
African Pilot Magazine:
News

ATNS Says It’s Making Good Progress to Stabilise and Rebuild
ATNS reports significant progress in stabilising operations, restoring flight procedures, and rebuilding core capacity under new leadership and expert guidance.

CAASA and AfBAA Reaffirm Partnership with Updated MoU at African Aviation Summit
CAASA and AfBAA reaffirm their partnership with a renewed MoU at the African Aviation Summit in Kigali, focusing on safety, advocacy and stronger regional engagement.

Africa Secures Resounding Mandate on ICAO Council, Winning Nearly One-Fourth of Global Seats, Driven by Unified Technical Agenda
Africa secures 8 of 36 ICAO Council seats at the 42nd Assembly, reinforcing global trust in its aviation leadership and advancing SAATM, safety, security, and sustainability.

Airline Industry at a Crossroads: IATA’s Message to African Stakeholders
IATA’s Kamil Al-Awadhi urges African governments to cut costs, liberalise skies, and invest in infrastructure to unlock aviation growth.

Understanding the Changes in Africa’s Aviation Landscape
AFRAA’s Abderahmane Berthé highlights Africa’s aviation opportunities, connectivity challenges, and the need for liberalisation, sustainability and fleet renewal.

Qatar Airways and Kenya Airways Expand Partnership with Codeshare Flights to 19 Destinations
Qatar Airways and Kenya Airways expand their partnership with codeshare flights to 19 destinations, enhancing Africa–Asia–Middle East connectivity.

Homegrown Innovation: Kenya Airways Pioneers Kenya-Made Sustainable Aviation Fuel
Kenya Airways partners with Bleriot SAF to produce Kenya-made Sustainable Aviation Fuel, advancing aviation decarbonisation and green growth.

Business Aviation: An Essential Enabler for Africa’s Growth
Dawit Lemma highlights business aviation’s vital role in Africa’s economy, from UAVs to medevac, calling for stronger industry recognition.

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.

Skunk Works and FalconWorks Announce Strategic Collaboration
Lockheed Martin Skunk Works and BAE Systems FalconWorks partner at DSEI to develop modular uncrewed air systems with electronic warfare capability.

International: Joby To Bring Blade’s Air Mobility Services To The Uber App
Joby and Uber to integrate Blade flights into the Uber app, paving the way for Joby’s quiet, zero-emissions air taxi service worldwide.

CAASA and AfBAA Reaffirm Partnership with Updated MoU at African Aviation Summit
CAASA and AfBAA reaffirm their partnership with a renewed MoU at the African Aviation Summit in Kigali, focusing on safety, advocacy and stronger regional engagement.

Africa Secures Resounding Mandate on ICAO Council, Winning Nearly One-Fourth of Global Seats, Driven by Unified Technical Agenda
Africa secures 8 of 36 ICAO Council seats at the 42nd Assembly, reinforcing global trust in its aviation leadership and advancing SAATM, safety, security, and sustainability.

ACIA Aero Leasing Announces the Appointment of Bradley Gordon as SVP Banking & Capital Markets
ACIA Aero Leasing appoints Bradley Gordon as SVP Banking & Capital Markets. With over $2bn in structured aviation finance experience, Gordon joins from Investec to lead debt raising and investor relations.

The West Coast Saldanha Airshow
The 2025 West Coast Saldanha Airshow, held at Saldanha Airport, featured thrilling displays despite challenging weather. The event also marked a tragic farewell to ZU-IMP, South Africa’s last airworthy ex-SAAF Impala.

Preliminary Report Issued for ZU-IMP Impala MK1 Accident at West Coast Saldanha Airshow
The Accident and Incident Investigations Division (AIID) of the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) has released the preliminary report into the fatal accident involving the Aermacchi MB-326 Impala MK1, registration ZU-IMP, during the West Coast Saldanha Airshow held on 22 March 2025 at Saldanha/Vredenburg Airport (FASD). During an aerobatic manoeuvre—a slow aileron roll performed…

Zambia Positioning Itself to Become an Aviation Hub
Zambia is positioning itself as a regional aviation hub through major airport upgrades, regulatory reforms, and partnerships to boost trade, tourism, and connectivity, as highlighted at the Land-Linked Zambia 2025 event.

Air Legends Foundation bringing ‘Flight of the Cats’ to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025
The Air Legends Foundation will showcase four historic Grumman fighter aircraft – the Wildcat, Hellcat, Tigercat, and Bearcat – during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025. These vintage warbirds will be featured in air shows and exhibitions from 21–27 July at Wittman Regional Airport.

Zambia and Angola Strengthen Air Connectivity with New Bilateral Agreement
Zambia and Angola have signed a bilateral air services agreement to enhance regional connectivity, support SAATM, and promote liberalised intra-African air travel through strengthened regulatory cooperation and fifth freedom traffic rights.

Aviation AFRICA Returns to Kigali in September 2025, DAR Al-Handasah Confirmed as Platinum Sponsor
Aviation AFRICA Summit 2025 returns to Kigali, Rwanda, bringing together industry leaders to discuss collaboration, infrastructure, safety, air mobility, and the future of African aviation. DAR Al-Handasah is confirmed as a platinum sponsor.

Africa’s Leading Aerospace and Defence Exhibition Returns in 2026
Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) Exhibition 2026 returns to Air Force Base Waterkloof, offering a premier platform for aerospace, defence, and security innovation. The event features global exhibitors, strategic engagement, and youth development initiatives.

The IFALPA Tackles the Controversy of Reduced Crew Operations
The aviation industry faces growing debate over Reduced Crew Operations, including Single-Pilot and Extended Minimum Crew Operations. IFALPA and pilot unions raise serious safety concerns, emphasising the irreplaceable role of two pilots in commercial aviation.

IATA Ground Handling Conference 2025 to Focus on People, Processes and Performance
The 37th IATA Ground Handling Conference (IGHC) will take place in Nairobi from 13–15 May 2025, focusing on operational modernisation, workforce investment, and performance improvement across Africa’s aviation ground handling sector.

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
SAF Registry Goes Live
IATA has launched the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Registry, now managed by CADO, creating a global platform to support the aviation sector’s transition to net zero emissions by 2050 through transparent SAF tracking and accountability.
Ethiopia and Uganda Sign Eight Bilateral Agreements — Three Focused on Aviation Cooperation
Ethiopia and Uganda signed eight bilateral agreements during the 4th Joint Ministerial Commission, including three focused on aviation: air services, training, and aircraft incident investigation. The deals aim to boost regional cooperation and sectoral development.

Competition Tribunal South Africa Approves Dubai Aerospace Merger with Nordic Aviation Capital
The South African Competition Tribunal has unconditionally approved the merger between Dubai Aerospace Enterprise and Nordic Aviation Capital, strengthening Dubai Aerospace’s global position in the aircraft leasing market.
Airweek 2025: Where Aviation Passion and Innovation Take Flight
Airweek 2025 at Middelburg Airfield was the hub for South African aviation enthusiasts during the first week of March 2025, showcasing a diverse array of aircraft including a few unique aircraft. The Middelburg Aero Club, Aeroclub of South Africa, EAA Chapter 322, and Air Show South Africa have undoubtedly set the benchmark for the year’s…

