Prague Ruzyne Airport

Rapidly expanding Kenya Airways charts growth with plan to serve every inhabited continent by 2017

Kenya Airways plans to launch its first services to North America, South America and Australia by 2017, making it one of the few carriers to serve every inhabited continent. While these three continents will give Africa's currently fifth-largest airline by seats a global presence, its future is pegged on Asia, with the carrier over the next 10 years planning to launch seven new routes into China, six in the Indian Subcontinent and three across North and Southeast Asia as well as having a growing presence in Europe and the Middle East. It is poised to become Africa's largest carrier.

Growth will be fuelled by Africa's status as a burgeoning market, as well as reliance on partners: Kenya Airways will open routes to SkyTeam member hubs in Xiamen (Xiamen Airlines), Hanoi (Vietnam Airlines), Seoul (Korean Air), Moscow (Aeroflot) and Prague (Czech Airlines). The intercontinental focus follows Kenya's strong emphasis on regional Africa, with the carrier aiming to serve every African nation by the end of 2013. 

Spotlight on the Czech Republic aviation market

CSA Czech Airlines, the Czech Republic's flag carrier, operates over half of the nation’s fleet (61 aircraft are registered locally) followed by subsidiary Holidays Czech Airlines and low-cost carrier SmartWings. Traffic into the country’s principal gateway, Prague Ruzyne Airport, primarily consists of short-haul European traffic but the airport is focussing its sights on traffic from further afield. The Czech aviation landscape is set to change in 2012 with ownership changes of the national carrier, increased prominence of the national charter carrier and repositioning Prague into a long-haul traffic hub.

Munich Airport reports record traffic, north & west Germans seek alternative airports to avoid taxes

Munich Airport continued its impressive gains throughout the first half of 2011 by notching up a six month passenger traffic record. It comes at the same time as the government’s tourist tax has begun to drive German passengers in the north and west of the country over the border into the Netherlands to avoid it.

Air France looks to regional points to counter LCC, TGV threat

Air France has announced plans to move away from its Paris-centric strategy and moved into regional French market in a bid to counter the growing threat of low-cost carriers in its home market, which remains one of Europe’s few remaining spaces for growth in the sector.

Air Malta troubles worsen as unions flex muscle and LCCs grow

Air Malta’s troubles have become more acute as the struggling carrier’s unions increase their opposition to large-scale redundancies. Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi has stated the present situation is increasingly worrying, particularly in light of the EUR77 million the government has poured into the airline since Jun-2011.

Hungary considers renationalisation of Budapest Airport as Hochtief’s assets go up for sale

Hungary’s government indicated earlier this month that it would exercise a put option on the stake of 25% plus one vote that it holds in Budapest Ferenc Liszt Airport as the German airport operator Hochtief (75% minus one vote) commenced the sale of non-core assets ahead of a potential takeover of the group by its Spanish minority shareholder, ACS.