African Pilot Weekly Magazine 04:2026
African Airline: New Aircraft Order
Ethiopian Airlines Confirms the Order of Nine Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner Airplanes
Ethiopian Airlines has confirmed an order for nine Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, with deliveries planned between 2031 and 2033.
Ethiopian Airlines Confirms the Order of Nine Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner Airplanes
Ethiopian Airlines has confirmed an order for nine Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, with deliveries planned between 2031 and 2033.
African Airline: New Aircraft Order
VINCI Airports Celebrates Completion of Modernisation Work at Cape Verde Airports and Launches New Phase of Investment
VINCI Airports has completed €80 million in airport modernisation in Cape Verde and launched a new €142 million investment phase to support growth and sustainability.
African Infrastructure & Projects
Cape Town International Airport Soars Past 11 Million Passengers in 2025 as Cape Town Air Access Powers Growth
Cape Town International Airport handled a record 11.1 million passengers in 2025, driven by route growth, rising tourism demand and strong air access performance.
Airport
Africa’s Fuel Production Crossroads
Africa faces growing aviation fuel risks as SAF production slows globally and supply chain failures disrupt Southern Africa’s jet fuel security.
Aviation Fuel
L-39 Skyfox Aircraft Showcased at Air Force Base Accra
The Ghana Air Force showcased the Aero L-39 Skyfox at Air Force Base Accra, highlighting defence cooperation with the Czech Republic and aircraft capabilities.
Military & Defence
F-35 Breaks Delivery Record
Lockheed Martin set a new F-35 delivery record in 2025 as the fighter jet continued proven combat success and growing global demand.
Military & Defence
African Airline
South African Airways and CemAir Sign Game-Changing Domestic Codeshare Agreement
South African Airways and CemAir have launched a domestic codeshare partnership, expanding regional connectivity and improving travel options across South Africa.
South African Airways and CemAir Sign Game-Changing Domestic Codeshare Agreement
South African Airways and CemAir have launched a domestic codeshare partnership, expanding regional connectivity and improving travel options across South Africa.
African Airline
South Africa
South African Air Force 22 Squadron deployed an Oryx helicopter from Air Force Base Ysterplaat on 10 and 11 January 2026 to support wildfire suppression in the Hermanus and Stanford areas of the Western Cape. The aircraft conducted more than 100 water drops under challenging conditions, helping to slow the spread of the fires, with sustained operations enabled by 22 Squadron and Air Force Base Overberg ground crews.
Read MoreBotswana Appoints Captain Thuto Toise as CEO Designate of Civil Aviation Authority
Botswana’s Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure has appointed Captain Thuto Toise as CEO designate of the Civil Aviation Authority of Botswana.
Civil Aviation: Botswana
Kanka-Malik Natchaba Appointed Managing Director of SALT
Kanka-Malik Natchaba has been appointed Managing Director of Lomé-Tokoin Airport Company (SALT), following a Board decision on 9 January 2026.
African Airports
United Nigeria Airlines Appoints Prof. Madubuko Tochukwu Victor to Board of Directors
United Nigeria Airlines appoints Prof. Madubuko Tochukwu Victor to its Board, reinforcing corporate governance and strategic leadership as the airline expands.
African Airline
CPaT Announces New Contract with Uganda Airlines
CPaT Global signs a new training contract with Uganda Airlines, providing pilot distance learning, General Subjects courses and customisable content tools.
Pilot Training
CPaT Welcomes United Nigeria Airlines as New Training Partner
CPaT Global partners with United Nigeria Airlines to deliver pilot and cabin crew training, including ERJ145 and B737NG courses and tailored content.
Pilot Training
IATA Warns of Supply Chain Risks as African Airlines Face Grounded Fleets
Africa’s aviation sector is already feeling one of IATA’s five key global risks, as supply chain disruptions ground aircraft and threaten growth across the continent.
African Airlines
Qatar Airways Expands Flight Frequencies Across South Africa Network
Qatar Airways increases weekly flights to Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban, strengthening South Africa connectivity via Doha from February 2026.
Airline
Ethiopian Airlines Partners with Nucore Technologies to Advance Digital Transformation
Ethiopian Airlines signs a strategic agreement with Nucore Technologies to strengthen B2B digital distribution, NDC adoption and advanced analytics capabilities.
African Airline
Trafigura Signs Offtake Agreement for Advanced Sustainable Aviation Fuel Produced from Biogas
Trafigura has signed a six-year offtake agreement to purchase advanced biogas-based SAF from Syzygy’s first commercial facility in Uruguay.
Sustainability: Fuel
SACAA Seeks Service Provider for Stakeholder Perception Surveys
The South African Civil Aviation Authority invites proposals for stakeholder perception surveys to support regulatory trust, service delivery and engagement.
Opportunity
Nigeria
United Nigeria Airlines has added its second CRJ-900 aircraft to its fleet, with the aircraft arriving on 18 January 2026 at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos. The addition marks a further step in strengthening the airline’s operational capacity, enhancing passenger comfort, and expanding connectivity across its network.
Read MoreIATA and CFM International Renew Pro-Competitive Agreement on Engine Maintenance
IATA and CFM International extend their MRO agreement to 2033, supporting open competition, easing supply chain pressure, and reducing engine maintenance costs.
Aircraft Engines
Airlink Reshapes its Regional Fleet Strategy
Airlink outlines a long-term fleet strategy centred on Embraer E2 aircraft, retiring E135/E140 jets and expanding regional connectivity across Africa.
African Airline
