Six nations to establish carriers under scheme, with umbrella body for logistics
Plans for a series of new central African carriers, under the provisional holding company Air Cemac International, are expected to move forward in the coming weeks following the completion of a feasibility study by Royal Air Maroc (RAM).
The project involves the establishment of airlines for six central African states, comprising Chad, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Congo, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon. The initiative is being pursued by the states' regional economic body CEMAC, with RAM acting as a strategic and technical adviser.
Air Cemac project leader Mohamed Amraoui says the venture will cover domestic operations, services between CEMAC nations and surrounding African states, plus intercontinental routes.
Under draft plans, locally branded operations will be established in each of the countries, supported by a central logistical body, which will provide the local carriers with aircraft, crews, maintenance and insurance, says Amraoui. These subsidiaries will report into Air Cemac International.
Amraoui, who works in strategic and international affairs for RAM, says: "We are preparing an action plan to present to the heads of the CEMAC countries." He says the plans will be completed by the end of the month in advance of a February meeting with the CEMAC heads of state, when approval for the scheme will be sought.
The new carriers will deploy two aircraft types, says Amraoui. These will comprise a 70-seat regional type and a "much bigger" type to serve intercontinental routes, such as an initial link to Paris.
Amraoui estimates that the operation will launch "on day one" with three aircraft, comprising a single intercontinental example and one or two regional aircraft. These numbers will then quickly be boosted to include two of the larger type and a three-strong regional fleet.
VICTORIA MOORES / LONDON
Source: Flight International
