Latest news with #airtransport
Zawya
3 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Abu Dhabi first-half passenger traffic rises 13% despite regional challenges
Abu Dhabi Airports reported on Monday a 13.1% increase in passenger traffic to 15.8 million in the first half of the year, defying periodic disruptions to air transport in the Middle East caused by conflicts. Abu Dhabi's Zayed International Airport (AUH), the travel hub of the United Arab Emirates' capital city, accounted for the vast majority of the traffic, handling 15.5 million passengers, up 13.2% from the first half of last year. The number of flights at AUH increased by 11.4% to nearly 94,000 in the six months to June 30. Abu Dhabi Airports said some new airlines had joined its network of airports, which had increased the number of destinations, particularly to China and India, and noted demand for both tourism and business travel, without giving details. The increases came despite disruptions including a 12-day war between Israel and Iran last month that triggered airspace closures in some Gulf countries, and forced airlines to suspend and reroute some flights. Etihad Airways, Abu Dhabi's main carrier, suspended Israel-bound flights for several weeks in June and faced temporary cancellations on routes to Kuwait, Doha, and Saudi Arabia's Dammam. Low-cost carrier Wizz Air said last week that it would exit its Abu Dhabi operation starting September 1, citing factors including geopolitical instability. "The first six months of this year have posed some operational challenges," Abu Dhabi Airports CEO Elena Sorlini said in a statement, adding that the company's results demonstrated the resilience of its network. Abu Dhabi Airports also operates Al Ain International Airport, Al Bateen Executive Airport, Delma Island Airport and Sir Bani Yas Island Airport, besides AUH.
Zawya
3 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
EAC's plan to ease cost of air travel
High taxes, fees and charges on airlines in Africa have been cited among the measures keeping air transport development on the continent aground. Air transport in Africa is still considered a luxury service, as governments tend to overtax the supply chain, leading to excessive service charges for the airlines. According to African Airlines Association (Afraa), the average amount of passenger's paid taxes and fees applied to air tickets is twice as expensive in Africa than in Europe and the Middle East. According to a study by Predictive Mobility, the elasticity price/demand for air transport within Africa vary from -2.34percent to -3.15 percent, meaning that a reduction of 10 percent on the ticket price can increase demand at continental level, from 22.3 to 30.1 million passengers annually. Thus, the reduction of taxes and charges can allow a significant stimulation of demand on the continent, help airlines to become more competitive against foreign operators, who are based in regions where the taxation is comparatively lower. Taxes vary within the region but, on average, constitute 25-30 percent of the ticket. For example, fares on Entebbe-Nairobi fluctuate between $300 and $350. Taxes on the route constitute about $100 for a return ticket. In East Africa, taxes and fees paid by passengers on regional departure in airports are: Kinshasa at $77.5, Entebbe ($57.2), Dar es Salaam ($54), Nairobi ($50), Mogadishu ($42), Bujumbura ($40) and Addis Ababa ($31). According to Afraa, Central and Western Africa have the best regional taxes policy, as they allow passengers to save on average $12.68 and $10.12 respectively. The initiative has been in development since 2006, with lobbies and businesses pushing for lower airfares, increased connectivity to ease travel and cargo transportation. Drafting of the framework has been ongoing under the Sectoral Council on Transport, Communications and Meteorology (SC-TCM). A report by the 18th meeting of the Sectoral Council shows efforts to domesticate the East African air space. Draft regulations for air transport market liberalisation have provided for aviation freedoms up to the fourth. But stakeholders are demanding that the region expedite the Fifth Freedom. The Fifth Freedom is the right of an airline to carry passengers and cargo between two foreign countries, as long as the flight originates or terminates in the airline's home country. The EAC draft regulations awaiting signatures from partner States allow regional air operators to 'exercise the services referred to as the first, second, third, fourth and fifth freedoms of the air within the community.''Partner states may, at their discretion, grant each other any other rights beyond the Fifth Freedom of the air,' the draft days. EAC Council of Ministers chairperson Beatrice Askul told The EastAfrican that the region was making good progress on the issue of air liberalisation.'The issue is part of our agenda as the council. We are making a lot of progress. ...there are specific ministries including Transport, Communication and Infrastructure, which are directly dealing with the liberalisation and the domestication of the EAC airspace,' she said.'Communication and consultation are still within that level of specific ministries consultation. After that, they will forward recommendations to the council to adopt, when they have all agreed on give and take.' Partner states will subsequently negotiate their regional air transport bilateral arrangements under the Multilateral Air Services Agreement,' said Ariik during the 19th Meeting of Directors General of Civil Aviation and Airports Authorities. But the partners have been reluctant to implement the Fifth Freedom, slowing down the efforts.'EAC members have been reluctant to liberalise their air services because they want to protect their airlines. Partner States think some of the routes are strategic for their national carriers so they are limiting full liberalisation on the Fifth Freedom,' said Adrian Njau, acting chief executive of the East African Business Council (EABC).'The Fouth Freedom -- the right to fly from one's own country to another -- is currently on, but it is not enough.'The freedoms of the air are international commercial aviation agreements, under the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) granting a country's airlines the privilege to enter and land in another country's airspace.'We want the EAC to grant the Fifth Freedom,' Mr Njau insists. Without an open skies regime in place, the EAC partner states have been relying on bilateral air services agreements to operate, presenting challenges of concluding multiple negotiations between several countries.'As a region we need to do away with bilateral agreements on air travel among EAC partner states because bilateral agreements are very restrictive. We want to make air travel domestic for EAC,' the