
African Pilot Magazine:
Pilot

IFALPA Warns of Safety Risks at Underprepared Alternate Airports
IFALPA calls for urgent improvements to safety standards at alternate aerodromes worldwide. This article examines key incidents and infrastructure challenges, with a focus on African airports, highlighting the need for coordinated investment in navigation, emergency services, and passenger facilities.

Angola and Côte d’Ivoire Sign Air Services Agreement, Enabling TAAG Route Between Luanda and Abidjan
Angola and Côte d’Ivoire sign an open skies air services agreement, enabling TAAG’s planned Luanda–Abidjan route and advancing African aviation integration.

Qatar Airways Resumes Flights to Kigali, Rwanda, Increasing Its Network in Africa to 30 Destinations
Qatar Airways resumes Doha–Kigali flights, expanding its Africa network to 30 destinations and reinforcing partnerships with RwandAir and Bugesera Airport.

First Airbus SIRTAP Prototype Ready to Start Ground Tests
Airbus has completed assembly of the first SIRTAP tactical uncrewed aerial system, now entering ground tests in Spain. The aircraft is set for its maiden flight by the end of 2025, with delivery to the Spanish Armed Forces expected in 2027.

Angolan Ministry of Transport and Boeing Sign Memorandum of Strategic Cooperation to Strengthen Angola’s Aviation Sector
The Angolan Ministry of Transport has signed a strategic cooperation memorandum with Boeing to modernise the national aviation sector. This partnership, involving TAAG Linhas Aéreas de Angola, focuses on fleet development, technical capabilities, and long-term industry growth.

Angola and Côte d’Ivoire Sign Air Services Agreement, Enabling TAAG Route Between Luanda and Abidjan
Angola and Côte d’Ivoire sign an open skies air services agreement, enabling TAAG’s planned Luanda–Abidjan route and advancing African aviation integration.

Qatar Airways Resumes Flights to Kigali, Rwanda, Increasing Its Network in Africa to 30 Destinations
Qatar Airways resumes Doha–Kigali flights, expanding its Africa network to 30 destinations and reinforcing partnerships with RwandAir and Bugesera Airport.

Embraer Celebrates A-29 Super Tucano 600,000 Flight Hours
Embraer celebrates 600,000 flight hours for the A-29 Super Tucano, a globally proven light attack and training aircraft selected by 22 air forces. The A-29N variant offers NATO interoperability and cost-effective, multi-role capabilities.

Airlink selects the Embraer E195-E2; plans to lease from Azorra
Airlink plans to lease 10 Embraer E195-E2 aircraft from Azorra to enhance its fleet efficiency, expand its sub-Saharan African network, and reduce emissions. Deliveries are expected between 2025 and 2027.

Bell signs first SUBARU Bell 412EPX order in Africa
Bell Textron has signed a fleet purchase agreement for 12 SUBARU Bell 412EPX helicopters with the Tunisian Air Force—the first order for this variant in Africa. The aircraft will support multi-role military and security missions, expanding Tunisia's fleet of Bell helicopters.

Ethiopian Airlines Secures Top Honours at SKYTRAX 2025
Ethiopian Airlines was crowned Best Airline in Africa for the eighth consecutive year at the 2025 SKYTRAX World Airline Awards, also winning in three additional categories including Best Business Class and Best Onboard Catering in Africa.
Embraer Celebrates A-29 Super Tucano 600,000 Flight Hours
Embraer celebrates 600,000 flight hours for the A-29 Super Tucano, a globally proven light attack and training aircraft selected by 22 air forces. The A-29N variant offers NATO interoperability and cost-effective, multi-role capabilities.

Airlink selects the Embraer E195-E2; plans to lease from Azorra
Airlink plans to lease 10 Embraer E195-E2 aircraft from Azorra to enhance its fleet efficiency, expand its sub-Saharan African network, and reduce emissions. Deliveries are expected between 2025 and 2027.

Air Methods Expands Its Fleet with Airbus, Including H140 Helicopters
Air Methods expands its fleet with new Airbus helicopters, including the H140, H125, and H135, enhancing air medical transport capabilities. Learn more about the latest innovations in emergency medical aviation.

