African Pilot Weekly Magazine 27:2026

In this African Pilot interview from AviaDev, Phillippa speaks with Daté Dovéné Tevi-Bénissan, Commercial Director of ASKY, about the realities shaping African airline growth.

The conversation covers the importance of easier movement between African countries, ASKY’s expanding network from Lomé, the airline’s fleet growth, the need for stronger cooperation between African carriers, and the operational challenges created by blocked funds, hard currency constraints and limited MRO capacity on the continent.

ASKY is currently operating 15 Boeing 737 aircraft across 30 African destinations, with two additional Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft expected to take the fleet to 17. The airline is also working to add Kano to its network and plans to expand by around two destinations per year from next year.

Tevi-Bénissan also discusses ASKY’s phased plan to build in-house MRO capability in Lomé, including technician training through Ethiopian Aviation Academy, with the aim of supporting both ASKY and regional airlines.

Key topics in this interview:

• African visa restrictions and passenger mobility
• ASKY’s fleet and network growth
• Intra-African connectivity and cooperation between airlines
• Blocked funds in African aviation markets
• Hard currency and dollar-denominated operating costs
• The need for more MRO capacity in Africa
• ASKY’s ambition to become a true Pan-African airline
• Future European operations

TAAG Angola Airlines is entering a new phase of growth, with its strategy built around Dr. António Agostinho Neto International Airport, regional expansion, fleet renewal and stronger connectivity between Angola, Africa and the world.

Speaking to African Pilot at AviaDev Gaborone 2026, Joelson Vasconcelos, Chief Commercial Officer at TAAG, discusses the airline’s strategic plan, its ambition to position Angola as a hub reference, and the role of Southern Africa, West Central Africa and long-haul markets in the airline’s network.

The conversation covers TAAG’s presence in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Windhoek, Maputo, Lagos, Abidjan, Accra, Dakar, Cape Verde, Lisbon, São Paulo and Guangzhou, as well as the airline’s approach to route development, sixth-freedom traffic, airport charges and operational discipline.

Vasconcelos also discusses TAAG’s Airbus A220 fleet, Boeing 787 Dreamliner operations and the continued role of the Boeing 777 on cargo-demand routes.

In this African Pilot interview from AviaDev 2026 in Gaborone, Phillippa Dean speaks with Sohail Mahmood, Chief Operating Officer of Africa World Airlines, about the airline’s next phase of growth from its Accra base.

Mahmood discusses Africa World Airlines’ decision to stay with Embraer, the planned introduction of two Embraer E190 aircraft in 2026, and the potential addition of a further eight E190s next year.

The conversation covers West Africa’s underserved aviation market, the need for reliable regional connectivity, growing demand driven by trade and logistics, and the importance of building effective corridor connectivity across the region.

Mahmood also outlines the airline’s route plans, including the expected return of Abidjan, planned services to Freetown and Monrovia, progress on Conakry through the Guinea BASA process, and possible additions, including Banjul and Dakar in early 2027.

Cargo is another key focus. Africa World Airlines is looking to redevelop its cargo department, with the Embraer E190 selected for both passenger capacity and stronger payload capability.