Egypt Air Juba flight under fire

We can safely conclude that politics should be an integral component in route planning. Considering the flammable stance between northern Khartoum and southern Juba, Juba flights with en route stop in Khartoum represent an extremely sensitive issue. Can we imagine EgyptAir operating flight to Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) with en route stop in Tel Aviv? It is entirely understood that Cairo-Tel Aviv-Jeddah example is unlikely to happen but Cairo-Khartoum-Juba version is a reality for almost 6 months. While there was no direct confrontational hostility between Saudi Arabia and Israel, there was a bloody military confrontation between Khartoum government and the southern part of Sudan.

Flights to/ and from airports which have operational restrictions, like Juba Airport, should be positioned and timed to avoid any possible service disruptions. With not-so-good on-time performance of EgyptAir, it is not a good idea to operate one-stop flights to Juba. By doing so, EgyptAir is simply increasing the contributing factors of service disruption.

The attitude of EgyptAir airport employees is not new for EgyptAir. After all, they are working in EgyptAir because of their connections, rather than their qualifications. I commented on the mediocre level of EgyptAir’s customer service last July. Ironically, the comments were about Juba flight.

Date: 11 January 2011 commenting on http://www.eturbonews.com/

What's the future for airline alliances?

Star Alliance does not have a top candidate airline to represent Russia in the alliance. In fact, there are no Russian candidates as S7 is committed to OneWorld while Aeroflot is already with SkyTeam Alliance.

Definitely, Russian domestic connections are not that easy due to absence of interline agreements between international carriers serving the two major Russian gateways (Moscow and Saint Petersburg) on one hand and the Russian domestic carriers on the other hand. Seemingly, they are not aware of the potential benefits of those agreements.

Date: 23 December 2010 commenting on http://www.businesstraveller.com/

Egyptair, SAS code-share; a new link between Africa and Europe

Unfortunately, the multi-destination booking feature in EgyptAir website does not work properly. Moreover, EgyptAir ticketing agents have no interest in selling any destination beyond those served by their company. So, how could EgyptAir customers benefit from the newly signed code-share agreement?

Date: 16 December 2010 commenting on  http://logisticsweek.com/

No SAA investment in central African airline

How smart for the South African Airways (SAA) to only support the newly conceived airline venture in central Africa without providing airplanes or investing in the anticipated airline company.

Obviously, the operational burden will be on the shoulders of both EgyptAir and Ethiopian Airlines. Will they be able to manage? Will the under-served new markets of central Africa guarantee the success of the proposed joint company?

Date: 09 October 2010 commenting on http://www.businessday.co.za/

Air Force Two knocks over small plane on Long Island

Are we talking here about the mishaps involving the Vice President Joseph R. Biden or an aviation safety issue?
Definitely, Mr. Biden has nothing to do with the incident as long as he did not volunteer to help the captain.
Considering the fact that the private plane was not occupied, the reason of the accident could be either:
1) the control tower crew of the airport.
2) the cockpit crew of Air Force Two.

Date: 15 August 2010 commenting on http://www.myfoxny.com/

Juba: Capital of an almost state

There is no way for any cabin crew to feel superior over passengers. This is against the basics of customer service. That is quite outrageous considering that Mr. Alaa Ashour, chairman of EgyptAir said when Air Transport World interviewed him back in March 2010:
Quote
Meanwhile, the carrier is moving forward with a comprehensive product upgrade throughout its fleet, including new catering and a reinforced "we care" service approach. At the end of January it commenced a vast training program for its 7,300-strong workforce, involving everybody from the call center to station managers to flight crew, about the importance of customer service.
Unquote

EgyptAir is about to extend some of its Cairo-Khartoum flights to Juba. Obviously, there are some valid commercial reasons for EgyptAir to establish its brand early in the to-be-announced country. Having said so, it might be imperative for EgyptAir to build a good image for itself in such a new market.

Date: 30 July 2010 commenting on http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/

The need for airport innovation

It is not only airports which need innovative ideas to improve their operation and profitability. Nontraditional approaches are widely needed in various domains of our daily life.
Without violating both the basics and ethics, we should be looking for something new. With ever-changing business and life dynamics, the best adoptable slogan for better future could be “continuous pursuit for excellence.”

Date: 30 July 2010 commenting on http://blogs.forbes.com/wheelsup/