as to be able to ultimately offer low Q400 to their fleet.

10 Aviation Magazine Vol 5 Besides careful operational costs, aircrafts which they cannot fill with an for the wrong job, which the market low cost carriers must have an average passenger load of 46% could not sustain." Acquisition of aircraft which is appropriately suited across the continent. appropriate aircrafts is of essence. for their operations. Decorated Speaking about his rescue The business of no frills budget aviator, Nico Bezuidenhout, now the appointment of fastjet, Bezuidenhout airlines thrives on keeping costs, new broom at fastjet said many start- said, "We had to sort out the aircraft from the onset, at minimum level. ups tend to use unsustainable type; they were using the wrong tool Two such South African airlines, Velvet Sky and 1time, fell into bankruptcy, among other shortcomings, due to insufficient attention to cost management. This insufficient attention is also spreading to other airlines across the divide. There is need for low cost carriers to use marketing strategies that effectively appeal to their niche. In view of the resolve to open the skies, coupled with the prevailing peace and economic growth, African aviation is poised for growth.

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1. Introducing the 777-300 Swiss Style. @Patmurphy 2. A Boeing 737-800 to reshape Mauritania Airlines future @tarmacaerosave 3. A @condor jet glides over the clouds. 4. Love is in the air. @delta and @Virginatlantic celebrating the #Royalwedding 5. The Taj Mahal meets Victoria Falls . Ethiopian Airlines B787 deployed to Victoria Falls. 6. Cargo Matters. A DHL b737-400 freighter arrives in Harare. 7. #LufthansaBlue on Airbus A350-1000 8. Landing or taking off? You decide. @Qatarairways 9. All in a days work. @Swoop B737-800 10. Bom dia Airbus A330NEO @theairliner Vol 5 Aviation Magazine 13 CAAZ Head Air Transport Munyaradzi Waniwa speaks on SAATM; the benefits and the opportunities within African airspaces

SAATM. In January 2015, the AU indication for market demand in any Assembly took a very important step and industry, aviation included. Africa's adopted the Declaration on the aviation is expected to grow significantly Establishment of a Single African Air as its economy grows and it is believed Transport Market (SAATM) by 2017. This that by 2035, eight of the fastest growing was followed by a Solemn Commitment aviation markets will be in Africa with each made by eleven (11) AU Member States to of these markets expected to grow by ensure the immediate implementation more than 8% year on average over the amongst themselves of the YD. The next 20 years. number of States has since increased to Air transport liberalization will play a key Air transport liberalization will play a key role 23. role in regional integration which will be in regional integration which will be important For the benefit of those not familiar important in driving passenger and cargo in driving passenger and cargo volumes. with the YD, this is an air transport reform volumes. This should of course be policy adopted by African Governments in supported by the relaxation of other non- 1. In your view, what has been the highlight 1999 with the intention of removing the physical barriers to the movements of of African Aviation this year so far? restrictive and protectionist regulatory persons and goods on the continent such For me, the highlight so far has been the regime based primarily on Bilateral Air as the visa requirements that are a burden establishment and launch of the Single Services Agreements (“BASAs”), which on business and tourism travel. These are African Air Transport Market (SAATM) on constrained air transport on the continent. some of the flagship projects under the the 28th of January 2018 on the margins of It is essentially an African 'Open Skies AU Agenda 2063, which I mentioned the 30th African Union (AU) Summit. The Policy'. earlier. launch of the SAATM had initially been Demographic factors will also play a planned for June 2017 but was postponed 3. What are the expected benefits to key role in driving African aviation growth. to the 2018 Summit to allow time for Member States that have joined the The UN estimates that there will be 1.3 Member States to implement a number of SAATM? billion more Africans by 2050 which can key steps towards ensuringthe full There are several benefits which include only mean a bigger market for African implementation of the Yamoussoukro affordable fares, shorter travel time and airlines. Rapid urbanisation will mean Decision (YD), a pre-requisite for the more connecting options for traveller. For demand for intercity travel. A growing establishment of theSAATM. This also the airlines there is greater operational middle class population in emerging gave time for other States to sign up to the flexibility and greater scope for African economies points to an increase initiative and by the time of its launch, the cooperation which will strengthen the in working age population which implies a number of countries that had signed the capacity of airlines. Presently Africa growing demand for travel. Airline Solemn Commitment had increased from remains poorly connected, which is business models are also evolving in the initial eleven to twentythree Member largely attributable to the protectionism. order to accommodate growing demand States. Resultantly, airfares are quite high and air at low costs. Hence the Low Cost Carrier's travel growth in Africa is constricted. (LCCs) will be at the centre of growth in 2. There has indeed been plenty of talk With the operationalization of the African aviation. The list could go about the SAATM, perhaps you could SAATM expected to improve intra-African on.What Africa needs now is to begin shed more light on what it is all about. connectivity, trade and tourism and preparing and planning adequate You may be aware that based on the economic growth are expected to infrastructure for this tremendous growth. principles of the Abuja Declaration of increase.According to an AU fact sheet, 1991, focus of the African Union (AU) has airlines of the twenty three countries that 5. It has been said about 70% of aviation been on the integration of the continent. have signed up to the SAATM account for in African is serviced by foreign With a desire to give a stronger impetus to more than 80% of intra-African air traffic. airlines. What must be done by the integration agenda, the AU leadership The combined population of these Authorities to shift the tide? came up with a 50 year road map, the AU countries is more than half the population The establishment and operationalization Agenda 2063, which identified twelve (12) of the continent with a combined GDP of of SAATM has been the first step to a flagship projects on the basis of their high more than 65% of the continent's GDP. sustainable solution to the challenge you potential for changing the face of Africa This is indeed a huge market that we are have mentioned. It is only possible for substantially. talking about and you can therefore African carriers to take control when they Key amongst the flagship projects imagine the benefits of easy access to have better access to intra-African were, infrastructure projects, the African such a market. markets. In the same spirit of regional Passport, the Continental Free Trade Area integration, strong partnerships and (CFTA) and the Single African Air 4. Africa is projected to have an cooperation amongst African carriers will Transport Market (SAATM). To that effect, exponential growth in Aviation in the be important in enhancing the during the AU Summit of June 2014, a coming years. What do you think will competitiveness of African entities. No decision was adopted to place the attribute this growth? competitor can conquer us on the African implementation of the YDof 1999 as the Economic development is an important soils if we are united. foundation for the establishment of the

14 Aviation Magazine Vol 5 Special report

Unlocking economic benefits from aviation in Africa

implementation of Africa's visionary IATA's Smarter Regulation framework to framework for air transport connectivity achieve growth-supporting aviation across the continent, as envisaged in policies and ultimately to boost social the 1988 Yamoussoukro Declaration, and economic development. has been slow to the point of almost IATA's smarter regulation invisible. The potential benefits are initiative promotes partnerships with plain for all to see, yet the political will governments that result in clearly and courage to take Africa's air defined regulations to serve measurable transport network into the 21st century policy objectives in the least has been conspicuously absent. burdensome way. We welcome the African Union's plan to create a Single Africa Air Safety Alexandre de Juniac Transport Market (SAATM). We have Last year, sub-Saharan Africa had its seen too many lost opportunities from best performance in 10 years with no ir transport is integral to the an unconnected continent. The SAATM passenger fatalities or jet hull losses. growth of any modern economy. framework has the potential to unlock This is a great achievement, but there is AIt connects people, enables those economic and social benefits and more to be done. We continue to press business, trade and tourism, links to transform Africa's fortunes. Making it African airlines and governments to cultures and delivers humanitarian aid a reality requires governments to move adopt the IATA Operational Safety Audit where it is needed, which is vital to some promptly in creating the enabling (IOSA) system. IOSA measures all regions in Africa. regulatory framework and for the airlines airlines' safety management and related At present growth rates, the International currently sheltering behind their processes against identical criteria and Air Transport Association (IATA) protection to become competitive. standards, regardless of their size, forecasts Africa will be a market of 350 resources, ownership, areas of million airline passengers by 2035. Blocked Funds operation, etc. IOSA's contribution to Aviation in Africa currently Blocked funds in Africa is an increasing safety in Africa has been significant. The supports 6.8 million jobs and problem with airlines unable to repatriate 33 sub-Saharan airlines on the IOSA contributes $80 billion in GDP. Last year their foreign currency earnings from registry performed nearly twice as well demand for airline travel to, from and Angola, Algeria, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Libya, as the non-IOSA airlines in 2016 in terms within the continent increased 6 percent Mozambique, Sudan and Zimbabwe. of all accidents and incidents. They also to 84 million passengers. Over the next Many of those countries are performed 7.5 times better than non- two decades passenger demand is set experiencing economic challenges. But IOSA operators between 2012-2016. to expand by an average of 5.7% blocking airlines' funds is not the answer. We can sustain this momentum if more annually. This opens up incredible If airlines cannot recover revenues that governments make IOSA a part of their economic opportunities for Africa's 54 are essential to covering their costs, they airline certification process. nations. will be unable to provide the connectivity In addition, IATA calls on African Despite aviation's social and that is so vital to countries' economic governments to continue raising their economic benefits, airlines are seeing growth. levels of adherence to the UN their profits eroded and margins It is in everybody's interest to International Civil Aviation squeezed. Globally, the average profit ensure that airlines are paid on time and Organization's (ICAO) global standards per passenger in 2017 will be about in full - at fair exchange rates. We have and recommended practices. In 2016 US$7.69. In contrast, African carriers recorded successes in and only 22 African countries had are forecast to lose US$1.50 per Nigeria, which completely cleared the implemented at least 60% of ICAO's passenger. backlog of funds. More recently we have standards and practices. Global and African geopolitical seen progress in Angola and We all want a better world. Air and economic issues are beyond our commitment from Zimbabwe. We transport is the business of freedom at direct control but the following factors appeal to other governments to follow the heart of a virtuous cycle promoting can be addressed and prevented from suit with practical solutions in line with development, opportunity, growth, becoming a further drag on aviation and bilateral treaties and global standards. prosperity and connectivity. Most the economies they support: governments promise their citizens the Smarter Regulation same. If they are genuinely committed, Connectivity The recent proliferation of regulations we should work more closely together. The strategic importance of intra-Africa across Africa place an undue burden on connectivity cannot be over-stated. It airlines and impede aviation's ability to is invaluable in promoting and catalyse economic and social Alexandre de Juniac is the Director-General and supporting the continent's growth and development.We encourage CEO of the International Air Transport development. However, the governments and regulators to adopt Vol 5 Aviation Magazine 15 Civil Aviation Authority of Women hold up half the sky Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe joined the world to celebrate the International Women's Day under the theme #PressforProgress and take action to Zimbabwe accelerate gender parity. These are the some of the phenomenal women that spearhead our celebrations.

00:24 INTERVIEW:

I AM A FIRE FIGHTER WHO IS FEMALE Ruramai Chibaya.

