African Pilot Weekly Magazine 30:2025
Turning Practice into Action: How Spot Landings and Rally Flying Prepared Tarryn Myburgh for an In-Flight Emergency
General Aviation & Lifestyle: Safety
Pilot Tarryn Myburgh shares how rally flying and spot landings equipped her to handle an engine failure mid-flight. Safety is built through practice.
A Decade of AfDB Aviation Investment: Independent Review Highlights Lessons and Priorities
African Infrastructure & Projects: Lessons LearnedAfDB’s IDEV 2024 Report reviews a decade of aviation investment, highlighting performance gaps, sustainability risks, and strategic recommendations for future airport infrastructure across Africa.
ORTIA Air Traffic Control System Failure Sparks Major Flight Disruptions
Civil Aviation: Air Traffic
A critical ATC system failure at O.R. Tambo International Airport causes major flight delays, echoing recent UK radar disruptions.
Sasol Commits to Next Generation Catalyst Supply for e-SAF Pioneer INERATEC
Commercial Aviation: FuelSasol and INERATEC sign agreement to supply next generation catalyst, set to boost e-kerosene yield by 15% and exceed PtL plant capacity by 2026.
Global Summit in Durban to Accelerate Development of Aviation Workforce
Training & Skills DevelopmentThe ICAO and South African Civil Aviation Authority will host the 3rd NGAP Global Summit 2025 in Durban, uniting governments, industry leaders, educators, and youth to address the global aviation workforce shortage and shape the future of aviation talent development.
AFCAC to Host High-Level Strategic Meeting with African Aviation Leaders during Aviation Africa 2025 in Kigali
Event NewsAFCAC will host a High-Level Briefing with African aviation leaders during Aviation Africa 2025 to align policy, strategy and leadership on key continental priorities.
CILTSA ESG Conference Drives Industry-wide Transformation
Association News: CILTSACILTSA’s ESG Conference unites industry leaders to address sustainability challenges and drive impact across South Africa’s transport and logistics sectors.
Safran Chooses France for New Carbon Brake Production Facility
International: ManufacturingSafran announces new €450 million carbon brake facility in France, set to open in 2030 to support growing global demand and sustainability targets.
Kenya Airways And Air Tanzania Sign Strategic MoU To Enhance Regional Cooperation
African Airline
Kenya Airways and Air Tanzania have signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen regional cooperation, enhance connectivity, and drive sustainable growth in Africa’s aviation sector.
Morocco Signs 38 Billion Dirham Airport Investment Agreement with ONDA to Boost Capacity and Infrastructure Ahead of 2030
African Infrastructure & Projects: AirportsMorocco signs 38 billion dirham MoU with ONDA to expand airport capacity, develop Casablanca hub, and modernise infrastructure by 2030.
Ethiopian Airlines Group Unveils a Global Standard Airport in Wollo Kombolcha
African Airline: Airport InfrastructureEthiopian Airlines opens a new airport in Wollo Kombolcha, boosting domestic connectivity, industrial access, and regional economic development.
Qatar Airways Increases African Frequencies in New Winter Schedule
Commercial & Air TravelQatar Airways increases its Africa network to 35 weekly flights this winter, with more services to Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Casablanca via Doha.
SalamAir Welcomes New Airbus A321neo to Expand its Operations
International: Airline & AircraftSalamAir welcomes the Airbus A321neo “Muttrah” to its fleet, enhancing sustainability, comfort, and route flexibility with cutting-edge technology.
FLYGABON Receives First ATR 42-600, Becomes Africa’s Youngest Fleet
African Airline: AircraftFLYGABON has taken delivery of its first ATR 42-600, completing its fleet modernisation and confirming a second aircraft for 2026 delivery.
Joby Collaborates With L3Harris to Pursue Defence Applications for Autonomous Hybrid VTOL Aircraft
International: VTOLJoby Aviation and L3Harris team up to develop a gas turbine hybrid VTOL for defence, offering autonomous and crewed capabilities. Flight testing begins in autumn 2025.
Horizon Aircraft and ZeroAvia Announce Plans to Explore Hydrogen eVTOL Propulsion
International: eVTOLHorizon Aircraft and ZeroAvia will explore integrating hydrogen-electric propulsion into the Cavorite X7 eVTOL, aiming to enable zero-emission regional air mobility.
Boeing-Built X-37B Spaceplane Set for Eighth Mission
Future Flight: AerospaceBoeing’s X-37B prepares for its eighth launch with new tech, including laser comms and a quantum sensor, enhancing future U.S. space capabilities.
Kenya Airways Appoints PS Teresia Mbaika, CBS, as Non-Executive Director
African Airlines: LeadershipKenya Airways appoints PS Teresia Mbaika, CBS, as a non-executive director, representing the Ministry of Roads and Transport, effective 18 July 2025.
IATA Outlines Priorities to Strengthen Aviation’s Contribution to African Growth
African AirlinesIATA calls on African states to boost aviation’s role in economic growth by improving safety, reducing costs, unblocking airline funds, and supporting CORSIA.
Mauritania and Turkey Sign Civil Aviation Cooperation Agreement
Civil Aviation: International CooperationMauritania and Turkey sign an MoU to enhance civil aviation through training, technical assistance, and strategic collaboration.
SACAA Issues Tender to Review and Restructure Organisational Design
African Civil Aviation Authority - TenderSACAA invites bids to review and redesign its organisational structure. Deadline: 12 August 2025 at 11h00. Tender reference: SACAA/OSR/00007/2025–2026.
ACSA Issues Tender for Maintenance of Aircraft Docking Systems at OR Tambo
African Airports - TenderACSA invites bids for a two-year maintenance contract for Visual Docking Guidance Systems at OR Tambo International Airport. Closes 21 August 2025.
SAA Launches Direct Cape Town–Mauritius Route
African AirlineSouth African Airways to begin direct Cape Town–Mauritius flights on 9 December 2025, boosting tourism and offering travellers flexible weekly options.
The Children’s Flight 2025: A Decade of Inspiration
General Aviation & LifestyleOn 25 July 2025, the 10th edition of The Children’s Flight, organised by Felix Gosher, took place at Wonderboom Airport. Guided by the powerful motto “Fly, Feed, Love, Inspire”, the event brought together an exceptional network of generosity, community spirit and aviation commitment.
This year’s event featured 111 aircraft, comprising both fixed-wing and rotary-wing types, flying continuous circuits to give 1,000 children their very first experience of flight. The children came from registered charities, including orphanages and organisations supporting youngsters with disabilities or life-threatening conditions.
With backing from 175 sponsors covering costs such as fuel, meals, tents, sanitation and transport, the day ran with remarkable precision. Volunteers, pilots, aviation companies and brands of all sizes gave their time and resources freely, demonstrating a shared belief in the value of giving back.
While African Pilot magazine has supported this initiative in the past, this was the first time under the new ownership and editorial team. We were proud to witness this remarkable event and look forward to seeing the joy and inspiration it brings again in 2026.
Patrick Gonzenbach on Keeping Planes in the Air and the Imminent Arrival of RwandAir’s Fourth Airbus A330
African AirlineRwandAir’s Director of Flight Operations, Patrick Gonzenbach, discusses operational leadership, pilot retention, and the arrival of the airline’s fourth Airbus A330.
