
African Pilot Magazine:
Aircraft

Avolon Agrees to Lease Six Boeing 737-8 MAX Aircraft to Royal Air Maroc
Avolon will lease six Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft to Royal Air Maroc, supporting the airline’s growth strategy to become a global connector by 2037.

Robinson Helicopter Company Appoints Glenn W. E. Ford as COO to Accelerate Manufacturing Expansion
Robinson Helicopter Company appoints veteran aviation executive Glenn W. E. Ford as Chief Operations Officer to drive manufacturing efficiency, logistics optimisation, and production expansion for new helicopter models.

Embraer and Mahindra Group Forge Strategic Alliance to Introduce the C-390 Millennium to India
Embraer and Mahindra Group form a strategic alliance to advance the C-390 Millennium for India’s Air Force, reinforcing India–Brazil aerospace collaboration.

IndiGo Places Firm Order for 30 Additional Airbus A350-900 Aircraft
IndiGo finalises a firm order for 30 more Airbus A350-900s, expanding its total to 60 as it prepares for long-haul international operations and global network growth.

GE Aerospace Selects AerCap to Provide Lease Pool Management Services for GE9X Engine
GE Aerospace has signed a seven-year agreement with AerCap to manage lease pool services for the GE9X engine, extending their long-standing partnership across multiple GE engine platforms.

LAM Mozambique Airlines Acquires De Havilland Q400 to Strengthen Fleet Stability
LAM has acquired a De Havilland Q400, marking a strategic step towards fleet ownership, financial stability, and sustainable domestic operations.

Airbus Streamlines Its Tactical Uncrewed Aerial System Offering
Airbus consolidates its tactical uncrewed aerial systems, creating a unified portfolio under Airbus Helicopters to enhance defence and security capabilities.

Lockheed Martin and Belgium Celebrate Arrival of First Belgian F-35 Aircraft
Belgium’s first F-35A Lightning II has arrived at Florennes Air Base. Lockheed Martin and the Belgian Air Force mark a new era of advanced air defence and allied cooperation.

Blackhawk Group Completes First Garmin G1000 NXi Autothrottle and Autoland Installation for King Air 350
Blackhawk completes the first Garmin G1000 NXi Autothrottle and Autoland installation for the King Air 350, advancing cockpit automation and safety.

Safran Strengthens Its Industrial Footprint in Morocco to Support Growth in Global Air Traffic
Safran expands in Morocco with new LEAP MRO and assembly facilities, investing €350m to boost aerospace capacity and create over 2,000 jobs by 2030.

Supply Chain Challenges Could Cost Airlines More Than $11 Billion in 2025
IATA and Oliver Wyman warn that aircraft supply chain delays could cost airlines $11 billion in 2025, driven by fuel, maintenance, leasing, and inventory costs.

Mauritania Airlines Selects StandardAero for LEAP-1B and CFM56-7B Engine Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul Support
StandardAero will provide CFM56-7B and LEAP-1B engine maintenance, repair, and overhaul services for Mauritania Airlines’ Boeing 737 fleet.

The Cessna SkyCourier® Lands in Africa: Absolute Aviation Highlights Its Features
The Cessna SkyCourier® debuts in Africa as Absolute Aviation showcases its 19-seat turboprop, designed for efficiency, flexibility, and regional performance.

Safran Aero Boosters and BMT Aerospace to Manufacture Key Components for Pratt & Whitney’s F135 Engine Powering the F-35 Lightning II Aircraft
Safran Aero Boosters and BMT Aerospace to produce key F135 engine components for Pratt & Whitney’s F-35 aircraft, strengthening Belgium’s aerospace industry.

AEGEAN Airlines Expands Fleet with New ATR 72-600, Two More on Order
AEGEAN Airlines, through Olympic Air, has added a new ATR 72-600 to its fleet and ordered two more for delivery in December 2026, reinforcing its regional fleet modernisation and sustainability strategy.

Veryon AIRE Redefines Aviation Maintenance with AI-Powered Intelligence Across the Entire Fleet
Veryon launches AIRE, an AI-powered aviation intelligence platform delivering predictive maintenance, smarter fleet management, and enhanced reliability.

IADA Releases Current Market Portrait & Forecast, Noting an Increase in New Aircraft Enquiries from Africa
IADA’s 2025–2026 Market Portrait & Forecast highlights global business jet trends and growing demand for new aircraft across Africa.

Yingling Aviation Completes First Winglet Installation on Falcon 900
Yingling Aviation completes its first Falcon 900 winglet installation ahead of schedule, showcasing precision engineering and exceptional craftsmanship.

Acron Aviation and Flight Data Technologies Join Forces to Deliver an Innovative Vision for Flight Data Management
Acron Aviation and Flight Data Technologies partner to enhance flight data management, improving safety, efficiency, and reducing operating costs.

GAMA Releases Second Quarter 2025 Aircraft Shipment and Billing Report
The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) reports increased aircraft shipments and higher delivery values for the first half of 2025, driven by growth in the business jet and piston airplane sectors.

Pilatus Hands Over the First PC-12 PRO
Pilatus hands over the first PC-12 PRO, featuring the Garmin G3000 Prime cockpit, Safety Autoland, and PT6 engine. The aircraft sets new standards in safety and innovation.

Gulfstream Introduces the All-New Gulfstream G300
Gulfstream introduces the G300, replacing the G280 with enhanced safety, technology, and comfort. The super-midsize jet features 3,600 nm range and advanced avionics.

Airlink Consummates Embraer E195-E2 Acquisitions
Airlink takes delivery of the first three of ten Embraer E195-E2 jets on lease from Azorra, boosting capacity, efficiency and regional connectivity.

Airbus Highlights Path to Growth and Decarbonisation at Aviation Africa Summit
Airbus outlines customer support expansion, supply chain recovery, and its plan for decarbonisation and growth across Africa at Aviation Africa 2025.

CubCrafters XCub and NXCub Aircraft Available in Amateur Kit Form
CubCrafters launches XCub and NXCub E-AB kits, giving builders industry-leading performance, rugged backcountry capability, and full builder support.

The Piper Seminole DX Powered by DeltaHawk
The Piper Seminole DX is a next-generation diesel-powered PA-44 featuring DeltaHawk’s DHK4A180 engine, delivering 40% better fuel efficiency and lower costs.

International: Do228 Fleet Maintenance Contract Signed Between Bangladesh Navy and Do228 OEM General Atomics AeroTec Systems
Bangladesh Navy and GA-ATS sign a new contract for heavy maintenance, pilot training, and radar upgrades for two Do228 special mission aircraft.

Continental’s AvGas Engine Training Returns to Lanseria, South Africa
Continental returns to Lanseria for AvGas engine training, equipping African mechanics with hands-on skills and awarding factory training certificates.