The Fire Fighter performs critical technical excurs ions and be is it something you have always wanted to functions in the aviation industry Fire comfortable working outdoors. be, or things just happened? Fighting is a role that requires one to be Aviation Magazine's Samantha ready to fight fires in aircraft and airport Tengenyika caught up with Ruramayi RC: It has always been my passion to be buildings. It also provide rescue and Chibaya a Fire Fighter at R.G Mugabe part of the healthcare providers, I have first-aid services for aircraft passengers International Airport to discuss what it always been drawn to the notion of and crew, provide technical advice on takes to be a Fire Fighter. saving lives ever since my formative fire safety and assist in educating users years. When we would role play as kids about firefighting and safety. ST: Hello, thank you for giving us time to talk and at school I would find myself as a It is challenging and highly meaningful to you. If you could please start off by nurse or a doctor. When the opportunity work. Firefighting at airports offers a introducing yourself? arose, I applied for the post of firefighting unique opportunity to stay fit, help in 2015 with a job description of saving people in a meaningful way and work in a RC: My name is Ruramai Chibaya. I am a lives and providing emergency medical dynamic outdoor team environment. To female firefighter/ technician services. succeed in this rewarding career, you will based at RGM airport. require a high level of fitness, be >>>>Next page committed to ongoing physical and ST: How did you get to become a Fire Fighter,

18 Aviation Magazine Vol 5 ST: Tell us about your early years in the ourselves in knowing that somewhere eradication of stress and give aviation industry? out there we are inspiring a young girl to jovial moods. break the barrier and enter into a male RC: Frankly speaking it wasn't what I dominated field and succeed in it. Lows expected but my never give up attitude a) it's a high risk job which requires a made me take on the challenge and face ST: What are the challenges that you have great deal of commitment and it. As part of the training we went through faced as a female in this career? passion. a quasi-military training and as you b) It's a male dominated industry would imagine it was a test of everyone RC: The challenges I have faced are: therefore there are some feminine in my squad, girls and boys alike. Once A) Inferiority in the industry, but aspects and behaviour one has to the physical and discipline training was superiority in society. I have had to drop in order to suit in. out of the way, the technical training of endure some sort of c) It requires ever readiness and firefighting equipment provided me with discrimination at one point or the preparedness at all times, there is a new challenge. From the outside it other. no room for mistakes. appeared to be simply but once in it, it b) As a woman you have to go an proved otherwise. But, looking back we extra mile to achieve the required ST: What is the strength that keeps you managed to conquer as a squad fitness and stamina. going while on duty? through one of the fundamentals of fire c) We are all treated as 'firemen”, we and rescue which is team work. all perform same duties and RC: My strength comes from having to training. challenge men and prove that I am ST: Are you the only female Fire Fighter at capable to do what they can do. CAAZ and how does it feel considering that ST: What are the highs and lows in your you are in a male dominated industry? profession? ST: Any words of advice that you would give to young girls that would like to be Fire RC: We are 13 female firefighters among RC: Highs Fighter? 115 male firefighters at CAAZ. Our roles a) We gain physical and mental as women have changed in society, so fitness which leads to a good and RC: A few words of advice to young girls too has our desire to serve in healthy lifestyle. who would like to be firefighters are occupations from which we have b) It builds teamwork spirit in us "firefighting is a good, motivating and previously been excluded, hence us which actually gives us good empowering job. It can motivate one in all joining as fire fighters. rapport in our community. aspects of life. As women we were given and It's something that has not been widely c) It gives joy and happiness in us to born with the power to do anything. We talk of 50/50 gender balance, go for it, express done by women world over. The 13 of us be considered heroes in the eyes yourself, have the courage to challenge we see ourselves as pioneers and of the public. men and even surpass them. The sky is the breaking new ground. We pride d) It's a profession that helps in limit!” Vol 5 Aviation Magazine 19 INSIGHTFUL UOTESUOTES “Too many African airlines, opened new routes on the grounds that we know another airline is making a profit on it, or simply because they felt it's just important to us, with no real analysis of the route”. Gad Wavomba.

LAM chief executive Mr. Pinto “People have had it bad for Angela Gittens ACI Director “areas of cooperation will not "IATA fully General: Instead of seeing so long, they want to get on these two as counterpoints, only further strengthen with their lives, start supports the Mozambique's flag carrier as a establishment look at security and spending, and travel is part -services provider of the“ Single efficiency together, so one of that.” Emirates Airline Africa Air doesn't hold up the other. but contribute significantly to President Tim Clark Transport And embracing data is a initiatives that promote Market way to do it tourism, economic (SAATM)" - development and trade.” Adefunke Adeyemi “The approach to commercial Regional Head cooperation is the first of its kind on of IATA the African continent, There is significant opportunity in stimulating “It's been a somber time not only commercial aviation but also up and downstream economic Air Berlin has “almost here at Southwest Airlines growth through key cooperative no tangible assets” on as we reflect on the last initiatives' fastjet Chief Executive Nico its balance sheet, with several weeks. We have Bezuidenhout. “ all of its planes now leased rather than experienced moments Mr. Akbar Al Baker: “I am delighted to be at owned, Tony Lebon, a that we never hoped we'd the Boeing Everett Delivery Centre today in credit analyst at Oddo have to, moments that Seattle to mark yet another landmark event, BHF. were truly heart-breaking. the delivery of Air Italy's first new Boeing Through it all, I am 737 Max aircraft in striking new livery, first immensely proud of our presented in Milan in February this year. To see the aircraft here for the first time, it truly people, and their brings to life the next exciting chapter for response to these events. Italy's future carrier of choice, providing the As we move forward, I will people of Italy with the sophisticated travel count on them to remind experience that they deserve.” “In the us all what Southwest is narrowbody field truly about: the Heart.” you have dozens of leasing Gary Kelly CEO and companies; in Chairman regional you have “As we see it now, a few large ones and a tail of small “It is certainly the sky is already companies. open” Bakhouche Beyond that there much easier are no bigger dealing with Alleche Air players” Angus von freight rather Algeria Schoenberg, The Sharpwings than passengers” Captain Bassim Gohar- Egypt Air

20 Aviation Magazine Vol 5

THE AFRICAN AIR CARGO MARKET

Dr. Elijah Chingosho PhD, MEng, MCOM, MBA, CEng, FRAeS, FCIS, FCILT, FZIM, MZweIE Managing Director, Ultimate Solutions Consulting

he carriage of cargo by air is an essential pillar of from the traditional European markets to markets worldwide, international trade, transporting goods worth in excess including South America and Asia. Tof $6 trillion annually, accounting for an estimated 35% of Air cargo is oriented towards high value or time and the value of goods exchanged worldwide against 1 to 2% in temperature sensitive products. For example, the express tonnage, and supporting 32 million jobs worldwide, according industry has enabled the widespread adoption of just-in-time to the Air Transport Action Group (ATAG). practices by many businesses, while achieving huge savings No other means of transportation is better equipped to in inventory and logistical costs. meet the economic realities of the new era where global The most innovative and productive firms tend to be those sourcing and selling, and just-in-time logistics, require that that are competing at a global level. The growing African producers receive and ship smaller quantities more frequently, economies need to compete globally and this can be quickly and reliably over long distances. facilitated by a well-developed cargo infrastructure on the continent. AIR FREIGHT PERFORMANCE AND FUTURE PROSPECTS In 2017, air freight had the strongest performance since the LEVELLING THE PLAYING FIELD global economic crisis in 2008 and 2009, with demand Air freight allows African exporters to connect with the product measured in freight tonne kilometres growing by 9.0%, from needs of European, American, and Asian markets. Using 3.6% in 2016, according to IATA. Freight capacity measured in traditional ocean transportation, exporters in most African available freight tonne kilometres rose by 3.0% in 2017, which countries are at a considerable shipping time disadvantage to resulted in freight load factor of 45.5%, up 2.5 points from these markets compared to domestic producers. Air cargo 2016. 2018 is forecasted to register a healthy 4.8% increase. facilitates the levelling of the temporal playing field by enabling In 2017, Africa recorded the strongest growth in freight producers' 24- to 48-hour access to these markets, compared demand of 24.8% (the first time since 1990 that Africa topped to the typical 30 days shipping time using traditional ocean The failure by many African airlines to develop demands as those of passengers for more global demand growth). The growth was largely on the back of transport. the cargo component of their operations has convenient travel times and can be operated robust growth in Africa-Asia trade which increased by more Whether producing cut flowers, fresh vegetables, milk, or led to dominance of the intercontinental at unsociable hours which allows for optimal than 64% in the first 11 months of the year, according to IATA. fish, air cargo has also allowed otherwise remote agricultural sector by non-African airlines. On the use of airport capacity especially for According to Boeing World Air Cargo Forecast (2016-2017), and maritime regions to access world markets. domestic and intra-Africa segments, the bulk congested airports. world air cargo traffic is projected to grow at an annual rate of freight is transported by rail or road due to averaging 4.2% over the next 20 years. AIR FREIGHT TRAFFIC IN AFRICA lack of capacity and bureaucratic customs AFRICAN FREIGHTER FLEET Air freight shipment in Africa is still very low. In 2015 the clearance processes at airports. Despite the growing cargo business in FACILITATING AFRICAN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT continent airlines carried about 817 000 tonnes of total global About 60 per cent of air cargo travels in Africa, the dedicated cargo fleet of African Air cargo service is a tremendous enabler for economic freight, representing 1.56% of total global freight, according to the hold of passenger aircraft, so it travels at airlines is limited as shown in the table development. Air freight has expanded the markets for African IATA. the same time as passenger flights do. The below. Only Ethiopian Airlines and EgyptAir goods including high value minerals, manufactured products remainder is carried on specialist freight have significant freighter fleet. and perishable goods, such as fruits, vegetables, or flowers, services, which includes express carriers. Freight services do not have the same 22 Aviation Magazine Vol 5 Vol 5 Aviation Magazine23 AFRICAN FREIGHTER FLEET

Astral Aviation which goods across borders. is based in Nairobi, Since the 1990s, international air cargo Kenya is among the services have benefitted from an very few dedicated increasing number of liberalized cargo carriers on the agreements. A significant number of continent. It States have concluded open skies operates scheduled agreements including 7th freedom for air and non-scheduled cargo services which has provided cargo charters to greater opportunity for the growth of regional and such services. international However, air cargo operators destinations. Its fleet continue to face many challenges, such is comprised of 1 as limited freedoms under a large -400F, 1 number of traditional agreements, a -200F, 2 regime focused mainly on passenger DC-9-34F and 1 services and combination services. They Ethiopian Airlines has the most Fokker F27. also face operational restrictions, such developed cargo facilities on the as night curfews, limited ground- continent. The airline has invested in LIBERALIZATION OF AIR CARGO SERVICES handling rights, and burdensome extensive world class facilities to handle Zimbabwe is among the countries that customs requirements. There is need for cargo at its hub in Addis Ababa and have opened their skies to African recognition of the important role and has set up a secondary cargo hub in airlines in conformity to the distinct features of air cargo operations, Lomé (Togo) which are positively Yamoussoukro Decision which is helping and for more commercial freedom and impacting the bottom lines of these two the development of African aviation. business oriented treatment. carriers. Linked to the liberalization of Africa skies is the need to facilitate the movement of

E-FREIGHT air cargo industry for decades out of the RATIFYING MC99 African air cargo carriers need to entire transportation chain and to African States are urged to ratify the minimise costs by introducing replace them with standardized Montreal Convention of 1999 (MC99) to international paperless air freight. It is electronic messages and regulated data help stimulate world trade. For those critical to implement e-Freight and the exchange. For the air freight sector, IATA States that have not done so, the aim should be to fully digitize the supply e-Freight means more simplified ratification of the MC99 would be an chain. processes, less complexity and a important step in helping improve the The e-Freight project launched by IATA reduction in the burden on the speed and security of air cargo. aims to take the familiar paper environment. The MC99 provides the legal framework documents that have been in use in the for the use of electronic data as a record of carriage in place of paper documents, thus paving the way for Freight Forwarders and airlines to use the AIR FREIGHT PERFORMANCE electronic Air Waybill and other e-freight AND FUTURE PROSPECTS documents such as the electronic Cargo Security Declaration. Freight load factor Most African States are yet to ratify the MC99. 2018 Forecast 4.8% CONCLUSION Air cargo has enormous benefits for 2017- 45.5%, African economies. States are urged to 2016 - 43.0 % give due regard to the distinct features of air cargo services when exchanging market access rights in the framework of air service agreements and grant appropriate rights and operational flexibility so as to cater to the needs of these services. African States are urged to ratify MC99 to facilitate cost reduction through the use of electronic air cargo documents.

24 Aviation Magazine Vol 5 Issues for Low Cost In Africa

Africa lags every other part of the world the world of legacy airlines over the past part of the market. The global low-cost in the development of low cost aviation. 20 years, and transformed the way we share of capacity reached 29% in 2017, This phenomenon which has shaken up travel, now makes up a considerable up from 18% ten years earlier. Meanwhile, Africa as a whole languishes behind other world regions with the low- cost share of capacity at just 12%, although there is variation between different parts of the Continent. It's not all bad news, though. This is a massive improvement from a decade ago when it was only 6%. At least we can say that the share of capacity operated by low cost airlines has doubled in the Continent, and only the and Asia Pacific have seen the relative share of low capacity grow faster.

Today, over a third of all airline seats in are on a low cost carrier. In the Americas the figure is 31%, and in Asia Pacific it is 26%.

