
African Pilot Magazine:
Aircraft

Emirates to Roll Out Next Phase of Fleet Retrofit Programme, with 111 Aircraft Set for Next-Level Enhancements
Emirates begins the next phase of its major fleet retrofit, upgrading 111 aircraft with new cabins, advanced entertainment, and Starlink connectivity.

Buraq Air to Become New Airbus Customer with a Commitment for 10 A320neo Family
Buraq Air has signed an MoU for 10 Airbus A320neo Family aircraft, supporting the airline’s fleet modernisation and strengthening its partnership with Medsky Airways.

Milan Aircraft Unveils Project for First Truly Practical Electric Trainer Aircraft
Milan Aircraft unveils its clean-sheet electric trainer, offering practical range, modern design, and a major step forward in sustainable pilot training.

JEKTA and Tahseen Sign LOI to Collaborate on and Assess Potential for Amphibious Operations in the GCC
JEKTA and Tahseen Aviation sign an LOI to explore sustainable amphibious aviation operations across the GCC, Africa and Asia.

Air Côte d’Ivoire Orders Four Embraer E175s to Boost Regional Connectivity
Air Côte d’Ivoire has ordered four Embraer E175 aircraft with eight additional purchase rights, supporting fleet modernisation, regional expansion and improved connectivity through the Abidjan hub. Deliveries begin in 2027.

Ethiopian Airlines Leases Two ATR 72-600 for Air Congo Operations
Ethiopian Airlines will lease two new ATR 72-600 aircraft for Air Congo, strengthening regional connectivity in the DRC and expanding ATR’s footprint in Africa. Deliveries begin February 2026.

Ethiopian Airlines Commits to Order 11 Boeing 737 MAX Airplanes
Ethiopian Airlines has committed to purchase 11 additional Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, strengthening its African hub, expanding regional and international routes, and reinforcing its long-standing partnership with Boeing.

Embraer and Airlink Expand Partnership with Component Pool Program for E2 Jets
Embraer and Airlink have expanded their partnership with a Component Pool Program agreement covering ten new E195-E2 jets, extending support to 78 aircraft and enhancing operational reliability.

IATA and Oliver Wyman Sound the Alarm on Reviving the Commercial Aircraft Supply Chain
IATA and Oliver Wyman expose $11 billion in costs from global aircraft supply chain delays, urging collaboration, transparency, and industry reform.

ExecuJet MRO Services South Africa Completes ADS-B Installations on Various Business Jets
ExecuJet MRO Services South Africa has completed ADS-B upgrades across several business jet platforms, supporting SACAA compliance and enhancing aviation safety and tracking capability.

Rolls-Royce Powers Air Algérie’s New Era of Growth with the A330neo
Air Algérie has taken delivery of its first A330neo, powered exclusively by Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, marking the start of a major fleet renewal programme through 2027.

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.

KC-390 Millennium and Gripen E Successfully Complete Refuelling Certification Flights
Embraer and Saab, together with the Brazilian Air Force, have completed in-flight refuelling certification flights between the KC-390 Millennium and Gripen E, advancing operational integration and international capability.

Eight for Eight: Gulfstream G800 Achieves Eighth City-Pair Speed Record en Route to Dubai Airshow
Gulfstream’s newly certified G800 has secured its eighth city-pair speed record en route to Dubai Airshow 2025, reinforcing its position as the world’s longest-range business aircraft.

TAAG Angola Airlines on Strengthening African Aviation: Insights from the Luanda Financing Summit
TAAG Chairman Clóvis Martins Rosa outlines how African airlines can strengthen their position under SAATM, highlighting consolidation, infrastructure investment, fleet renewal and the need for trust and financing at the Luanda Financing Summit.

Air Algérie Takes Delivery of Its First Airbus A330neo
Air Algérie has received its first A330-900, beginning a major long-haul fleet modernisation programme and positioning the airline as Africa’s largest A330neo operator.

Bell at the Forefront of Vertical Innovation: Ready for the Dubai Airshow
Bell returns to Dubai Airshow showcasing the Bell 505 and SUBARU Bell 412EPX, reinforcing its long-term commitment to operators across the Middle East and 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.

FlySafair Unveils Protea Livery Designed by 22-Year-Old South African Student
FlySafair and Cricket South Africa unveil a Protea-themed aircraft livery by 22-year-old Dinika Naidu, marking one year of their national partnership.

Emirates Group Achieves Record Half-Year Profit for 2025–26, Maintains Position as the World’s Most Profitable Airline
Emirates Group posts record half-year profit of AED 12.2 billion (US$ 3.3 billion) for 2025–26. Emirates Airline and dnata both achieve double-digit profit growth, reflecting strong global travel demand and operational excellence.

Nigeria’s Aviation Sector Stands at a Pivotal Crossroad, Poised for Transformative Advancement – Keyamo
Festus Keyamo highlights Nigeria’s aviation reforms and global partnerships driving infrastructure upgrades and competitiveness in Africa’s air transport market.

Gulfstream Fleet Surpasses 3 Million Nautical Miles Flown on Sustainable Aviation Fuel
Gulfstream surpasses 3 million nautical miles on SAF as its next-generation aircraft fly to NBAA-BACE 2025, advancing business aviation sustainability.

AirExplore Adds an Additional B737-800 to Its Fleet
AirExplore expands its fleet with a new B737-800 from Aviation Capital Group, strengthening its ACMI operations across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

Botswana’s NDP 12 Prioritises Aviation Reform and Infrastructure Development
Botswana’s NDP 12 outlines aviation reforms, airport upgrades, and Air Botswana’s turnaround to strengthen the nation’s position as a regional aviation hub.

Diamond Aircraft Reintroduces the Beloved DA20i Katana to European Production
Diamond Aircraft resumes European production of the DA20i Katana in Austria, featuring a Rotax 912 iSc3 Sport engine and Garmin G500TXi glass cockpit.

South Africa General Aviation: Industry Deliberating the Way Forward After Judgment on 12-Year Engine Rule
The AIC 18.19 Task Team met to assess the legal implications of the 12-year engine rule judgment and to define a phased strategy for the South African aviation industry.
Bell Textron Announces Letters of Intent to Explore Significant Cooperation with Ukraine
Bell Textron has signed Letters of Intent with Ukraine to explore cooperation on potential procurement of AH-1Z and UH-1Y aircraft under a U.S. FMS programme.

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.