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
Embraer and Denel sign MoU to cooperate on the KC- 390 Millennium
Embraer and Denel have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore collaboration on the KC-390 Millennium military transport aircraft, focusing on manufacturing and MRO activities to enhance strategic airlift capabilities in Africa.

African Development Bank and Mozambique Launch Drone-Based Initiative to Boost Disaster Preparedness
The African Development Bank, Mozambique, and Korea’s Busan Technopark have launched a drone-based disaster management initiative to improve early warning systems and real-time flood response in high-risk zones.

Restoration of Sabre 361: Honouring Heritage Through Dedication and Craftsmanship
The restoration of Sabre 361 by Montagu Thorne and Matthew Olivier celebrates aviation heritage through meticulous craftsmanship. The project, conducted at the South African Air Force Museum, involved polishing, panel beating, and replacing corroded fasteners to restore this historic aircraft for public display.

JOLY Airlines Orders 30 ME-1A Amphibious Planes from Mallard Enterprises
JOLY Airlines, a South African startup, has ordered 30 ME-1A amphibious aircraft from Mallard Enterprises to enhance regional connectivity and provide sustainable air travel solutions in Africa.

Ethiopian Airlines and Archer Sign Agreement to Bring All-Electric Air Taxi Network to the Region Using Midnight Aircraft
Archer Aviation partners with Ethiopian Airlines to deploy Midnight electric aircraft under its Launch Edition programme, aiming to develop an air taxi network and explore sustainable air mobility solutions in Africa.

The Bateleurs Take to the Skies for Critical Lion Relocation to Addo Elephant National Park
The Bateleurs successfully transported two lionesses by air from Khamab Kalahari Reserve to Addo Elephant National Park, ensuring vital genetic diversity for the park’s lion population. This mission highlights the critical role of aviation in wildlife conservation.

Henley Group Holdings Announces Trevor Carver as Manager of Henley Component Repair & Overhaul
Henley Group Holdings appoints Trevor Carver as Manager of Henley Component Repair & Overhaul, enhancing its Approved Aircraft Maintenance Organisation (AMO) with specialised helicopter component repair and overhaul services.
Safran Arriel Engine Selected to Power New Robinson R88 Helicopter
Safran Helicopter Engines partners with Robinson Helicopter Company to power the new R88 with the Arriel 2W engine. This collaboration enhances performance, reliability, and maintenance support for light helicopters worldwide.

Robinson Helicopters has Launched its First Design in 15 Years and It’s the Biggest Ever
Robinson Helicopters unveils the R88, its first new design in 15 years and its largest helicopter ever. Designed for executive transport, firefighting, and utility operations, the R88 challenges industry norms with a powerful Safran Arriel 2W engine, advanced avionics, and an adaptable 10-seat configuration.

JCAB Issues G-1 Certification Basis for SkyDrive eVTOL Aircraft
SkyDrive has received G-1 certification basis approval from the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) for its three-seater eVTOL aircraft. The company is progressing towards aircraft certification and commercial operations, with flight tests underway ahead of the World Expo 2025 in Osaka.

Jet Systems and Volocopter to Partner in eVTOL Operations in France
Volocopter and Jet Systems Hélicoptères Services have partnered to introduce eVTOL air taxi services in France, starting in Paris. With certified VoloCity aircraft and established flight routes, this partnership aims to revolutionise urban air mobility and expand across the country.

Eve Air Mobility and JetSetGo to Explore Urban ATM Implementation in India
Eve Air Mobility and JetSetGo partner to explore the implementation of Eve’s Vector Urban ATM software in India, enhancing air traffic management and paving the way for efficient and sustainable Urban Air Mobility (UAM).

Rotortrade Achieves Record Growth in 2024 with Surge in Offshore and APAC Markets
Rotortrade achieved record growth in 2024, with a 20% increase in transactions and a surge in offshore helicopter sales. Discover how demand for medium and light twin-engine helicopters, including the AW139, AW109, H145, and Bell 429, drove market expansion, particularly in Asia-Pacific.
