|
Could developing East + West airports replace JNB as continental hub?
Blue Swan Daily
... new research from data intelligence specialist ForwardKeys has shown the extraordinary rise of Ethiopia as a destination and a transfer hub for long-haul travel to Sub-Saharan Africa. The data shows that Addis Ababa (Ethiopia’s capital) has grown its volume of international transfer passengers to Sub-Saharan Africa, five years in a row (2013-17). The COO of Airports Company South Africa (ACSA), Fundi Sithebe, has highlighted concerns over Johannesburg losing its leading hub status, observing that South African Airways (SAA) has decreased international seat capacity at Johannesburg’s Oliver R Tambo International Airport (JNB) by 13% between Mar-2018 and Sep-2018. She noted SAA now accounts for 46% of passengers at the airport, “The threat is real that East and West Africa will take over from Johannesburg as a hub. We really need to entice passenger [growth] policies with a dominant airline at Johannesburg,” she says. The article gives a pretty balanced view of other possible hubs and the reasons for them developing - or not. They also challenge the idea that a 'dominant airline' is always a good thing. |
Connectivity between African cities is relatively poor and would often involve a connecting rather than a non stop flight. JNB is obviously very poorly placed in this regard with Addis being better though still not ideal. Back in the 1980s a connecting flight via a European hub was sometimes the most practical way to fly between two African cities.
Addis Ababa is reasonably well placed for international connections into Africa, particularly from China and the Far East, and could prove a reasonable alternative to Dubai as a transfer point on some long haul routes. Ethopian Airlines doesn't appear to suffer from the same level of corruption and government interference as South African Airways and has a long history of making profits. The company is competently managed and has in house training and maintenance to a high standard. The main hold back is the state of the airport in Addis, but once this has been addressed, the future looks bright. At one time you would avoid flying on any middle easter airline, but now they dominate. Negative perceptions of African airlines need to be overcome but if they keep up the good work they may well succeed. |
Addis is over 6000’ in elevation . This plays a role in operations. Rwandair wants to become the next regional player. Their government is focused enough, but lack of competent management and staff are an issue. |
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....b8d0ef482.jpeg Great layover accommodation at Ethiopian Airlines to help the company profit level at the expense of not well rested crews prior to their flights. Krismiler, and I quote: Ethopian Airlines doesn't appear to suffer from the same level of corruption and government interference as South African Airways and has a long history of making profits. The company is competently managed and has in house training and maintenance to a high standard. Let me review your quote above and ask you to reconsider the “level” of corruption you allude to; Profits are not always a reflection of safe performance; Ethiopian Airlines is not a safe company, make no mistake about this, and I can list many variables of corruption here including their local ECAA which is nothing but a branch of the airline, they collude over their internal problems, and make local and foreign pilots carry a burden of incredible responsibility; Hi standards? When was the last time you flew Ethiopian as a passenger? |
JNB will always be big and help those who want to arrive at a reasonable place and then go a bit North. It's useful for those from the orient and Oz/NZ who already operate there. But the idea that it can remain as THE Africa hub is ridiculous. The problem with stating such an ambition is that it will cause them to spend money trying to get carriers in or back in. That will be a further waste of money that ZA does not have.
|
Similar to the picture of the Ryanair crew that was doing the rounds recently. Ethiopian are a member of the Star Alliance already. They are assisting in the set up and running of Airlines in Malawi and Zambia. Making consistent profits suggests competence and they can afford to bring in outside expertise if needed. I can think of a major hub airline, based in the Middle East who enjoy a very supportive regulatory authority. Ethopian are by no means perfect, security would be a significant consideration. There have been a number of hijackings, including one in 2014 by the copilot and the B767 ditching. There was also the B737 which crashed on departure from Beirut in 2010. Measured by African standards they come out very well, though obviously not comparable to Singapore Airlines or Qatar Airways. Zambia has a poor history with its airlines, the national carrier went bankrupt in 1994 and they need to virtually start from scratch where as Ethiopian are already well established. Whilst I can’t see them rivaling Emirates, they could become the go to airline for Africa and a reasonable option on other routes if the fares are low enough. |
| All times are GMT. The time now is 14:29. |
Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.