Aviation

African Cargo Traffic Records 3.8% Increase

Published

7 years ago

August 9, 2019

African carriers have recorded a 3.8 per cent surge in freight demands amid a 4.8 per cent slump in global demand.The African region was the only one to report growth in June 2019 according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) data for global air freight markets released yesterday.
This makes Africa the strongest performer for the fourth consecutive month as capacity grew 16.6 per cent. Route analysis shows that the Africa-Asia performance is strong, up 12 per cent year-on-year. Data for global air freight markets showed that demand, measured in freight tonne kilometres (FTKs), decreased by 4.8 per cent in June 2019, compared to the same period in 2018. This marks the eighth consecutive month of year-on-year decline in freight volumes.
Signs of a modest recovery in recent months appear to have been premature, with the June contraction broad-based across all regions with the exception of Africa.
Capacity growth remains subdued and the cargo load factor continues to fall. Globally, trade growth is languishing, and business uncertainty is compounded by the latest tariff increases in the U.S.-China trade dispute.
IATA’s Director General and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Alexandre de Juniac, said global trade continues to suffer as trade tensions – particularly between the U.S. and China – deepen.
“As a result, air cargo markets continue to contract. Nobody wins a trade war. Borders that are open to trade spread sustained prosperity. That’s what our political leaders must focus on,” he said. Airlines in Asia-Pacific and the Middle East once again suffered the sharpest declines in year-on-year growth in total air freight volumes in June 2019. Africa was the only region to show any growth.
Asia-Pacific airlines saw demand for air freight contract by 5.4 per cent in June 2019, compared to the same period in 2018. Although an important factor, the U.S.-China trade war is not solely responsible for the fall. FTKs for the within-Asia market have decreased more than 10 per cent over the past year. Air freight capacity increased by 1.8 per cent over the same period.
North American airlines’ freight demand decreased by 4.6 per cent in June 2019, compared to the same period a year earlier. Capacity increased by 1.9 per cent over the past year. U.S.-China trade tensions are weighing on the performance, with FTKs to Asia down five per cent. FTKs on routes to/from Europe, South America and Middle East were also lower.
European airlines posted a 3.6 per cent decrease in freight demand in June 2019 compared to the same period a year earlier. Comparatively strong cargo volumes within Europe are helping to minimise the impact of weaker German exports. Capacity increased by 2.8 per cent year-on-year.
Middle Eastern airlines’ freight volumes decreased 7.0 per cent in June 2019 compared to the year-ago period. Capacity increased by 2.7 per cent. Seasonally-adjusted demand has been falling since late 2018, and the latest data show volumes to Europe (-7.2 per cent) and Asia-Pacific (-6.5 per cent) were particularly weak.
Latin American airlines experienced a decrease in freight demand in June 2019 of 1.0 per cent compared to the same period last year and capacity increased by 4.6 per cent. Much of the decline in traffic can be attributed to weakness in the within-South America market (especially Brazil and Argentina) where FTKs fell 6.5 per cent.

Wole Oyebade

Aviation

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

Published

3 weeks 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

3 weeks 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

3 weeks 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.