We could conclude that the problem is not that Africa is immune to the lure and benefits of the low-cost phenomenon, just that the take up is happening from a lower base level 10 years ago. This gives hope. Given time, and more steady growth like this, African air travellers will be able to take advantage of the low fare travel that consumers elsewhere do. As we look across the Continent, however, there are some major differences in low-cost carrier penetration. North and Southern Africa have the highest proportion of low-cost capacity in 2017, at 15% and 17%, respectively. The low-cost share of capacity in both Eastern Africa and Central/Western Africa is at 6%.

Vol 5 Aviation Magazine 25 While this might imply that North Africa is a more developed low-cost market, 80% of the low-cost capacity in North Africa is operated by airlines not domiciled in Africa. In Eastern Africa the figure is 41%. So,what this says is that even where low- cost seems to be taking hold, it's not that the African airline industry is really succeeding. Over 20 non-African low-cost carriers operate to African countries of which the largest are Ryanair and Transavia. They can fly to Africa from their bases in Europe, as can many of the other non-African LCC's, while others are based in the Middle East. Africa has not been smooth but has come and gone, restructured, added The growth of low-cost services in come in fits and starts as carriers have capacity and then cut back.

While Southern Africa appeared to make the best start in adopting low-cost business models, the departure from the market of Itime in 2009 saw low-cost availability more than halve in the region. Thankfully, Mango is Africa's best success story of low-cost to date, growing steadily to the point where it had capacity of 3.6 million seats in 2017, and a 56% share of Southern African LCC capacity. It competes with Safair, the second largest African LCC, which operates 40% of Southern African LCC capacity.

In Eastern Africa, Nairobi-based Five share of LCC seats. It has previously the need for airlines, including low-cost Forty Aviation () has 33% of LCC been the largest LCC in the region but airlines to achieve the right fit between capacity in the region but growth has underwent restructuring in 2016 which aircraft and LCC operation. been turbulent as the airline as added led to a massive overhaul of the route capacity, pulled back, grown again, then network and fleet, which has been shrunk again. In 2017 Fastjet had a 28% described in the earlier article by John Grant (link here), where he discussed

26 Aviation Magazine Vol 5 To many observers, Central/Western is the part of Africa which has the most potential for low cost services yet continues to frustrate the strategists. Countries such as Nigeria, with a population creeping up towards 200 million, should be a natural home for low-cost air services. Could Air Peace be a sign of the industry finally living up to its potential? The private Nigerian airlinehas rapidly made its presence felt, gaining a 7% share of the LCC market in just 2 years. Are there lessons to be learned? Yes, and as elsewhere in the world, the basis of successful LCC development is all in the business model and getting the basics right. Certainly some adaptation is needed in local markets but ignore the cost fundamentals and there is no business. That means right-sizing the aircraft. It means fleet LCCs will steal a march on them, taking stimulated markets elsewhere and commonality. It means high aircraft as much of the low cost market that is where people travel to and from more, utilisation. theirs to develop. Maybe this will only they also do more business with, they Africa could yet have a robust and ever be the traffic to and from points trade moreand they invest more. Is low thriving LCC industry. The doubling of outside Africa, but if those are the more cost an opportunity Africa can afford to the LCC sector over the past 10 years lucrative routes for Africa's legacy pass by? would seem to indicate that there is carriers, where will that leave those flag consumer demand, albeit that some is carriers which Africa is so fond of quite possibly visitors to the Continent maintaining? Becca Rowland coming in on foreign LCC's. But if In all this, it is the African consumer MIDAS Aviation African carriers can't get their act and the African economy which are the This article was written for AviaDev 2018 together, then they will find these foreign losers. Low cost air travel has

