Kenyans are calling for a boycott of US fast-food chain KFC

 Social media users in Kenya are calling for a boycott of US fast-food chain KFC after a shortage of fries. On Twitter, users are claiming the chain has refused to source local potatoes, a situation causing their anger.

Jacques Theunissen, KFC's local boss associated the situation to the covid 19 pandemic, explaining that his restaurant chain was a victim of the global shipping disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic. "It's about delays in shipping lines because of the Covid-19 situation," he told local media.

In his response, Theunissen said the current KFC policy allows all suppliers to go through a global process to ensure the quality of their products, which he cannot be bypassed, even if there is a shortage.

However, KFC which operates locally through franchise Kuku Foods East Africa did not specify the global quality and safety standards a potential supplier in Kenya should meet.

As Kenyan farmers enter the potato-harvesting season in a country with 60 different potato varieties and a production glut, the slogan #BoycottKFC has emerged and flourished on Twitter leading trends.

"If you are a true Kenyan, you should not eat fries made by KFC! Eat fries elsewhere," tweeted one user. The American fried chicken king had entered the Kenyan market in 2011. Across East Africa, it has 35 outlets.

President of the National Potato Council of Kenya Wachira Kaguongo said KFC should consider creating synergies with local suppliers to allow them source the commodity from Kenyan farmers.

KFC is reported to have said on Tuesday it had launched a project to source potatoes from Kenyan farmers, saying it was already doing so for other ingredients such as poultry and vegetables, as well as flour and ice cream.

"We are happy that KFC has rescinded their earlier stand on local supply of potatoes into their Kenyan outlets. We have been lobbying to supply them with potatoes. We don’t mind meeting their standards," said Mr. Kaguongo.

KFC's competitors were quick to take advantage of the situation to promote the availability of their offerings, with Burger King tweeting, for example, "We have enough fries for everyone."

CMA CGM AIR CARGO orders 4 Airbus A350F

 

CMA CGM Group and Airbus have signed a binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the purchase of 4 A350F freighter aircraft. The order, which is subject to finalisation in the coming weeks, will lift CMA CGM’s total Airbus fleet to 9 aircraft, including five A330-200F.

The aircraft will be operated by CMA CGM AIR CARGO, the recently launched air cargo activity of CMA CGM Group. “We are proud to welcome CMA CGM AIR CARGO in the group of operators for the A350F and we are equally pleased to support the company’s future strategic development,” said Christian Scherer, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Airbus International. ”The A350F will fit seamlessly into the carrier’s existing fleet of Airbus freighters. Thanks to its composite airframe and latest technology engines, it will bring unbeatable efficiency in terms of fuel burn, economics and CO₂ emissions, empowering the long-term sustainable growth of the Group.” Scherer adds: “Having an early endorsement by such an international cargo powerhouse as the CMA CGM Group is very gratifying.”

The A350F is based on the world’s most modern long range leader, the A350. The aircraft features a large main deck cargo door and a fuselage length optimised for cargo operations. Over 70% of the airframe is made of advanced materials resulting in a 30t lighter take-off weight, generating an at least 20% lower fuel burn over its current closest competitor. With a 109t payload capability (+3t payload/ 11% more volume than its competition), the A350F serves all cargo markets (Express, general cargo, special cargo…) and is in the large freighter category the only new generation freighter aircraft ready for the enhanced 2027 ICAO CO₂ emissions standards.

The first Airbus A321XLR flight test aircraft undergoes final assembly

 

The very first A321XLR flight test aircraft, MSN11000, took a major step forward this week in becoming reality. This is the 1st of 3 planned development aircraft which will perform the flight testing and Type Certification programme starting in 2022, to pave the way for series production and entry into service in 2023.

Of the four A320 Family assembly lines in Hamburg, the one which is processing the first A321XLR is referred to as “FAL Line 2”, which is inside the “Hangar-9” building. The subsequent two A321XLR development aircraft – MSN11058 and MSN11080 – will follow in due course from the same assembly line.

