South Africa’s aviation industry faces turmoil as SACAA enforces a 12-year engine overhaul rule, grounding aircraft and threatening jobs and businesses.
The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) clarifies the withdrawal of AIC 18.19 and its impact on 12-year engine overhaul requirements. The update affects general aviation operators using Textron Lycoming and Teledyne Continental engines, with compliance required by November 2024. The engines affected in this dispute are: Textron Lycoming and Teledyne Continental.
IATA projects Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production will double to 2 million tonnes in 2025—just 0.7% of global airline fuel needs. High costs and flawed mandates in Europe threaten progress, while India emerges as a key player in global SAF policy.
The European Commission has updated the EU Air Safety List, banning all air carriers certified in Tanzania and Suriname from operating in the EU due to serious safety oversight deficiencies.
The Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) celebrates 39 years of progress, outlining major reforms, infrastructure upgrades, and renewed commitments to aviation safety, innovation, and regional leadership in West Africa.
Captain Derrick Luembe of the Zambia Civil Aviation Authority has assumed chairmanship of the African Flight Procedures Programme Steering Committee. The article highlights key decisions from the 11th AFPP meeting, including the launch of Phase IV, focusing on PANS-OPS compliance and aviation safety across Africa.
During Aviation Awareness Week, Liberia’s Transport Minister, Honourable Sirleaf Ralph Tyler, called for the country’s aviation sector to be declared a national emergency, citing its vital role in national development and economic growth.
The Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) has suspended all operations of Tanzanian-registered helicopters effective 8 May 2025, pending a full recertification process to ensure regulatory compliance and safety standards.
Namibia is preparing to take control of air traffic services over its oceanic and southern airspace from South Africa, following infrastructure upgrades, regulatory improvements, and a successful ICAO audit.
South Africa’s Department of Transport has issued a tender to appoint a consultant to advise the Regulating Committee on tariff permissions for ACSA and ATNS for the 2026/27–2030/31 period, ensuring compliance with aviation regulation and international best practice.
The South African Department of Transport is seeking a service provider to develop and manage a centralised Aviation Licensing System, aiming to improve efficiency, security, and compliance for domestic and international air services.
Laser strikes on aircraft are rising globally, posing serious risks to pilots and passengers. Learn how Africa’s aviation sector is responding to the threat.
Federal Airlines and Mayday-SA have signed a groundbreaking Memorandum of Understanding—the first of its kind in Africa—to promote mental health, peer support, and wellbeing across aviation operations, reinforcing safety and crew performance.
Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS) reports progress on its Instrument Flight Procedure Maintenance Programme, with key submissions to SACAA and a strengthened ATCO workforce to support aviation safety and air traffic management in South Africa.
The South African Civil Aviation Authority’s Strategic Plan for 2025–2030 focuses on strengthening compliance with ICAO standards, developing aviation skills, promoting ethical governance, and supporting South Africa’s sustainable economic growth.
The Commercial Aviation Association of Southern Africa (CAASA) and the Board of Airline Representatives of South Africa (BARSA) have signed a historic MoU, formalising collaboration on aviation safety, regulatory challenges, sustainability, and infrastructure development to strengthen the aviation sector across Southern Africa.
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…
The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) has partnered with Seabury Solutions to automate its aviation safety and security regulatory functions using the eAuthority System, reinforcing Kenya’s aviation oversight capabilities and aligning with ICAO global standards.
Airlink has earned IATA’s IEnvA environmental certification, affirming its commitment to sustainability and wildlife protection, including compliance with the Buckingham Palace Declaration to combat illegal wildlife trade.
Regulators are cracking down on South Africa’s aviation sector amid rising complaints, fuel supply instability, infrastructure failures, and controversial overbooking practices. Industry stakeholders call for accountability and reform.
Modernising global Air Traffic Management (ATM) is crucial as aviation traffic soars and infrastructure ages. This article explores the shift to digital systems, regional strategies like SESAR and NextGen, sustainability gains, and the pressing need for faster modernisation.
Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS) has commenced the maintenance of critical Instrument Flight Procedures (IFPs) at key South African airports. While most major airports now have approved procedures in place, access to Richards Bay, Upington, and Bloemfontein airports will be limited due to pending maintenance. ATNS is prioritising swift restoration to ensure operational safety.
GNSS interference through jamming and spoofing is a growing threat to aviation safety. With Africa’s reliance on satellite-based navigation, the continent must take proactive steps to strengthen its air traffic resilience and infrastructure.
The aviation sector is undergoing a significant digital transformation, with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) having recently called for more focus on the promotion of digital identity technologies. At the forefront of this initiative is the call for the adoption of Verifiable Credentials (VC) and Decentralised Identifiers (DIDs) as tools to enhance aviation security…
The IFALPA Female Pilots Working Group meeting in Singapore highlighted key issues facing female pilots globally and explored strategies to advance gender equality in aviation.
IATA has launched the Civil Aviation Decarbonisation Organisation (CADO) to manage its Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Registry, aimed at building a transparent, global SAF market and accelerating aviation decarbonisation.
A growing number of global airlines are banning or restricting power banks due to safety concerns over lithium-ion batteries. While African carriers have not yet followed suit, industry experts predict similar policies may be adopted soon to align with international safety standards.
At BARSA Summit 2025, BARSA and CAASA signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen collaboration between commercial and general aviation, focusing on safety, innovation, and sustainability in South Africa’s aviation sector.