EABC boss said. Part of the reason why air travel is expensive and cumbersome within the EAC and the rest of Africa is failure by countries to ratify and implement the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM). Currently, Kenya, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo are the only EAC countries that have fully joined the SAATM. Authorities in Kampala indicated that Uganda would join in this financial year.'We are left with approval by the Cabinet. Once that is done, we will be good to go,' said Fred Bamwesigye, director-general of Uganda Civil Aviation Authority at a meeting in Kampala early this year. To date, 34 countries have signed up to the SAATM representing over 80 percent of the existing aviation market in Africa. Even though the EAC concluded the regulations that would streamline the aviation industry, boost trade, promote tourism, and improve global connectivity, transport costs remain some of the highest in Africa.'We pay $3,000 for delegates for DRC (to fly from Kinshasa to Arusha), for instance, and less than $1000 to fly to Europe,' said Kennedy Mukulia, chairperson of the Committee on Legal, Rules and Privileges within the East African Legislative Assembly. Inside the regulations, plans are also underway to reduce fares.'The cost of airfare in the region needs to be addressed,' said Ariik. 'There is therefore a need to look into the possibility of harmonising the current regulatory fees and charges under the spirit of the EAC CMP and to consider and designate the EAC air transport market as domestic for EAC-registered operators and apply charges applicable to domestic parties and eventually lower passenger tariffs.'But a study by Africa Airlines Association in 2024, shows that airline passengers pay on average 3.5 different taxes, charges and fees for international departures, representing an average amount of $68. Taxes and fees generally represent more than 55 percent of airlines' most affordable base fares, and more than 35 percent of total ticket price. Given the low purchasing power in Africa, it is urgent to assess the issue of taxes. © Copyright 2022 Nation Media Group. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
16-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Saudi Arabia, Kiribati sign air transport services agreement
Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Kiribati have signed an air transport services agreement, aiming to enhance cooperation and foster bilateral collaboration. The agreement contributes to advancing the civil aviation sector's strategy to build international partnerships and strengthen global relations, thereby enabling national carriers to expand their operational networks, reported SPA. Additionally, the agreement aims to establish regulatory frameworks for air transport between the two nations, based on mutual benefit and respect, as well as applicable laws, regulations, and directives. The Minister of Transport and Logistic Services and Chairman of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), Saleh Al-Jasser, signed the agreement. On behalf of Kiribati, the agreement was signed by Minister for Information, Communications and Transport Alexander Teabo, in the presence of GACA President Abdulaziz Al-Duailej. The signing took place on the sidelines of High-Level Aviation Week, organized by the Ministry of Transport in Singapore from July 13 to 18. Copyright 2024 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
LBCI
16-06-2025
- Business
- LBCI
First flight brings home Lebanese stranded in Sharm El Sheikh amid regional airspace closures
The first Romanian plane carrying Lebanese nationals stranded in Sharm El Sheikh arrived Monday morning at Beirut's Rafic Hariri International Airport. The passengers had been stuck due to recent security developments between Israel and Iran, which led to the closure of airspace in several countries and the suspension of regular airline services. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation, under the guidance and coordination of Public Works and Transport Minister Fayez Rasamny, followed up on the situation with the airline involved and the local tour operator in Lebanon. The airline submitted an urgent request to the Directorate to approve the transport of the stranded passengers via a Romanian airline and to schedule flights to Beirut starting Monday. Preliminary approvals were granted, and the company was instructed to begin the necessary procedures to ensure their transport. Additional similar flights are expected to arrive throughout the day.
Zawya
16-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Oman, Uzbekistan ink deals to expand air links, trade
Tashkent, Uzbekistan – Oman and Uzbekistan have signed agreements to expand air transport rights and strengthen logistical cooperation, aiming to boost trade and investment ties between the two countries. The accords were reached during the fifth session of the Omani-Uzbek Joint Committee held in Tashkent on Friday. Both sides agreed to increase operating rights for airlines, support the re-export of Uzbek products through Omani ports, and enhance cooperation in scientific research and innovation. They also pledged to facilitate exchanges between their chambers of commerce and business delegations. The Omani delegation was led by H E Qais bin Mohammed al Yousef, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, accompanied by H E Wafa bint Jabr al Busaidi, Ambassador of Oman to Uzbekistan. The Uzbek side was headed by Laziz Kudratov, Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade. Talks covered ways to deepen economic and trade relations and expand collaboration in sectors including energy, agriculture, higher education, tourism and culture. Both sides emphasised stronger partnerships between the public and private sectors. During his visit, H E Yousef met Sherzod Shermatov, Minister of Digital Technology of Uzbekistan, and discussed investment opportunities and trade challenges with Uzbek businessmen. He also attended roundtable meetings where investors from both countries reviewed available projects. Omar al Harthy, Senior Investment Analyst at the ministry, delivered a presentation on 'Invest in Oman', highlighting incentives for foreign investors. The Omani delegation held further meetings with representatives of the electronic payment technology, textiles and e-commerce sectors. H E Yousef also met Bakhtiar Saidov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan, to review existing bilateral agreements and discuss updating them in line with current priorities. The delegation visited the International Exhibition Centre, meeting companies in innovation and industrial technology and viewing new projects by Uzbek institutions. © Apex Press and Publishing Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
