B747-400F joins the Astral-NAM fleet for perishable market opportunities

Network Airline Management (NAM) and Astral Aviation have signed a long-term wet lease with Air Atlanta Icelandic which add a factory-built, nose-loader B747-400F to their existing managed fleet of three MD11Fs.

This will enable NAM to develop its presence in Africa, and especially the Kenyan perishables market, adding capacity for flowers and vegetables from Nairobi to the UK.
Andy Leslie, Group Chairman, said, “We are excited to enter into this agreement with Astral Aviation and Air Atlanta Icelandic and look forward to a long and successful partnership enabling us to further expand our network.”
Sanjeev Gadhia, Astral Aviation’s founder and CEO, said, “The newly acquired B747-400F from Air Atlanta Icelandic will strengthen our position as a market-leader in perishable exports from Kenya to the UK market. Furthermore, the B747F will feed its intra-African network in Nairobi with cargo, which will be consolidated in its Liege hub originating from Europe and the US. “
The B747-400F made its inaugural flight from Stansted (STN) to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi on Tuesday, expanding NAM’s capacity to East Africa.
The group expects to handle around 33,000 tonnes of perishable exports from East Africa to Europe per year. The nose-loader B747F will also enable the group to attract out-sized oil, gas and mining equipment for West and East Africa, which is expected to increase following the high oil prices experienced during the past week.
Gadhia said, “While most foreign carriers are reducing their capacity to Africa, Astral Aviation remains ‘cautiously optimistic’ of positive growth in perishable exports to Europe and a strong south-bound demand from Europe to West and East Africa, fuelled by the growth in consumer demand for e-commerce and oil and gas equipment due to the improved fuel-prices. 
“According to IATA, African carriers had the fastest growth in year-on-year freight volumes. However, growth is set to remain in double digits for the remainder of 2017.” Ghadia said

Why over 20,000 people are tracking this Kenya Airways flight

A Kenya Airways flight – KQ 100 – was the most tracked plane on Wednesday, November 8, 2017 according to Flightradar24, a Swedish internet-based service that tracks air traffic in real time from around the world.

This is after reports emerged that British Cabinet Minister Priti Patel was on board the plane en route to London after she was forced to cut short an official trip over a controversy that could see her sacked from her job

Ms. Patel was ordered back to the UK by Prime Minister Theresa May to explain talks she held with Israeli politicians, in which she reportedly raised the possibility of Britain diverting aid to the Israeli army.

By the time of publishing, more than 22,000 users were tracking flight KQ 100 which left Nairobi at around 9.40am.

Emirates to reinstate its second daily service to Lagos

Emirates will reinstate its second daily service to Lagos and resume operations to Nigeria's capital city, Abuja, with four weekly flights from 15 December 2017.

Similar to the current daily service between Dubai and Lagos, the added frequencies to Lagos will be operated with Emirates’ Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, offering eight private suites in First Class, 42 lie-flat seats in Business Class and 310 spacious seats in Economy Class. The reinstated service to Abuja will be served by a 360-seat Boeing 777-300 in a three-class configuration. 

“Nigeria is a key market for Emirates and its importance is reflected by the fact that we will add 11 weekly flights between Dubai and two major cities in Nigeria, Abuja and Lagos. This is great news for both our business and leisure customers and highlights our commitment to providing travellers in Nigeria with not only the very latest in aircraft innovations but also increased connectivity,” said Orhan Abbas, Emirates Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, Africa. “We thank the Nigerian authorities for facilitating the reinstatement of our flights to Abuja and Lagos which will, in turn, greatly benefit Nigerian tourism, trade, investment and economy at large.”

By operating a double daily service to Lagos and four weekly flights to Abuja, Emirates will offer travellers in Nigeria very convenient and comfortable access to Dubai, and onwards to other destinations on the Emirates network, including more than 35 destinations in the Middle East and Far East, 18 destinations in South Asia and over 20 destinations in the Americas and Australia. Many of these destinations are served by Emirates’ iconic A380 aircraft. 

