African Pilot Weekly Magazine 14:2026
MRO
The African Airlines Association MRO Conference 2026 Concludes with Strong Call for Collaboration, Capacity Building and Digital Transformation
AFRAA’s inaugural MRO Conference 2026 in Addis Ababa brought together 450+ delegates to advance collaboration, skills development and digital transformation in Africa’s aviation MRO sector.
The African Airlines Association MRO Conference 2026 Concludes with Strong Call for Collaboration, Capacity Building and Digital Transformation
AFRAA’s inaugural MRO Conference 2026 in Addis Ababa brought together 450+ delegates to advance collaboration, skills development and digital transformation in Africa’s aviation MRO sector.
MRO
Advertisement
Heads Up: Air Côte d’Ivoire Aircraft Maintenance Centre (MRO) – Côte d’Ivoire
BOAD approves XOF35 billion for Air Côte d’Ivoire’s aircraft maintenance centre in Abidjan, strengthening regional MRO capacity in West and Central Africa.
MRO
Zambia, Eswatini Strengthen Aviation Ties with Launch of Direct Lusaka–Manzini Route
Zambia and Eswatini launch a direct Lusaka–Manzini route, strengthening regional connectivity, trade, and aviation growth aligned with SAATM and AfCFTA.
African Airline
Bishoftu International Airport Project Advances as Ethiopian Airlines Shortlists EPC-F Contractors
Ethiopian Airlines Group shortlists contractors for EPC-F main works packages of the Bishoftu International Airport project, advancing Ethiopia’s flagship aviation infrastructure development.
Airport
Air Cargo & Air Freight
African Air Cargo Demand Leads Global Growth With 21.0% Increase in February 2026
African airlines recorded the strongest global air cargo growth in February 2026, with demand rising 21.0% year-on-year, according to IATA data.
African Air Cargo Demand Leads Global Growth With 21.0% Increase in February 2026
African airlines recorded the strongest global air cargo growth in February 2026, with demand rising 21.0% year-on-year, according to IATA data.
Air Cargo & Air Freight
Kenya Transport Committee Reviews Civil Aviation Bill
Civil Aviation
Kenya’s Transport Committee reviews the Civil Aviation Bill 2024, introducing reforms to strengthen safety oversight, governance, and alignment with ICAO standards.
Eswatini Civil Aviation Authority Invites Expressions of Interest for Vendor Prequalification
Business Opportunity
ESWACAA invites expressions of interest for supplier prequalification for 2026/27 and 2027/28. Vendors for goods, services and works can apply before 16 April 2026.
Congo Airways Faces Continued Failures as Government Orders New Recovery Plan
African Airline
DRC government orders a new recovery plan for Congo Airways following findings of operational failures, governance weaknesses and significant financial and reputational risks.
Safety
IFALPA’s Renewed Push Against Loss of Control Accidents
IFALPA’s latest papers target loss of control accidents, highlighting pilot training, automation risks, and aircraft energy management in modern aviation.
IFALPA’s Renewed Push Against Loss of Control Accidents
IFALPA’s latest papers target loss of control accidents, highlighting pilot training, automation risks, and aircraft energy management in modern aviation.
Safety
Mozambique–Brazil Cooperation to Strengthen Civil Aviation
Mozambique and Brazil sign a cooperation agreement to strengthen civil aviation governance, safety oversight, and USOAP readiness ahead of the 2027 ICAO audit.
Civil Aviation
Angola Challenges Africa to Overcome Fragmentation and Advance an Integrated Air Market
At the 75th ACI Africa Conference in Luanda, Angola calls for aviation integration, SAATM implementation, and investment to address Africa’s connectivity gap and drive growth.
Commercial & Air Travel
23 Years After its Collapse, Ex Nigeria Airways Staff are Still Waiting to be Paid
More than 20 years after Nigeria Airways collapsed, former staff are still waiting for unpaid severance, raising serious questions about accountability in Nigeria’s aviation sector.
African
Innovation
Hydrogen Aviation OEM Beyond Aero Reaches Key Aircraft Design Milestone
Beyond Aero completes Preliminary Design Review of its hydrogen-electric business jet, advancing certification under EASA CS-25 and FAA Part 25 standards.
Hydrogen Aviation OEM Beyond Aero Reaches Key Aircraft Design Milestone
Beyond Aero completes Preliminary Design Review of its hydrogen-electric business jet, advancing certification under EASA CS-25 and FAA Part 25 standards.
Innovation
SGA and ACSA Sign Sister Airports Cooperation Agreement to Strengthen African Aviation Partnerships
SGA and ACSA sign a Sister Airports Cooperation Agreement to strengthen aviation partnerships, improve connectivity, and support airport development between Angola and South Africa.
Airport
Türkiye to Establish Embassy in Liberia Alongside Turkish Airlines Launch and Roberts International Airport Support
Türkiye to open embassy in Liberia alongside Turkish Airlines launch and support for Roberts International Airport, strengthening bilateral and aviation cooperation.
Commercial & Air Travel
NSIB, SL-AAIIB Formalise MoU on Aircraft Accident Investigation, Data Sharing, and Capacity Building
Nigeria’s NSIB and Sierra Leone’s SL-AAIIB formalise an MoU to enhance aircraft accident investigation, data sharing, and capacity building across West Africa.
Civil Aviation
Tanzania Issues ESIA Tender for Kilimanjaro International Airport Ancillary Expansion
Tanzania has issued an ESIA consultancy tender for the development of ancillary facilities at Kilimanjaro International Airport, supporting infrastructure expansion and regulatory compliance.
African Infrastructure & Projects
Advertisement
BARSA CEO on Aviation Barriers, Open Skies and Investment in Africa
George Mothema, Chief Executive Officer of the Board of Airline Representatives of South Africa (BARSA), discusses the rationale behind Destination Africa and the key challenges affecting aviation investment and connectivity across the continent.
Filmed at the BARSA Summit 2026, the discussion highlights regulatory barriers, licensing delays and implementation gaps that continue to impact airline operations and investment decisions in Africa.
Despite progress through initiatives such as the Yamoussoukro Decision and the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), implementation remains inconsistent, limiting connectivity and growth.
George also addresses the need for open skies policies, improved regulatory efficiency and stronger leadership across governments and industry to unlock trade, passenger movement and broader economic growth.
FAA Publishes Special Conditions for ZeroAvia’s 600kW Electric Engine for Aircraft
The FAA issues special conditions for ZeroAvia’s 600kW electric engine, marking a key step towards certification of hydrogen-electric propulsion systems for aircraft.
Aircraft
Fueling Africa’s Flight: A Techno-Economic Assessment of Sustainable Aviation Fuels in Africa
The World Bank assesses sustainable aviation fuel production potential in Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa, highlighting cost and risk factors shaping SAF in Africa.
Sustainability
South Africa: Appointment of Directors on the Board of Airports Company South Africa
- Mr Irvin Phenyane (Chairperson);
- Ms Eunice Xoliswa Daku (Deputy Chairperson);
- Ms Keitumetse Stella Mahlangu
- Mr Surendra Sooklal
- Mr Kurt Frayne Parker
- Ms Ulandi Exner;
- Mr Patric Roy Mnisi; and
- Mr Theunis Chamberlain
