African Pilot Weekly Magazine 33:2026
General Aviation & Lifestyle
The Aviation Network Behind Africa’s Safari Industry
From Maun’s high-frequency light-aircraft traffic to lodge shuttles in Kenya, Namibia and South Africa, Africa’s remote-tourism aviation network combines scheduled services, shared flights, private charters, freight and aviation support across demanding operating environments.
The Aviation Network Behind Africa’s Safari Industry
From Maun’s high-frequency light-aircraft traffic to lodge shuttles in Kenya, Namibia and South Africa, Africa’s remote-tourism aviation network combines scheduled services, shared flights, private charters, freight and aviation support across demanding operating environments.
General Aviation & Lifestyle
Cabo Verde Government Discusses Potential TACV Partnership With Moov
Cabo Verde’s Prime Minister Francisco Carvalho and Minister of Transport and the Sea João do Carmo met representatives of the Swiss company Moov on 11 August 2026 after the company expressed interest in TACV – Cabo Verde Airlines. Moov presented a phased approach with the…
African Airline
Ibom Air Takes Delivery of Third Airbus A220-300
Ibom Air has taken delivery of its third Airbus A220-300, registered 5N-CDC, bringing its fleet to 10 aircraft and advancing its fleet modernisation programme.
Fleet Expansion
STEM School Accelerates Aviation Career Opportunities for Ethiopian Youth
Ethiopian Airlines and Boeing have concluded the fourth edition of their six-week STEM School at Ethiopian Aviation University, with 28 Grade 11 students receiving more than 300 hours of aviation, engineering and digital- skills training.
Aerospace,
Kenya Airways Revenue Rises 9% as Fuel Costs Push Half-Year Loss to KShs 16.1 Billion
Kenya Airways grew first-half 2026 revenue 9% to KShs 81 billion despite 9% less capacity, but fuel costs rose 32% and the loss after tax widened to KShs 16.1 billion.
Kenya Airways Revenue Rises 9% as Fuel Costs Push Half-Year Loss to KShs 16.1 Billion
Kenya Airways grew first-half 2026 revenue 9% to KShs 81 billion despite 9% less capacity, but fuel costs rose 32% and the loss after tax widened to KShs 16.1 billion.
African
NCAA Signs MoU on Advanced Cargo Information Implementation in Nigeria
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority has signed an MoU with Firstway FZE and Global Software & Digital Solution to implement the PLACI air cargo security framework, initially focusing on inbound cargo.
Air Cargo Security
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Familiar Risks Still Require Careful Decisions
SACAA occurrence data and two recent investigations show how performance limitations, weather, fading daylight and planning decisions can progressively reduce the safety margin available to general aviation pilots.
Safety & Regulatory News
Sling Aircraft AMO Becomes a Rotax Approved Repair Centre
Sling Aircraft’s SACAA-approved AMO at Tedderfield Airpark has become a Rotax Approved Repair Centre, expanding maintenance, repair and heavy-maintenance support for Rotax-powered aircraft in South Africa.
Aircraft Engines
New Framework for 12-Year Engine Rule
South Africa has finalised a Condition Monitoring Programme allowing eligible privately operated Part 91 aircraft to continue operating piston engines beyond applicable time or calendar TBO limits, subject to documented engine condition and appropriately rated AMO oversight.
Safety & Regulatory News
After Eight Years as President and CEO, Ron Draper Announces Retirement; Brian Rohloff to Lead Textron Aviation Forward
Ron Draper will retire as president and CEO of Textron Aviation, with Brian Rohloff appointed to the role from 31 August 2026. Draper will remain as senior adviser through year-end.
General Aviation & Lifestyle
Training and Skills Development
Flight Training in South Africa: Planning Beyond the 45-Hour Minimum
A realistic PPL budget needs to cover more than the next flight. Part Three of African Pilot’s student pilot series looks at training continuity, quotation exclusions, ground-based costs, equipment, upfront payments and planning beyond the regulatory minimum.
Flight Training in South Africa: Planning Beyond the 45-Hour Minimum
A realistic PPL budget needs to cover more than the next flight. Part Three of African Pilot’s student pilot series looks at training continuity, quotation exclusions, ground-based costs, equipment, upfront payments and planning beyond the regulatory minimum.
