African Pilot Weekly Magazine 37:2026
Route Launch
Air Algérie Launches Weekly Berlin–Algiers Service
Air Algérie has commenced weekly scheduled passenger flights between Berlin Brandenburg Airport and Algiers, restoring a direct connection between the German capital region and Algeria for the first time since 2014. The airline operates the route using Boeing 737 aircraft, with services scheduled to move from Mondays to Sundays from 1 November 2026.
Air Algérie Launches Weekly Berlin–Algiers Service
Air Algérie has commenced weekly scheduled passenger flights between Berlin Brandenburg Airport and Algiers, restoring a direct connection between the German capital region and Algeria for the first time since 2014. The airline operates the route using Boeing 737 aircraft, with services scheduled to move…
Route Launch
South Africa Marks 20 Years of Aerospace Industry Support Initiative at AAD 2026
South Africa’s Aerospace Industry Support Initiative has supported 142 small and medium enterprises and enabled 148 new technologies and products over the past decade, Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau said at the programme’s 20th anniversary event at AAD 2026.
Aerospace Industry
L3Harris Advances Royal Moroccan Air Force C-130 Modernisation Programme
L3Harris has completed inspections on the first Royal Moroccan Air Force C-130 undergoing modernisation at its Waco, Texas, facility. Awarded in July 2025, the multi-year programme covers several aircraft and includes maintenance, repairs and avionics upgrades, with two further aircraft scheduled for induction during 2026.
Defence Fleet
Naval Defence
EDGE Delivers HT-100 NAVAL to Angola Following Successful Trials
EDGE Group has delivered six ANAVIA HT-100 NAVAL unmanned helicopters to the Angolan Navy following successful Factory Acceptance Trials in Switzerland. The systems will be integrated onto three BR71 MK II corvettes under Angola’s EUR 1 billion naval programme, with onboard integration and sea trials still to be completed.
EDGE Delivers HT-100 NAVAL to Angola Following Successful Trials
EDGE Group has delivered six ANAVIA HT-100 NAVAL unmanned helicopters to the Angolan Navy following successful Factory Acceptance Trials in Switzerland. The systems will be integrated onto three BR71 MK II corvettes under Angola’s EUR 1 billion naval programme, with onboard integration and sea trials…
Naval Defence
Air Madagascar Reopens Analakely Sales Office as Recovery Plan Progresses
Airline Recovery
Air Madagascar has reopened its Analakely sales office in Antananarivo as part of its approved recovery plan. The airline is preparing to complete its transition to the Air Madagascar brand by 31 October 2026, while progressing with operational improvements, fleet development and the gradual restoration…
MTU Maintenance Signs First LEAP-1A Contracts in North Africa
MTU Maintenance has signed its first LEAP-1A maintenance contracts in North Africa, covering 42 engines powering 19 Airbus A320neo aircraft operated by Air Cairo. The agreements establish a maintenance support arrangement involving MTU Maintenance Hannover in Germany and MTU Maintenance Zhuhai in China, extending MTU’s…
Engine MRO
K9 Unit Flown by Emirates SkyCargo to Zimbabwe Begins Frontline Operations
Emirates SkyCargo-transported conservation dogs Vega and Kuda have begun integration training with rangers at Zimbabwe’s Matusadona National Park.
Air Freight & Air Cargo
Entebbe Handles 169,706 International Passengers in August
Entebbe International Airport handled 169,706 international passengers in August 2026, up 13,364 on July but 69,623 below August 2025, with cargo at 4,693 tonnes.
Airport Traffic
Future Flight
Textron Aviation and Merlin Introduce Cessna SkyCourier UX Concept Aircraft
Textron Aviation and Merlin have introduced the Cessna SkyCourier UX concept, combining the twin-engine turboprop aircraft with Merlin Pilot autonomous flight technology. The proposed aircraft is being evaluated for military cargo and resupply operations, with design objectives including autonomous take-off and landing, a payload of approximately 6,000 pounds and operations from austere runways.
