The East African Business Council (EABC), the main business body that represents the private sector, business associations and corporations from across the five member countries of the East African Community (EAC) has launched an annual aviation handbook that highlights the growth and development of the aviation sector in East Africa. The handbook is published by Safari Communications, a corporate communications firm on behalf of the EABC. Safari Communications currently has operations in Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi and Ethiopia.
Over the last few years, member countries of the East African Community have been on an expansion mode based by the continued expansion of the aviation sector. It is with this in mind that these countries are collectively investing about $1.7 billion on airports expansion only. Amongst some of the exciting projects that are set to herald the region’s aviation sector to the next level include a new airport complex at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Dubbed the Greenfield Terminal, the new passenger complex will boast a passenger capacity of 20 million passengers per annum and when completed will be the biggest passenger terminal in Africa. Construction work started last year and the terminal is set to receive its first passengers in 2017.
Aside from this, regional carriers have been on an expansion mode. Kenya Airways (KQ) and Ethiopian Airlines (ET) are by far the most dominant carriers from the region. The two airlines have no doubt renewed their battles over the African skies as they continue to announce new aircraft acquisitions that include the ultra-modern Boeing 787 Dreamliner and the Boeing 777-300ER, a long-haul workhorse. Currently, KQ and ET are the only operators of these aircrafts in Africa. Read more of the battle in the skies between these two African aviation giants in the new East African Aviation handbook 2014.
Not to be left behind is RwandAir, the national carrier of Rwanda. Though the airline started operations as late as 2003, this young airline is quickly making a name for itself based on its young fleet, customer care and highly competitive fares. Read the exclusive interview with the airline’s CEO Mr. John Mirenge who expounds on the airlines dream to enhancing connectivity within Africa through its hub at Kigali International Airport.
