African Pilot Weekly Magazine 22:2026

On the sidelines of the 14th Aviation Stakeholders Convention, hosted by AFRAA and South African Airways, African Pilot Magazine spoke to Maureen Kahonge, Director Commercial & Communications at AFRAA.

Maureen shares her reflections on the key discussions from the Convention, including fleet acquisition, aircraft financing, profitability, intra-African connectivity, market access, airline collaboration, cargo, safety and youth development.

The conversation looks at why collaboration is now an imperative for African airlines, why intra-African connectivity remains too slow, and how African carriers can work together more effectively through partnerships, alliances, joint projects and practical cost-saving initiatives.

She also discusses air cargo as an economic catalyst, the need for improved airport infrastructure, the role of modern retailing and AFRAA’s ongoing work around safety, training and future aviation careers.

Maureen also shares what comes next for AFRAA, including the AFRAA Assembly in Libreville, the MRO conference in Cairo, and more.

Watch the full interview for a clear look at the issues, opportunities and action points shaping African aviation.

A growing population, an expanding middle class, increasing urbanisation, tourism potential, and intra-African trade opportunities all point to one central issue: connectivity. For Matshela Seshibe, Acting Group Chief Executive Officer of South African Airways, aviation sits at the centre of that opportunity.

Speaking to African Pilot Magazine on the sidelines of the 14th Aviation Stakeholders Convention, hosted by the African Airlines Association and South African Airways, Seshibe reflects on his first 30 days in the role, the priorities facing SAA, and the work required to strengthen the airline’s operational, financial and organisational performance.

Seshibe notes the current disruption in the aviation market, including pressure from jet fuel costs, the impact on airline planning, and the measures being taken by SAA to protect cash-positive operations.

Looking ahead, Seshibe outlines what he wants to see within his first 100 days, including the restatement of strategy, alignment across the organisation, implementation of the corporate plan, stronger accountability structures, effective steering and loss-control committees, and the continued maintenance and improvement of SAA’s safety record.

Watch the full interview for insight into South African Airways’ current priorities, the pressures facing African airlines, and the role of connectivity, skills, safety and operational discipline in shaping the future of aviation on the continent.

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.

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.