16-Mar-2010 3:52 PM

Air Arabia selects SITA to provide air-ground communications; Lonrho to join FTSE AIM UK 50 Index

Air Arabia (-1.0%) selected SITA to provide air-ground communications, including data link services for the airline’s expanding operations.

The five-year agreement covers SITA’s AIRCOM data link services for the existing fleet of 21 A320s, and the 44 aircraft scheduled to join the fleet by the end of 2012. The agreement also includes basic Aircraft Communication Addressing and Reporting System (ACARS) services.

Also in the Middle East, Jazeera Airways (+1.0%) rose, while Royal Jordanian and Kuwait National Airways were flat.

Elsewhere, Emirates Chairman and Dubai Civil Aviation President, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, stated Emirates would be central to Dubai’s recovery and confirmed the airline, or Dubai’s other strategic units, did not form part of negotiations with Abu Dhabi. Sheikh Al Maktoum added Emirates indirectly contributes USD10.9 billion to Dubai’s economy p/a. Sheikh Al Maktoum also ruled out plans for an initial public offering (IPO).

In Africa, Lonrho Plc (-4.1%), parent of Fly540, was advised last week by the London Stock Exchange that it is to be included in the FTSE AIM UK 50 Index and the FTSE AIM 100 Index with effect from 22-Mar-2010.

Also in Africa, Kenya Airways (+8.1%) rallied again, as Kenya’s All-Share Index (+0.9%) climbed for a seventh consecutive day. 1time Holdings (-2.8%) and Comair (-1.8%) fell, as South Africa’s FTSE/JSE Africa All Share Index (-0.8%) declined.

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Selected African and Middle Eastern airlines share price movements (% change): 15-Mar-2010