From here MSN11000 will enter a working party to install its sophisticated flight-test-instrumentation (FTI) suite followed by installation of its CFM LEAP engines and nacelles. The engines will then be tested for the first time, as well as the landing gear retraction mechanism and the door fairings, followed by an overall quality inspection of the aircraft.

The next production step – the application of the aircraft’s external paint scheme – is the ‘icing on the cake’, shortly before the aircraft is handed over to the flight-test teams. Eager to take possession of their new machine for the first time, they will activate and run through a series of ground tests on all the systems, flight controls, engines and the APU. Then all being well, they will perform the taxiing runs and of course the first flight of the -XLR, which will take place next year.

Qantas selects the Airbus A320neo and A220 families

 

A firm commitment for 40 aircraft – 20 A321XLR and 20 A220 aircraft – is expected to be placed with Airbus by the end of FY22. Once finalised, this will represent the largest aircraft order in Australian aviation history.

Qantas will also have a further 94 purchase right options on aircraft over a 10-plus year delivery window as its existing Boeing 737-800s and 717s are gradually phased out. The order is in addition to Jetstar’s existing agreement with Airbus for over 100 aircraft in the A320neo family. Part of this new deal includes combining these two orders so that the Group can draw down on a total of 299 deliveries across both the A320 and A220 families as needed over the next decade and beyond for Qantas, QantasLink and Jetstar.

Thursday’s announcement follows a detailed review by the airline’s engineering, flight operations, customer experience, network, fleet procurement and finance teams. The airline conducted detailed evaluation of the A320neo and B737 MAX families as well as the smaller A220 and Embraer E190/195-E2s.

The initial firm order concentrates on the larger, single-aisle A321XLR, and the mid-size A220-300 with purchase right options for the smaller A220-100, giving Qantas a fleet mix that can deliver better network choices and route economics. The XLR can carry around 15 per cent more passengers on each flight than the airline’s existing B737-800s, making it well suited to busy routes between capital cities like Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. Its longer range means it can also be used to open up new city pairs.

The small and medium size A220s provide the Group with flexibility to deploy these aircraft throughout most of its domestic and regional operations. They could be used during off peak times between major cities and on key regional routes to increase frequency. Both aircraft types will be powered by Pratt & Whitney GTF engines and will deliver fuel savings of between 15-20 per cent, contributing to the airline’s broader emission reduction efforts.

Air France-KLM orders 100 A320neo family aircraft, signs Letter of Intent for 4 A350F

 

On December 16, the Air France-KLM Board of Directors made the decision to move forward on the Group’s goal to improve its economic and environmental performance through the introduction of next generation aircraft.

• Firm order for 100 Airbus A320neo family aircraft – with purchase rights for 60 additional aircraft, to renew the fleets of KLM and Transavia Netherlands, and to renew and expand the fleet of Transavia France.

The order covers A320neo and A321neo aircraft. The first deliveries are expected in the second half of 2023. These aircraft will operate medium-haul routes in Europe, notably from Amsterdam-Schiphol – KLM’s global hub and Transavia Netherlands’ main base, and from Paris-Orly, Transavia France’s main base. Details of the cabin configuration will be announced at a later date.

• Signature of a Letter of Intent (LOI) for the purchase of 4 Airbus A350F aircraft – with purchase rights for 4 additional aircraft, to increase cargo capacity at Air France.

Thus, Air France becomes the 4th customer for Airbus’ A350F after Air Lease Corporation, CMA CGM Group and Singapore Airlines. This A350F order would come with full substitution rights to Airbus A350 passenger aircraft, which constitute the new spearhead of the Air France long-haul fleet. The airline currently operates 12 of the 38 aircraft of the type on order. As of December 15th, Air France-KLM operated a fleet of 502 aircraft to over 300 destinations worldwide.

