
African Pilot Magazine:
International

Rotortrade Delivers Two Airbus H145 D3 Helicopters to SAF Helicopters
Rotortrade has delivered two Airbus H145 D3 helicopters to SAF Hélicoptères for EMS operations in Catalonia, completing a time-sensitive acquisition and delivery process within two months.

EASA and IATA Join Forces to Harmonise Flight Emissions Data for Passengers
EASA and IATA partner to align the EU Flight Emissions Label with IATA’s EcoHub and CO₂ Connect, improving transparency and consistency in airline emissions data.

Embraer Develops Artificial Intelligence Solution to Increase Data-Driven Operational Efficiency
Embraer and Aquarela Analytics have developed Smart Planning, an AI-based solution that improves inventory management, enhances supply chain integration and increases data-driven operational efficiency.

October Air Passenger Demand Growth Accelerates to 6.6%
Global air passenger demand rose 6.6% in October 2025, with strong international growth led by Asia-Pacific and the Middle East, according to new IATA data.

Garmin SmartCharts Adds Graphical NOTAMs Overlay to Alert Pilots to Surface Closures
Garmin adds a colour-coded Graphical NOTAMs overlay and new Storm Tops weather tool to its SmartCharts and Garmin Pilot app, giving pilots clearer visibility of runway closures, conditions and weather intensity.

October Air Passenger Demand Growth Accelerates to 6.6%
Global air passenger demand rose 6.6% in October 2025, with strong international growth led by Asia-Pacific and the Middle East, according to new IATA data.

Garmin SmartCharts Adds Graphical NOTAMs Overlay to Alert Pilots to Surface Closures
Garmin adds a colour-coded Graphical NOTAMs overlay and new Storm Tops weather tool to its SmartCharts and Garmin Pilot app, giving pilots clearer visibility of runway closures, conditions and weather intensity.

Embraer Celebrates Delivery of 1,700th Ipanema Cropduster
Embraer delivers its 1,700th Ipanema cropduster, an ethanol-powered aircraft with 60 percent market share, known for high productivity, precision spraying and low operating costs.

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.

Aviation Takes the Lead as UAE Unveils USD 6 Billion Tourism Investment Plan for Africa
The UAE’s USD 6 billion tourism investment plan for Africa places aviation and air connectivity at the centre of the continent’s growth strategy, with projects mapped across aviation, logistics and infrastructure to support expanded routes and improved access.

Ethiopian Airlines Strengthens Its Position as Africa’s Largest A350 Operator with Order for Six Additional A350-900s
Ethiopian Airlines has ordered six more Airbus A350-900 aircraft, reinforcing its position as Africa’s largest A350 operator and supporting its sustainable growth strategy. The agreement was signed at the Dubai Airshow.

Aviation Takes the Lead as UAE Unveils USD 6 Billion Tourism Investment Plan for Africa
The UAE’s USD 6 billion tourism investment plan for Africa places aviation and air connectivity at the centre of the continent’s growth strategy, with projects mapped across aviation, logistics and infrastructure to support expanded routes and improved access.

Ethiopian Airlines Strengthens Its Position as Africa’s Largest A350 Operator with Order for Six Additional A350-900s
Ethiopian Airlines has ordered six more Airbus A350-900 aircraft, reinforcing its position as Africa’s largest A350 operator and supporting its sustainable growth strategy. The agreement was signed at the Dubai Airshow.

Avion Express Offers 250 Open Positions for Pilots Worldwide
Avion Express, a leading global provider of narrow-body ACMI services and part of Avia Solutions Group, is announcing 250 new pilot positions available worldwide for commercial pilots holding either EASA or ICAO licenses. This announcement is part of the annual recruitment season, launched under the slogan “We take care of you. We take care of…

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.

Riyadh Air Operates First Flight to London Heathrow
Riyadh Air begins its first daily service to London Heathrow, marking a major milestone in Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the airline’s Pathway to Perfect plan.

Arlanda Becomes First Airport in Europe to Implement New Air Traffic Approach Concept
Swedavia and LFV introduce Europe’s first Established on RNP (EoR) approach at Stockholm Arlanda Airport, enhancing capacity, efficiency, and sustainability.

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.

BAE Systems and Aviation Concepts, LLC Renew International Distributor Agreement
BAE Systems and Aviation Concepts renew their international distributor agreement, strengthening global access to aerospace parts and support solutions.

Lockheed Martin and Belgium Celebrate Arrival of First Belgian F-35 Aircraft
Belgium’s first F-35A Lightning II has arrived at Florennes Air Base. Lockheed Martin and the Belgian Air Force mark a new era of advanced air defence and allied cooperation.

Supply Chain Challenges Could Cost Airlines More Than $11 Billion in 2025
IATA and Oliver Wyman warn that aircraft supply chain delays could cost airlines $11 billion in 2025, driven by fuel, maintenance, leasing, and inventory costs.

Safran Aero Boosters and BMT Aerospace to Manufacture Key Components for Pratt & Whitney’s F135 Engine Powering the F-35 Lightning II Aircraft
Safran Aero Boosters and BMT Aerospace to produce key F135 engine components for Pratt & Whitney’s F-35 aircraft, strengthening Belgium’s aerospace industry.

AEGEAN Airlines Expands Fleet with New ATR 72-600, Two More on Order
AEGEAN Airlines, through Olympic Air, has added a new ATR 72-600 to its fleet and ordered two more for delivery in December 2026, reinforcing its regional fleet modernisation and sustainability strategy.

Veryon AIRE Redefines Aviation Maintenance with AI-Powered Intelligence Across the Entire Fleet
Veryon launches AIRE, an AI-powered aviation intelligence platform delivering predictive maintenance, smarter fleet management, and enhanced reliability.

HAVELSAN’s Boeing 737 MAX Full Flight Simulator Achieves EASA Recurrent Certification
HAVELSAN has received EASA recurrent certification for its Boeing 737 MAX Full Flight Simulator, reinforcing its position in advanced pilot training technology.

TRU Simulation’s Veris Virtual Reality Flight Simulator Achieves FAA Qualification, Ushering in a New Era of Immersive Pilot Training
TRU Simulation’s Veris Virtual Reality Flight Simulator earns FAA Level 7 qualification, marking a new era in immersive pilot training with Bell 505 integration.

IADA Releases Current Market Portrait & Forecast, Noting an Increase in New Aircraft Enquiries from Africa
IADA’s 2025–2026 Market Portrait & Forecast highlights global business jet trends and growing demand for new aircraft across Africa.

Yingling Aviation Completes First Winglet Installation on Falcon 900
Yingling Aviation completes its first Falcon 900 winglet installation ahead of schedule, showcasing precision engineering and exceptional craftsmanship.