Apart from the increased passenger capacity, the new flights will provide up to 23 tonnes of cargo capacity per flight, giving businesses and traders more opportunities for increased imports such as electronic goods, construction equipment and pharmaceuticals, and exports such as fresh produce and perishables. 

The added Lagos flight EK781 will depart Dubai every day at 0355hrs and arrive in Lagos at 0905hrs. The return flight EK782 will depart Lagos at 1240hrs and arrive in Dubai at 2255hrs. The Abuja flight EK785 will depart Dubai every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday at 1035hrs and arrive in Abuja at 1535hrs. The return flight EK786 will depart Abuja at 1855hrs and arrive in Dubai at 0435hrs the next day. The arrival of the flight in Dubai is conveniently timed to enable a shorter transit period for customers connecting to Emirates’ early morning flights to popular destinations such as New York, Houston, London, Beirut, Seoul, Taipei, Singapore, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Mumbai, Delhi and Sydney, amongst others, which are popular cities for Nigerian travellers.

Emirates and Flydubai expand partnership in Zanzibar and Kilimanjaro

Emirates and Flydubai have announced 16 additional destinations to which Emirates' passengers will be able travel on a single ticket.

The new, expanded network now includes sought-after destinations such as Zanzibar and Kilimanjaro.

Travellers can book on Emirates.com, through Emirates’ Contact Centres, or via travel agents for travel commencing from 8 November 2017.

Emirates President, Sir Tim Clark said: “We are thrilled with the positive response from travellers. Nearly 14,000 sectors have been ticketed during the first week of operation, surpassing our expectations.”

"This partnership is an unprecedented opportunity for both airlines to unleash the combined power of their networks, offering travellers greater choice and flexibility when planning their trips. We want to make exploring the world as friendly and as convenient as possible.”

Flydubai chief executive officer, Ghaith Al Ghaith said: “The many benefits of Dubai’s international aviation hub have been recognised by travellers who have already shown that they are keen to explore the world together. Today’s announcement will allow them to discover another 16 destinations as well as enjoy the unique personality of each airline.”

O.R. Tambo International Airpot staff intercept cocaine suspect

Airports Company South Africa Security staff at O.R. Tambo International Airport have handed a Seychelles-bound passenger to the SAPS after she attempted to clear a security checkpoint with two concealed bricks of cocaine on November 3.

Airport spokesperson Leigh Gunkel-Keuler said that at approximately 11h40 on Friday 3 November the attention of the security team at the central search point of Terminal A was drawn to a passenger with what appeared to be an unusual body shape.

The airport security team requested a private search in terms of the legal procedures. During the search, security staff discovered two bricks containing cocaine concealed by seven additional brassieres. The estimated weight of the cocaine is 1,040 kilograms. 

“We are fast approaching the festive season and it is very common for criminals to use this period to their advantage. Criminal behaviour will not be tolerated under any circumstances. The safety and security of all passengers and customers using airport facilities is of paramount importance to the management of O.R. Tambo International Airport,” says Gunkel-Keuler. 

Passengers are encouraged to be vigilant at all times and should report any unusual or criminal behaviour to the police or security personnel at the airport.

It is essential for passengers to take responsibility for their bags and to keep them close and in-view at all times.

“We appreciate that at busy holiday times some people may be tempted to offer or to take short cuts. We urge airport users not to offer or pay bribes and to report suspicious activity. People should also be aware that the law provides for prosecution not only of those soliciting bribes, but also of those who offer them or pay them.” 

Uhuru's refusal to partake in sacrament at the ACK church explained

- On Sunday, October 5, Uhuru Kenyatta refused to partake in the Holy Communion at the Anglican Church

 - He had been called to adress the congregation by the Bishop of Canterbury who was in Kenya for an official visit 

- The president explained that he was not sure whether he should take the communion since he is a catholic and catholics do not offer communion to strangers President Uhuru Kenyatta left supporters and congregants in awe on Sunday, November 5 after he publicly declined to take the Holy communion at the Anglican Church of Kenya as is the norm with Catholic believers. 

