African Pilot Weekly Magazine 34:2025

The Next Step for SAA: An A330-300 Wet-Lease and the Challenge of Regaining Market Share

African Airline: SAA Aircraft

South African Airways (SAA) has taken a significant step in its recovery and its ambition to rebuild its fleet by wet-leasing a 2016 Airbus A330-300, signalling a commitment to modernise and expand its operational capabilities.

However, aviation analysts caution that lingering struggles with seat configurations and sluggish fleet restoration continue to undermine the airline’s ability to reclaim domestic dominance. We took a look at what is happening in SAA’s world.

The Rise of Pilot Maintenance: The IFALPA Weighs In

IFALPA’s new position paper on pilot maintenance sparks debate in Africa, balancing safety, training and operational realities across the continent.

Second uAvionix FlightStation Installed at Lanseria International Airport in Partnership with National Airways Corporation (NAC)

Airport: Air Traffic Safety

Second uAvionix FlightStation installed at Lanseria Airport with NAC, boosting ADS-B surveillance for safer, smarter air traffic monitoring in South Africa.

Narrow-Body Aircraft Leading the Way Toward Greater Energy Efficiency in the Air Cargo Industry

Magma Aviation highlights how new-generation narrow-body freighters, such as the Boeing 737-800 and Airbus A321-200, improve fuel efficiency, reduce emissions, and boost regional cargo operations.

Launch of Discover Airlines Hailed as Another Milestone for Seychelles

Discover Airlines joins Seychelles in 2025, boosting air connectivity, tourism growth, and direct links with Germany through Lufthansa Group.

Explaining ACMI Through the Tuxedo Analogy

ACMI leasing, often described as an “airline in a box,” offers airlines flexibility without asset risk. This analogy explains ownership, dry lease, and wet lease models.

Africa’s Runways: Can Tech Stop the Silent Threat of Overruns?

Runway overruns remain a major safety risk in African aviation. IFALPA calls for Runway Overrun Awareness and Alerting Systems (ROAAS) to reduce accidents and costs.

RwandAir Strengthens Operations With Added Aircraft

African Airline: Aircraft

RwandAir boosts operations with two new Boeing 737-800s and returning aircraft, reducing delays and enhancing reliability ahead of an Airbus A330-200 delivery.

Ethiopian Airlines Inaugurates its New Airport Project in Yabello Alongside a New Passenger Service to the Airport

Ethiopian Airlines has opened the new Yabello Airport in Oromia, Ethiopia, with a passenger service to boost trade, tourism, and regional connectivity.

Gabon Civil Aviation Agency Appoints New Directors

Gabon’s Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) has appointed new directors as part of statutory reforms, including a new Air Transport Directorate to strengthen aviation oversight.

Turkish Airlines Completes a Landmark Deal for its Airbus A350 Financing with DIB

Turkish Airlines completes its first Airbus A350 financing in Swiss francs via an Islamic finance lease with Dubai Islamic Bank, marking a strategic milestone.

International: OFIL Airborne and Nova Maps Team Up to Bring Wildfire Mapping to Utility Helicopters

OFIL Airborne and Nova Maps join forces to bring advanced wildfire mapping to utility helicopters, boosting efficiency and real-time aerial firefighting data.

Beyond Runways and Terminals

Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) highlights its customer-centric strategy, digital transformation, and service excellence, driving global recognition across its airports.

Europe’s New Era of Weather Forecasting Begins with Successful Launch of MetOp-SG A1

Europe launches MetOp-SG A1, a next-gen satellite delivering unprecedented accuracy in weather forecasting and atmospheric monitoring into the 2040s.

Say Again: Embry-Riddle Researchers Develop AI System to Decode Aviation Speak

Embry-Riddle researchers create an AI system to transcribe and standardise pilot-controller radio communications, reducing errors and improving aviation safety.

Embraer Achieves Major Milestone With 2,000th Business Jet Delivery

Embraer delivers its 2,000th business jet, a Praetor 500, marking a major milestone and reinforcing its leadership in midsize and super-midsize aviation.

Gulfstream Delivers First G800

Gulfstream delivers its first G800, the world’s longest-range business jet, certified by FAA and EASA, with luxury design and advanced performance.

Air Mauritius Posts First Quarter Profits Of MUR 252.7 Million (EUR 4.9 Million) For Financial Year 2025/2026

Air Mauritius posts MUR 252.7m profit in Q1 2025/26, its best in nine years, driven by rising passenger revenue despite fleet challenges.

SANDF Clarifies Status Of Oryx Helicopters

SANDF confirms its Oryx helicopters in the DRC are operational and maintained, dismissing claims of abandonment as misleading.

Tackling the “Big Five”: Addressing the Border Challenges You Keep Hearing About

Border agencies face five major challenges. Digital solutions offer faster, safer, and smarter border management for governments and travellers.

Power Bank Policy on Air Mauritius Flights

Air Mauritius updates its power bank policy, restricting use and storage on flights from 1 September 2025 to ensure passenger safety.

Rotortrade Launches Market Analysis For Africa 2024–2025

Rotortrade’s Africa 2024–2025 market analysis highlights growth in Nigeria, South Africa and Kenya, with rising demand for pre-owned helicopters.