Vol 5 Aviation Magazine 27 #WTMA18

Q: You joined Fastjet about a year ago from South African Vueling can move an aircraft from a Toulouse base to a Stuttgart Airways. How did you find the transition from a full service base in no time. JetBlue doesn't need anyone's approval to move Skytrax 4 star airline to a low cost carrier. an asset from the East to the West coast of the USA. Africa, on the Low cost aviation is a very exciting and fast paced industry other hand, is a fragmented market where every country has got and vastly different from traditional carriers in terms of its own market potential, geography constraints, civil aviation business case, agility and corporate culture. Fastjet is a fairly regulations etcetera. The ATR is certified in Mozambique and small, privately owned airline with a very flat, reactive and agile Tanzania but not in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe is a hot and high organizational structure, which makes it a very exciting place to operation whereas Tanzania is mostly at sea level, etc etc. So, in work. spite of the advantages that a single fleet would bring, there isn't Q: Fastjet operates presently in Tanzania, Zimbabwe and of such a thing as a “one size fits all” aircraft for all African markets. late also in Mozambique, three different countries with In fact, you see that Azul, another successful hybrid LCC in an distinctly different operating environments, very different emerging environment, came to the same conclusion although it business cultures. How does a COO deal with such challenges? operates in one big market, Brazil, compared to many smaller I've been fortunate enough to work in different airlines in African markets like us. several countries and continents I find that there are local Q: Zambia at one stage was to become another Fastjet differences obviously, but those are not as significant as one 'country' what happened to those plans. might think, and eventually the same business fundamentals Our Zambian operation was ready to start but put on hold as apply regardless of local culture or geography : you need to sell the new management team determined that the A319 was your seats at the best possible price and for this you need to too large for this market. That was certainly the right decision and #Fastjet's Chief Operating Officer Sylvain deliver consistent, reliable services to match clients' we avoided major losses. We remain interested in the Zambian expectations. market (we currently fly between Dar and Lusaka) and will Bosc speaks about “unleashing the Q: Over the past year did Fastjet undergo a complete fleet consider deploying our assets there if and when we find the right exchange from the previous A319's to smaller Embraer E145 local business model. and E190 jets. What were the reasons for these changes and Q: After the airline moved headquarters from London African aviation opportunity” what advantages does Fastjet see, now that first results are in. Gatwick to Johannesburg there have been persistent I am a big fan of the Airbus 319, it's a great aircraft; but for our suggestions that Fastjet may enter the South African business segment in Africa the A319, configured with 144 market. Are you able to shed any light on that? seats, was simply too big. Load factors were very rarely above The South African market is evidently quite attractive break-even point, which led to excessive discounting and because of its significant size. It's also extremely unsustainable losses. The new management team, tasked with competitive and in many cases over-supplied. You can't succeed the airline's turnaround, decided to start by right-sizing the aircraft in South Africa unless you have a very carefully designed plan, type, introducing 100-seaters in Tanzania and 50-seaters in significant resources from the outset and perfect execution of Fastjet's Sylvain Bosc recently met with the Publisher Zimbabwe and later Mozambique. Although our unit costs your business case. The South African market is definitely on our FASTJET COO MEETS obviously increased, our losses have been greatly reduced to the radar, but any market entry requires substantial preparation and of ATCNews.org to discuss aviation in general and point that we are now in a much better situation and positioned for alignment of appropriate resources. WITH ATCNEWS.ORG Pan African LCC Fastjet in particular. Here are some growth. Q: Fastjet describes itself as a Pan African LCC. Operating select questions asked and answers given: Q: Following the changes in Fastjet's jet fleet will very soon out of three countries and flying presently to five Zambia ON THE SIDELINES ATR72 turboprop aircraft be introduced. What was the and South Africa included what does the future hold to justify the principal driver for that decision and what will be the major PanAfrican label. OF #WTMA18 benefits for the airline in terms of destinations and operating cost. We are the only low-cost airline group in Africa that can be In most African countries there are runways that can't be labelled as “pan-African”, besides full service airline served by jets (Arusha for example), or stage lengths that Ethiopian which also operates in and Togo. We are very are so short that they can't be served profitably and at a low cost proud of this and want to add more African countries to our with jets (Dar to Zanzibar or Mafia Island for example). We portfolio in the next few years to fulfil our ambition of becoming decided that, to expand our product offering in Tanzania, we the leading pan-African brand, like MTN in the telecom sector for needed to operate turboprops, and at sea level the ATR72 was example. the most cost-efficient aircraft in the market. We're very excited to Q: Where do you see Fastjet positioned in Africa in the introduce this aircraft in Tanzania as soon as we have cleared the short, medium and longer term. related administrative requirements. The travelling public will We wish to continue growing and unleashing the African then be able to benefit from even more affordable fares and a aviation opportunity, prudently and profitably. There is no larger network other continent with more potential for growth than Africa and we Q: Having multiple aircraft types on the fleet also forms a are well-positioned to contribute to, as well as benefit from, the major departure from LCC doctrine that in order to be viable African aviation opportunity. a low cost airline has to operate just one aircraft type. How do you respond to that. ATCNews: THANK YOU SYLVAIN FOR YOUR TIME Yes, that's indeed a major departure from a pure LCC model. But to really achieve economies of scale you need to have AND THE VERY INTERESTING TALK AND YOUR the ability to deploy your assets freely and easily; for example FORTHCOMING RESPONSES. Africa's aviation sector is bogged down by many El-Houry: If I look at the successful price of 30 euros or 40 euros? As Eric said, How Aviation Can Help headwinds weak infrastructure, poor connectivity, examples across the continent, the first the economics of the business are Kacou: While looking at ticket prices we also high ticket prices and low passenger volumes. point I would make is that [these] countries important, but the economics of the have to look at what are the components of Hassan El-Houry, CEO of National Aviation Services, a have put in place proper governance business are not extremely expensive. As those prices. An airline that's flying from African Economies Take Off provider of airport and aviation services, and Eric structures around the aviation sector. If it's an airline, you can break-even selling a point A to point B has to cover a number of Kacou, cofounder of management consulting firm an airport authority, they have spun it off ticket price for less than 50 euros. It's done costs. They have to pay for the airline, the Entrepreneurial Solutions Partners, attribute this to from the government, given it a board, in Europe. It's done in the . So fuel, the staff, the overhead, etc. In every various factors such as lack of political will, money- given it a CEO and given it autonomy. If it's a why can't it be done across Africa? one of these items I can point to losing national carriers monopolizing the skies, national carrier, they have put in place a Why can't you fly, for example, from inefficiencies that would explain a high complex rules and regulations that create high entry proper board of directors. They have not Takoradi in Ghana to San Pedro in Cote ticket price. For example, if one is flying an barriers, and poor safety and quality standards. allowed the politics of the country to spill d'Ivoire for 50 euros? One reason is that airbus when a small air jet would do, Kacou and El-Houry believe that if Africa's aviation over into the management of the airline. national carriers that are not making money chances are that there will be very low sector is allowed to grow, it can spur wide-ranging So the first thing I think is governance. are monopolizing the skies. At the end of occupancy, which means that the cost per economic and social growth. In their book Fly Africa: The second one is privatization privatizing the year they go to the government and ask person will go up. If the company is How Aviation Can Generate Prosperity Across the the airport, the national carriers and service for a subsidy. That kills the market for importing its jet fuel, it will be at a higher Continent, they discuss how Africa can unlock the providers. This has been a very successful private businesses that want to provide a price. If the crew flying the airline is an expat potential of its aviation sector and how a thriving model across the continent and in fact service. There are also very high entry crew, it's an additional cost. aviation industry, in turn, can transform Africa's economic and social landscape. across the world. It leads to partnerships barriers for aviation in Africa. Setting up an “If the national carrier is not profitable, Eric Kacou: Hassan El-Houry: with companies or entities that are airline is bureaucratically cumbersome. there's no need for the government to experienced, public-private partnerships, There are extremely difficult laws and subsidize it.” Hassan El-Houry and foreign investors coming into the regulations to fly from one country to the These are all inefficiencies that from a Their insights as shared with Knowledge@Wharton. country, which is always a good thing. So, next. And a visa-free Africa is still a distance monthly cost translate into higher ticket in a nutshell, I would say governance is away. Europeans can fly within Europe prices. Also, the volume of passengers An edited transcript of the of possibilities for me. It occurred to me large, the infrastructure is outdated. It's number one and then somehow involving without a visa, but Africans need visas to flying from point A to point B doesn't justify that if we could increase the number of poor. It was built for a certain number of the private sector and/or foreign investors. travel to most of Africa. a lower price. But there is an exception to conversation follows. Africans that have access to such passengers that is far less than the number “The continent hasn't yet managed to this. For some of the British airlines, the opportunities, we would be [playing a role of passengers today. However, what unleash the potential of aviation.” Eric Knowledge@Wharton: How can this be African routes are amongst the most Knowledge@Wharton: Hassan, at the start in] changing the society by helping them makes me happy about aviation in Africa is Kacou fixed? profitable ones. These are the routes where of your book, you talk about meeting an use their talents, become more productive, that there's an overwhelming sense of they are able to have extremely high prices elderly lady in Dubai who helped you to connect to the global society and have a optimism. People are talking about growth, Kacou: Countries that are doing well in El-Houry: There are many things that need because of political arrangements and realize that a single air route can change a much bigger impact for themselves and investments, new terminals, new airports, delivering aviation think about their aviation to be done. Number one, I go back to my negotiations. These are quasi-monopolies hotel's destiny. Could you tell us how this their families. new airlines and how aviation is going to sector as a part of [an overall] economic point on governance. Best practices which make the situation worse. inspired you to write the book? “Aviation will change the face of Africa change over the next five to 10 years. strategy. When we look at countries like around the world say that the government and the rise of Africa will change the face of Ethiopia, Kenya and Morocco, it's very clear needs to regulate the aviation sector, but Knowledge@Wharton: How do you see the Hassan El-Houry: I was in the business aviation across the globe.” Hassan Kacou: The biggest challenge facing that the aviation sector is linked to other the airports need to be managed by private competitive dynamics playing out between lounge at the Dubai Airport and started ElHoury aviation services in Africa is also the sectors that are driving growth. For enterprise. And, if the national carrier is not the large foreign airlines and the domestic talking with the lady sitting next to me. She biggest opportunity. When we look at the example, there is a lot around tourism. profitable, there's no need for the African airlines? And how can the African was from Mauritius and her family had Knowledge@Wharton: How do you view the statistics, we realize that the continent There is a lot around trade. There is a lot government to subsidize it. There are airlines start flying from outside the shadow owned a hotel for several generations. It African aviation market and what do you hasn't yet managed to unleash the around exports. … I think it's important for countries across the continent, like of these large international carriers? had a reasonable occupancy rate, but think are some of its biggest challenges? potential of aviation. From the economic countries to start thinking about aviation and Ghana, that do not have a national nothing extraordinary. Then, Emirates trends, it's clear that a number of mega- beyond just planes and airports. It's carrier and yet they have a vibrant aviation Kacou: This is a difficult question because Airlines started flying to Mauritius. Soon El-Houry: First of all, the skies of Africa, cities are going to emerge on the continent important to see aviation as one of the sector. the airline business is one that is usually after that there was a significant rise in across the 54 countries, are dominated by cities with over 10 million inhabitants. They forces that can transform their economy. Number two, have a very strict safety subject to network effects. What I mean by tourism on the island. international carriers like Emirates, Air will probably increase from about three or and security and quality environment. In that is the more connections we can offer Just because Mauritius was reachable France, KLM, Airlines and British four today to 10 or 15 in the next 10 years to Knowledge@Wharton: Could you dive Nigeria, you could be on an aircraft that is between point A and point B, the more likely by one of the top rated airlines in the world, Airways. There are very few African 15 years. As this happens, and as also the deeper into some of the factors that are leaking and has smoke coming out of the we are to attract passengers. Airlines like it was “on the map.” The occupancy rates carriers. There's Ethiopian, Kenyan, Royal middle class emerges, there is going to be holding back the development of aviation in cabin. It actually happens and that naturally Emirates, Air France or do in this lady's hotel also went up. It was Air Maroc, South African, Egypt Air and a a lot of demand for aviation services, Africa and also what can be done about the deters travelers. Number three, liberalize well on some of the African routes because consistently above 90% or 95%. She couple of other small ones. Second, there because there will be big cities with a poor connectivity? the visa requirements. Number four, they offer a lot more options to go from the attributes that success to the flight are almost no low-cost carriers. If you look concentration of knowledge workers who liberalize the skies so that airlines can travel starting point to the final destination than [connectivity]. That got me thinking that across the globe, on average, low-cost will need to use their skills beyond the cities Kacou: If you look at poor connectivity in freely between countries. I think with just the average small player. So when an aviation is a huge opportunity in Africa. carriers are about a quarter of all the flights. where they live. particular, I think it's the result of two issues. these four steps you will see a huge entrepreneur wants to compete with a big Writing the book allowed me to dive into In Africa, they don't even reach 10%, which We are also going to have a lot of First, it is about the actual economics of the increase in the number of travelers and a player, they must have some code shares aviation and into Africa. Although I work in obviously makes ticket prices somewhat exchanges within African countries or even business. There is a need to have a certain significant drop in ticket prices. with different companies, and get landing this sector, the book allows me to feel like prohibitive. from the West to Africa. The biggest demand between two points for them to rights at different airports. It's not easy, I'm a part of that success, that I'm This leads me to the third point, which is challenge facing the continent is that the justify a common route. So far, the level of Knowledge@Wharton: What are some of the especially in an environment where the addressing the problems and finding that because ticket prices are extremely aviation sector must mature in a way that it development that we have in the African barriers to the development of budget regulations are not open and transparent. solutions. I think aviation will change the high, you don't get as many travelers as doesn't become a hindrance to the cities hasn't created that demand. I'm not airlines in Africa? Do you see any countries I think it's important that domestic face of Africa and the rise of Africa will you would like to. And because you don't economic growth. Instead, it must become just talking about the GDP rates. I'm also or companies moving towards providing a airlines look at their strategies carefully. change the face of aviation across the have as many travelers as you would like, one of its drivers. This book is about talking about their [political] integration. budget solution in Africa? Many of them are probably not viable globe. there is very poor connectivity. For making sure that we lay out the roadmap The fragmentation and the disparity of because of the strategy they have. For example, if you want to travel from Abidjan, which can help leaders, both from Africa create a number of barriers. Some El-Houry: There are low-costs carriers in instance, they could be having the wrong Knowledge@Wharton: Eric, what brought which is one of the hubs of West Africa, to a business and from the public sector, to policy decisions that were supposed to Africa and they are growing in number. Of aircraft or operating from the wrong point A you to your epiphany about the power of air hub in East Africa, there are no direct agree on what needs to be done for make it possible for exchange and flying to course, it's not at the number that we would to point B. connectivity? flights. You have to fly to a second or third aviation to take its proper role in Africa. be easier were adopted in theory, but not like to see ideally, but I am optimistic. I do But aviation is not just about airlines. country before you reach your final implemented in practice. see positive signs. To answer your question There are a number of services like cargo Eric Kacou: When I landed in Canada I destination. Knowledge@Wharton: What kind of about ticket prices, they are, or should be, handling, engineering services and airport realized what life in a more advanced Finally, the infrastructure is lagging strategies do you see countries, as well as El-Houry: Let me ask a question that, in a determined by supply and demand. As you management which are all as important economy looked like. Having access to behind the rest of the world. There are of companies, adopting in response to the way, will answer the concern that you liberalize the skies and limit subsidies to and lucrative. Domestic players can opportunities that I wouldn't have had if I course exceptions like in Abidjan, Cote challenges and opportunities that you raised. Why can you travel by plane national carriers, there will be a reduction in operate more easily in these areas had stayed back home in Cote d'Ivoire. d'Ivoire, Casablanca and Morocco where described? between two cities in Europe with a ticket ticket prices. because of the nature of these businesses. Taking a flight literally opened the universe the terminal is world- class. But, by and 30 Aviation Magazine Vol 5 Vol 5 Aviation Magazine 31 El-Houry: I agree with Eric that this is a very you see the funding of infrastructural indirect ways. For instance, in tourism, in critical question and I'm sure that there are development, especially for aviation, hospitality and in retail. If you look at major many people who are trying to crunch the changing? Multilateral agencies like the airports today, they're much more than an numbers around this. But my take is that World Bank or the International Finance airport. They are also a mall. They're also a the growth rates and the increase in Corporation (IFC) used to participate spa. They're also a hotel. number of passengers has been actively in infrastructure development. Number two, I believe that aviation tremendous. If you go back to the 1970s How is that changing with the entry of can do a lot by way of economic there were probably fewer than 5 million countries like China, which have launched integration. The [diversity] of Africa is both passengers in Africa. Today, there are infrastructure projects not just in Africa but a curse and a blessing. It is a curse more than 120 million to 130 million all over the world? How is that dynamic because our countries are fragmented. passengers in and out of Africa. The changing and what do you think are the The population of 1.1 billion people is market is growing tremendously and there implications for Africa and for aviation? similar to that of , but India is one is room for both African carriers and country, Africa is 54 countries. If we can get international carriers to succeed. The only Kacou: I would say that the dynamics are aviation going, we can start seeing more difference is that in the past the very positive because there are many integration. We can start seeing Ghanians international carriers had a large more options now. Apart from the working with Kenyans to develop products percentage of the total market, but now, as traditional development partners who that they can sell to people from Morocco the regional or the African carriers increase continue to play a very big role, there are or Egypt. So, to me, aviation can play their frequency, acquire more aircraft and also a number of investors and funds who many, many roles which are very positive. fly more passengers, they are starting to are looking to invest in such projects. The increase their share of the market. I also legal framework for public-private El-Houry: To add to Eric's point on think that many second tier cities will be partnerships has also improved in a employment, aviation is unique in that it served by the regional carriers whereas number of countries, as well as the ability creates both skilled and semi-skilled jobs. the international carriers will serve the to do these projects, like managing an And the skills you learn in aviation are capital cities. airport or building a new runway. transferable to other sectors, whether it's “The aviation sector creates a What is really important is that the language, customer service, or things number of jobs in direct and indirect projects must be negotiated and relating to cargo. It's estimated that by ways.” Eric Kacou implemented very well. Most of those 2034, aviation will support 100 million jobs projects have a very long time horizon. We in Africa and $6 trillion of economic activity. Knowledge@Wharton: In your book you have investors who are committing This includes other industries like wrote that between 2001 and 2007, there resources today for a return that's going to hospitality, tourism, logistics and so on. were at least 31 African airlines that went come in 10, 15, 20 years. So it's important Because aviation is integrated into almost out of business. Could you talk a little bit that we create a deal structure which both every other sector, it's one of the about the reasons for those failures and parties live up to. Unfortunately the backbones of the economy. what lessons other African airlines can experience on the continent is that this is learn from their experience? not always the case. It's also very Kacou: What is most important is for all of important that the infrastructure that's us to realize that aviation can generate El-Houry: There are a number of reasons. developed is actually informed by analysis prosperity through profit and purpose. We One of them goes back to governance, and studies [so that we don't end up need to challenge some of the which I spoke about several times. The having] a white elephant. preconceived notions that we have about other one I would say is safety. A lot of aviation on the continent. This will help us African carriers start off very well, but they El-Houry: I haven't met a leader who has not make the investments and policies which cut corners when it comes to safety and told me that they want to make their are required for this sector to thrive. security and quality. This results in an country or their city or their airport the next unfortunate incident. Not necessarily a Dubai. They see the glitz and glamour, but I El-Houry: In the past, aviation was seen as crash, but some sort of incident. So they don't think they see the sacrifices that a luxury for the privileged few across the get barred from flying into Europe or the Dubai had to make to reach the “Dubai” continent. And therefore, the government Middle East or certain countries, and they status. For instance, for a very long time, took advantage of that to tax the rich have to stop or discontinue some of their Dubai gave discounts of fuel to airlines just through aviation. They imposed very high profitable routes. This starts to impact the to get them to fly and stop in Dubai. taxes on tickets or people traveling in and financials and the company is forced to Aviation infrastructure is extremely out of the country. However, now, as more shut down. Some of the carriers were expensive. It requires leaders to look at the and more people are taking to the skies, as impacted by foreign exchange long-term. But when you have elections governments are realizing that aviation is fluctuations in the currency in which they're every three, four, five years, leaders are an important economic activity, they are doing business. Another reason is just also forced to think short -term. They have starting to reduce the taxes. I am extremely politics. If there is an airline founded by to balance the long-term view with the optimistic about the aviation sector in someone who is well-connected politically short-term view, and that's somewhat Africa. I'm also extremely optimistic about and the politics in the country changes, the difficult. the impact that Africa will have on the airline is no longer in favor. I would say that world's aviation sector. these are the major reasons why carriers Knowledge@Wharton: How do you see the tend to close, in addition to, of course, relationship between the prosperity of the cumbersome regulations around flying aviation sector and the rest of African and the non-implementation of open-sky society and African economies in general? The aviation agreements. sector creates a Kacou: I think the headline challenge that Knowledge@Wharton: Both of you Africa has for economic development is number of jobs in mentioned the critical role of looking at job creation. So everything we are talking aviation not just as something that deals about is about making sure that we can direct and indirect with airlines, but the infrastructure around address the issue of unemployment and ways. the airlines as well. Given the tremendous under employment. The aviation sector disparity that exists across Africa, how do creates a number of jobs in direct and

