Airline Finance News - Africa / Middle East

Airguide Online, August 7, 2006

For more airline finance news, data and analysis, please go to: http://www.airguideonline.com/professional.htm Aug 7, 2006

Air Botswana

Air Botswana said in a statement that it will conclude its privatization in September, with the government considering eight prospective partners. The airline carries 150,000 passengers per year across seven routes, generating $20 million in revenues. Aug 2, 2006

Saudi Arabian Airlines

Saudi Arabian Airlines will privatize five units next year, some through public listings, to pave the way for the flotation of its core transport business, company and banking sources said on Sunday. The sources said the government had given the flag carrier's board the green light to turn its catering, handling, cargo, pilot training and technical and maintenance units into independent firms. The bank is helping plan the privatization of the airline, one of the largest in the Middle East. A company source confirmed the privatization of the five branches was in the works but declined to elaborate. Saudi Arabian Airlines carried 16 million passengers in 2005. Income that year from catering was 650 million riyals (USD$173.3 million), while cargo revenue was 1.5 billion riyals, and technical and maintenance provided 5 billion riyals. The bank source said the privatization was aimed at boosting productivity, and that the company was considering an early retirement scheme to reduce its large staff. Jul 31, 2006

Zambian Airways

Zambian Airways, one of Africa's more modest and established carriers (it dates from 1988) is making efforts to attract UK customers for its regional service with the emphasis on tour operators and business people. It links up with the major carriers at Lusaka, Harare and Johannesburg. CEO is Donald MacDonald, a chartered accountant who moved to Zambia in 2001 on a placement by Deloitte & Touche and was appointed CEO of Zambian Airways in April 2003. The airline has a single MD82, used on flights from Lusaka to the gateways and Beechcraft and Embraer regional 'planes that are ideal for operations at the many local airports and airstrips around the country. http://www.zambianairways.eu Aug 5, 2006