
African Pilot Magazine:
Airlines

Embraer and Kenya Airways Sign Collaborative Inventory Planning Agreement
Embraer and Kenya Airways have signed an agreement under the ECIP programme to optimise inventory management and reduce operational costs for the airline’s E190 fleet, strengthening their long-term partnership.

Ethiopian Airlines selects Safran’s Z400 Economy seats for its B777-9 Aircraft
Ethiopian Airlines has signed an MoU with Safran for Z400 economy class seats on eight Boeing 777-9 aircraft. The partnership supports enhanced passenger comfort, inflight entertainment, and sustainable fleet expansion.

Fastjet Zimbabwe Operates Inaugural Harare-Lusaka Flights
Fastjet Zimbabwe, on 09 April 2025, successfully operated the inaugural Harare to Lusaka flight, connecting these vibrant cities with a thrice weekly flight available Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Fastjet deployed a 50-seater Embraer ERJ145 aircraft for this service. The aircraft type is known to provide the versatility to build a sustainable regional network with the…

Qatar Airways Nears Boeing 777 Fleet-Wide Starlink Upgrade, Set to Expand to Airbus A350 this Month
Qatar Airways nears completion of its Boeing 777 Starlink WiFi rollout and will soon begin equipping Airbus A350 aircraft, including those flying to Durban and Cape Town, with high-speed inflight connectivity.

FlySafair Sees an Exodus of South African Pilots to Greener, More Well-Paying Pastures
FlySafair pilots, South African aviation, pilot exodus, airline pilot salaries, Solidarity trade union, aviation workforce crisis, FlySafair rostering system, pilot shortages 2024, pilot pay comparison, aviation careers South Africa, pilot migration trends
Parliamentary Committees Consider Inquiry into Anti-Competitive Practices in South Africa’s Low-Cost Airline Sector
South Africa’s Portfolio Committees on Trade, Industry and Competition, and Transport are considering a parliamentary inquiry into anti-competitive behaviour in the low-cost airline industry, focusing on overbookings, overpricing, and market dominance post-Covid.
Interministerial Meeting Addresses the Future of AIBD SA and Air Senegal SA
An interministerial meeting chaired by Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko outlined strategic reforms to revitalise Air Senegal SA and AIBD SA. The plan includes debt clearance, audits, infrastructure upgrades, and new aviation policies aligned with Vision Senegal 2050.

Uganda Airlines’ First Direct Entebbe–London Gatwick Flight Set for 18 May 2025
Uganda Airlines will launch direct flights from Entebbe to London Gatwick on 18 May 2025, marking its first European route. The new service includes four weekly flights and benefits both passenger and cargo operations.

Flight Demand Increases International, Regional and Domestic Routes in South Africa
Flight demand is increasing across international, regional, and domestic routes in South Africa. With SAA expanding its African network, Airlink launching new routes, and international carriers boosting connectivity, the aviation sector is experiencing remarkable growth post-pandemic.

Namibia Plans to Revive Air Namibia
Namibia’s new government has announced plans to revive Air Namibia, four years after its liquidation. The move forms part of a broader aviation strategy, including airport upgrades and feasibility studies across the country.

A Flurry of Airlines Are Banning Power Banks Usage Globally. Is Africa Next?
A growing number of global airlines are banning or restricting power banks due to safety concerns over lithium-ion batteries. While African carriers have not yet followed suit, industry experts predict similar policies may be adopted soon to align with international safety standards.

SalamAir Expands Its African Network: Inaugural Flight Connects Muscat to Nairobi, Kenya
SalamAir has launched its inaugural flight from Muscat to Nairobi, strengthening connectivity between Oman and Kenya. This new direct route enhances travel, trade, and tourism opportunities, supporting Oman Vision 2040.

Ethiopian Airlines Expands Charter Service with New Boeing 737-800
Ethiopian Airlines expands its charter service with the addition of a Boeing 737-800 Business Jet, offering VIP and small group travellers luxurious, secure, and flexible air travel across Africa and beyond.
Airlink Gets Ready to Connect Cape Town with Gaborone
Airlink will launch direct flights between Cape Town and Gaborone on 01 April 2025, offering convenient connections for business and leisure travellers across Southern Africa and beyond.