32 Aviation Magazine Vol 5 FLYING TRIV AI Y FUPLACTS YO ROBAB

Test your flying trivia knowledge by checking out these interesting facts. They won't change your world, but we are sure you will find them mind enriching

Https://twitter.com/africafactszone/status/971850163906949121 Https://www.africa.com/meet-first-african- Http://bisnisinsight.com/did-you-know-that-klm-is-the-oldest-airline/ pilot-to-fly-solo-around-world/ Melody Millicent Ademilola KLM Danquah Odujinrin is the worlds' oldest airline, established in 1919 from Ghana was the first female was the first African pilot to African pilot fly solo around the world

The Buffalo fear of Range flying Airport

The fear of flying is called aviophobia or aerophobia

Travelling by air The RGM can shed up to Airport 1.5 litres of water from the body was The RGM Airport was originally located in during an average 3 commissioned in 1965 to Belvedere as the hour flight cater for the Mauritian communities working in Belvedere Airport the sugar estates. SAA: Don't bother with business rescue Switch off the lights and start afresh. Antoinette Slabbert Article written for Moneyweb.co.za

AA needs R5 billion to dig itself equal to the allocation in the 2018/19 can still be saved and with it, the jobs of a out of the debt it is in; but some Mpumalanga provincial budget for few hundred of its members. Sbelieve liquidation would be a education and amounts to 43% of the Free Market Foundation executive better option. total provincial budget. At an operational director Leon Louw differs sharply. He level SAA loses money on each and says the only viable options are South African Airways needs R5 billion. every domestic and most international liquidation or privatisation. It is too late to NOW. routes. In the first nine months of “rescue” SAA, Louw says. “Bailing out That is what the national carrier's newish 2017/18 its loss was 71% above budget SAA is financially reckless and CEO Vuyani Jarana told Parliament's at R3.7 billion. Operating costs irresponsible. The scale of the amount of Standing Committee on Public increased. Revenue and passenger money required is so gargantuan that it Accounts (Scopa) on April 24. The R5 numbers declined. Expenses exceed can never be fixed and it will certainly billion is in addition to the R10 billion it income by R370 million per month. To be never be a going concern able to got from the fiscus in the previous profitable and compete with its peers, it compete in the world of modern financial year to restore its status as a needs new aircraft. It cannot buy new aviation,” Louw says. going concern. And that is nowhere near aircraft, because nobody would lend it SAA's troubles are nothing new. In the end of it. Not even close. money on the basis of its weak balance 2015 its own acting CEO Thuli Mpshe According to deputy finance sheet. Jarana in fact called it a “catch and legal counsel Ursula Fikelepi Minister Mondli Gungubele SAA needs 22”. advised the SAA board that the group is at least R20 billion in orders to break Against this background trade financially distressed, trading under even by 2021. That is R9.2 billion to union Solidarity is planning to apply to insolvent circumstances and therefore repay debt that matures in March next the High Court to place SAA in business trading recklessly. The board should year and another R12 billion to address rescue. Head of Solidarity Research apply for business rescue or liquidation, its “negative equity position”. Institute Connie Mulder told Moneyweb they stated. To give a sense of scale, it cost the trade union will file its papers on May about R27 billion to construct the 15 and has decided on this course of >>>Next page Gautrain system. And Comair's market action in an effort to prevent SAA from capitalisation is R3 billion. R21 billion is being liquidated. Solidarity believes SAA

34 Aviation Magazine Vol 5 Moneyweb has seen a board resolution This has been done before, he says. chairman Themba Godi listened to all dating back even further, to September When state-owned Swiss Air landed the plans to address the multiple 19 2014 and signed by seven of the itself in trouble through over-expansion problems at SAA. New policies, new eleven board members, that SAA would the Swiss government refrained from staff, new inventory management proceed with business rescue bailing it out and allowed it to be systems, new IT systems…. proceedings unless government liquidated. It subsequently bought Godi remarked that it sounds as if committed to providing a going concern Cross Air and successfully converted it the theme is building a whole new airline. guarantee within a week. into Swiss International, an airline with a Perhaps that is exactly what they should Transport economist Dr Joachim limited mandate that was later acquired be doing. Vermooten points out that the court by . In a similar example the would only grant Solidarity's application Belgian government decided against if it can show that there is a reasonable bailing out struggling Sabena Air. The prospect of rescuing the group. It is very provincial government in Brussels late in the day for SAA, Vermooten says. instructed Brussels Airline to service Whether the court can be convinced, selected sustainable routes. This new remains to be seen. The Auditor-General airline traded profitably and was also has stated that it is not a going concern. later bought by Lufthansa. Vermooten further points out that over Vermooten says rather than scaling and above the required amounts down existing SAA operations, provided to parliament, no number has government should start a new airline yet been put to the turnaround plan. that does not necessarily need to be A proper restructuring would require government-owned in the long run. additional funds for SAA to buy out Such an airline, if it reflects the values of onerous agreements and employment the South African nation, could still serve contracts. So far, the plans are totally as a national carrier, Vermooten says. unrealistic, he says. And even if the plan He says government should carefully were realistic, it would have to be consider what it is it needs from the Antoinette Slabbert funded. Vermooten says it will be much national carrier and only focus on that. Antoinette has a passion for journalism, is more efficient to wind down SAA in its Sell low-cost SAA subsidiary Mango, incurably curious and loves asking current form and start a new, focused split SAA Technical into a separate questions for a living. She has specialised airline, free of all the legacy contracts, business and consider listing it and sell knowledge about the construction and over-staffing, inefficiencies and culture Air Chefs, he says. When Scopa met the energy sectors. of reliance on the shareholder. SAA leadership last week, Scopa

Vol 5 Aviation Magazine 35 New Technology Drives Opportunities

John Grant Midas Aviation

f it's tough to be a bug then it's even numerous established markets to seems to be an appreciation that things tougher to be an airline, especially in stimulate. That doesn't sound like are changing. A potentially refreshed IAfrica! Success in the airline industry African aviation and indeed it isn't! regulatory environment, new technology is frequently measured in terms of years For many years African aviation has, aircraft, increasing disposable income of survival rather than profitability, and in as we all know, struggled to develop as it and changing technology are creating Africa a decade of survival can seem like should in such a geographically vast an opportunity for a new low-cost airline a lifetime. continent with limited alternate forms of environment in Africa. Globally, airlines that are successful travel. Part of that struggle has been The problem with low-cost airlines is today appear to have some common related to an underlying assumption that that they require large volumes; they characteristics. They've probably been operating models that worked in other need to either grab market share from in some form of receivership at some parts of the world could just be dumped lethargic legacy carriers or stimulate stage, operate in mature markets, may into Africa. “It should work, it works new market segments. The chart below well have merged with competitors, everywhere else” smacks of failure to highlights the average capacity per “enjoy” capacity constraints that protect understand the market and with that frequency of low-cost airlines around the them from competition, live in a de- assumption failure follows as sure as globe over the last five years in selected regulated environment and have night follows day. At last, though, there regional markets.

Table 1 - LCC Airline Capacity Per Frequency by Geographic Region

REGION 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Africa: Central/Western Africa 172 171 177 165 166 161 Africa: Eastern Africa 80 127 108 122 115 127 Africa: North Africa 175 177 179 185 181 180 Africa: Southern Africa 171 166 156 170 150 146 Asia: North East Asia 175 180 178 181 188 187 Asia: South Asia 163 161 166 168 165 165 Asia: South East Asia 156 164 153 144 163 161 Europe: Eastern/Central Europe 168 167 171 175 179 181 Europe: Western Europe 169 170 172 175 177 178 Latin American: Caribbean 148 152 166 168 177 174 Latin Amera: Lower South America 116 117 120 121 140 130 Middle East 179 183 184 189 191 183 North America 145 146 147 151 158 165 Southwest Pacific 155 165 165 208 210 210

Source: OAG Schedules Analyser

The data illustrates that despite the very amongst those airlines classified as low- the global average. Not surprisingly, in a different market characteristics of Africa cost, the average capacity per market where demand has been limited, compared to other parts of the world, movement has been broadly in line with >>>Next page

Vol 5 Aviation Magazine 36 <<< this level of capacity has resulted conventional wisdom and provide this In the last few years the aviation in either very low frequency of opportunity for Africa. industry has been mesmerised by the operations or a conscious programme FastJet, the pan-African franchise rapid expansion of services operated by of commercial suicide as load factors carrier, may be leading the way. A the B787 and A350, both game are maintained significantly below those detailed analysis of African-based low- changing aircraft that allow “long and required for low-cost airline models to cost airlines shows that Fastjet has been thin” city pairs to be added whilst work. down-sizing their fleet from Airbus simultaneously complimenting hub In many markets the perceived A319's to smaller Embraer 145 and 170 development for some carriers. These wisdom has been that low-cost airlines aircraft types, and they still retained their aircraft are changing the way that can only survive when operating aircraft low-cost operating model. It's no airlines think about new routes and how offering between 150 170 seats and that coincidence that the airlines' fortunes to develop new markets. However, the anything smaller just could not work. Is it have improved in the last two years as success of these two aircraft may about time for new aircraft technology, the “chase” for passengers and revenue to be overshadowed by the Bombardier especially those with a significantly has been replaced by a better fit of C Series and the more recently lower cost base, to challenge capacity to market need. introduced Embraer E-190-E2.

Table 2 - African LCC Average Capacity Per Frequency

Airline Name 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Egypt 162 162 Air Arabia Maroc 174 174 Air Peace 122 126 126 DAC Aviation 77 Eagle Atlantic Airlines 149 147 Fastjet Airlines 145 145 144 91 75 Five Forty Aviation 40 43 38 41 40 41 Flyafrica - Zimbabwe 126 126 FlyEgypt 186 Jambojet 74 75 75 Mango 176 180 185 187 187 187 Namibia Flyafrica 120 168 Safair 155 155 170 174 171 South African Airways

Source: OAG Schedules Analyser

With the E2 capable of a 114-seat rivals. Put those cost benefits alongside (SAATM) initiative, and the picture for configuration and the C Series able to a passenger payload that is a closer African aviation development looks manage a slightly larger maximum match to market demand and these two more optimistic than it has done for payload of 150 passengers, the two aircraft may actually be the game many years. Ultimately, there is no “one aircraft appear to provide a better match changers that the market has sought in size fits all” solution to aviation in Africa; to the market demands of African recent years. many have tried and failed to impose aviation. The payload range of up to overseas solutions to Africa's problem. 3,100 nautical miles on the C Series If further endorsement of the respective Only now do we appear to have the right aircraft effectively ensures the whole of aircraft operating characteristics was blend of factors that will allow Africa to Africa can be served from an airport required, then the Boeing acquisition of create its own solution to the problem. such as Nairobi, making the aircraft an stake in Embraer and a similar move effective option for carriers seeking a from Airbus with regard to the We know it's tough being an airline and one-fleet operating model. Bombardier C Series programme, it even tougher in Africa but there is cause would seem that the world's leading two for optimism in the coming years and While size and range maybe a good fit aircraft manufacturers may be adopting opportunities for carriers to succeed. No for African aviation, the greatest benefit a “if you can't beat them, join them!” longer will it require a flight to or of both aircraft is their potential approach to the competitive challenge to travel across the Continent. operating cost compared to other faced. And whilst the rest of the world looks for aircraft types. The C Series claims to the A350 and B787 to change how offer a 20% fuel burn advantage over its Overlay the advancements in aircraft people connect, the smaller Embraer closest rivals and a 25% saving on direct technology with growing consumerism 190-E2's and Bombardier C Series maintenance cost, and with higher in Africa and the recently concluded aircraft may in their own way make Africa maintenance intervals than its closest Single African Air Transport Market a connected continent.