Benjamin Smith, CEO of the Air France-KLM Group, said: “These evolutionary orders will position our Group airlines on the path to improved performance while accelerating our decarbonization trajectory. This is a major step forward for KLM, Transavia and Air France, which will operate the best aircraft available for their network needs. The outstanding performances of the A320neo family and of the A350F, which are quieter, more fuel-efficient and more cost-effective aircraft, make them the best choices for the long-term growth of our fleet. They will be instrumental in reaching our ambitious targets, including zero net CO2 emissions by 2050.”

Safety in aviation

Captain Aisha Alexander holds an extraordinary passion for flying. Even at the early age of four years old, Captain Alexandra always knew that she wanted to become a pilot and has carved out an impressive career in aviation that would enthrall her younger self.

Today, she becomes the latest recipient of the AeroTime Aviation Achievement Award for her dedication to duty and her commitment to promoting aviation safety across the industry.

Captain Alexandra has worked in pilot and aviation management roles across charter, corporate and cargo flight operations. Her career highlights also include her experience as the designated pilot flying former First Lady of the United States, Hillary Clinton, and US Senator Mitt Romney, who was the Governor of Massachusetts at the time.

Recognized as an aviation safety advocate and as a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) ATP licensed pilot, Captain Alexander is a Boeing 777 pilot for Kalitta Air, an international cargo airline headquartered in Michigan, USA.

She has held positions in both pilot and management operations, including her role as an aviation safety manager and international captain for Coca-Cola. In 2020, Captain Alexander was appointed regional safety advocate for the International Civil Aviation Organization in North America, Central America and the Caribbean.

It’s a formidable resume. So, what is driving her success in the aviation industry? For Captain Alexander, her commitment to a career in aviation, as well as her faith and her family, have made the journey possible.

“Being a mother is the engine of my life,” she says. “I had the example from my own mother when she raised me as a single parent and as a career woman. I look up to her. I want my son to look up to me. So, every step that I take is basically for him, too. I want to leave a good example, and to be a role model in his life.”

Born in Colombia, and into a family with no connection to the aviation industry, Captain Alexander recalls the event that became the catalyst for her pursuing an interest in aviation.

As a four-year-old child, Captain Alexander was on a flight with her mother when she became fascinated by what was going on in and outside the cabin. She declared: “Mom, when I grow up, I want to be driving one of these.”

In response, her mother nurtured her daughter’s passion and encouraged her to pursue a formal career as a base foundation for her pursuit of a future in aviation. After relocating to the United States, Captain Alexander gained a doctorate in law. In 1999, she became a director of human resources for Aerofloral cargo, a Colombian cargo airline based in Miami. Three years later, she took on the role of director of operations for the airline.

At the same time, Captain Alexander joined an American flight school as the only female pilot in her class.

She says: “I was working for Aerofloral in human resources, then I escalated the position in the company. At the same time, I was also accumulating my flight time and working toward my private instrument and commercial rating.”

Having completed her pilot courses with 1500 hours and an ATP pilots license, Captain Alexander admits that the road ahead was still difficult as she encountered the prejudice of being a female pilot while balancing her dreams of motherhood.

She adds: “When I finished, I had to make the decision to either become an instructor to accumulate hours or to join a regional airline and at the same time I was becoming a parent. So, I had to balance my passion and my family. It was a roller coaster, but I continued knocking on doors and trying to basically become my own agent to companies. It was very difficult, especially coming to some places where they would say ‘we don't hire women, maybe later on you can try to apply again’.”

Despite these obstacles, which included encountering resistance to her career progression and even verbal bullying, Captain Alexander claims that this only made her stronger and she has remained resolute in achieving her goal.

“I am a strong believer that what we do, and the places that we are in life, are independent from our gender, but are tied up with our qualifications and with the efforts that we put in,” she says. ‘’We are in an era of aviation where the more qualifications you have, the more competitive you are. Qualifications, risk and resilience are what will take you to where you want to be.”

Then, in 2003, she became the first Hispanic corporate pilot in the United States. While flying for private jet charter Sentient Jet, Captain Alexander became the designated pilot for former First Lady of the United States, Hillary Clinton, and US Senator Mitt Romney, who was the Governor of Massachusetts at the time.