Airlink Expands Nairobi and Lusaka Flights This Month
Airlink is expanding its regional network with additional flights to Nairobi and Lusaka from 30 March 2025. The enhanced schedules offer greater convenience and connectivity for business and leisure travellers via Johannesburg.

Ethiopian Airlines and Etihad Launch Strategic Joint Venture and New Flights Between Addis Ababa and Abu Dhabi
Ethiopian Airlines and Etihad Airways have launched a strategic joint venture and new flight services between Addis Ababa and Abu Dhabi, enhancing connectivity across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Ethiopian flights begin on 15 July, with Etihad services starting on 1 October 2025.

Fastjet Connects Harare to Lusaka with New Flight Schedule
Fastjet Zimbabwe introduces a new scheduled flight service from Harare to Lusaka, operating three times a week from 9 April 2025. Enjoy early morning departures, flexible booking options, and generous baggage allowances.

South Africa’s Air Connectivity and Tourism Route Development Marketing Plan
At the BARSA Aviation Summit, South Africa’s Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille outlined the Tourism Route Development Marketing Plan, a strategy focused on increasing air connectivity and driving tourism growth through public-private partnerships and enhanced intra-African travel.

Qatar Airways Launches Additional Flights to Global Destinations including Africa
Qatar Airways expands its global network with increased flight frequencies, including additional services to key African destinations. Passengers can now enjoy greater flexibility and seamless connections with one of the world's leading airlines.

Vivo Energy Maroc and Royal Air Maroc Launch First Morocco-Europe Flight Powered by Sustainable Fuel
Vivo Energy Maroc and Royal Air Maroc have launched Morocco’s first carbon-neutral flight to Europe using sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), marking a major step towards decarbonising air transport. Discover how this initiative supports energy transition and responsible tourism.

Passenger Demand Growth Accelerates to 10% in January
Geneva - The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for January 2025 global passenger demand with the following highlights: Total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPK), was up 10.0% compared to January 2024. Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), was up 7.1% year-on-year. The January load factor was 82.1% (+2.2 ppt…

SAA Has a New CEO, But Naturally, it is Clouded in Controversy
The recent appointment of Professor John Lamola as the Group CEO of South African Airways (SAA) has stirred up significant political controversy in South Africa, drawing the ire of the DA and sparking allegations of undue political influence in the selection process. On February 27, 2025, the South African Cabinet officially confirmed Lamola's appointment for…

SkyTeam’s 2025 RISE Women’s Leadership Development Programme Takes Off
SkyTeam’s 2025 RISE Women’s Leadership Development Programme has launched in Nairobi, Kenya, with 28 participants from across its member airlines. Focused on advancing gender equality in aviation, the programme aligns with IATA's 25by2025 and aims to foster female leadership and career growth.

Ethiopian Airlines Celebrates International Women’s Day with Vibrant Events
Ethiopian Airlines celebrates International Women’s Day with all-women-operated flights to six destinations across five continents, highlighting its commitment to gender equality and women’s empowerment in aviation.

Kenya Airways and London Metropolitan University Forge Groundbreaking Partnership to Revolutionise Aviation Education and Workforce Development
Kenya Airways and London Metropolitan University have signed a landmark MoU to revolutionise aviation education and workforce development in Kenya. The partnership will provide specialised training, scholarships, and academic opportunities, shaping the future of aviation in the region.

Proflight Zambia Increases Flight Frequency as Safari Season Begins
Proflight Zambia enhances connectivity for South African travellers by doubling its Livingstone–Lusaka flights starting 1 April 2025, coinciding with the safari season. The updated schedule offers seamless access to Zambia's premier attractions, including Victoria Falls and South Luangwa National Park.

Aircrafted KIDS Spreads Smiles Across Africa
Emirates launches Aircrafted Kids, a global initiative distributing handmade backpacks crafted from upcycled aircraft materials. Starting in Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Ethiopia, the programme supports children’s education and sustainability efforts while strengthening community connections.

IATA and 123Carbon to Collaborate on Interoperability for SAF Registries
IATA and 123Carbon have partnered to enhance interoperability between their Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) registries, improving transparency, preventing double issuance, and streamlining SAF certificate management to support aviation decarbonisation.