Vol 5 Aviation Magazine 37 START UP: New entrant into the Zimbabwean skies, Emerald Airlines outline their ambitions

Founder and Managing Director, AviaDev Africa Jon Howell met up with Munyaradzi Kutama of Emerald Airlines.

ith the recent changes at the JH: Can you briefly explain where Emerald MK: Emerald Airlines is wholly helm of Zimbabwe's Airlines is up to currently and your plans and Zimbabwean owned and funded for Wgovernment, there is renewed timescales for launch? now, though we are on the market optimism in Zimbabwe. Aviation and looking at strategic partnerships that we tourism have been identified as key MK: Emerald Airlines is at this stage can either partner with or they can invest pillars to economic growth and one of going through the last phase of the AOC in us. the airlines that hopes to benefit from the process with a plan of completing and new environment is start-up Emerald having the AOC granted before the end JH: How about the routes you would like to Airlines, who will be joining us in Cape of April. The launch will follow within 30- operate. Where do you see most scope? Town for AviaDev Africa this June. Ahead 45 days of having the AOC granted. of the event, I caught up with the CEO, Our initial route structure will cover the Mr Munyaradzi Kutama JH: What are your fleet plans in the domestic routes out of R G Mugabe short/medium/ long term? International to Bulawayo and Victoria JH: Can you explain your personal Falls, in the Region, Johannesburg, experience and what led you to start Emerald?

MK: A brief on my background, Initially l was to undertake an Engineering degree in Aerospace Design and Manufacturing at Bristol University,instead of going into my 2nd year, l saw a newspaper advert for pilot training at a flight school in Kent and that was my turning point. I got my Commercial Pilot licence and moved to the US to instruct for a few years before landing a First Officer Position with . After leaving AirZim l started analysing the industry borrowing from my experience at the national airline and was more keen on reviving the airline initially. When l realised that this was not going to be an easy task, l then mk; shifted to getting a new entity altogether operating out of Zimbabwe. I and my partner/colleague then embarked on a 2-year journey of looking at the statistics MK: Our Fleet plans for the immediate Cape Town, Lagos, Lusaka, and any information we could gather on term are based on possible 50 seater and International, United Kingdom and Air travel movement in Zimbabwe. regional jets servicing the domestic and China. Most scope for us will be From this, I realised that Harare was regional routes,. In the Medium to long- servicing the Harare - UK and Harare - geographically well positioned for a term plan is to upgrade to a possible China routes Southern African Hub. Of all the SADC 100-120 seat (with a range that can give countries, Harare is within 2 hrs of each us Harare - Lagos) and the Long Haul of the Capital cities. Aircraft of either the A330 or the B787. So the plan began to unfold that we The Fleet number initially is projected at would feed traffic into Harare and then 2 short haul and 2 long-haul aircraft, with Long Haul them to North America, a heavy emphasis on modern Europe and the East. Also, the opening equipment. of the skies in Zimbabwe helped with making our application process JH: In terms of funding, how is the operation uneventful. to be financed?

38 Aviation Magazine Vol 5 CAAZ COMMISSIONED NEW SEWER SYSTEM AT JM NKOMO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

he Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ) on 26 April T2018 commissioned its new sewer system at the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport built at a cost of $1,2 million to ensure the airport maintains world class standards. CAAZ undertook the project through a contractor using its own resources to finance the project. The facility has the capacity to cater for both present and future needs as an airport. The project is expected to serve the airport, the airport village and other facilities around the airport. In line with world best practices, CAAZ has planted 2000 gum trees (Eucalyptus) which will thrive from the processed water from the sewer ponds and provide the surrounding areas with much needed oxygen.

Vol 5 Aviation Magazine 39 A strong headwind will slow the aircraft's from 7 9 June out of Fothergill Airstrip. 120 kts the two days routes will take ground speed requiring more power, a Crews and Passengers will be approximately 2 hours. side wind will necessitate more rudder to accommodated at Spurwing Island, Recognition of the challenges faced keep on course and so on. The Zambezi Trader and Changa Safari by slower aircraft (less than 90kts) in the Zimbabwe Air Navigators role is to help the pilot identify Camp. heat of the day and earlier take off times land marks and to gauge speed and This year's Route planned by Peter have been arranged to avoid dangerous heading to ensure that each point is Sheppard will take the rally over the overlaps with the faster planes. passed as close to the set time as Zambezi Valley North West from Harare Marion Kalweit is the Rally Organiser and Rally 2018 possible. to Kariba, then South of the lake can be contacted via the Zim Air Rally Old Ordnance and Survey maps returning to Fothergill each day. Flying at Facebook Page. are used, some of He 2018 edition of the Zim Air Rally th which are decades old marks the 44 year of this auspicious and many modern event. 40 Aircraft have been entered features such as dams from three countries Zimbabwe (17 and roads are not teams), Zambia (3 teams) and South T depicted creating Africa (20 teams) Of note is the strong interest from confusing signs. All the South of the Limpopo River. Over the years we modern navigational have seen an increasing involvement from the gear has to be hidden South Africans. The Format of the Zimbabwe Air or removed from the Rally demands skill from both Pilot and Navigator aircraft, the crew have being an exercise in timing and navigational skill to rely on airspeed rather than a race. indicator, altitude and a Competitors choose a speed which is then compass. applied to a set course. A GPS Logger is placed in So, for those pilots each aircraft and this tracks the crew's who wish to experience performance. Turning points or “Gates” have to be flying as it used to be passed, a leeway of 1,500m on each side. Some of the Zim Air Rally is these are known in that they are included on the where you should be. maps, others are “hidden” and a competitor can Puma Fuel is this year's lose points by not flying a straight enough lie main sponsor of the between points. Rally that will be held The trick is for the pilot to be able to read the Chris Sheppard, Zim Air Rally Committee conditions and to adapt his flying accordingly.

40 Aviation Magazine Vol 5 Vol 5 Aviation Magazine 41 FOR ALL CARGO HANDLING AT ROBERT MUGABE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT VICTORIA FALLS SAFARI CLUB INVESTS $600,000 IN UPGRADES

Nigel Mugamu

ince the completion of the Victoria Falls International Airport, the tourist town has Sseen in increase in visitors, thanks in part to additional airlines, and Ethiopian Airways which started flying directly to Victoria Falls in early 2017. South African Airlink also added another route: Victoria Falls to Cape Town to which local tour operators attribute the major increase in numbers to Victoria Falls. Given such increases in tourist numbers, Africa Albida Tourism (AAT) invested $600,000 to upgrade Victoria Falls Safari Club. The investment includes a swimming pool, sundeck and gazebo and the expansion to the main central building. According to Dustin Kennedy, Victoria Falls Safari Lodge General Manager, AAT expects a high volume in guests with an average occupancy of 82% for the rest of 2018. Africa Albida Tourism operates several Cresta Churchill hotel properties in Victoria Falls and Ngoma Safari Lodge in Chobe . $700 000 refurbishment complete Nigel is the Chief Storyteller @ 263Chat resta Hotels has completed the banqueting rooms, a restaurant and a bar. It refurbishment of of its Cresta has upwards of 50 bedrooms CChurchill hotel in Bulawayo at a $700 The main focus of the refurbishment Zim inbound tourist 000 bill. The hotel which first opened its was on giving the accomodation facilities doors in 1974 as the Churchill Arms made with a complete overhaul of bathrooms to figures hit 1999 high its mark as one of the iconic hotels of install showers in line with modern traveller Zimbabwe's second largest city. Its preferences. Work also extended to Inglenook Restaurant is a popular feature. reception area, conference rooms as well Starting from December 2017 into the first half Just on the main road from Bulawayo to as the restaurant and cocktail bar. of 2018 Zimbabwe received high numbers of Matobo Hills a UNESCO World Heritage Cresta country director Chipo Mandela inbound visitors to match figures last site, the hotel caters for business and said that the organisation has major experienced in 1999. Tourism operators individual visitors offering a wide range of confidence in the travel and tourism in expect the trend to continue as the country is facilities including conference and Zimbabwe. going through some internal changes and receiving much needed positive global media coverage. Speaking during The ITB Berlin held He also said that Kazungula Border Post which connects in March 2018, Africa Albida Tourism chief Zimbabwe and Botswana recorded around 1000 tourists executive, Ross Kennedy described renewed daily during the December period, figures that had last interest in Zimbabwe as “unbelievable”. He been seen in 1999. Zambezi Travel's Graham Simmonds said the removal of bribe toll gate type of added that there was need for new infrastructure in the police roadblocks encouraged an arm of Victoria Falls in anticipation of the boom in tourism. tourism that had almost died. Holiday Inn Zimbabwe country sales manager “The significance of the removal of Maxwell Moyo and Rainbow Tourism Group commercial roadblocks will be seen quickly because the director Shupai Marware said that tour operators should Europeans used to do 15-21 days of self-drive market other attractions beyond Victoria Falls and come in Zimbabwe, and now will be back,” he said. up with packages to suit all pockets. Vol 5 Aviation Magazine 43 TokweTokwe Mukosi:Mukosi: A masterpiece in the making

Monica Cheru-Mpambawashe

he region of Chivi in which Tokwe Mukosi Dam nestles could well be in the Eastern THighlands. Hills and mountains wherever the eye turns create a yearning to crest each summit and catch a glimpse of what lies beyond. From Ngundu Halt on the Masvingo Beitbridge highway, about 20 kilometres on the road to Chiredzi, a left turn and a few more kilometres will take you to Tokwe-Mukosi Dam and you will be amply rewarded for having ventured. Built at the confluence of Tugwi and weekend. There are grand plans The memorial for the safe passage of the Pioneer Mukosi rivers, the dam is the largest in including an island resort and a harbour. Creating Zimbabwe. It is a sight to take away When development is complete, the Column has been vandalised with its Memorial your breath and give wings to your area will be a full tourist destination with imagination. Think of the awe that must all the mystique and beauty that large plaque missing and the front pillars lying desolately have struck the first people who stood at bodies of water always exude. a world of on the ground. The place would make a great stop the Kariba Dam wall after the first phase Part of the land surrounding the lake will with the little lake behind it providing a great taste was completed in 1955. It must be very be dedicated to wildlife with plans to There are grand plans close to the feeling that overwhelmes bring in various species to augment the of things to come. one, standing at the dam wall of Tokwe- current inhabitants who include the possibilities including an island Mukosi, with haze shrouding off the many monkeys and baboons. A few resort and a harbour. reaches of the dam. Hill islands break crocodiles have also Followed Tugwi the vast expanse of the water creating and Mukosi rivers to become the rulers ater is a gift of life. Its very Masvingo Beitbridge Road (A4). The can include oddities like donkey rides When development is the illusion of mystery and fantasy. One of the new dam. existence in abundance is life historic site would add knowledge, that could a give unique value can almost imagine a Munhumutapa The mountaneous region also Waffirming and spells prosperity. pleasure and meaning to the drive. proposition to the area. complete, the area will equivalent of the enchanted Avalon of boasts of many snakes. Pythons, puff Therefore Tokwe Mukosi Dam is bound The memorial for the safe passage of the King Arthur legends floating off adders, night adders, snouted cobras to be a game changer for Masvingo as a Pioneer Column has been vandalised The home of the Mbonga be a full tourist somewhere just beyond the ken of those and possibly black mambas and province and for Zimbabwe as a whole. with its Memorial plaque missing and the Rainmakers have long been an without a third eye. gaboon vipers are native to the area. It is a great destination but getting there front pillars lying desolately on the important part of the traditional cultures. destination with all the Although the structural work for Workers on the ground say that any need not be a boring journey. There are ground. The place would make a great Currently there is no local rainmaker after the dam has been completed, Tokwe- snakes spotted are currently being mystique and beauty many possibilities for the creation of stop with the little lake behind it providing the last mbonga passed on some years Mukosi is still very much a work in rounded up and being released on the scenic routes.The world of opportunities a great taste of things to come. back. But the spirit is still very much alive progress. At the time of writing, the road hillock to the right as you approach the that large bodies of availed by the opening of the dam is as with her home having been preserved. that leads to the dam was under dam wall. Not exactly the place for a vast as the ocean. Artistic and Culture This makes the homestead which lies a water always exude. construction with personnel on the walk in the park! We may carry memories of awesome few kilometres off the road to Tokwe- ground predicting that it would be done Tokwe-Mukosi is accessible by road Historical sites views, but it is always people who touch Mukosi Dam in Chief Gororo's area a by the end of June. But that is not directly from South Africa via Beitbridge Great Zimbabwe is a given. But there our hearts. Village tours, with real practical museum from which many stopping the dam from being an or from Masvingo as well as by air via are other facets of national history that cultural villages not just roadside visitors may want to glean a look into attraction. Many locals and foreigners Buffalo Range domestic airport. also need due care. A case in point is reproduction flea markets, would fading ancient cultures and beliefs. have already put Tokwe-Mukosi on their the woefully and tragically provide value to collectors and tourist map. Thousands flock to the dam ignoredProvidential Pass on the anthropoligically minded visitors. These especially towards and over the

