Nigeria's NG Eagle gears up for late 2Q21 launch

De Havilland pauses Q400 production

De Havilland Aircraft of Canada (DHC, Toronto Downsview) has confirmed earlier reports that it will suspend its DHC-8-Q400 production line, located at Toronto Downsview, beyond the aircraft currently on firm order. It did, however, vow to resume assembly in the future, albeit at another site.

"We fully expect worldwide demand for the Dash 8 to return once the industry has recovered from the pandemic, and the aircraft's characteristics - including low operating costs, low emissions impact, and performance capabilities that support efficient regional operations - will make the Dash 8 an important part of the aviation industry's post-pandemic recovery," the Executive Chairman of De Havilland's parent company, Longview Aviation Capital, David Curtis said.

According to the ch-aviation fleets advanced module, the Canadian manufacturer currently has firm orders for eighteen DHC-8-Q400s. However, only nine of them have been assigned to identified airline customers (three each for TAAG Angola Airlines and Ethiopian Airlines, two to Biman Bangladesh Airlines, and one to Air Tanzania), the other nine orders are for...

Amid delays, Lusaka still keen to launch Zambia Airways

Zambia still intends to launch Zambia Airways (ZN, Lusaka) despite delays in commencing operations, according to Transport and Communications Minister Mutotwe Kafwaya.

Speaking on Hot FM Radio, he said the government had facilitated all regulatory requirements for the nascent carrier to start operating. "We have done everything which means that from a government perspective, we have enabled the environment for Zambia Airways to fly again," he said.

He said the onus was now on the investors to make a decision on the launch date. "It is not for the government to determine because the airline is a commercial entity, a joint venture," he added.

Zambia Airways is a joint venture between Zambia’s state-owned Industrial Development Corporation and Ethiopian Airlines (ET, Addis Ababa). In November last year, it filed a December 15, 2020, start-date, the ch-aviation schedules module revealed, but the carrier’s launch was delayed because of renewed travel restrictions as a second COVID-19 wave hit Southern Africa. The launch has been delayed several times since October 2018 and the airline’s fleet...

Pretoria short-lists three equity partners for SAA

The South African government has short-listed three potential strategic equity partners (SEPs) for its bankrupt flag carrier and will make a decision on which one to pick in “the next month or so,” according to Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan.

He told Bloomberg TV the newly appointed interim board of South African Airways (SA, Johannesburg O.R. Tambo) was engaging with the bidders before the government would make its decision.

This was confirmed to ch-aviation by Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) spokesperson Richard Mantu. "The Department, assisted by the transaction advisors, has identified three Strategic Equity Partners. The interim board is currently engaging with all three parties subsequent to which Government will make a decision about which recommendation of the board will be suitable as SEP for SAA," he said.

DPE has engaged Rand Merchant Bank as the transaction advisor after receiving about 30 expressions of interest. It earlier this month said a decision on a SEP could be expected by March this year, following the expected conclusion of the business rescue process by the...

Editorial Comment: Updated with statements from DPE and the administrators. - 16.02.2021 - 11:56 UTC

Nigerian gov't pushes ahead with new nat'l carrier project