
African Pilot Magazine:
News

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.

Injunction to Be Sought as 12-Year Aviation Engine Crisis Brings the Industry to a Halt
The AIC 18.19 Task Team, representing five major aviation bodies in South Africa, is pursuing urgent legal action against the 12-year engine overhaul ruling, which has grounded over 1,400 aircraft and threatens R2 billion in direct losses.
Balancing Regulation and Safety in Aviation
CAASA CEO Kevin Storie outlines a call for balanced, collaborative regulation in African aviation at the AFBAA Safety and Training Workshop during Aero SA.

Redefining Business Aviation in Africa: AfBAA’s Focus on Safety, Standards, and Inclusive Growth
AfBAA highlights inclusive growth, safety, and global standards at the AFBAA Safety & Training Workshop during Aero South Africa 2025.

Passenger Growth Hits 5% in May
Passenger demand rose 5% in May 2025, with African airlines reporting 9.5% growth. The Africa–Asia corridor leads international traffic expansion.

The Hidden Turbulence Pilots Face Beyond the Skies
Beyond the cockpit, pilots face hidden pressures—fatigue, fear of reporting, and environmental change—raising urgent questions about aviation safety culture.

Pushback on ADS-B Data Misuse Raises Concerns
A U.S. bill limiting ADS-B data use is sparking global debate, with growing concerns in Africa over surveillance, privacy, and regulatory misuse in aviation.

IATA’s I-ASC Light Assessment Helps Kenya Airways Elevate Safety Culture
Kenya Airways becomes the first airline to adopt IATA’s I-ASC Light, using the safety culture survey to identify improvement areas and strengthen risk management.

Aero South Africa 2025 – What the GA Pilot Missed
Aero SA 2025 brought together GA pilots, students, and enthusiasts at Lanseria, showcasing everything from diesel Cessnas to electric aircraft and local innovations.

Africa’s Next Flight: Modern Airline Retailing Unlocked
Discover how TPConnects and AFRAA are reshaping airline distribution in Africa through their latest whitepaper. Explore key insights on NDC adoption, digital transformation, and the future of modern airline retailing across the continent.

Aviation AFRICA 2025 Attracts Headline Speakers to Outline African Airline Restructuring
Aviation Africa 2025 in Kigali will feature key industry leaders, including James Hogan and Knighthood Capital, discussing airline restructuring across Africa.

Pratt & Whitney’s Iconic 747SP Test Bed to Soar Into EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025
Pratt & Whitney celebrates 100 years of aviation innovation by showcasing its rare 747SP test bed at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025, offering attendees a unique look at its cutting-edge propulsion technologies.

Nigeria Prepares to Host Inaugural International Air Show in 2025
Nigeria is set to host its first-ever International Air Show in December 2025. The initiative aims to boost aviation sector growth, attract private investment, and position the country as a key player in regional and global air connectivity.

Strengthening Safety with Peer-Led Communication
IFATCA’s Speak English Program & the Role of Professional Associations The IFATCA Speak English Programme is a great example of how aviation professionals can come together to support one another through peer-to-peer learning. By creating spaces where Air Traffic Controllers and other aviation professionals can help each other strengthen their English communication skills, this programme…

Focus on Africa Symposium Opened Professional and Government Affairs Meeting in Nairobi, Kenya
The IFALPA Professional and Government Affairs Meeting opened with the Focus on Africa Symposium in Nairobi, highlighting pilot advocacy, safety, and regulatory engagement across Africa’s aviation sector.

Pretoria Airshow 2025: Airshow Adds “Gees” to the Fees
The Pretoria Fees is held annually over the Easter weekend at Legends Adventure Farm. This year, a touch of spirit and magic was added with the inclusion of a seriously well-planned and executed airshow. Saturday also featured the SAPFA Speed Rally, hosted by David le Roux from Pilot Insure. Overall, the show was a great…

Wings of Conservation: Female Cheetah Relocated From Western Cape to Mpumalanga
The Endangered Wildlife Trust, alongside The Bateleurs and provincial partners, successfully relocates a female cheetah from Buffelsdrift Game Reserve to Mpumalanga’s Ukuzwana Game Reserve, establishing a new breeding population and advancing cheetah conservation efforts in South Africa.

Zambia and Eswatini Sign Bilateral Air Services Agreement
Zambia and Eswatini have signed a Bilateral Air Services Agreement to introduce direct flights, supporting SAATM and regional integration goals. The first route is expected to launch by September 2025.

KAHL and Lift Cargo Partner to Improve Efficiencies in Cool Chain Management
Kenya Airfreight Handling Limited (KAHL) and Lift Cargo Limited have partnered to enhance efficiencies in cool chain management, supporting Kenya’s horticulture exports with advanced temperature-controlled logistics and innovative supply chain solutions.

Air Cargo Demand up 5.8% in April
Global air cargo demand rose 5.8% YoY in April 2025, with strong growth in Asia and Latin America. IATA highlights key trends and trade route shifts.

Zambia Targets Lower Air Transport Costs to Boost Regional Aviation
Zambia is taking steps to reduce air transport costs and enhance its role as a regional logistics hub by lowering aviation fuel prices, expanding Fifth Freedom rights, and supporting SAATM objectives.
AERO South Africa and AfBAA Announce Partnership and Safety & Training Workshop
AERO South Africa 2025 and the African Business Aviation Association (AfBAA) partner to host a dedicated Safety and Training Workshop on 26 June at Lanseria International Airport, advancing safety and professional development in African aviation.

Angola and Hungary Expand Aviation and Economic Cooperation
Angola and Hungary have signed a new Air Services Agreement, reinforcing bilateral cooperation in aviation and infrastructure. The move supports Angola’s aviation modernisation goals and deeper economic ties with Central Europe.

Cirium and AFRAA Data Partnership to Drive Growth in African Aviation
Cirium and the African Airlines Association (AFRAA) have formed a strategic data partnership to enhance aviation analytics and support sustainable growth in Africa’s air transport sector, aligning with AFRAA’s 2025 strategy for improved connectivity, reduced costs, and digital transformation.
New AfBAA Leadership Shares Plans to Revitalise African Business Aviation Organisation at EBACE 2025
The African Business Aviation Association (AfBAA) unveils a revitalised vision under new leadership. Chairperson Dawit Lemma and Vice Chair Craig Middleton share their strategy to expand membership, strengthen governance, and raise the profile of African business aviation at EBACE 2025.

Rescued Secretary Bird Flown to Safety in Easter Weekend Conservation Mission
A juvenile secretary bird rescued in the Karoo was flown to safety in Dullstroom by The Bateleurs in a coordinated Easter weekend conservation mission supporting the Endangered Wildlife Trust's Birds of Prey Programme.

South Africa: Transport Ministry Advances Sector Transformation with Integrated Charter and New Development Funds
South Africa’s Department of Transport is advancing sector-wide transformation through revised Transport Sector Codes, a new Enterprise and Supplier Development Fund, and targeted initiatives by SANRAL, PRASA, Transnet, and ACSA to promote inclusive growth and black economic participation.
Kenya’s Aviation Sector Records Steady Growth in 2024
Kenya’s aviation sector recorded steady growth in 2024, with increases in international passenger traffic, aircraft movements, aviation fuel demand, and licensing activity. The Economic Survey 2025 highlights the sector’s growing economic impact.