46 Aviation Magazine Vol 5 Vol 5 Aviation Magazine 47 Tokwe-Mukosi facts and figures

ith a height of 89,2m and meter diameter pressure tunnel which is On the fifth saddle dam, an auxiliary storage of 1,8 billion cubic connected to a gate shaft immediately spillway is provided for. Hydro-electric Wmetres of water, it is the highest downstream of the crest of the dam. power generating facilities shall be and the largest inland water body in From the gate shaft, two by two metre installed on the dam with a maximum Zimbabwe. The main purpose of the diameter steel pipes lead through a dry generating capacity of 15MW. All critical dam is for irrigation and hydro-power tunnel to the valve house downstream of works were completed in December generation. Tokwe Mukosi Dam is the dam. 2016 and the dam started impounding designed as a rock fill dam with an The outlet tunnel served as a water during the 2016/2017 rainy upstream concrete face, the first dam of diversion tunnel during construction of season. As at 14 May 2018, the dam was this type in Zimbabwe. Spillway the dam. There is an upstream coffer- 78 percent full holding 1,406 billion arrangements comprise of two drop inlet dam which was designed as a masonry cubic metres of water. structures, one on each bank, with six arch structure 15 meter high. There are The Zimbabwean Government meter diameter discharge tunnels all five Saddle Dams situated on the right wholly funded the construction of the excavated into the rock of the bank. The dams are zoned earthfill Tokwe-Mukosi Dam. abutments. The outlet works consist of structures with a total embankment Http://www.sundaymail.co.zw an upstream intake structure and a six volume of 1 100 000m3.

An ancient voices still murmurs

She says that no Nyami-nyami before us,” she says. like spirit inhabits the Tokwe- But not all is lost. At least one ancient Mukosi area and that is why voice is still audible. maybe there was never any of “There is only the guardian rain spirit the disturbances like those that whose medium is known the mbonga. dogged the construction of the Right now there is no mbonga after the Kariba Dam wall. She says the last one died some years back. But coming of Christianity meant they have kept her homestead that a lot of ties with the ancient maintaned and it looks like she is still world were deliberately resident there. Mbuya Marukwe stands in front of her severed. “They have a ceremony and take grass hut. She says she cannot read because “These days people have all turned to and poles there to make sure that it is in all those decades ago when she was Christianity. May of our traditions have good stead. It is quite an occasion. It born and grew up, female children just disappeared. If there were ever any has survived the onslaught of were not sent to school as it was powerfuly myths and legends about Christianity and remains an important thought that education would make this area, they have gone into the part of the lives of the people in the them loose and fast. ground with those who were there area.”

48 Aviation Magazine Vol 5 Our Airport Network Designed To Facilitate Tourism And Trade

Lake Kariba Mythical Kariba and the Mighty Zambezi Harare “Sunshine City”

ZAMBIA

Kariba Airport

Victoria Falls The Majestic Victoria Falls MOZAMBIQUE

Robert Mugabe International Airport Victoria Falls international Airport The natural gateway to Central and Southern Africa

Great Zimbabwe Hwange Airport The Grand Medieval Palace

Masvingo Airport BOTSWANA

J. M. Nkomo Gonarezhou - Chilogo Cliffs Buffalo Range Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park covers Airport Gonarezhou, Kruger and Limpopo Game Airport Parks to form the largest wildlife conservation area in the world

Hwange National Park Prisine Wildlife and Nature

SOUTH AFRICA

CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY OF ZIMBABWE Matobo National Park Balancing Matobo Rocks Safety, Security, Quality and Efficiency All in a Day's work takes you behind the scenes of a specific job in the Aviation industry from the perspective of the office bearer. In this edition Shingairai shares her day.

NName:ame: S SHINGAIRAIHINGAIRAI D DZINGWAZINGWA RRole:ole: Customer Services Officer LLikes:ikes: Spending time with my family, cooking and going out. DDislikes:islikes: Know it all passengers. FFavoriteavorite J Jobob A Aspect:spect: Getting to know and experience different cultures and putting a smile on clients' faces.

DIARY ACTIVITIES time of finalizing flight is up to ensure all problems are sorted out before close out. 13:00 - 14:00 18:40 - 19:30 Afternoon shift it is! I usually arrive an hour before to conduct Dinner break! I am a woman of habit and I love my chicken my pre-work routine. Once at work, I check on the status of the based meals, so it is usually anything with chicken and I am daily flights inorder to do the shift's staff deployment. Once all good to go. Not much time to rest and sit back. Our check-in is that is out of the way, it's time for a systems check using a still open serving regional and domestic flights. designed checklist before getting a handover from the morning shift supervisor. 19:30 - 20:30 People are slowly getting to understand the concept of 14:00 - 14:30 budget airlines. One thing that I have to attend to is to explain Brief the arriving shift on the work ahead of us and deploy to passengers with unaccepted hand luggage bags that they them to their check-in counters be it international or have to pay for extra luggage. In some cases it might not be domestic terminal. This is a tricky and fairly busy period excess but it will be a huge bag that someone calls hand because a new shift is coming in and we are attending active luggage and it is clearly not. flights. 20:30 - 21:00 15:00 - 16:00 Small break, usually over my cup of rooibos tea before This signals the beginning of the evening rush hour. Check in reviewing the flights that we would have handled and opens for local and international flights. The evening flights to identity gaps if any. Nairobi, Johannesburg, Kigali, Bulawayo, Lusaka and Dubai are all checking in at the same time with supervisory 21:00 - 03:00 assistance needed at these counters. Airlines require pre- Check in opens up again for late night outgoing flights that check-in briefs where they tell us the status of that particular are spaced over an hour each starting with fastjet to flight and how they want it to be handled to ensure that its Johannesburg, Kenya Airways to Nairobi, Ethiopian Airlines to turnaround times are achieved. Addis Ababa, RwandAir to Kigali before closing the shift off with another fastjet flight to Dar es Salaam. Because of the 16:00 - 17:00 times of these flights you have to page and page passenger By then I would have designed the seating plans for these when boarding since most of them find a comfortable spot flights. Emirates has a crew change over in Harare and I have and take a nap. to ensure that the outgoing crew have their baggage check in and crew tags ready for them before they arrive. Here and 04:00-06:00 there I have to on load standby passengers conduct an Finally home, check on my kids if they are sleeping alright and onward override. make myself a cup of tea and I sleep. I wake up to see the kids off to school before going back to bed to recharge for the next Occasionally a passenger might have a challenge I am called day ahead. in to log on to the system and assist, where possible before That is my normal working day: Your hostess on the ground!!!

50 Aviation Magazine Vol 5 Welcome aboard Air Namibia

Brief history of the airline magazine contains lively articles about for direct flights between Namibia and its In existence since 1946, Air Namibia is the Namibia, its people, tourist destinations, as neighbours in Southern Africa, which open up national airline of the Republic of Namibia. well as, Air Namibia news, providing you new cultural exchange programmes and foster The airline is a proprietary limited company developments and interesting reading. integration. As a business, we operate routes incorporated in accordance with the Safety is our cornerstone and at the center of that are profitable or those that have potential Company's Act of the Republic of Namibia. everything we do, making sure we comply to become profitable in future, as well as those From humble beginnings, the airline started with all regulatory and environmental that are of strategic importance by virtue of the as small airline operating domestic flights requirements and laws. We are committed to positive contribution they make towards the within the boundaries of Namibia. About 22 providing all our stakeholders and entire route network, even if they are loss years ago, the airline introduced cross border passengers, the highest level of safety and making on their own. As Air Namibia, we will flights into neighboring South Africa to comfort. Our entire fleet is serviced by some continue to explore and look at other markets Johannesburg, then Cape Town. Since then of the most advanced technical teams in the and emerging markets with a view to expand. the number of flights increased to include industry, with a safety record second to none. We will continue with our modest growth Luanda in Angola, other regional destinations No wonder we were awarded the Feather plans, we shall remain relevant to the SADC such as Vic Falls in Zimbabwe, Maun in Awards for Best Regional Airline by the region and to Africa in general, fulfilling our Botswana, and into Europe and specifically to Airports Company of South Africa, six years in mandate as a contributor towards the Frankfurt and London. Flights to London were the last 8 years, for airlines operating into attraction and promotion of tourism, as well as stopped in 2008 due to alerts about the global either Johannesburg and / or Cape Town. promotion and facilitation of trade to the economic recession, as UK was expected to region through provision of air transport be one of the worst affected economies. Reward$ is our frequent flyer programme that services, facilitating imports and exports With our HQ located in Windhoek, enables you to qualify and accrue free miles through the logistics and facilities we offer. Namibia, the airline's primary business every time you fly with Air Namibia. Miles This includes but is not necessarily limited to involves provision of air transport services for earned come with advantages and flexibility serving the communities and environments in passengers and cargo. Through its for use either to purchase tickets, swap-miles, which we operate, contributing significantly to subsidiary company, Air Namibia Ground share-miles, pay for excess baggage; or to attainment of our African Leaders' aims and Handling (Pty) Limited, the airline also gain access to business class lounges across ambitious for creating a better Africa with provides ground handling services for airports where we operate. Enrolment is by intra-Africa travel infrastructure and passengers and aircraft at Windhoek's Hosea simply logging onto our website at promoting and facilitating trade. We shall Kutako International Airport, which is our HUB www.airnamibia.com and navigate to our expand our footprint through partnerships and main base of operations. Air Namibia is a Reward$ section to begin the registration and on our own. member of IATA, and is IOSA Certified. IOSA process. Making your journey more rewarding certification is an industry term setting is just a click away! Accra/Lagos Operations minimum operational safety standards which We are pleased to announce that in line with commercial airlines should meet. The airline is Service Offering for the Zimbabwe Market our strategic plan we will be adding Lagos, also a member of African Airlines Association We are currently operating an Embraer Jet Nigeria and Accra, Ghana to our route (AFRAA), as well as Association of Airlines in aircraft three times a week direct to Windhoek. network with effect from the 29th of June, 2018. Southern Africa (AASA). The flights are on Tuesdays, Fridays and This fits in with our “growing the business and Sundays departing Harare departing at increasing our footprint on the African Our services 1120hrs and arriving Windhoek at 1335hrs. Continent” objective. The routing for the two We place a lot of emphasis in ensuring that We are due to increase these weekly flights in new destinations will be Windhoek-Lagos- our passengers are treated with the highest the very near future. We also operate flights Accra, and the return will be Accra-Lagos- level of courtesy and respect, served with our from Windhoek to Victoria Falls and return four Windhoek four times per week using our warm Namibian hospitality. We treat our times a week on Sundays, Mondays, Airbus A319-100 aircraft. Apart from providing passengers as pampered guests from the Wednesdays and Fridays departing at 1630 a direct connection from Namibia to West moment they embark on our planes to the hrs. We fly passengers to other destinations Africa, the operation will further transport moment they disembark. Air Namibia's beyond Windhoek in the Southern African passengers and cargo on the Lagos-Accra- service offering is synonymous with Namibian region and into Europe. Passengers can Lagos route, using the Fifth Freedom Traffic hospitality. Exceptionally professional cockpit connect via Windhoek to Cape Town, Durban, Rights granted by the Ghanaian and Nigerian and cabin crew, our ground staff provide Johannesburg, Gaborone, Harare, Lusaka, Governments, as contained in the existing optimum assistance at all starts or stops en- Luanda and Frankfurt. By travelling via Bilateral Air Service Agreements between route to your destination. Windhoek, passengers are afforded hassle- Namibia and the two countries respectively. free, convenient and fast connecting times The days of operation from Windhoek will In-flight, we offer our passengers pre-flight before catching their onward flight. be on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and drinks, a selection of complimentary soft Our fares are set to offer the “best value” Fridays. The operating schedule and flight drinks, hot beverages, spirits, wines, beers, for money and simply irresistible. Our route timings will allow smooth and convenient snacks and hot meals.On all our flights, we network and offering, is designed to optimize connections inbound and outbound to our extend the courtesy to prepare special meals on the provision of air linkages to a vast class regional flights, connecting West Africa via upon request, catering to your specific dietary of customers who travel for different Windhoek to Johannesburg, Cape Town, or religious requirements. Requests must be purposes, be it for business, leisure (tourism), Luanda, Harare, Lusaka, Vic Falls, Gaborone made at time of making the reservation. We sports or simply visiting friends and relatives. and Durban.This service will give our offer our passengers with reduced mobility, Our Zimbabwe office is located in Harare City passengers a better alternative travel option, wheelchair and other types of assistance. It is Centre, on the 2nd Floor at Joina City, corner and will reduce travel times between Southern important that requests for these services are Jason Moyo Avenue and Julius Nyerere Way, Africa and West Africa by more than 60%. This also sent through at time of making opposite Town House and at Robert G. move also promotes easy access and reservations. Mugabe International Airport in the improved mobility on the continent thereby As part of onboard entertainment, our free international Departures Terminal. promoting intra-African trade and tourism monthly in-flight magazine, Flamingo, is flows. available on all our flights for passengers to The future Forbes Zaranyika take way on arrival at their destination. This We are encouraged by the growing potential Country Manager Zimbabwe