Ethiopian Cargo Selects CargoAi for Digital Booking
Ethiopian Cargo & Logistics Services has partnered with CargoAi to expand its digital booking capabilities, providing more than 30,000 freight forwarders with real-time access to cargo capacity, pricing and eBooking services. The integration will enable bookings through CargoAi’s marketplace and connected Transport Management Systems, alongside…
Digital Cargo
Ethiopian Airlines to Expand Its Presence in Mozambique with a New Passenger Service to Nacala
Route Expansion
Ethiopian Airlines plans to introduce a three-times-weekly passenger service to Nacala, Mozambique, from 27 October 2026, operating via Beira using Boeing 737-800 aircraft. Nacala will become the airline’s third destination in Mozambique, joining Maputo and Beira, and providing connections to its international network through Addis…
SAA Welcomes Special Tribunal Ruling on R85 Million Aircraft Lease Matter
Tribunal Ruling
South African Airways has welcomed a Special Tribunal ruling setting aside the 2019 extension of its dry-lease agreement with Flyfofa Airways for a Boeing 737-300 freighter, valued at approximately R85 million.
Ethiopian Airlines to Commence Scheduled Passenger Flights to Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Route Expansion
Ethiopian Airlines will commence scheduled passenger flights to Port Harcourt, Nigeria, on 1 December 2026, operating four times weekly using Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft. Port Harcourt will become the airline’s fifth destination in Nigeria, providing additional connections to its international network through Addis Ababa.
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Hybrid-Electric Propulsion
Rolls-Royce Selected to Lead EU Hybrid-Electric Propulsion Demonstration Project
Rolls-Royce has been selected to lead the ELEVATED project under the European Union’s Clean Aviation programme, which aims to demonstrate a hybrid-electric gas-turbine propulsion system for future short- and medium-range aircraft. The project will investigate the integration of hybrid-electric technology into an existing engine and assess its potential application to the UltraFan 30 technology demonstrator.
Rolls-Royce Selected to Lead EU Hybrid-Electric Propulsion Demonstration Project
Rolls-Royce has been selected to lead the ELEVATED project under the European Union’s Clean Aviation programme, which aims to demonstrate a hybrid-electric gas-turbine propulsion system for future short- and medium-range aircraft. The project will investigate the integration of hybrid-electric technology into an existing engine and…
Hybrid-Electric Propulsion
FAA AD 2026-17-10 Addresses Certain Lycoming Piston Pins
FAA AD 2026-17-10 requires action on certain Lycoming piston pins, with Absolute Aircraft Parts confirming that affected components reached South African aircraft.
Airworthiness Directive
DHL Invests in Greater Middle East-Africa Connectivity with New Aviation Lane
DHL Express has launched a new weekly Boeing 767 freighter service between Bahrain and Johannesburg, establishing its first direct DHL flight between Bahrain and South Africa. The service increases inbound and outbound cargo capacity through DHL’s Johannesburg Hub, strengthening connectivity between sub-Saharan Africa, the Gulf…
Cargo Network Expansion
Air Mauritius ATR 72-600 Lands at Réunion After Engine Issue on MK208
An Air Mauritius ATR 72-600 operating MK208 landed normally at Roland Garros Airport in Réunion on 14 September 2026 after a technical issue affected one engine, with 34 passengers and four crew disembarking safely.
Flight Incident
Emirates Puts A350s on Nairobi and Mauritius and Adds Second Daily Accra Service
Emirates will deploy the A350 to Nairobi from late October and Mauritius from November and adds a second daily Accra service, with African load factors above 75% over the summer.
Route Expansion
ERP Plans Two-Cessna 182 Air Wing for Conservation Work in Namibia
ERP is fundraising to acquire two pre-owned Cessna 182s for conservation patrols, wildlife monitoring and transport across three remote reserves in Namibia.
General Aviation & Lifestyle
Patrick Davidson Wins 2026 AIR RACE X Finale and Retains Championship
Gqeberha pilot Patrick Davidson won the 2026 AIR RACE X finale to retain the championship, securing a second consecutive title for South Africa.
Air Racing
Tropic Air Charters Takes Delivery of Its First Tecnam P2012 Traveller Following Factory Acceptance in Capua, Italy
Tropic Air Charters has taken delivery of its first Tecnam P2012 Traveller, beginning a two-aircraft fleet renewal for charter operations between South Florida and the Bahamas.
General Aviation
