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Zambia: Zambia’s Mahogany Air resumes operationsBy Keith Mwanalushi. |
Zambian regional airline Mahogany Air has resumed operations following the closure of flights in April after Zambia reported its first case of COVID-19 in March.
Dr Jim Belemu, Chief Executive, says the pandemic caused significant challenges for the airline. “We quickly saw a drop in passengers and cancellation of forward bookings, simultaneously.”
Figures released to Resilient Aviation show that in March alone, Mahogany Air reported over 80% of cancellations and by the end of that month passenger numbers dropped to 30% load factors. “We took the decision to suspend all flights on April 30, but had to continue paying costs such as aircraft insurance, and some maintenance.”
There are a handful of local air operators in Zambia offering domestic, regional and charter operations. Mahogany Air operates EMB 120 Brasilia and Beechcraft 1900 aircraft on key domestic routes linking the capital Lusaka and Livingstone (Victoria Falls) and Ndola (Copperbelt), but it is also opening air transport to outlying provinces and cross-border services that have previously not been served.
Regional carriers in small developing markets can be the most exposed to the possibility of insolvency in times of crisis. In June, the Zambian Government approved an eight billion Kwacha (US$439 million) economic stimulus package through a COVID-19 bond.
Mahogany Air has put in place some measures to mitigate the financial effects, including seeking a bridging stimulus package being offered to businesses by the state.
The airline has also adopted a lesser emolument-structured payment for staff to build the cash flow in the interim. “There will be an element of opportunism for the government to provide financial protection to private businesses, like ours, as it will contribute to the natural economic recovery after this crisis.”
Operationally, the carrier is looking to secure routes around the region (most importantly the Johannesburg route) and go towards structuring an agreement with aircraft lessors to manage the monthly leasing cost, Belemu stated. The airline currently operates domestic routes and single regional service to Lubumbashi in neighbouring Congo (DR).
Despite the significantly low number of COVID-19 cases in the country, the airline was quick to implement health measures in conformity with ICAO guidelines. “Our crew have rehearsed how to implement these measures prior and on board the aircraft. The critical measures are those before the flight to ensure that we do not allow a passenger with symptoms to board the flight. We are disseminating information and guidelines to make this clear to travellers.”
Mahogany Air has also enforced the completion of a declaration form for all passengers, indicating any symptoms or if they have had contact with any suspected positive cases.
For disinfection, fogging machines are used in the cabin before and after each flight including at layovers. “These measures are complemented with adequate provision of masks onboard, with reduced or no onboard service of meals and drinks.”
Twitter: @KeithMwanalushi |
An aviation enthusiast since childhood, Keith Mwanalushi started his aviation career as an account executive at a public relations firm. He was responsible for coordinating PR campaigns on behalf of British Airways in Zambia. Upon moving to the UK in 2004, Keith has fulfilled several roles as an aviation journalist and editor for several industry leading publications including African Aerospace, Arabian Aerospace, Low cost & Regional Airline Business and Airline Cargo Management. He is currently editor-in-chief at AviTrader MRO. Keith has accrued 20 years’ experience in airline PR, as a qualified practitoner and aviation journalism collectively. He lives in London and his closest ‘regional’ airport is London Heathrow. Keith enjoys travelling for business and leisure and can’t wait to get airborne again. |
BlueSky Business Aviation News | 2nd July 2020 | Issue #564
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