North Africa






Transport Infrastructure

Ryanair reduces capacity in Spain following airport fee increases in a move that the operator calls "blackmail"

Irish airline Ryanair announced on Wednesday that it would reduce its passenger capacity for Spain by one million seats next winter in response to a fee increase announced by airport operator Aena, which it called "shameless". Aena's CEO Maurici Lucena responded by accusing Ryanair of "self-righteousness", "rudeness", "blackmail" and greed, as the long-running conflict between the largest airline in Spain by passenger numbers and the operator of most of the country's commercial airports escalated. Ryanair stated in a press release that the Aena fee hike of 6.5% announced for 2026 rendered some regional routes non-viable. Eddie Wilson, CEO, Ryanair DAC,...



Transport Infrastructure

Passenger Transportation Services

Passenger Transportation Services

Mali files ICJ complaint against Algeria for downing drone near border

The Mali Ministry of Territorial Administration announced on Thursday that the transitional government of Mali has filed a complaint against Algeria before the International Court of Justice accusing it of aggression after its neighbour shot down a Malian reconnaissance drone. Mali claimed that Algeria intentionally shot down its drone near Tinzaouaten, in Mali's Kidal Region, during the night between March 31 and April 1, near their shared desert frontier. The statement said: "This blatant attack, which the Malian government strongly condemns and was intended to hinder the neutralisation by the Malian Armed and Security Forces of armed terrorists, is the...

Passenger Transportation Services

Canada's WestJet orders 67 Boeing aircraft as part of its fleet renewal plan

WestJet, a low-cost Canadian airline, announced on Wednesday that it had ordered 67 Boeing aircraft for a fleet upgrade, including seven Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and 60 Boeing 737-10 MAX narrowbodies. The Calgary-based airline said that it has also acquired options to purchase 25 additional 737-10 MAXs and four Dreamliners with delivery dates extending through 2034. WestJet operates 193 aircraft, and it has an order list of 123 jets with 40 options. The average age is 10 years. Alexis von Hoensbroech, Chief Executive Officer of WestJet, said: "With these additions to our aircraft fleet, WestJet will double our Dreamliners." The Boeing...

Passenger Transportation Services

Transportation strike in Tunisia increases pressure on President

Transport services were halted in Tunisia Wednesday as workers demanded better working conditions, higher wages and urgent reforms. This added pressure to President Kais Said to address the deepening crisis. Tunisians have suffered from poor public services for many years, particularly in the sectors of health, education, transportation and investment due to a lack of funding and public investments, as well as frequent interruptions in water and electricity supply. Saied, a man who has been in power since 2021 and tightened it, accuses those he believes are conspirators, seeking to undermine the government and exacerbate social tensions. The three-day strike...

Passenger Transportation Services

The US tariffs and weaker oil are the main reasons for the fall in most Gulf stock exchanges

Gulf stocks fell across all key markets on Monday as investors weighed concerns about U.S. policy in light of an upcoming deadline for tariffs and lower oil prices against strong corporate earnings. According to EU diplomats, the European Union is looking at broader countermeasures against Washington as the prospects for an acceptable trade deal with Washington are fading. The imposition of tariffs by Donald Trump around the globe could harm global economic growth as well as oil consumption. Saudi Arabia's benchmark stock index fell 0.3% on the back of broad sector declines, and lower oil prices. This was after it...

Passenger Transportation Services

Gulf stocks hold steady as earnings outweigh US tariff worries

Investors weighed positive corporate earnings against the uncertainty of U.S. Trade Policy, following reports that Washington wants a minimum tariff of 15% to 20% in any agreement with the European Union. In spite of global uncertainty, the steady price of oil and strong results from regional giants helped to offset external headwinds. Saudi Arabia's benchmark stock index is on track to end its longest decline in two years with a 0.2% gain, driven by financials. Saudi National Bank, which is the country's largest lender based on assets, gained over 1.5%, while Al Rajhi Bank (the largest sharia compliant bank) jumped...

Passenger Transportation Services

Saudi index continues to lose ground despite gains in most Gulf markets.

The majority of major Gulf stock markets rose on Thursday as a result of positive corporate earnings announcements and results, but the Saudi index is set to continue its losses for the eighth consecutive session. Dubai's main stock index rose 1.2% to a record high of 17-1/2 years, boosted by financial stocks. The shares of Emirates NBD rose 4% on track to increase for the third consecutive session after the top bank announced that it had closed a syndicated loan for Dubai Metro Blue Line Project worth 3.9 billion dirhams. Air Arabia, a budget airline, has risen 5.1% in the...