    Uhuru was attending a special church service at the ACK church to mark 100 years since the establishment of the house of prayer. 

“Where I come from (Catholic Church), we don’t offer Communion to strangers and I was quite willing to go up but then I realised that this event is live and my Cardinal may be watching, and I wasn’t sure how he may respond to that,” Uhuru said to the amusement of the congregation. 

What next for Nyeri County after sudden death of governor?

- Nyeri Governor Wahome Gakuru passed away on Tuesday, November 7, following a freak accident

 - He was the second governor to die in office in the county

 - Gakuru won the gubernatorial seat during the August 8 election Nyeri Deputy Governor Mutahi Kahiga is poised to take over the leadership of the region following the death of his boss in a freak accident on the morning of Tuesday, November 7. 

County Governments Act 2012 says that if a governor dies, the deputy takes over as the county boss for the remainder of the term. But if Kahiga is found to be unfit or refuses to take over, the law provides that the Speaker of the County shall act as governor.

After 60 days when the Speaker takes over, a new election should be held for the residents to elect a new governor. And according to the Constitution (Devolved Governments), at Chapter 11, Article 179, if a vacancy arises in the office of the county governor, the members of the county executive committee cease to hold office. The law is however silent on how long it should take to swear in the deputy governor as the new county boss.

The country woke up to the sad news of the passing on of Governor Wahome Gakuru, the third Nyeri Governor and the second to die in office. Early this year, the first governor Nderitu Gachagua passed on and his deputy Samuel Wamathai was sworn in before the August 8 general election. 

Is Kenya disaster-ready? Questions after Lake Nakuru chopper crash

The helicopter, owned and operated by Flex Air Charters, crashed at around 7:30 am on Saturday, October 21 barely half-an-hour after take-off from Jarika County Lodge in Nakuru.

The National Disaster Management Unit (NDMU) activated a national police chopper to support the Nakuru County Disaster team on a search and rescue operation.

The rescue team had to mobilize speed boats from Lake Naivasha, 93 KM away. The boats arrived four hours later.

The Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) team arrived early at the scene but could not start any activity as they lacked the necessary equipment for the mission.

Nearly eight hours into the operation, the wreckage of the helicopter was sighted, although the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority confirmed there was no survivor.

The rescue team reported that the wreckage appeared intact, but they were unable to access it due to its location and presence of hippos around it.

By evening, neither the victims nor the wreckage had been pulled out of the saline waters, with the rescue teams having to call off the operation due to poor visibility as a result of darkness.

Here’s what caused accident that killed Nyeri Governor Wahome Gakuru

The heart-wrenching accident that claimed the life of Nyeri Governor Wahome Gakuru on Tuesday morning was caused by a tyre burst amid heavy downpour, police have said.

The tyre burst caused the Mercedez Benz he was travelling to lose control, veer off the road and ram into the rail guard which speared through vehicle, inflicting fatal injuries on the county boss and his aides.

The car had four occupants at the time of the accident; driver Samuel Kinyanjui Wanyaga, Personal Assistant Albert Kaguru, bodyguard Ahmed Abdi and the governor.

Dr. Gakuru, was heading to Nairobi for a talk show on Inooro TV, was accompanied by his personal Assistant, bodyguard and driver who were seriously injured.

They were all rushed to Thika Level 5 Hospital for emergency treatment and are set to be transfered to Nairobi Hospital for further treatment.

Meanwhile, the government has appointed ICT Cabinet Secreatry Joe Mucheru, Deputy Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga and Nyeri Senator Ephraim Maina to lead burial preparations of the late Nyeri Governor Gakuru.

Gakuru becomes the second Nyeri Governor to pass on while in office after the late Nderitu Gachagua who died last year in February at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London while undergoing treatment for pancreatic cancer.

Barely 24 hours before he met his sudden death, Governor Wahome Gakuru spent time with his son who is a candidate for this year’s Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exam.

Dr. Gakuru hosted Alliance Boys High School KCSE candidates including his son, at his Runda Residence in Nairobi on Monday to encourage them as they sit their final exams.