Just received from the SCI...

Direct Flights Between U.S. and Africa in the Future?

SCI member Bob Frantz reports that on June 8, the Miami Airport Authority held a conference to promote direct flights between the U.S. and Africa . Conferees included representatives from the African Union, air ministers from Ethiopia and Kenya , and representatives from the U.S. Dept. of Transportation, FAA and TSA. With deliveries anticipated as early as 2008 for the long range Boeing 787 Dreamliner, both Kenya and Ethiopia are anticipating direct flights to the U.S. and have welcomed reciprocal flights by U.S. carriers. With a range of 10,000 miles, the Boeing 787 could make the flight nonstop to Nairobi in approximately 11 hours, eliminating the 36 hour trips via Europe or South Africa . Both big game hunters and eco-tourists will soon be able to take advantage of this convenient travel to Africa ’s well established Safari and tourist locations previously enjoyed mostly by Europeans