5 July 2026

Hi Fly Serves 10 African Airports as Global Operations Reach 74 Airports in First Half of 2026

Hi Fly operated to 74 airports across 41 countries and territories during the first half of 2026, including 10 airports in six African countries, as its ACMI and charter operations reached six continents.

pas2019 a380 hifly flying display 03 day 5 017 2100x3500 — Source: Hi Fly

Why this article matters
Hi Fly’s activity across 10 African airports shows how ACMI and charter operators are supporting increasingly varied aviation requirements across the continent, from major international gateways to secondary airports and specialised missions.

Flexible aircraft capacity is becoming an important operational tool for airlines managing seasonal demand, fleet transitions, maintenance requirements and disruptions. Hi Fly’s six-continent footprint also illustrates the scale at which widebody aircraft can be redeployed across markets as customer requirements change.

Widebody wet lease and charter specialist Hi Fly operated to 74 airports across 41 countries and territories during the first six months of 2026, including 10 airports in six African countries.

Hi Fly’s operations during the first half of 2026 extended across six continents, illustrating the geographical reach of a business model built around rapidly deploying widebody aircraft in response to changing customer requirements.

The all-Airbus widebody operator flew to 74 airports in 41 countries and territories between January and June, serving major international gateways as well as secondary, specialised and remote destinations. Its African operations covered Cabo Verde, Egypt, Ghana, Nigeria, Seychelles and South Africa.

Across the continent, Hi Fly aircraft operated to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, Kotoka International Airport in Accra, Cape Town International Airport, O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, Kaduna Airport, Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, Minna Airport, Seychelles International Airport, Amílcar Cabral International Airport in Cabo Verde and Sharm El Sheikh International Airport in Egypt.

Globally, the airline’s destinations included New York, London, Paris, Madrid, Lisbon, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Singapore, Tokyo, São Paulo and Caracas.

Operating a modern all-Airbus widebody fleet, Hi Fly provides wet lease, or ACMI, and charter capacity to airlines, governments, tour operators, freight forwarders, private clients and military organisations. Its destinations and operational requirements vary according to customer demand, with the first half of 2026 encompassing scheduled airline support, seasonal demand, bespoke charter services and critical transport missions.

The breadth of this activity reflects the role flexible capacity continues to play across the aviation industry. Airlines use ACMI services to support network growth, fleet transitions, maintenance requirements, operational disruptions and seasonal demand fluctuations.

Under the ACMI model, Hi Fly provides the aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance, allowing customers to add or maintain capacity without having to deploy their own aircraft and crews for the operation.

Alongside its ACMI activities, the airline also performs passenger and cargo charter operations across a broad range of mission profiles.

One of the most unusual destinations reached during the six-month period was Wolfs Fang Runway in Antarctica. Operations to the remote aviation gateway require specialist planning and operational expertise, adding another dimension to a network that ranged from major international hubs to isolated operating environments.

Commenting on the airline’s global activity, Captain Carlos Mirpuri, Chairman of the Hi Fly Group, said: “At Hi Fly, we have always believed that no destination should be beyond reach. Operating across six continents in just six months is a reflection of our unique capabilities, the versatility of our Airbus widebody fleet and, above all, the dedication of our people. Whether supporting an airline during peak demand, carrying out a strategic charter mission or operating in one of the world’s most remote environments, our focus remains the same: delivering safe, reliable and flexible solutions for our customers anywhere in the world.”

With more than two decades of operational experience, Hi Fly continues to position its worldwide operation around the ability to provide tailored aircraft capacity across different markets, time zones and operating environments.