African Pilot Weekly Magazine 31:2025
Airlink and Azorra Finalise Lease of 10 New Embraer E195-E2s
African Airline: Aircraft Leasing
Airlink confirms lease of 10 new Embraer E195-E2 aircraft from Azorra, boosting fleet capacity and regional connectivity across sub-Saharan Africa.
Avincis Marks 10 Years of Operations in Mozambique
Helicopters: Oil & GasAvincis celebrates 10 years of offshore helicopter operations in Mozambique, expanding its Leonardo AW139 fleet and supporting key energy projects like Eni’s Coral South FLNG with over 1,000 flight hours in 2024.
USA: Garmin Certifies Complete Avionics Modernisation Program for Cessna Citation CJ1
Avionics
Garmin secures FAA approval for a complete avionics upgrade for the Cessna Citation CJ1, offering modern cockpit integration and safety features.
Guinea Signs Strategic Aviation Agreement with Gewan Africa
African Airline: NewsGuinea signs MoU with Gewan Africa to relaunch Air Guinée and modernise its aviation sector, including airport upgrades and regional airfield reconstruction.
Ghana Commissions New Aviation Navigation Centre and Border Security Systems
Air Traffic: GhanaGhana inaugurates new Air Navigation Services Complex and launches API/PNR systems, advancing aviation safety and border security standards.
Passenger Growth Slows to 2.6% in June
Association NewsGlobal air travel demand rose by 2.6% in June 2025, according to IATA. Capacity grew 3.4%, with the global load factor at 84.5%. African and Middle Eastern carriers saw marginal declines.
June Air Cargo Demand Up 0.8% Despite Trade Disruptions
Air Cargo & Air FreightGlobal air cargo demand rose 0.8% in June 2025 despite trade tensions, with Asia-Pacific leading growth and North America seeing sharp declines, IATA reports.
FL Technics Becomes Official Channel Partner of Honeywell Aerospace Technologies
Business And General Aviation
FL Technics has been appointed as an official Honeywell Aerospace Technologies channel partner, allowing the company to deliver Honeywell engines and APU products with OEM-certified installation and support for business and general aviation customers worldwide.
From Factory to Flight: Corrosion and ESD Protection for Avionics
Commercial & General Aviation: AvionicsProtect avionics from corrosion and static during storage and transit. Discover Cortec®’s dual-protection VpCI® packaging and supplementary solutions for reliability.
Wet Vs. Dry Aircraft Washing: All You Need to Know About Aircraft Cleaning Types
Commercial Aviation: Aircraft CleaningDiscover the differences between wet and dry aircraft washing, including water usage, efficiency, and environmental considerations. Learn when to use each method and how robotic systems improve aviation cleaning operations.
Paving the Way for a Carbon-Neutral Future in South Africa
Airports: Energy InfrastructureABB Electrification is modernising South Africa’s infrastructure—from airports to water systems—through smart, connected solutions that drive efficiency and sustainability.
Avolon Orders 15 A330neo and 75 A321neo Airbus Aircraft
Aircraft: Leasing & OrdersAvolon has placed an order for 90 Airbus aircraft, including 15 A330neo and 75 A321neo, reinforcing its confidence in the long-term growth of the aviation sector and expanding its partnership with Airbus.
Carbon Emission Responsibility: Is it All Up in the Air?
Commercial & Air Travel: SustainabilityAfrican travellers are rejecting airline green fees. Who should pay for climate costs? A new IATA-Chooose deal reignites the debate on aviation responsibility.
Linhas Aéreas de Moçambique Issues Tender for Short-Term Wet Lease of Five Aircraft
Aircraft LeasingLinhas Aéreas de Moçambique invites bids for the short-term wet lease of five aircraft. Submission deadline: 22 August 2025.
NCAA Suspends ValueJet Pilots Following Safety Breach
African Airline: Safety Breach NigeriaThe Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority has suspended two ValueJet pilots following a serious safety protocol violation at Abuja’s domestic terminal on 5 August 2025.
Destinus Acquires Daedalean to Expand Artificial Intelligence Capabilities in Flight Systems
Future of Flight: AcquisitionDestinus acquires Daedalean for CHF 180 million to integrate cutting-edge artificial intelligence into UAV flight systems, accelerating the development of autonomous solutions for civil and defence aviation markets.
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.
