AFRAA: ‘Out of control’ COVID-19 Threatens African Rebound

The African Airlines Association (AFRAA) expressed concern over rapidly rising cases of COVID-19 on the continent, warning that the rise in infection rates could see African nations slam the brakes on any relaxation of restrictions on commercial aviation.

The organization, which boasts 46 members accounting for more than 85% of total international traffic carried by African airlines, warned that poor financial performance by the continent’s airlines in the first half of 2021 represented “a direct threat to the survival of the African aviation industry if the trend continues to the end of the year.”

AFRAA said that the continent “continues to witness a significant increase in number of COVID-19 cases,” adding: “The situation seems to be getting out of control, especially in South Africa where daily infection has now exceeded 15,000 cases. Some African governments are resorting to lockdowns again as a way to curb the surging COVID-19 infections and deaths. The Delta variant is indeed a threat to the safe and smooth reopening of borders.” 

Traffic statistics for July showed African airlines’ passenger levels at just 42.9% of the same month in 2019. Capacity reached 53.7% of pre-COVID-19 levels in July.

AFRAA said that domestic markets across Africa continued to post the highest performance levels, with demand for domestic passenger travel significantly out-performing both intra-Africa and intercontinental flights.

On the brighter side, May 2021 saw a resumption of 62.5% of international routes compared to the pre-COVID-19 period. That recovery further improved to 72.7% in June and 74.7% in July. 

“Some countries have been easing travel restrictions to facilitate the movement of people and tourists across borders. There is however concern that this positive trend may be reversed in subsequent months if the rate of COVID-19 infections continues to soar,” the organization said.

The worst-hit African nation was Mauritius, with the Indian Ocean island reporting a 98% drop in intra-African connectivity compared to February 2020.

UAE Travel: Residents Need Not Present COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate to Board Dubai-bound Flights, say Emirates, Other Airlines

Dubai: Emirates airline on Tuesday updated its travel rules for UAE residents flying in from India, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Uganda. In the latest guidelines, COVID-19 vaccination certificate is no longer stated as a requirement for entry into Dubai.

All passengers with a valid UAE residence visa are allowed to travel to and through Dubai from these countries, provided they comply with the following:

• Dubai visa holders must apply for pre entry approval through General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA)
• Passengers must have a valid COVID-19 test certificate issued within 48 hours between the time of sample collection and scheduled flight departure. Only COVID 19 PCR test reports from certified labs that issue a QR code linked to the original report will be accepted
• Passengers must complete a COVID-19 PCR rapid test 4 hours before the departure of their flight. (Rapid antigen test will not be accepted)
• Passengers must complete a COVID-19 PCR test on arrival in Dubai
• UAE Nationals are exempted from the above requirements but subject to COVID-19 PCR test on arrival in Dubai

In a travel update, Indian carrier Vistara also said, “Regardless of vaccination status, customers will be welcomed on Vistara flights to Dubai.” When contacted, PP Singh, regional manager for Air India and Air India Express, confirmed receiving new guidelines from Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) regarding the same.

“Based on the new guidelines given by the DCAA, airlines need to look for only the return permit from GDRFA and two valid negative PCR reports. Airlines have not been asked to check the vaccination status of the passengers,” he told Gulf News. Read More

Qatar Airways Enhances Africa Presence With Two New Destinations

Qatar Airways is continuing to press its commitment to serving the African market as it announced on Sunday the launch of flights to two new destinations via a flight from its superhub in Doha to Lusaka, Zambia and onwards to neighboring Harare, Zimbabwe.

The airline has significantly grown its Africa reach with so far starting six new destinations including Accra, Ghana; Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire; Abuja, Nigeria; Luanda, Cameroon; Lusaka, Zambia and Harare, Zimbabwe while restarting services to Alexandria, Egypt; Khartoum, Sudan and Cairo, bringing its outreach to 27 destinations in 21 countries across the continent.

The new route will operate three times per week on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

Flight QR1455 departs Doha at 2:20 a.m. on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, arriving in Lusaka at 8:50 a.m. before departing again for the 60-minute flight to Harare at 10:20 a.m.

Flight QR1466 departs Harare on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 6:55 p.m. and arrives back in Lusaka at 7:55 p.m. before departing for Doha at 9:25 p.m. The flight arrives in Doha at 5:55 a.m. the next day, touching down on Thursday, Saturday and Monday.

“Africa continues to be an area of strong growth for Qatar Airways and launching this service will support the development of the economy and tourism sector in both countries,” Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker said in a statement. “Not only do we continue to rebuild our network after the pandemic, but we are actively expanding it with the addition of these two key destinations. These are the fifth and sixth new destinations in Africa added to our network since the start of the pandemic, taking our total new destinations added across the globe to 10.” Read More

Africa Air Passenger Traffic Fell by 66pc as Global Losses Topped $126b in 2020

Air passenger traffic in Africa fell by 65.7 percent in 2020 as the global air transport industry witnessed the steepest fall in 70 years. Global industry losses topped $126 billion for the year, as disruption by Covid-19 impacted demand and the number of aircraft operated by airlines.

The grim numbers form part of the highlights of the International Air Transport Association’s World Air Transport Statistics report, released in Montreal recently. Only 1.8 billion passengers travelled by air during the year representing a 60.2 percent decline from the 4.5 billion that flew in 2019.

African airlines carried 34.3 million passengers during the year, representing 65.7 percent fall from the 95 million carried in 2019. The numbers represent the worst performance since the International Air Transport Association (IATA) started tracking global traffic demand in 1950.

Composite demand for air travel slipped by 65.9 percent year-on-year while the international segment saw a 75.6 percent decrease relative to 2019. The domestic sector fared better shrinking by 48.8 percent over 2019 as the number of international routes fell two-thirds.

Head of IATA Willie Walsh said that while “2020 was a year that we’d all like to forget,” the statistics for the year reveal “an amazing story of perseverance.” He said that 66 percent of the world’s commercial air transport fleet was grounded at the height of the crisis in April 2020, as governments closed borders or imposed strict quarantines. Read More

Green Africa Receives AOC, Schedules Maiden Flights

Nigerian startup Green Africa has obtained its Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) and will start its first commercial flights on Aug. 12.

The Lagos-based carrier originally planned to begin flying in June but delayed the launch citing unforeseen circumstances. It intends to serve seven domestic destinations.

“This is a watershed moment in our journey to use the power of air travel to create a better future,” the airline said in a statement. “With this certificate, Green Africa is able to commence operations in accordance with its initial route network unveiled earlier in June.”

Green Africa’s inaugural route will connect Nigeria’s largest city Lagos (LOS) with the country’s capital Abuja (ABV). Service will be 2X-daily with a flight time of about 1 hr. 40 min.

A further five routes will be offered from LOS, linking the city with Akure (AKR), Enugu (ENU), Ilorin (ILR), Owerri (QOW) and Port Harcourt (PHC).

OAG Schedules Analyser data shows the carrier will face direct competition on all six routes being launched, the fiercest of which will come in the Lagos-Abuja market. Seven airlines currently serve the two destinations nonstop, collectively providing about 42,000 two-way weekly seats.

Green Africa has three ATR 72-600s from ACIA Aero Leasing. The airline plans to deploy the aircraft on domestic routes until December 2022 before expanding internationally within Africa. Read More

News Source: Gulf News, Routes Online, Airline Geeks