Passenger Transportation Services

Royal Air Maroc is in negotiations to purchase Embraer aircraft.

A source familiar with Wednesday's negotiations said that Brazilian planemaker Embraer was competing with Moroccan airline Royal Air Maroc to supply its aircraft. Source: The African carrier wants to renew and expand its fleet across three sizes, and Embraer has been fighting to secure an order for the smallest. On Wednesday, the local newspaper Folha de S.Paulo had reported that Royal Air Maroc, in conjunction with Embraer and other suppliers, was in discussions to buy up to 200 aircraft. Embraer's second-generation E2 jet family Folha, citing Folha's CEO, reported that the airline is considering the idea. The E2 line is...

Passenger Transportation Services

Official: 400 passengers left Israel via US-assisted flights

A senior State Department official stated on Tuesday that the United States had helped around 400 U.S. Citizens and others fly out of Israel amid conflict with Iran since Saturday. They hope to accommodate even more in the days to come. "We are very aware that there is still capacity and that U.S. citizens still want to leave Israel. The airspace has not been reliably opened. The official stated that the situation is "extremely dynamic". An official stated that the State Department now shares information with 27,000 people about safety and security in the region, as well as leaving it....

Passenger Transportation Services

Gulf markets surge after Israel-Iran truce

The major Gulf stock markets advanced early on Tuesday, with risk appetite increasing after U.S. president Donald Trump announced that Iran and Israel agreed to a truce. Trump declared a ceasefire that could end the 12-day conflict which saw millions of people flee Tehran, and raised fears about further escalation. Saudi Arabia's benchmark stock index rose by 2.1%. The biggest contributors to this increase were Al Rajhi Bank, which saw a 1.9% gain and Saudi National Bank, the largest lender in Saudi Arabia. Flynas, a company recently listed on the stock exchange, soared by more than 7% and reached 79.80...

Passenger Transportation Services

Report says future low-carbon material projects will need funding of $1.6 trillion.

A report on Thursday said that $250 billion has been allocated for the production of low-carbon material in sectors with heavy emissions, such as chemicals and fuels. However, future projects requiring low-carbon material will require more than five-times this amount of funding. Mission Possible Partnership report said that newly industrialised countries like Indonesia and Morocco had already secured a quarter of the $250 billion invested in clean industrial plants. The report stated that 69 projects were in operation, using clean energy for the production of materials. The report also tracked $1.6 billion of projects announced, but not yet funded, with...

Passenger Transportation Services

Airbus wants to interfere with Royal Air Maroc's Boeing fleet replacement, according to sources

Sources in the industry said that Royal Air Maroc was close to a deal to purchase dozens of Boeing jets for its fleet renewal, while Airbus Europe is poised to take a rare step forward with a smaller contract for 20 A220 aircraft. Royal Air Maroc is in discussions for more than a year about renewing its Boeing-dominated fleet. It will continue to use its traditional supplier to meet the majority of its requirements, including 737 MAXs and 787 Dreamliners at next week's Paris Airshow. Sources asked to remain anonymous because the negotiations were not made public. Bloomberg reported earlier...

Passenger Transportation Services

Morocco launches $10 billion rail expansion plan

State media reported that Morocco's King Mohammed V gave his approval on Thursday to a rail expansion project worth 96 billion dirhams (10,3 billion dollars), which includes the construction of a fast-track line from Marrakesh (the country's tourist center) by 2030. The extension of high-speed rail, intercity, and urban networks has been a result of Morocco's preparations for co-hosting the World Cup 2030 with Spain and Portugal. The country hopes that the investments will also help to develop its fledgling rail industry. The 53 billion dirhams high-speed rail line will run from Kenitra, on the Atlantic Coast, 430 km south...

Passenger Ground & Sea Transportation

Passenger Ground & Sea Transportation

Coach Ouaddou, from South Africa, injured in car accident

Abdeslam Ouaddou, a former Morocco international and Fulham center-back, was hospitalized after a car crash in South Africa. He is now the coach of Soweto giants Orlando Pirates. Ouaddou and five other members of the club's staff were struck by a vehicle on Sunday, after their bus had stopped at an accident scene after returning from a South African League match in Gqeberha. The club reported that "coach Ouaddou, along with several members of staff, disembarked the team bus after a collision occurred between two vehicles to help those involved." "Tragically while attending the scene, a Nissan NP200 collided with...