Vol 5 Aviation Magazine 51 FLYING TIPS

How to Pack Light: The 's Guide

Always bring a bathing suit and keep well for a couple of hoursthink sunscreen. Also, always bring picnic foodand make them somewhat flip-flops, black yoga pants, and delicious so you will actually want to a large pashmina-type scarf to eat them. Cut up celery and carrots, drape over your shoulders if it is include hummus and string cheese, chilly,or use it as a blanket or and add protein in the form of salami rolled up pillow on the plane slices or peanut butter. Bring along apples, and maybe a pasta salad What is one item that most tossed in olive oil and vinegar with people pack unnecessarily? cheese cubes, artichokes, etc. Too many outfits, and shoesyou do not need that many shoes. What do flight attendants pack to We asked the world's most make themselves feel right at home experienced travelersflight What are your best tips for packing while traveling? attendantsfor their finest tips and toiletries, cosmetics, etc.? Perhaps flight attendants learn to not tricks when it comes to packing the It depends on where you are going. If be sentimental about objects that take perfect suitcase. you are going to a hotel that carries up space, as everyone we talked to nice shampoo, conditioner, and soaps, simply said: “I have my kids' photos on Besides rolling your clothes, what is then do not bring those at all, because my phone." your advice for maximizing your they take up so much room. Most suitcase real estate? hotels have hair dryers, so never pack Do you have any work-arounds for the Packing cubes are a great way to pack one of those. Then slim down your “one carry-on and one personal item” for each day and help keep things from makeup bag by taking only what you rule? getting wrinkled. One of the simplest know you will be using. If you wear Bring your roller bag, a tote, and a but often overlooked packing tips is to contacts, always bring another set. If purse (hiding the purse in the tote put heavier items at the bottom of your you forget anything, most hotels have suitcase, meaning the short end where all basic amenities you might need, like Do you have any other great tips that the wheels areit's easier to roll a bag razors, toothbrushes, etc. Most flight we didn't even know to ask? through long airport hallways when attendants also bring a little squirt If you are traveling with children, bring the weight is down there. Flight bottle of wrinkle reducer spray and a extra diapers and formulamost attendants put shoes and toiletries travel-size pack of makeup wipes airports do not carry these items. there, and it makes a surprising (makeup wipes get the job done Always make a list before larger trips to difference during in-airport transit. without requiring you to carry liquid make sure of not forgetting any cleansers). essential items. Pack a stash of large What's your advice on which shoes to Ziploc bags, because they are so bring and how to pack them? Any tips or tricks for packing handy. For example, if you take a last- Always bring flip-flops. They take up electronics? minute swim, you can plop your suit in no room and are perfect for the beach, Think about what you will really need. the plastic bag and pack it away. They to wear with shorts or a dress, or to use If traveling for fun and not work, just can also help keep all kinds of things as 'house shoes' in your hotel. Then bring your phone. Most phones take organized so your carry-on is a little also bring a nice pair of flats that looks amazing pictures now, and they also tidier. great with pants or dresses, but are double as books, etc. Also, definitely Note: One trick many flight attendants comfortable enough to wear walking pack a small outlet extender, one that use, though there's no proof that it around a city as well. There is always a makes one outlet turn into three with works, is to unwrap a bar of soap and chance to work out or take a beautiful USB charge ports so you can just bring stick it between the mattress and the walk in a new city, so bring a pair of the USB cords and not all the box spring in any hotel. The thought is sneakers. Save room by wearing the cumbersome plugs. that the soap attracts bed bugs. We bulkiest shoes; you want to bring may never know its success rate, but boots, just plan on wearing those on What is your advice on packing every flight attendant we talked to said the plane. snacks? Are they worth the real they had never seen an actual bed bug, estate? so it's worth a shot?- Adpated from What do you always pack no matter Bring a large Ziploc bag of snacks in www.cntraveler.com where you are going? your carry-on. Choose items that will

52 Aviation Magazine Vol 5 Airport Service Quality; Embrace it and grow. Selina Cumba irports are more than the massive surveys, a global initiative to improve the exchange facilities. infrastructure that is put on the passenger experience at airports • How an airport compares to others Aground to land aircraft and worldwide. around the world by traffic type, size, facilitate the throughput of passengers. The ACI-ASQ Survey is the world's region, etc.; There has been a growing trend and leading airport passenger satisfaction • Which aspects are of particular huge investments put towards improving benchmark program. It provides the importance for a specific airport, and; the service landscape and the training of most authoritative and extensive analysis • How passengers' perceptions and airport staff to provide an unforgettable of airport service performance available priorities are evolving over time. airport experience. Airports like any other today. The ACI- ASQ Survey's main service offering depend on both referral objective is to provide the participating The overall outcome of the ACI ASQ and good word of mouth. Customer airports with the research tools and Survey is to assist and recommend satisfaction and retention are key issues management information to better relevant strategies to improve and in the aviation industry in today's understand passengers' views with upgrade the service of the CAAZ competitive market place. The art of respect to an airport's products and managed Airports for the benefit of our s a t i s f y i n g c u s t o m e r s r e m a i n s services. customers. challenging task for many. The Civil Victoria Falls International Airport is Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe is • How passengers rate an airport's one of the member Airports participating developing accurate ways of assessing services such as check-in, security in the ACI-ASQ surveys since year 2014. customer satisfaction at both local and screenings, immigration and The results for Victoria Falls International international levels. customs queuing times, courtesy of Airport have greatly improved since the In 2012 CAAZ joined other 314 staff, customer service, parking commissioning of the new Airport in 2016 member airports worldwide in the facilities, ground transportation, and the overall improvement in service p r e s t i g i o u s A i r p o r t s C o u n c i l Airport ambience and cleanliness, delivery by the Airport. As shown in the International's Airport Service Quality shopping and banking/money bar graph below

Benchmark position 2013-2018

The Key drivers for customer • Availability of Washrooms championed the training roping in all satisfaction for the years 2017-2018 • Airport Ambience airport operators for a two day per class have been identified as the following • Availability of fair priced Ground session. Equipping airport frontline staff attributes; Transportation with a common approach in customer • Availability of Internet/ access /Wi- • Availability of variety Restaurants services helps in ensuring the provision Fi and shops of seamless service delivery. • Waiting time at immigration and The continued jump by Victoria Falls customs (Arrivals) International airport is attributing to both Selina is a customer services champion • Waiting time in check-in- the world class airport facility and the with many years of service research and queue/line continuous “Common Customer she aims to thrill customers with • Cleanliness of washrooms/Toilets Services” training. CAAZ has exceptional customer service.

Vol 5 Aviation Magazine 53 FLYING TIPS

you to say “Jambo” in Swahili speaking countries, Try and learn some basic but when you get there no actually uses that word. phrases in the native You will probably say it all wrong, mispronounce words and generally sound funny so the locals language of Your may have a good laugh at your expense. But it will show that your heart is in the right place and they destination. will open up to you. Guide books seem to het it wrong like they all tell

Have a secret stash where you keep an extra bank card

and cash. As the saying goes, you never know what will happen until it happens. So just in case the unithinkable happens and you lose your wallet, you will have a starting point. And while you are at it, you might as well add in a photocopy of your passport detail page.

Always look up updated flying

rules. A lot of people are donating expensive perfumes at the check in counter because they have never bothered to learn about the ziploc rule and where it applies. So before you pack, just do that final online search. Go one better and check the rules of the particular airline and airports that you will be flying from and to.

54 Aviation Magazine Vol 5 FLYING TIPS

Foods to avoid Fast and fried food Cruciferous before flying Vegetables The flight seems interminable. You have that bloated feeling. Scrap that. You just feel unwell and you wish the plane would just get to the ground so you can begin to feel human again. Chances are you are not a very good neighbor and the person on the seat next to yours is also suffering big time. Don't snap It's good to load up before you fly at the flight crew. right? After all we all know that on flight cuisine is not exactly what you would call filling or an experience in gastronomic excellence. So you might as well have a last meal that you can enjoy before you board. A good idea. As Have you been looking for a valid long as you don't go for fried and reason to say no to vegetables on fast foods. It takes forever to get your plate? Flying is a great those things through your excuse. Don't eat broccoli, Val LohGetty Images digestive system and the elevation cauliflower, and other cruciferous vegetables because they worsen The fault probably lies in what you of flight is only going to slow bloating and they give you gas. ate before boarding. There are things down even more. So do Definitely not wanted on board! some foods that you need to avoid. yourself a favour and skip the fast Let us look at some of them: food courts. Carbonated Garlic and raw Alcohol Beverages onion

You get to the airport well in time for your check in. Or you are Garlic and onion- wonderful foods. between flights and must kill those Flying equals bloating for most They even contain some healing endless hours before your people. The bubbles in carbonated properties and are generally good connection boards. What else is drinks are gas. You don't want to for your health. But nature did not there to do except drink yourself add all that gas to your stomach. design them for prolonged motherless? Don't. Flying is You are only going to feel that encounters in a close space. Even dehydrating enough without you Christmas overfed kind of if you brush your teeth, garlic and adding to yoru misery with alcohol. discomfort with none of the cheer. onion will not be completely Stick to water with lemon. Or you Save yourself and just say no to scrubbed off and will be can go for pure fruit juices and carbonated drinks. Most of them discernible again after a fairly water instead. You can even bring contain a lot of sugar anyway and short time. And the fumes come off a couple of oranges to eat while it is not going to help your oral your skin. Not a good thing for the you wait. They will be good for you. hygiene people seated next to you.

Vol 5 Aviation Magazine 55 FLYING TIPS

Foods to avoid before flying

Anything containing artificial sweeteners

Many people know of the bad side of too and gas. They can also have a laxative much sugar. So they reach for the sugar effect on the digestive system. That is not free alternatives of any foods including something that you want when you are drinks and gum. But artificial sweeteners travelling. have been fingered in causing bloating

Legumes

Beans are a supper food, a healthy the planet. But they are not meant to source of protein that is friendly to the be eaten by people who are going to environment and god sent for vegans be boarding a plane. Their well earned and vegetarians and all other humans reputation when it comes to gas is not who are concerned about their health a myth. Eat them when you get there. and the impact of their existence on

56 Aviation Magazine Vol 5

WE’RE GROWING OUR ROUTES LAGOS - ACCRA

New Destinations -Accra -Lagos Starting on 29 June 2018

Seats are selling out. Have you purchased yours yet? Avoid last minute disappointment.

BOOK NOW! Telephone: + 263 4 710358-9/ 758975 / 751418 E-mail: [email protected] Book & Pay Online: www.airnamibia.com Booking 10+ [email protected] Find us on: or your preferred travel agent Shop 202, 2nd Floor, Joina City Corner Julius Nyerere/Jason Moyo Avenues Harare - Zimbabwe