South Africa: Budget airline Mango first airline to introduce in-flight Wi-Fi

We reported last week that the South African Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has approved Wi-Fi services on South African flights. In the meantime WirelessG, the company that applied for it, has announced that it will start offering their service on Mango’s Boeing 737-800 planes first. According to some reports, South African Airways might follow a few months afterwards. Comair Limited, operator of British Airways in South Africa and kulula.com, is currently not in talks with WirelessG about installing the in-flight Wi-Fi-system on their planes.
Mango’s Boeing 737-800 planes will be equipped with system that provides the users with Internet access (e-mails and SMS services) using a satellite connection, but there are already plans to integrate in-flight entertainment as well.

Video shows lightning striking Emirates A380 jet

It is not that uncommon that aircrafts are being hit by lightning during flights. It is actually estimated that most commercial planes are hit by lightning at least once a year. In fact, planes can cause lightning to form when flying through storm clouds. But it is not that common that jets are getting filmed while being struck by lightning bolts.



The Emirates A380 captured in the video was being hit by a series of lightning during its flight from Dubai to London just when the plane was prepared to land at Heathrow International Airport. The plane landed safely a few minutes later, none of the 500 passeners on board the fligth were hurt and the plane was not damaged.

Video: An Airbus A380 as it passes under a KLM Boeing 747 - just 300m away

Check this great footage made in air from the cockpit of a Boeing 747. The pilots filmed an Airbus A380 passing under their Boeing 747 - just 300m away. It was filmed above the South China Sea and the pilots of the Boeing got informed by a Hong Kong air traffic controller that the A380 would come very close! That is why they took out the cam and filmed it - wow!



And for those of you who can't wait. Jump to 40sec mark ;-)

SAA to fly non-stop from Johannesburg to New York from 01 May 2011

South African Airways (SAA) passengers will soon be able to fly non-stop from South Africa to New York. Currently, flight SA203 from Johannesburg to New York makes a 1-hour passenger and refueling stop in Dakar, Senegal. But starting 01 May, flight SA203 will depart Johannesburg for a non-stop journey to New York. This comes after SAA released an enhanced flight schedule on 26 January 2011. Passengers will also have more seats to choose from on the New York route thanks to a bigger aircraft (Airbus A340-600), as well as more seats on flights to destinations in Africa. The non-stop flight will depart from OR Tambo International in Johannesburg at 8:35pm local time and arrive at JFK International Airport in New York at 6:40am, local time, the following day. The return flight from JFK departs at 11:15am, New York time, and arrives in Johannesburg at 8:40am.

Lufthansa first airline to use biofuel on commercial flights

Lufthansa Airlines, the flagship air carrier of Germany and the largest airline in Europe is launching the world’s first ever scheduled commercial passenger flight using bio-fuel in April 2011. The daily flights between Hamburg and Frankfurt, made with an Airbus A321 aircraft, will be the first in the world to use a bio-fuel blend made from 50 per cent Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO). In a six month testing period Lufthansa (and partner Airbus) will study the the long term impact of sustainable bio-fuels on aircraft performance. According to Lufthansa, the airline will save around 1,500 tonnes of CO2 emissions during the six months trial.

Kenya Airways announces its Code Share with Qantas

Kenya Airways will code share on daily Qantas flights between Bangkok and Sydney, while Qantas will code share on daily Kenya Airways services between Bangkok and Nairobi.

The code share agreement is giving Qantas passengers the opportunity to access the 41 destinations flown by Kenya Airways in Africa and will also complement Qantas’ direct flights between Sydney and Johannesburg, which will be increased to a daily frequency.

“Qantas is pleased to be able to increase the options available for Australians travelling to Africa,” Mr Gurney said. “There is considerable potential for growth in business and leisure travel between Australia and Kenya.  This new code share arrangement positions both airlines well to capitalise on that potential." (Group Executive Qantas Airlines Commercial, Mr Rob Gurney)

Code share services between Qantas and Kenya Airways are on sale now for travel from 15 November 2010. [src.]

News24.co.za - SA air safety much improved

The South African online newspaper news24.co.za is reporting that the South African air safety standards are now improved to such an extent that there are no major deficiencies. In the article the country' Civil Aviation Authority’s commissioner Captain Colin Jordaan is getting qouted saying that that in terms of the International Civil Aviation Organisation requirements, there were "no major areas where South Africa is deficient when it comes to meeting international standards." He also said the country now had safety inspectors for every type of aircraft. Many of these inspectors were checking aircraft across Africa guaranteeing flight standards throughout the continent.
In the article it is also mentioned that there was no single aircraft accident during the 2010 FIFA World Cup despite a dramatic increase in flights during that time.
More on SA air safety much improved

aviation news from Southern Africa

7 times a week to Perth, Australia
South African Airways (SAA) has increased its number of flights from Johannesburg's OR Tambo International Airport to the Western Australian city of Perth from five to seven flights per week. In addition to that, SAA has another six codeshare flights (with Quantas) to Sydney.

flights to/from South Africa >>

From Brussels to South Africa
Brussels Airlines recently joined the "Star Alliance" network so that their passengers can now fly via Frankfurt to the Lufthansa destinations Accra (Ghana), Khartoum (Sudan), Johannesburg and, in winter, Cape Town (both South Africa), under a Brussels Airlines flight number (codesharing).

flights to/from South Africa >>

Federal Air is extending their flight network to Zimbabwe
South African airline Federal Air has announced that from 01 October 2009 the company will offer flights with in Zimbabwe, including a shuttle service from Harare to Kariba and surrounding areas.

flights to/from/within Zimbabwe >>

Delta to stop Cape Town - Atlanta service

US airline Delta Air Lines has confirmed that it will stop the Cape Town - Atlanta (via Dakar) connection from the 28 August/29 August 2009. All passengers who are already booked on an affected flights will be re-accommodated. The suspension does not affect the daily year-round connection between Johannesburg and Atlanta. [src.]

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South Africa Country Guide >>

Dutch flight tax axed

After being in place for only a year, the flight tax imposed by the Dutch government has been scrapped, officials in the Netherlands announced.

The Dutch government has decided to scrap the flight tax from July 2009 onwards. The abolition of the flight tax is one of the measures by the Dutch government to stimulate the country’s economy during the difficult times the world is currently struggeling with.

The flight tax was introduced on July 1 last year for all passengers who left Holland from a domestic airport - short-haul flights was €11.25, while long-haul passengers were charged €45.

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