She says: “It was a great experience, something very unique and special. It was also completely different, especially because I was new to corporate aviation.”

The highlight of that period of her career was receiving a gold coin with the seal of the state of Massachusetts from Mitt Romney as a token of his appreciation.

She adds: “I was very happy and proud to have been awarded with that symbol.”

Captain Alexander went on to fly in South America, Africa, the Middle East and Asia Pacific with VIP charter organizations and world-leading airlines, such as Ethiopian Airlines and Etihad Airways. She also flew and worked in prestigious roles, including a term as an aviation safety manager and international captain for Coca-Cola. In 2020, she was also appointed regional safety advocate for the International Civil Aviation Organization.

A passion for aviation safety

“I believe everyone says safety is a priority,” says Captain Alexander. “But for me, safety is a value. It’s something that no-one has to teach you, it's something that you know is important. It's something that you know is the foundation of any career.”

Initially, when Captain Alexander started to look at the safety side of the aviation industry, there was no formal aviation safety education.

She explains: “I was looking at safety. I decided to study criminal law, not for the criminal aspects of it, but for the human factors that I could later tie with my law degree and focus on the human factors towards safety.”

Today, Captain Alexander is surprised by the opportunity to carve out a career in aviation safety.

She continues: “Safety is a value and that is what I embrace in the companies that I work for and what I want people to believe. Safety lies on each individual person. If I believe that safety is what rules my career and it is what is going to make this industry safer, then I have to start with making and doing my part.”

After accomplishing this on an individual level, Captain Alexander turned her attention to the companies she was working with and their executive managers.

She says: “I said let's help each person and equip them with the tools to allow them to report. But also, not punish them.”

Instead, she urged companies to “embrace the people who have those values”.

She adds: “For me, safety is the real foundation of aviation. Today, we are going far and beyond in talking about the priority and talking about regulation. But what are we really doing with the individual?

“What are we doing with every single pilot, every single cabin crew, every single ground-handling personnel? How are we helping these people to become an important and determined part of safety? That is my job, that's what I advocate for and that's what I do with passion. I hope that one day the industry will move from safety simply being a priority, to being a value.”

AeroTime Aviation Achievement Award

In recognition of her dedication and commitment to the aviation sector, for her perseverance and focus and for promoting aviation safety and playing a role as an aviation safety advocate, AeroTime CEO, Richard Stephenson OBE, was delighted to present Captain Alexander with a coveted AeroTime Aviation Achievement Award.  Captain Alexander became the 22nd recipient of this award and joins the ranks of other aviation professionals from around the world being recognized for their dedication and inspirational work.

Stephenson says: “Aviation safety is such an important part and core of our industry. Our Global Executive Committee wanted to say a very big thank you for your unwavering commitment to promoting safety in the industry. We want to acknowledge your dedication and your perseverance, and we are certain that many others across the wider industry have been inspired by your journey, your passion and positive efforts towards aviation safety. I hope that this award will serve as a constant reminder to you of the gratitude of so many people for everything you've done in your career, and that we hope you will continue to do in the future.”

Captain Alexander says: “I can't thank you enough. This is a remarkable acknowledgement. The most important thing in life is people and what you can do for them, and, in some way, this award makes me feel like my sacrifices, and the ones of those around me, paid off. I'm fully committed until the end of this life, with God’s help and support, that I can make a difference to make aviation a safer place and a value for all of us. Thank you so much.”

AIR FRANCE-KLM REDEEMS €500 MILLION OF THE OUTSTANDING €4 BILLION BANK LOAN

 

      Following early signs of a recovery of the worldwide air traffic, combined with an improved access to capital markets, Air France-KLM has agreed with the syndicate of the nine banks of the PGE and the French State to redeem €500 million of the outstanding bank loan notional, bringing it down to €3.5 billion and, concomitantly, to amend its redemption profile by substituting the single repayment initially due on May 6, 2023 with a new maturity on May 6, 2025, at the latest, at Air France-KLM’s discretion.   

      The new maturity schedule is changed to: In May 2023: