Aviation

Ethiopian Airlines Plans Network, Fleet Expansion

Published

11 years ago

January 23, 2015

Ethiopian Airlines, one of
the leading African carriers is planning further fleet and network expansion in 2015 to enable it widen the gap with other airlines.
Ethiopian airlines has already become the largest airline in Africa based on fleet size and could overtake South Africa Airlines SAA in 2015 as the largest, based on passengers carried.
The airline has doubled in size since the beginning of the decade while most other major African carriers have grown only slightly or not at all. Asia and Africa have been and will continue to be the primary drivers as Ethiopian Airline taps the booming Asia-African market.
Ethiopian plans to launch services to Tokyo in April 2015, which will become its 11th destination in Asia. The carrier will also add its second US destination in June 2015 as service to Los Angeles is launched.
Ethiopian airlines, according to official sources, is one of only four airlines in Africa with over five million annual passengers. It is also one of only four airline groups with a fleet of more than 50 aircraft.
The airline surpassed the 5 million passenger mark for the first time in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2013 (Fy2013) when the government owned flag carrier transported 5.22 million passengers. Passenger traffic reached 6 million in 2014 (Fy2014) fuelled by 15 per cent year-over-year growth.
Passenger traffic has more than doubled since Fy2009 and has grown at a double digit dip over the last six years, adding that other three African airlines that have at least five million annual passengers have recorded virtually zero growth over the last six years.
Similarly, Royal Air Maroc (RAM) also carried about six million passengers in Fy2014, roughly matching the Moroccan flag carrier’s figures from Fy2008 and Fy2011 traffic shrunk in Fy2012 and Fy2013 as it restructured but grow again in Fy2014).
SAA carried about 7.1 million passengers in Fy2014, maintaining its position as market leader in Africa based on number of passengers carried. But SAA traffic is below Fy2008 levels, when it carried 7.4 million passengers. (SAA traffic shrunk Fy2009, Fy2010, Fy2011, and Fy2012 but grew slightly in Fy2013 and Fy2014.
Egypt Air also carried an estimated seven million passengers in Fy2014. The airline’s traffic level reached a pre-Egyptian crisis high of 7.3 million in Fy2010. Back in Fy2008 Egypt Air transported 6.8 million passengers (Egypt Air’s financial year ends in June while SAA’ s financial year ends in March and RAM’s financial year ends in October).

Aviation

Togo Govt Scraps It’s Visa Requirements For All African Countries

Published

1 month ago

May 27, 2026

The Tide

The Togolese government has scrapped visa requirements for nationals of all African countries, effective May 18, 2026, meaning Nigerians with valid passports can now enter the country without applying for visa in advance.

African travellers can now stay in Togo visa-free for up to 30 days counting from May 18, 2026.

Visitors must still complete an online pre-arrival registration before entering the country.

The announcement came via the official X handle of Togo’s Ministry of Security, signed by the ministry’s head, Colonel Calixte Batossie Madjoulba.

Under the new policy, eligible African travellers can stay in Togo for up to 30 days without a visa, with the government describing the move as a commitment to Pan-African ideals and regional integration.

Government based the decision within a wider Pan-African agenda, stating that it reaffirms Togo’s attachment to “Pan-African ideals, continental solidarity, and community and African commitments, relating to mobility and regional integration.”

Togo also positioned the move as part of an agenda of “openness, modernisation, and attractiveness” aimed at making the country “a regional hub for services, business, culture, and human exchanges at the heart of Africa.”

There is, however, one step travellers cannot skip. Before arrival, visitors must register on the Togolese government’s official travel portal at voyage.gouv.tg at least 24 hours before reaching the border.

Nigerians can now travel to Togo without applying for a visa in advance.

The registration generates a travel slip that must be presented at entry points across land, air, and sea. The government has been clear that this pre-arrival formality remains mandatory regardless of the visa exemption.

Beyond the registration requirement, standard entry conditions still apply. Security checks, immigration screening, and public health requirements remain in place, and the waiver does not protect travellers who overstay or enter irregularly.

All border agencies have been directed to implement the new policy immediately.

Togo’s decision is part of a broader continental shift. Across Africa, more governments are moving to ease intra-African travel in alignment with the African Continental Free Trade Area’s vision of freer movement of people and goods.

Togo is now among the more accessible West African destinations for Nigerian travellers, a short trip that previously required advance visa processing and now requires nothing more than a passport and a quick online registration the day before you fly.

Aviation

Egypt Flight Moves To Prevent Explosion —- Diverts London Flight To Rome

Published

1 month ago

May 27, 2026

The Tide

An EasyJet flight from Egypt to London was diverted to Rome after a passenger was found with a power bank in checked luggage.

The airline said the diversion was made as a safety precaution due to regulations surrounding lithium-ion batteries.

Passengers landed safely in Rome and were provided accommodation and refreshments after the delay.

The aircraft, operating flight EZY2618 from Hurghada to London Luton, made an unscheduled landing at Rome Fiumicino Airport last Tuesday evening as a precautionary safety measure.

According to the airline, the decision to divert was taken after a passenger informed cabin crew that the portable charger was inside luggage stored in the aircraft’s hold.

Although no fire or malfunction was reported, lithium-ion batteries found in power banks are considered a significant safety risk on aircraft due to the possibility of overheating or catching fire.

Flight tracking data showed the plane cruising at approximately 36,000 feet over the Adriatic Sea before suddenly changing course and heading towards Rome, where it landed safely about 20 minutes later.

Passengers reportedly disembarked without incident, while the flight was rescheduled for the following day.

In a statement, EasyJet apologised for the disruption and said the diversion was carried out in accordance with aviation safety regulations.

“The safety of passengers and crew is our highest priority,” the airline said, adding that hotel accommodation, meals, and refreshments were provided for affected travellers.

“EasyJet’s policies state that power banks are only permitted in cabin baggage and must not be stored in checked luggage.

The airline also prohibits passengers from using power banks to charge devices during flights.

The incident comes as airlines around the world continue tightening restrictions on portable chargers and lithium battery devices amid growing concerns over onboard fire hazards linked to overheating batteries.

Aviation

Delta At 20: Delta Airline Expands Travel Access Ahead 2026 World Cup

Published

1 month ago

May 27, 2026

The Tide

Delta Air Lines has announced a range of travel solutions aimed at easing the journey for Ghanaian football fans planning to attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup across the United States and North America.

The announcement was made during an event in Accra marking the airline’s 20th anniversary in Ghana, as company officials highlighted plans to work closely with local travel agencies to ensure that fans can access tickets and travel packages well in advance for the global tournament.

According to Delta’s Managing Director for International and Specialty Sales, Rob LeBel, the airline is introducing flexible options tailored to different travel needs.

These include individual ticket purchases, discounted group packages for parties of ten or more, and charter services for larger groups.

He explained that the collaboration with travel agencies would also focus on educating customers about the best ways to secure flights during the expected surge in demand.

To expand travel routes, Delta is leveraging its partnership with European carrier KLM, offering passengers alternative connections through Europe when direct routes are fully booked.

The airline believes the upcoming tournament presents a major opportunity to strengthen travel ties between Ghana and North America, particularly as interest among football fans continues to grow.