The launch of direct flights between Kenya and the US is one step closer after Nairobi’s main airport received approval from the FAA for Category One status. The approval comes after an FAA audit of facilities and security at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta airport. Currently, flights from the US to Kenya must either transit through Europe or Cape Verde, Ethiopia, Nigeria or South Africa, the only 4 countries in Africa with Category One status. Launching direct flights was part of a package of deals announced during president Barack Obama's visit to Kenya in July 2015. Delta Air Lines cancelled plans to fly to Nairobi last year due to security concerns. Kenya Airways also plans to offer direct flights to the US. The launch of direct flights is subject to approval from both govts. <br/>
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Zurich International is reporting that aircraft movements in low visibility conditions have increased 17% since Oct 2016. Working with Swiss air navigation services provider Skyguide and Airbus subsidiary NAVBLUE, the airport installed an instrument landing system elements localizer antenna supported by NAVBLUE’s ELISE technology. Skyguide’s head of tower/approach Siegfrid Ladenbauer said: “By combining cutting-edge technology with advanced operational concepts, we were able to mitigate the meteorological impact on flight punctuality [at Zurich airport].” Following the system’s installation, the Swiss Federal Office of Civil Aviation approved Zurich airport to reduce the separation of arriving aircraft in low visibility conditions to 5 nautical miles instead of 6 nautical miles. <br/>
Potholes and armed bandits have forced international airlines – including British Airways, Lufthansa and Air France – to cancel hundreds of flights to Nigeria. The capital’s airport, Nnamdi Azikiwe International, will shut for 6 weeks March 8, while its ruptured runway is resurfaced, forcing airlines to divert to Kaduna, some 100 miles north. However, many airlines have refused to fly passengers to Kaduna due to the ongoing threat of banditry, kidnapping and terrorism. The Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel to the region, where two German nationals were kidnapped this week. Govt officials insist the notoriously dangerous road between Kaduna and Abuja will be lined with police checkpoints. Airport passengers will be shuttled to the Nigerian capital in buses accompanied by armed guards. <br/>