Air Mauritius reports slight reduction on Q1 losses compared to 2011

AIR MAURITIUS ANNOUNCES SLIGHTLY REDUCED LOSS FOR Q1

Air Mauritius announced a slightly reduces loss from last year for Quarter 1 of 10.4 million Euros, compared to 11.9 million Euros in 2011. Airline sources blamed in particular the change in value between the Euro and the US Dollar for the magnitude of the loss, which according to media statements could have been some 8 million Euros less had it not been for the unfavourable currency developments during the period in review. Other factors however remain the same as last year, a continuously soft core market from Europe for travel to Mauritius, higher fuel cost for much of the period under review. Increased competition through in particular Gulf airlines though did not seem to have affected the load factors too much as passenger numbers in Q1 compared to 2011 appear to have gone up by 7.4 percent, with revenues in fact rising by 12.5 percent, a new record with 104.5 million Euros.
While operating expenses rose by 9.7 percent or 9.6 million Euros, it still left a net positive balance for Air Mauritius.
The ongoing restructuring and cost cutting programme, according to a source from Port Louis, also remains on track and combined with a recently launched customer service initiative should, according to the source, show better financial results for Q2 and the rest of the financial year by further reducing the airlines losses incurred in recent years. Watch this space for aviation news from the Indian Ocean islands and from Eastern Africa.

British Airways counters lower loads with special offers for Business Class to Europe and America

BRITISH AIRWAYS CUTS FARES FOR AUGUST DUE TO LOW LOADS

A reported downturn in sales out of Entebbe to Europe and the United States has prompted British Airways to counter the trend with some aggressive market fares, which for business class from Uganda to key points in Europe have been pegged at 1.999 US Dollars, plus taxes and fees.
Fares to the Big Apple, in comparison, are on sale for the entire month of August (travelling period) at US Dollars 2.550, again plus taxes and fees.
British Airways Country Manager Uganda, Faith Chaitezvi, yesterday announced the special fares, set to start with immediate effect and said they will be available for sale until August 31 for outbound travel. Passengers are required to return anytime within 12 months. She went on to say in a media statement availed to this correspondent overnight: At British Airways, we are constantly striving to deliver value for our customers, following a thorough review we have tailored the best possible fares to give our customers, all year round. British Airways currently flies 5 times a week with a B767 between London Heathrow and Entebbe / Uganda.
Anyone got any spare cash left after the annual holiday season or after visiting the London 2012 Olympics here is a chance to get some extraordinary value for money. Watch this space.

Reed Exhibitions to launch International Luxury Travel Market Africa in Cape Town / April 2013

REED EXHIBITIONS TO LAUNCH FIRST EVER LUXURY AFRICA TRAVEL FAIR IN APRIL 2013

Following in the footsteps of the hugely successful ILTM International Luxury Travel Market series which includes dedicated Asia and Americas editions, Reed Exhibitions has just announced that the first ever Africa edition has been scheduled for April next year in Cape Town / South Africa.
It is one of ILTMs policies of pre-qualifying both buyers and exhibitors. Each of the buyers and suppliers invited to attend will be specially accredited for participation in ILTM Africa. Pre-scheduled appointments will be arranged on a strict one-to-one ratio to ensure the best possible business environment, a formula which has made the Asia and America editions the success they have become.
Alison Gilmore, ILTM Exhibition Director said when launching the media release for the event: Reed has been exploring opportunities in Africa for sometime and because of the sheer size of the continent, the diversity of its luxury travel offering with natural beauty, world-class facilities, adventure and wildlife experiences, it makes sense to take our global brand, already on 3 continents, to a new one, Africa. From the day we launched ILTM Americas earlier this year, we sold out within a matter of weeks and with the debut event opening on 1st October, there will be a wait list of companies who will ensure substantial growth for the event in 2013, we fully expect ILTM Africa to have the same support.
One of the invited participants for the Africa event, Frances Geoghegan of Africa Travel UK, was in the media release quoted to have said: Africa offers it all for the luxury traveller – exotic locations, stunning properties and unique experiences. Where else can you watch the phenomenon that is Tanzanias wildebeest migration? Watch hippos from a canoe as you glide down the Zambezi, trek the mighty mountain gorillas of Rwanda, or enjoy the varying splendour of Africas mother city, Cape Town? It is fitting that Africa now has a platform with ILTM to showcase its wonders and diversity. ILTM has been the pioneer of luxury travel forums, matching buyers and suppliers in a highly professional and successful environment. ILTM coming to Cape Town will be of great benefit to the whole of the African travel industry.
And how true that is, time that Africa can showcase its natural miracles and wonders in particular for the top end of the market and finally get a fair share of this market segment which pays top dollars for top services, from Southern to Eastern and Northern Africa. Watch this space for added information as and when available.

African Football Confederation heading to the Seychelles for their extraordinary general meeting

AFRICAN FOOTBALL CONFEDERATION SET FOR SEYCHELLES GENERAL MEETING

Only weeks after successfully hosting 4 major international events in succession, the International Council of Tourism Partners, the RETOSA Board Meeting, the Vanilla Island Organization General Meeting and the Routes Africa Conference, will the African Football Confederations 54 member associations head for the archipelago for a week long extraordinary general meeting to be held at the La Meridien Barbarons and the Constance Ephelia Resort.
Seychelles recent efforts to provide a platform for peace talks between Madagascar rival politicians Rajoelina, who heads the transitional council after taking power in a coup from former head of state Ravalomanana, who also attended the two rounds of talks on the island of Desroches and the main island of Mahe, did not go unnoticed on the African continent. This was particularly highlighted in the local media in the SADC countries participating in the mediation, South Africa and Tanzania besides hosts Seychelles officially Madagascar is currently suspended from all SADC events and positions where the commentaries about the peace talks, chaired by South Africas President Jacob Zuma, were full of praise for the Seychellois initiative which made the two meetings more successful than all previous attempts for talks combined over a two year period.
Delegates of CAF, over two hundred of them are expected to make the trip to Mahe, are therefore reportedly looking forward to experiencing the apparently conducive atmosphere of the Seychelles to tackle a range of agenda items, aimed to shape the future of African football.
Hosts Seychelles Football Association, for the first time ever chosen to have this important event held on their own home ground, have confirmed that the meeting will take place between 30th of August and 05th of September and the various sessions have been scheduled between the La Meridien Barbarons and the Constance Ephelia Resort.
What better place to talk football than next to the crystal clear waters of the Indian Ocean with a calming breeze from the sea injecting the right atmosphere into the delegates mood. Watch this space for live updates from the event and a range of other reports and interviews while on Mahe for the week.