Passenger Ground & Sea Transportation

Gulf markets stable amid mixed earnings and muted response to EU-US Trade Deal

Gulf stocks were little changed early on Tuesday, as investors cautiously welcomed a new trade agreement between the U.S.A. and the European Union. However, disappointing earnings for the second quarter weighed on the sentiment. In the framework deal that was announced at the weekend, the U.S. will impose a 15% tariff on the majority of EU products. This is the best the EU could hope for, according to Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission. The initial relief that President Donald Trump was able to reach a deal, despite threatening to levy 30% on the goods, quickly turned...

Passenger Ground & Sea Transportation

After mysterious explosions, the Greek tanker fleet increases ship inspections in Russian ports

Six Greek shipping and security companies report that Greek shipping companies visiting Russian ports have boosted their vessel's defences following a series mysterious explosions in the last few months which damaged tankers connected to Moscow's oil trading. Two Greek sources who are familiar with the strategy say that the measures include underwater inspections of foreign objects by divers. The West has imposed sanctions on Russia for its involvement in the war in Ukraine. Separately, the Group of Seven major countries has capped the price of oil exported by Moscow at $60 per barrel. This is the lifeline of the Russian...

Transportation

Transportation

Urals diffs unchanged, loading plans revision awaited

The differential between Brent and Urals crudes dated on Wednesday remained unchanged, as traders awaited any changes to the grade's September export plans. This is because Russian ports and refineries are still repairing after recent drone attacks in Ukraine. Traders said that oil loadings at Baltic Primorsk continued, but they were delayed several days. Some volumes may be diverted to another port. Kazmunaygaz, the state energy company, announced on Wednesday that Kazakhstan will resume oil supply via the Baku - Tbilisi - Ceyhan pipeline by September 13. PLATTS WINDOW On Wednesday, there were no bids or offers made on Urals,...

Transportation

Kuwait Petroleum Corp tries to revive a pipeline lease-leaseback agreement

Kuwait's national oil company announced on Tuesday that it is looking to revive the project of leasing out its crude oil pipelines and then leasing them back. Kuwait joins Gulf counterparts like Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates who are leveraging private capital to acquire strategic energy assets. Media reports last week citing sources familiar with the situation said that the company was considering leasing a part of its network to fund an investment plan covering everything from upstream and petrochemicals. Kuwait Petroleum Corp, at a forum in Kuwait on Tuesday, did not disclose figures. This move is similar to...

Transportation

Exports for September revised upwards, but the differential between uranium and urals oil remains unchanged

Sources said that the differential between Urals and Brent crudes in Russia remained unchanged, but that exports of this grade were revised upwards for September due to lower domestic refining. Two industry sources and calculations show that Russia revised its September crude export plans from western ports up to 2.1 millions barrels per day, an 11% increase over the initial schedule. This is due to drone attacks on domestic refining plants reducing local demand for crude. PLATTS WINDOW On Wednesday, there were no bids or offers made on Urals, Azeri BTC Blend or CPC blend in the Platts Window. The...

Transportation

The Ceyhan pipeline in Turkey will resume exports of Iraqi goods on Wednesday or Friday

Iraq's Oil Minister, Hayan Abdel Ghani, announced on Wednesday that after a 2-year hiatus oil exports will resume through Turkey's Ceyhan Pipeline later on Thursday or Wednesday, according to Iraqi State News Agency INA. Abdel-Ghani stated that an agreement was concluded with the Kurdistan Regional Government regarding the resumed crude oil exports through Turkey's Ceyhan Pipeline. He told INA that "80,000 barrels of oil per day would be exported through SOMO, the Iraqi state-owned oil marketing company," referring to Turkey's Ceyhan Pipeline. Kirkuk-Ceyhan Pipeline has been off-line since 2023 after arbitration court ruled Turkey must pay $1.5 billion damages for...

