Africa

Airlines SAA names interim group chief as Lamola steps down after five years

South African Airways’ group chief, John Lamola, has resigned and will step down from the top post at the end of April.
Safety No NOTAM issued before An-26 struck soil embankment on CAR runway

Ukrainian investigators have disclosed that no NOTAM was issued regarding runway obstruction at N’Dele in the Central African Republic before an Antonov An-26 collided with an artificial soil embankment on landing.
Fleets Air Algerie to take batch of 737 Max 8s for fleet update

Air Algerie is to acquire 10 Boeing 737 Max 8 jets as part of a fleet modernisation programme.
Fleets Ethiopian Airlines signs for IAI’s converted 777-300ER freighter

Ethiopian Airlines is to acquire a pair of Boeing 777-300ER converted freighters through a lease agreement with Irish firm AerCap.
Airlines Nigerian carrier Enugu Air to commence independent services after securing AOC

Nigeria’s civil aviation authority has granted an air operator’s certificate to regional carrier Enugu Air, enabling it to commence independent operations. Enugu Air has been relying on operational support from Nigerian airline XE Jet while it progressed through the regulatory process. But the civil aviation authority says it issued an AOC to Enugu for scheduled…
Airlines Uganda recruits Ethiopian 787 for long-haul routes after MRO ties up A330neos

Uganda Airlines is wet-leasing Boeing 787 aircraft from Ethiopian Airlines to restore long-haul routes after its two Airbus A330-800s had to undergo unscheduled maintenance. The airline has not indicated the nature of the maintenance, but the situation has added to upheaval at the carrier soon after it sought a change of leadership. Chief executive Jenifer…
Air transport Operations restored at Lagos after fire damages terminal building

Operations have been restored at Lagos’s Murtala Muhammed airport after a 23 February fire caused substantial damage to Terminal 1. Preliminary indications from the firefighting services indicate the blaze originated in a server room on the first floor of the terminal, and affected the departure hall, says the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria. It states…
Airlines United Nigeria to open New York charters with wet-leased Air Anka A330s

United Nigeria Airlines is intending to open transatlantic services this summer, with Turkish carrier Air Anka poised to offer capacity for the proposed routes. The Nigerian airline’s chair, Obiora Okonkwo, stated during a 12 February briefing – commemorating United Nigeria’s fifth anniversary – that the carrier “will fly direct to New York” by the end…
Safety Evidence of fin damage after Arik 737-700 suffers in-flight engine failure

Nigerian investigators are probing a serious Boeing 737-700 engine incident in which the powerplant’s nacelle was destroyed, with evidence indicating damage to the jet’s vertical fin as well. The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau says that the Arik Air aircraft experienced an “in-flight engine anomaly” while operating the Lagos-Port Harcourt route on 11 February, and diverted…