The Siberian Aeronautical Research Institute, named after S. A. Chaplygin (SibNIA), believes its TVS-2MS turboprop conversion of the classic Antonov An-2 piston airliner could prolong the life of the venerable aircraft into a ninth decade, with Africa a strong potential market for the modernised aeroplane.
The second panel session of the Routes Africa Strategy Summit saw esteemed professionals from the aviation industry discuss the impact of tourism within Africa. The panel was moderated by Edward Robertson, editor of Routes News, and featured Richard Bodin, chief commercial officer of fastjet; Fernando Estrada, chief strategy officer of Vueling; Stephanie Wear, director of economic and air service development Tenerife Tourism Corporation and Yolanta Strikista, director of Strikista Consulting.
In a comprehensive look at the potential impact of Brexit on UK air transport by International Air Transport Association (IATA), the industry body predicted that preliminary estimates suggest that the number of UK air passengers could be 3-5 percent lower by 2020, driven by the expected downturn in economic activity and the fall in the sterling exchange rate. The near-term impact on the UK air freight market is less certain, according to IATA but freight will be affected by lower international trade in the longer term.
According to 2011 estimates, about 12.5 percent of the African population has internet access. While Africa accounts for 15.0 percent of the population, only 6.2 percent of the world’s internet subscribers are African. But, as the internet becomes more available, Africans are using it in their millions.
The United Kingdom woke up this morning to the news that the country’s people had voted to leave the European Union. By a small majority, 52 percent of residents voted for independence, a decision that could change the political landscape of Europe forever and could bring an end to the United Kingdom, as both Scotland and Northern Ireland look to maintain membership of the European Union.
The ten youngest populations in the world all reside on the African continent – the median age in Niger is just 14.8 years. An increasing working-age population could be detrimental to Africa’s continuing growth, and if dealt with correctly, opportunities could be endless for the Africa of tomorrow.
The new flight will commence from May 26, 2017 and will be flown using a 164-seat Boeing 757-200ER. It will be operated in conjunction with its Transatlantic joint venture partner Virgin Atlantic Airways, adding to the UK carrier’s seasonal service from Glasgow to Orlando.
JOIN THE FUN at Routesonline this summer as we take an alternative look at the high-profile Euro 2016 football tournament through the eyes of the air service development world.
The arrival of Qatar Airways would be a major development for Las Vegas, and the suggested January 2017 launch could have the route established ahead of next year’s Routes Americas forum which takes place the The Aria Resort and Casino Convention Facility in Sin City between February 14 and 16, 2017.
IATA reports that more than $5 billion in total is owed to the world’s airlines, $3.8 billion by long-term offender Venezuela, but African nations make up the rest of the top five list of countries with Nigeria blocking $591 million, Sudan $360 million, Egypt $291 million and Angola at $237 million.
Big data – it’s what everyone’s talking about, but how effectively are airlines really using it? Of course, data provides vital information on anything from marketing to operations, but it can also be used as a tool to develop digitally.
POP plans to establish regular links from London Stansted to two Indian cities: Amritsar (Punjab) and Ahmedabad (Gujarat). Subject to the successful completion of a 60 day rewards-based crowdfunding exercise in association with Trillion Fund Ltd to raise £5 million, the airline could take to the air as early as October this year.
Swedavia is strengthening the Aviation Business team by employing former Copenhagen Airport air service development executive Ole Wieth Christensen to provide an increased focus on developing intercontinental routes to Sweden. As director of intercontinental route development he will be overall responsible for development and execution of Swedavia’s Intercontinental Route Development Strategy.
Ryanair's introduction of flights from Oslo Airport to London Stansted and Vilnius follows the confirmation this week of the closure of the airline’s base at Rygge after the Norwegian Government introduced of an 80NOK tax on all departing passengers. Ryanair said the “environmentally unfriendly tax” will damage Norwegian tourism, traffic and jobs and left it with “no choice” but to modify its Oslo operations.
Africa has long been considered the next big market in aviation. African aviation is taking off, and this market is finally being tapped into thanks to the creation of low-cost carriers and increased services from outside of the continent.
