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Posted February 13, 2010 3:18 PM
By James Mellon

Ready for push and start...

After waiting several months the first ATR72 for BQB Lineas Aereas has just been delivered from France down to Uruguay. Legal issues had delayed the carrier from starting operations last year. In 2009 we got to see Fuji Dream, AviaNova, FlyDubai, V Australia, Eastarjet and AeroLogic all start up operations. Who can we look forward to seeing take to the air for the first time in 2010?

Besides the already mentioned BQB, Turkish start-up BoraJet also plans to commence services with ATR72’s. A slightly misleading name given that they will fly turboprops! The first one has arrived in Istanbul and will be joined by two more very soon to start domestic services. The domestic market in Turkey has expanded a lot in the last two or three years, THY’s own Anadolu Jet began in 2008 to go up against existing carriers with a low cost model designed to carve out a share of this growing market. BoraJet also plan to start international services to Greece, Israel and Syria which could be a lucrative move.

Interestingly Africa appears to be the place for new start-ups this year. In certain places the standards of air service is better than ever before, but in many parts of the continent flying is a big hassle, and is still seen as a big gamble too. Major safety concerns about flying on old, poorly maintained aircraft couple together with high fares, major delays, flight cancellations, poor service and airlines going out of business.
 
These new players are hoping to fair better because they have strong, sound financial backing from well established airlines. One of them (whose backers include Ethiopian Airlines) is the Togolese based ASKY Airlines. Ethiopian announced their plan to start a new airline for west and central Africa to be based at Lome in late 2007. Just over two years later they commenced services in January 2010 with two Boeing 737-700’s formally operated by failed Danish carrier Sterling.
 
Senegal has had their trails and tribulations of running a national carrier. Last April saw Air Senegal International suspend services after tiresome disputes between the two owners, Royal Air Maroc and the Senegalese Government. As if to start from scratch a completely new outfit, Senegal Airlines, was unveiled at the Dubai Air Show placing a Letter of Intent for four A320’s and two A330-200’s. These new airframes are not due for delivery from Airbus until 2013, so to see them start in 2010 second hand A320’s will be acquired.
 
There are two new airlines receiving a helping hand from South African regional carrier SA Airlink. Congo Express is due to start services between Kinshasa, Lubumbashi, Mbuji-Mayi and Kisangani with a Bombardier CRJ200 leased from SA Airlink. The second planning to start operations is TTA Airlink. To be based in Maputo, Mozambique their initial destination will be Johannesburg operated by one of SA Airlink’s BAe 146-200’s. Further destinations are planned from Maputo in the coming months to Beira, Nampula and Tete.
 
In a previous blog from May 2009 I spoke of Air Arabia’s plans to open a new hub at Casablanca, one of two interesting developments in Moroccan aviation last year. 2010 will see a third airline join the Air Arabia family, Air Arabia Egypt. In partnership with Travco Group (the Egyptian travel conglomerate) plus another Egyptian investor, the new airline will start in the next few months, having been on the cards for nearly a year. The only thing that is certain so far is the type of aircraft type to be used…A320’s. The base for the airline or the precise route network has not yet been revealed. Destinations in Africa, Europe and the Middle East are almost certain to be added over time. Services linking the new base to Sharjah and Casablanca are inevitable, surely?! For now though the cards are being kept close to the chest.
 
More airlines are guaranteed to start operations during the year (some that are not based in Africa might start too!) The above few are just a small selection of those who are on the verge of beginning services, all going well. And you never know what 2010 might bring, isn’t that right…Baltia!

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