Transportation

South Sudan faces London court case over oil-backed loan

According to court documents and a spokesperson for the company, trading house BB energy has filed a lawsuit against South Sudan over its failure to deliver oil owed as part of a prepayment agreement. South Sudan, one of the world's poorest nations, has been through two civil wars over the last 15 years. It is also struggling with a fragile peace agreement and increased debt. In March, South Sudan's government put its petroleum minister and other officials under house arrest. Court records show that BB Energy DMCC brought the case in last month. The company spokesperson said the case was...

Transportation

Egypt's current account deficit shrinks to $13.2 Billion in nine months from March

Egypt's deficit in its current account decreased to $13.2 billion from $17.1 billion a year ago, according to the central bank of Egypt. The bank attributed a slimmer deficit to a 86.6% rise in remittances sent by Egyptians who work abroad as well as an increase in the services surplus as reflected in 23% more tourism revenue. Oil exports fell by $430.5 millions to $4.2 billion from $4.6 billion a year ago, while oil imports grew by $4.8 billion from $9.7 to $14.5 billion. Egypt is seeking to import additional fuel oil and natural gas liquefied this year in order...

Transportation

Britain rejects $34 billion subsea energy project between Morocco and the UK

The UK has rejected a Moroccan renewable energy project worth 25 billion pounds ($34.39billion) that would have used wind and solar power from the Sahara for up to 7 million UK households. The British government said that it believes domestic projects can offer greater economic benefits. Michael Shanks, minister of energy at the UK's Department of Energy, said in a written message to parliament that the government had concluded it was not in the UK's national interest to consider further support for the Morocco UK Power Project. The project, he said, did not align with the UK government's goal to...

Transportation

Iraq's Kurdish government is legally responsible for the continued oil smuggling

Iraq's Oil Ministry said Thursday that it holds the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG), legally responsible for continuing to smuggle oil out of the Kurdish Region. It added that the ministry reserves the rights to take any legal action in this matter. The control of oil and gas is a long-standing source of tensions between Baghdad, Erbil and other Iraqi cities. Iraq is being pressured by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to reduce its output in order to compensate for producing more than the agreed-upon volume. OPEC counts the oil flowing from Kurdistan towards Iraq's quota. In a ruling...

Transportation

Iraqi oil minister sues Kurdish government over US contracts

Three sources with direct knowledge of this matter and a document show that the Iraqi oil ministry sued the government of Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdistan Region over oil and natural gas contracts signed with U.S. companies. The legal challenge is a new obstacle to the restart of oil flows through the Iraqi-Turkish pipeline, which have been stopped since March 2023 despite the pressure from the Trump administration. Masrour barzani, prime minister of Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), oversaw the signing two energy contracts worth a total of $110 billion in their lifetimes, with U.S. firms HKN Energy, and WesternZagros. Has contacted companies...

Transportation

Libya reports oil leak south of Zawiya

The National Oil Corporation (NOC), which operates in Libya, announced on Saturday that an oil leak had forced the closure of a pipeline located south of the city of Zawiya. Libya's largest refinery is located in Zawiya (40 km/25 miles west of Tripoli), with a daily capacity of 120,00 barrels. The refinery is connected to the country's 300,000-barrels-per-day Sharara oilfield. The NOC published a photo showing a flow of oil leaking in the desert. The company announced in a press release that the flow of oil from the Hamada fields through the affected pipe was immediately stopped. "A team of...

Transportation

Egypt's Suez Canal considers reducing transit fees in order to attract traffic

Osama Rabi, the chief of Egypt's Suez Canal Authority, has said that the authority will consider offering transit fee discounts between 12% and 15% to help restore the traffic on the strategically important waterway, which is reeling after the Houthis' attacks on Red Sea shipping. Rabie, in a telephone interview with the privately-owned Sada al-Balad TV channel, said that discounts would be available within a few days of ratification from Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi. He said this after the revenue from the Canal continued to plummet due to attacks by Yemeni Houthis on shipping, who claim they are trying shut...

Natural Gas Pipeline

Minister: Morocco will begin the tendering process for LNG Terminal

Leila Benjamin, the Energy Minister, said that Morocco will issue a statement of interest within a few weeks for a terminal of liquefied gas near Nador in eastern Mediterranean. Benali informed members of the parliament that "this week we will launch a call for expressions of interest in developing the first phase" of the Nador natural gas terminal. Morocco is looking to natural gas as a way to diversify its energy sources and move away from coal. It also continues to push forward with its renewable energy plans, aiming to achieve 52% of the total installed capacity by 2030 from...