Training and Skills Development
Etihad Airways Schedules Daily Abu Dhabi to Lagos Service for 18 March 2027
Route Expansion
Etihad Airways is scheduled to resume daily Abu Dhabi to Lagos services on 18 March 2027, confirmed during meetings in Abu Dhabi between Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, and the airline’s leadership. The engagements also covered aviation investment, technical cooperation, training,…
Congo Advances Air Transport Plans as US Talks Resume and Air France Prepares Network Changes
Air Connectivity
The Republic of the Congo is reviving air transport talks with the United States, assessing airport requirements linked to Air France fleet changes and reviewing the economics of domestic air services to Impfondo.
ANAC Gabon Inspects Air Navigation Safety Services at Franceville Airport
Regulatory and Safety
ANAC Gabon inspected air navigation safety services at Franceville’s El Hadj Omar Bongo International Airport on 10 and 11 August 2026, as part of its 2026 Continuous Surveillance Programme.
CCAA Commissions Upgraded Control Tower Equipment at Maroua-Salak and Ngaoundéré
The Cameroon Civil Aviation Authority has completed technical acceptance and final commissioning of new control tower and technical block equipment at Maroua-Salak and Ngaoundéré airports, in works valued at 152.4 million CFA francs. The towers now operate next-generation VHF/HF radios and a digital recording system…
African Infrastructure & Projects
Heart Aerospace Completes First Flight of World’s Largest Electric Aircraft
Heart Aerospace’s battery-electric X1 demonstrator completed a 27-minute first flight in New York, supporting development of the company’s planned 30-seat ES-30 hybrid-electric regional airliner.
Electric Aircraft
Namibia Airports Company Seeks Aviation Fuel Operator for Three Airports
Business Opportunity
Namibia Airports Company is seeking a Namibian-owned operator to supply Jet A-1 and Avgas and provide aircraft refuelling at Walvis Bay International Airport, Lüderitz Airport and Katima Mulilo Airport. The procurement is structured as a ten-year concession with provision for a further five-year renewal period.
Air France to Resume Seasonal Cape Town–Paris Service from 22 September 2026
Air France will resume its seasonal direct service between Cape Town International Airport and Paris-Charles de Gaulle from 22 September 2026 to 27 March 2027, operated throughout by an Airbus A350-900. The route starts on three weekly flights and increases to five a week from…
Route Expansion
TAAG Angola Airlines Appoints AVIAREPS as General Sales Agent for Europe
TAAG Angola Airlines has appointed AVIAREPS as its General Sales Agent for Europe with effect from 1 September 2026, giving the Germany-based representation company responsibility for the airline’s commercial representation, reservations, ticketing and sales monitoring across the European market.
African Airline
TAAG Reports Fleet, Network and Financial Progress Under Transformation Programme
TAAG Angola Airlines has reported progress across fleet availability, African network expansion, cost control and operating cash generation as part of its ongoing transformation programme, including the return to service of five aircraft and the authorisation of three new African routes.
African Airline
SolitAir Expands African Network with New Routes to Nigeria and Somaliland
SolitAir has added Port Harcourt in Nigeria and Hargeisa in Somaliland to its African network, taking the UAE cargo carrier to 20 African destinations across 16 countries and giving it a first direct presence in both markets. The routes are flown by Boeing 737-800BCF freighters…
Air Cargo & Air Freight
AFRAA Admits Global Airtech as Aviation Component Partner
The African Airlines Association has admitted Global Airtech International as a Partner under its Partnership Programme, linking the component-support specialist with more than 40 African member airlines.
MRO & Partnerships
African Carriers Record 5.2% Passenger Demand Growth in July
Commercial & Air Travel
African carriers recorded 5.2% year-on-year growth in passenger demand in July 2026, while capacity increased by 7.3%, reducing the passenger load factor to 75.1%. International demand rose by 6.4%, the second-fastest growth rate among the regions tracked by IATA.
Ibom Air Rejects Claims It Controls Airline Access to Uyo Airport
African Airline
Ibom Air has issued a statement rejecting public commentary that it exercises a monopoly over operations at Victor Attah International Airport in Uyo, stating that it holds no authority to prevent another airline from operating there and that responsibility for regulating civil aviation in Nigeria…
KAAO, AFRAA and KTF Raise Safety Concerns over Kenya Air Traffic Services Industrial Action
Air Traffic Services
The Kenya Association of Air Operators, the African Airlines Association and the Kenya Tourism Federation have issued a joint statement on the Kenya Aviation Workers Union industrial action affecting air traffic services, which began on 30 August 2026 and has produced delays, cancellations, diversions and…
Namibia Rejects Claims Linking Jet A-1 Shortage to Government Fuel Arrangement
Aviation Fuel
Namibia’s Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy says the current Jet A-1 supply disruption stems from a quarantined replacement consignment and is separate from the Government-directed petrol and diesel supply arrangement.
