African Pilot Weekly Magazine 20:2026

African Pilot Magazine caught up with Poppy Khoza, Director of Civil Aviation and Chief Executive Officer of the South African Civil Aviation Authority, during the SACAA-hosted National Aviation Conference.

Key themes from the two-day event included sustainable aviation fuel, fuel diversification, mental health in safety-critical aviation roles, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.

Khoza highlighted the importance of South Africa’s ICAO business implementation study into the production and distribution of sustainable aviation fuel, particularly as geopolitical disruption continues to place pressure on fuel supply and cost.

She also stressed that mental health must be treated as part of aviation safety, with professionals able to report concerns without fear of punitive consequences.

South Africa’s latest aviation safety performance was also a major point of pride, with the country improving from 91.23% in 2023 to 95% and ranking seventh globally.

Southern Africa’s airlines are navigating survival, recovery and growth, but several pressures are constraining momentum.

African Pilot Magazine caught up with Aaron Munetsi, Chief Executive Officer of the Airlines Association of Southern Africa, during the South African Civil Aviation Authority’s National Aviation Conference.

Munetsi highlighted three major areas of concern for airlines: geopolitics, fuel security and costs.

He also cautioned that fragmented regulation, policy and administration remain a significant constraint on the sector.

On sustainability, Munetsi argued that SAF is important, but should not be treated as the only solution. Engine efficiency, lighter aircraft, improved ground equipment, digitalised flight procedures and better routing also have a role to play in reducing emissions.

For Africa, the feedstock question is critical. SAF development must not come at the expense of food security, and should prioritise agricultural waste, industrial waste and other responsible feedstock options.

AASA is also advancing work with AFCAC and IATA, including Carbon Connect, a facility that enables airlines to record and report their emissions.