Iberia increases African presence with services to Accra and Nouakchott

The launch of the services to Ghana and Mauritania on 01-Jun-2012 and 03-Jun-2012, respectively, will bring the number of destinations in Iberia's African network to 12. Iberia is currently the 23rd largest carrier to operate between Europe and West Africa and although its services to Accra and Nouakchott will not be significant enough to dramatically increase its ranking, it will provide the two West African countries with increased air services to their main trade market of the European Union (EU). Within the EU, Spain is already Mauritania's third largest trade partner (sixth overall).

See related article: Emirates' Spanish expansion highlights Iberia's long-haul weakness to the east

Ghana and Mauritania aviation market and economic measures: Feb-2012

Country	Route	GDP growth rate: 2011	Natural resources in country	Appeal of destination
Ghana	Twice weekly Madrid Barajas-Accra service using A319 equipment	13.5%	Gold, timber, cocoa	Capital and largest city, coastal location, economic and administrative centre, fishing and agriculture industry, large contributor to Ghanaian economy
Mauritania	Twice weekly Madrid Barajas-Las Palmas-Nouakchott service using A321 equipment	5.1%	Diamond, iron ore, copper, diamond, phosphate	Capital and largest city, coastal location, economic and administrative centre, fishing industry

Source: CAPA - Centre for Aviation, Innovata & CIA World Factbook

Iberia's flight times on the Madrid-Accra route, which involve departing Madrid at 14:40 and arriving in Accra at 18:00, and departing Accra at 18:50 and arriving in Madrid at 02:10, are not ideal for business travellers - although traffic options are limited overall - however there is room for some onward connections, particularly for arrivals to Accra at 18:00.

The Nouakchott schedule is slightly more convenient, with Iberia departing Madrid at 20:35 and arriving Nouakchott at 00:10 and departing Nouakchott at 02:15 and arriving in Madrid at 10:35. Iberia's European codeshare partners with limited access into Africa would particularly benefit from the Madrid-Nouakchott service, as the carrier's service departs in the evening allowing time for travellers to connect from other airports. Overall the timings are not ideal, but once again the market has limited options. Unlike the Madrid-Accra service, the Nouakchott service will not be non-stop as the service will transit through Las Palmas in the Canary Islands.

Iberia flight times: Madrid-Accra and Madrid-Nouakchott

Route	Departure time	Arrival time	Frequency	Equipment	Seats
Madrid-Accra	14:40	18:00	Twice weekly - Tues and Fri	A319	126
Accra-Madrid	18:50	02:10	Twice weekly - Tues and Fri	A319	126
Madrid-Nouakchott (via Las Palmas)	20:35	00:10	Twice weekly - Thur and Sun	A321	186
Nouakchott-Madrid (via Las Palmas)	02:15	10:35	Twice weekly - Mon and Fri	A321	186

Source: CAPA - Centre for Aviation & 02-Feb-2012 GDS timetable display

Iberia to enter growing Accra market

Ghana is not only one of Africa's fastest growing economies but the world's too. It is second only to Qatar in terms of GDP growth rate.

Ghana's aviation industry is the second largest in West Africa, seeing approximately 38,000 seats per week. A number of international carriers serve Ghana including British Airways, Emirates, Delta Air Lines and KLM, as well as African carriers Air Nigeria, Kenya Airways, Arik Air and ASKY Airlines. While lacking a successful carrier of its own (local Starbow Airlines is still establishing its network), Ghana will continue to grow through the future additions of Fly540 Ghana.

The three largest carriers to operate to Accra Kotoka Airport are British Airways, Lufthansa and Air Nigeria. Iberia's plans to deploy 122-seat A319 equipment to Accra International Airport is not enough to make it a significant carrier at the airport, although its partner British Airways - part of International Airlines Group - is the market leader.

Accra Kotoka Airport capacity by carrier (seats per week): 06-Feb-2012 to 12-Feb-2012

Source: CAPA - Centre for Aviation & Innovata

See related article: Nigeria and Ghana driving West African aviation development

Iberia to serve small Nouakchott market

Mauritania's aviation market of approximately 5841 seats per week puts it among one of the least developed in Africa, similar to The Democratic Republic of the Congo (7161 seats per week), Burundi (5027 seats per week) and Malawi (4449 seats per week).

Mauritania, while rich in natural resources such as diamond and phosphate, still depends largely on agriculture and livestock. Around 40% of the population lives in poverty. Upon Iberia's entry into Nouakchott, it will become the second European carrier to serve the country's largest airport.

Nouakchott Airport capacity by carrier (seats per week): 06-Feb-2012 to 12-Feb-2012

Source: CAPA - Centre for Aviation & Innovata

Just seven carriers serve Mauritania, with the smallest carrier, Air Algerie, serving the main airport just once a week and the largest operating service 14 times per week. While Emirates recently opened an office in Nouakchott, it is yet to indicate plans to launch service there.

Mauritania has a number of iron-ore, copper and gold mines including multinational companies such as US Newmont Mining Corporation and Canadian-based Kinross Gold Corporation, Red Black Mining and REX Diamond Mining Corporation. Although Iberia serves US destinations, it serves none in Canada.

Even in bad economic times, seeing growth in Africa

The new services - at a time of a large economic downturn in Europe - attest to Africa's growth and potential. Iberia's new services lay the foundations for it to improve its offering to Africa. At this stage the frequencies are limited, as is the case for many African services, but they will be welcomed in the growing market.

Background information

Iberia Africa and Middle East/select European destinations as at Feb-2012

Source: CAPA - Centre for Aviation