AvGeek

Asky Airlines B737-700 Ethiopian strategic partner, ASKY Airlines, has finalized preparations to resume services to and from the West African cities of Monrovia, Freetown and Banjul effective November 1, 2017. ASKY Airlines CEO, Ahadu Simachew, said: ”Resuming our flights to these West African cities will surely increase our presence in the region. Our passengers will now enjoy new direct flights between: Cotonou – Niamey, Accra – Monrovia, Accra – Freetown, Freetown – Banjul, Douala – Libreville. Above all, the strategic partnership with ASKY has played a significant role in enhancing regional cooperation, commerce and people to people ties.” Group CEO Ethiopian Airlines, Tewolde GebreMariam said, “Air connectivity is a vital component and key driver of economic development. As an indigenous African Airline, we have always been committed to connecting African states together and with the rest of the world through an efficient and seamless network. In line with our multi-hub str...

Libyan Airlines A330-200 Libya's Tripoli airport has reopened to most traffic following a 48 hour-closure due to armed fighting in the area. A Libyan Airlines (LN, Tripoli Mitiga) A330-200 5A-LAR (msn 1412) was damaged by shrapnel during the clashes and is currently grounded. The airport announced the closure on October 17 saying that "the airport was evacuated to protect the safety of passengers and employees after renewed clashes in its surroundings." Further updates indicate that flights are operating to normal schedules for the time being. News site El Balad reports that the Special Deterrent Force which protects the airport engaged with a group that tried to attack the airport, following the fatal shooting of an attempted drug smuggler. Mitiga has frequently suspended operations over the past few years because of conflict. In July, the airport closed to traffic for two days after fighting breached the airport perimeter. All flights were diverted to Misura...

KQ B787 Kenya Airways (KQ, Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta) may finally be catching a break, with Equity Bank reportedly agreeing to sign on to a restructuring scheme for the airline. Business Daily Africa has seen documents that show the previously recalcitrant bank has now accepted the debt conversion plan. The deeply-indebted national carrier is trying to pursue a USD2.2 billion debt restructuring exercise, in order to convert debt to equity and secure new funding sources. The deal was approved by parliament in June this year and has been okayed by all but three lenders – Equity Bank, Ecobank and Jamii Bora Bank. Kenya Airways filed a petition to force the banks to sign on, but the banks took the matter to the Supreme Court. This less-than-ideal tug of war has led the parties to seek an agreement outside of the courts. "We have been holding discussions with all the players involved in the restructuring with the aim of bridging the differences of opinion," a treasury repr...