African Pilot Weekly Magazine 03:2026
Military & Defence
Ghana Places First Order for Multi-Mission Airbus Helicopters
Ghana’s Ministry of Defence orders Airbus H175M, ACH175 and ACH160 helicopters to support multi-mission defence, transport and emergency operations.
Ghana Places First Order for Multi-Mission Airbus Helicopters
Ghana’s Ministry of Defence orders Airbus H175M, ACH175 and ACH160 helicopters to support multi-mission defence, transport and emergency operations.
Military & Defence
2026 Set to Mark a Defining Year for Air Transport Growth
Africa’s aviation sector is set for strong growth in 2026, driven by rising demand, fleet expansion and Emirates’ next-generation aircraft deployment.
African Airline & Aviation
Ethiopian Achieves Major MRO Breakthrough with First A350-900 Full Strip and Paint Program in Africa
Ethiopian Airlines has completed Africa’s first Airbus A350-900 full strip-and-paint programme, marking a major milestone in MRO capability.
African Airline - MRO
African Airlines Association Secretary General Sets Out Strategic Direction for 2026 and Beyond
AFRAA outlines strategic priorities for African aviation to 2026, covering safety, market reform, connectivity, sustainability, MRO and airline competitiveness.
African Airlines
Egypt’s Mandatory Air Cargo ACI Rollout and Temporary Fee Reduction
Egypt has launched mandatory air cargo ACI requirements from January 2026, alongside a six-month reduction in automation and electronic service fees.
Air Cargo & Air Freight
Emirates SkyCargo Charts Flightpath into 2026 Following a Milestone Year
Emirates SkyCargo outlines its 2026 growth strategy after a milestone year marked by fleet expansion, network growth, digital innovation and new cargo products.
Air Cargo & Air Freight
African Infrastructure & Projects
Ethiopian Airlines Marks the Groundbreaking of Bishoftu International Airport Construction
Ethiopian Airlines has commenced construction of Bishoftu International Airport following a landmark groundbreaking ceremony attended by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
Ethiopian Airlines Marks the Groundbreaking of Bishoftu International Airport Construction
Ethiopian Airlines has commenced construction of Bishoftu International Airport following a landmark groundbreaking ceremony attended by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
African Infrastructure & Projects
TCAA Orders Mandatory Safety Risk Assessments Following Mount Kilimanjaro Helicopter Accident
Aviation Safety
The Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) has issued a mandatory safety directive requiring all helicopter air operators to conduct an immediate priority safety risk assessment following a fatal helicopter accident at Barafu Camp on Mount Kilimanjaro on 24 December 2025. While a formal investigation into…
Air Cargo Demand Maintains Strong Momentum, up 5.5% in November 2025
Global air cargo demand rose by 5.5% in November 2025, according to IATA, with African airlines recording the strongest regional growth amid resilient trade flows.
Air Cargo & Air Freight
5.7% Growth in Air Passenger Demand in November 2025
Global air passenger demand grew by 5.7% in November 2025, according to IATA, with African airlines leading regional growth despite ongoing capacity constraints.
African Airline
Airlines to Receive First Carbon Offsetting Requirements Under ICAO’s Global Climate Agreement
ICAO will notify airlines of their first CORSIA carbon offsetting obligations, following publication of 2024 international aviation emissions calculations.
Sustainability
From Estimates to Evidence: Why Accurate Emissions Data Matters for African Aviation
Accurate emissions data is becoming critical for African airlines facing carbon taxes and regulations. Why CO₂ Connect moves aviation from estimates to evidence.
Sustainability
Angola Powers Its Ambition to Become a Global Transport Hub with Digital Border Upgrade
Angola deploys SITA’s API PNR Gateway and launches a national passenger information centre to modernise border control and support hub ambitions.
Commercial & Air Travel
Captain Sameh Fawzy Appointed Head of the Egyptian Civil Aviation Authority
Egypt’s Minister of Civil Aviation appoints Captain Sameh Fawzy as Acting Head of the Egyptian Civil Aviation Authority, citing extensive safety and leadership experience.
Civil Aviation Authority
BEA Seminar Highlights Human Factors and Aviation Safety Systems in Benin
Benin’s BEA closes 2025 with a seminar on human factors and aviation safety, reinforcing prevention, collaboration and international standards.
Aviation Safety
Sustainable Aviation Fuels in Senegal
Senegal advances sustainable aviation fuels as a CORSIA-aligned feasibility study highlights strong feedstock availability and a supportive innovation ecosystem.
Fuel
AI Must Support, Not Replace: Why Human Control Remains Non-Negotiable in Aviation
As AI enters the cockpit, pilots warn that safety depends on human control. Why AI must support, not replace, decision-making in civil aviation.
Future Flight
SUBARU Bell 412EPX Embarks on its First Demo Tour in the Middle East
Bell has launched the first Middle East demonstration tour of the SUBARU Bell 412EPX, showcasing its multi-mission public safety and defence capabilities.
Helicopter
Alhaji Ahmad Abba Appointed Director of Aerodrome and Airspace Standards at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority
Civil
Alhaji Ahmad Abba has assumed office as Director of Aerodrome and Airspace Standards at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority following a ministerially endorsed redeployment.
South Africa Publishes Revised Airport Charges Effective April 2026
South Africa confirms revised ACSA airport charges effective 1 April 2026, covering landing, parking and passenger service charges under the Airports Company Act.
African Airports: South Africa
Airlink’s New Embraer E195-E2 Aircraft Enters Service
Airlink has placed its first Embraer E195-E2 into service, boosting capacity and extending its regional reach across Southern and sub-Saharan Africa.
African Airline
