
African Pilot Magazine:
Air Freight & Air Cargo

Emirates to Launch Third Daily Service to Nairobi, Helping Unlock Inbound Tourism Growth
Emirates will add a third daily flight between Dubai and Nairobi from March 2026, expanding to 21 weekly services and strengthening connectivity to support Kenya’s tourism ambitions.

Air Cargo Demand Up 2.9% in September, Seventh Straight Month of Growth
Global air cargo demand rose 2.9% in September 2025, marking seven months of growth, led by strong performance in Africa and Asia, IATA reports.

Luanda Financing Summit: The World Bank’s Perspective on Closing Africa’s Aviation Infrastructure Gaps
The World Bank outlines its approach to addressing Africa’s aviation infrastructure gaps at the Luanda Financing Summit, highlighting financing needs, PPP opportunities, tax and fee reform and alignment with SAATM and Agenda 2063.

Rwanda’s Vision for Aviation Growth: Policy, Innovation and Openness Drive Integration
At the Luanda Financing Summit, Rwanda outlined how open policies, innovation and investment are driving sustainable aviation growth across Africa.

SAATM: Morocco Highlights Long-Term Vision for Sustainable Aviation Growth and Infrastructure Integration at Luanda Finance Summit
At the Luanda Summit, Morocco outlined its long-term aviation vision focused on infrastructure, liberalisation, and regional integration under SAATM.

Zimbabwe’s Approach to Collaborative Growth and Modernisation in African Aviation
At the Luanda Financing Summit, Zimbabwe highlighted collaboration, investment and policy reform as key drivers of Africa’s aviation modernisation.

Deadline Looms for Comments on Airfreight Strategy
The Department of Transport urges stakeholders to submit comments on South Africa’s draft Airfreight Strategy before the 7 November 2025 deadline.

Magma Aviation Highlights Growth Focus for 2026 and Beyond
Magma Aviation reveals its 2026 growth strategy, focusing on fleet expansion, new routes, and partnerships to strengthen its global cargo network.

TAA and TRC Sign Memorandum of Understanding on Air and Rail Transport Cooperation in the Country
The Tanzania Airports Authority and Tanzania Railways Corporation sign an MoU to integrate air and rail transport, boosting efficiency and connectivity.

Air Cargo Resilience Continues: August Demand Up 4.1%
IATA highlights strong Africa–Asia trade lane performance.

Draft Airfreight Strategy for South Africa – Comments Invited
The Department of Transport has published South Africa’s Draft Airfreight Strategy under the Civil Aviation Act. Public comments are invited by 26 October 2025.

SolitAir Expands Global South Network with New Africa Routes
SolitAir has expanded its network with eight new African routes, directly linking Dubai World Central with key trade hubs across the continent.

IATA Highlights Aviation’s Strategic Role in Rwanda’s Economic Growth
IATA’s Value of Air Transport study shows aviation contributes USD 160m to Rwanda’s GDP, supports 42,000 jobs, and drives growth through tourism and connectivity.

Ethiopian Airlines Celebrates 50 Years of Service to Kinshasa, DRC
Ethiopian Airlines marks 50 years of uninterrupted service to Kinshasa, DRC, with 32 weekly flights and dedicated cargo services connecting Africa to the world.

Narrow-Body Aircraft Leading the Way Toward Greater Energy Efficiency in the Air Cargo Industry
Magma Aviation highlights how new-generation narrow-body freighters, such as the Boeing 737-800 and Airbus A321-200, improve fuel efficiency, reduce emissions, and boost regional cargo operations.

June Air Cargo Demand Up 0.8% Despite Trade Disruptions
Global air cargo demand rose 0.8% in June 2025 despite trade tensions, with Asia-Pacific leading growth and North America seeing sharp declines, IATA reports.

Air Transport: Côte d’Ivoire Aims to Become a Sub-Regional Hub and Competitive Global Player
Côte d'Ivoire is advancing its air transport sector with strategic reforms and investments to become a leading West African aviation hub, driven by growing passenger traffic and the expansion of Air Côte d'Ivoire.
AIAAN Cargo Terminal Receives Qatar Airways Cargo Aircraft for the First Time
Qatar Airways Cargo makes its first landing at AIAAN, delivering 97 tonnes of oil industry cargo from Shanghai, strengthening Angola's logistics hub.

Egis Signs Long-Term Contract with Steven VERHASSELT to Enhance Its Cargo Commercial Strategy
Steven Verhasselt joins Egis under a long-term consultancy agreement to support cargo strategy across airports in Africa, Europe and the Caribbean.

WFP Airdrops Food to Prevent Catastrophe as Hunger Surges in Conflict-Hit Parts of South Sudan
The World Food Programme has resumed emergency food airdrops in South Sudan’s Upper Nile State, where conflict has displaced thousands and pushed over 32,000 people into catastrophic hunger. Urgent funding and access are needed to prevent famine.

Avia Solutions Group to Complete One of the World’s First Boeing 777-300ER Passenger-to-Freighter Conversions
Avia Solutions Group, through AviaAM Leasing, is completing one of the world’s first Boeing 777-300ER passenger-to-freighter conversions in partnership with Mammoth Freighters, marking a significant milestone in the global cargo aviation market.

Avia Solutions Group Partners With DHL Express to Accelerate SAF Use
Avia Solutions Group partners with DHL Express to cut aviation emissions using Sustainable Aviation Fuel, aligning with global net-zero goals and logistics sustainability.

South Africa’s Aviation Sector Targets Growth, Efficiency, and Sustainability
South Africa targets 42 million airport passengers and 1.2 million tons of airfreight annually, with major investment in ACSA and SAA’s regional growth.

ECT Aviation Launches Time-Critical Cargo Routes with the BN2T-4S Islander
ECT Aviation launches high-frequency cargo routes to North Africa using the BN2T-4S Islander, targeting underserved regions with STOL capabilities.

South Africa’s Draft Civil Aviation Policy Aims to Transform the Sector
South Africa’s draft aviation policy proposes major reforms to safety, regulation, and infrastructure—aiming to reshape the sector for long-term competitiveness.

Kenya Airways & Qatar Airways Ink An Exciting Strategic Partnership
Kenya Airways and Qatar Airways sign MoU for a strategic partnership, expanding codeshare, cargo, and connectivity between Africa and the Middle East.

Ethiopian Expands Cargo Network in Asia with the Addition of Urumqi in China
Ethiopian Airlines cargo, Urumqi cargo flights, Africa Asia air freight, Ethiopian China cargo, Addis Ababa cargo hub, air cargo Africa, African airline logistics, Ethiopian Airlines network, aviation supply chain Africa, China Africa cargo corridor

May Air Cargo Demand Up 2.2% Despite Trade Disruptions
IATA reports a 2.2% rise in global air cargo demand in May 2025, with Africa down 2.1%. Asia–North America trade lanes saw double-digit decline.

