African Pilot Weekly Magazine 39:2025
Airlink Consummates Embraer E195-E2 Acquisitions
Commercial & Air Travel: Airlink
Airlink, Southern Africa’s premium airline, has concluded its lease agreement with Azorra with the formal acceptance of the first three of ten new Embraer E195-E2 jetliners.
The lease agreement, which was finalised in August, sees Azorra, the Fort Lauderdale-based lease, finance and asset management firm, providing the newly-built aircraft to the Johannesburg-headquartered airline and bolstering its current all-Embraer fleet.
Gulfstream Introduces the All-New Gulfstream G300
Aircraft: Gulfstream G300Gulfstream introduces the G300, replacing the G280 with enhanced safety, technology, and comfort. The super-midsize jet features 3,600 nm range and advanced avionics.
Pilatus Hands Over the First PC-12 PRO
Aircraft: Pilatus PC-12 PRO
Pilatus hands over the first PC-12 PRO, featuring the Garmin G3000 Prime cockpit, Safety Autoland, and PT6 engine. The aircraft sets new standards in safety and innovation.
Liberia and Egypt Explore New Aviation Cooperation
Civil Aviation Authority: Liberia & EgyptAt the ICAO Assembly in Montreal, the Liberia Civil Aviation Authority met with Egypt’s aviation leaders to discuss the possibility of EgyptAir launching direct flights to Liberia.
Liberia Civil Aviation Authority Restores Voting Rights and Secures Strategic Partnerships at the 42nd ICAO Assembly
Civil Aviation Authority: LiberiaThe Liberia Civil Aviation Authority restored its voting rights at the 42nd ICAO Assembly in Montreal and secured new aviation partnerships to strengthen safety oversight and training.
Minister Creecy Welcomes South Africa’s Re-Election to Aviation’s Global Body, ICAO Governing Council
Civil Aviation: South Africa & ICAOSouth Africa has been re-elected to the ICAO Governing Council at the 42nd Assembly in Montréal. Minister Creecy highlights Africa’s aviation priorities.
Connecting Africa Report: Embraer’s Theo Wensink on Route Development, Demand Growth, and Rightsizing
In this exclusive interview, recorded at the African Aviation Summit in Kigali, Embraer’s Theo Wensink, Head of Airline Marketing – MEA, joins African Pilot Editor Phillippa Dean to discuss the recently published Connecting Africa Report: Unlocking Africa’s Intra-Regional Connectivity Potential, which he authored. The conversation provides data-driven insights into untapped route potential, demand stimulation curves, hub development strategies, and the increasing importance of rightsizing aircraft to enhance profitability across the African aviation sector.
Theo explains that through the analysis of ten years of route development data, 45 potentially viable new point-to-point routes were identified across the continent. He also outlines why smaller narrow-body aircraft, such as those in the E-Jet family, are better suited to Africa’s evolving needs. The discussion further touches on expected fleet growth, the role of both new and pre-owned aircraft, and Africa’s forecast 4 to 5 percent passenger growth rate, driven by population dynamics and emerging middle-class travel demand.
If you missed the report, you can get it here:
Africa’s Place in a Rebounding Global Aviation Industry
Commercial & Air Travel
The aviation sector has officially shaken off the lingering shadows of the pandemic. Data released by Airports Council International (ACI) confirms that global passenger traffic surpassed pre-pandemic levels in 2024, with 9.4 billion travellers recorded worldwide — a 2.7 per cent increase from 2019.
Air Cargo Resilience Continues: August Demand Up 4.1%
Air Cargo & Air Freight
IATA highlights strong Africa–Asia trade lane performance.
Passenger Demand Grows 4.6% in August
Commercial & Air Travel: August StatsPassenger demand grew 4.6% in August 2025, with African airlines seeing 7.1% growth. IATA reports record global load factors and rising travel demand.
RwandAir Announces New Zanzibar–Mombasa Route Just in Time for December Holiday Travel
African Airline: RwandAirRwandAir introduces a new Zanzibar–Mombasa route from 1 December 2025, boosting East African connectivity and holiday travel options with four weekly flights.
Why EASA’s Task-to-Tool Model is Changing Pilot Training
Pilot: SimulatorsEASA’s task-to-tool model shifts pilot training from simulator level to training task, enabling smarter, cost-effective use of devices without compromising safety.
ELITE Simulation Solutions Delivers South African CAA-Certified S923 FNPT II MCC to Cape Town Flight Training Centre
Pilot: Flight SimulationElite Simulation Solutions delivers and secures SACAA certification for the ELITE S923 FNPT II MCC at CTFTC, boosting MCC and IFR training with advanced simulation technology.
New Cloud Platform Transforms Global Air Traffic Communication
Civil Aviation: Air Traffic ControlSITA launches ATC Bridge, a secure cloud platform modernising global air traffic communication, cutting costs and boosting resilience for aviation authorities.
CAASA and AfBAA Reaffirm Partnership with Updated MoU at African Aviation Summit
Association News: CAASA & AFBAACAASA and AfBAA reaffirm their partnership with a renewed MoU at the African Aviation Summit in Kigali, focusing on safety, advocacy and stronger regional engagement.
AFRAA: Addressing Safety, Taxes & Connectivity for Africa’s Airlines
Association News: AFRAAJoin Phillippa Dean, Editor of African Pilot Magazine, as she speaks with African Airlines Association (AFRAA) – Secretary General Abderahmane Berthé and Maureen Kahonge, Senior Manager Business Development & Communications, during the recent Aviation Africa 2025 Summit held in Kigali.
The discussion covers AFRAA’s five strategic objectives for Africa’s airlines, from safety and security to financial sustainability and improved connectivity, and examines challenges such as high taxes, blocked funds, expensive fuel, and the need for infrastructure investment. We also highlight AFRAA’s advocacy work, collaborations with ICAO, IATA and regional bodies, and plans for the General Assembly in Luanda 2025, and the first AFRAA MRO Africa event in 2026.
The future of African aviation, regional integration and the growth of air transport across the continent make this a must-watch conversation.
Draft Airfreight Strategy for South Africa – Comments Invited
Air Cargo & Air FreightThe Department of Transport has published South Africa’s Draft Airfreight Strategy under the Civil Aviation Act. Public comments are invited by 26 October 2025.
SA’s DOT Notice on the Validity of Expired Licence Cards as Identification at Airports
South Africa’s Department of Transport issues Notice 3530 of 2025, confirming that expired licence cards with proof of renewal are valid for airport ID, following a backlog of 700,000 cards.
IATA and Industry Partners Urge Governments to Expedite Release of CORSIA-Eligible Emissions Units
SustainabilityIATA and aviation partners urge governments to issue Letters of Authorisation for CORSIA carbon credits, unlocking climate finance and supporting global decarbonisation.
Africa Secures Resounding Mandate on ICAO Council, Winning Nearly One-Fourth of Global Seats, Driven by Unified Technical Agenda
African Aviation IndustryAfrica secures 8 of 36 ICAO Council seats at the 42nd Assembly, reinforcing global trust in its aviation leadership and advancing SAATM, safety, security, and sustainability.
€945 Million in Total Research Effort for 12 New Clean Aviation Projects
Sustainability: Clean AviationEU launches €945m in Clean Aviation projects to cut emissions by 30% by 2035, advancing hybrid-electric propulsion and sustainable flight.
Behind the Scenes: Emirates’ First Retrofitted Boeing 777 in Africa
Air Traffic and Navigation ServicesStep inside Emirates’ first retrofitted Boeing 777 in Africa. See the debut of Premium Economy in South Africa, refreshed Business and First Class cabins, and a fully upgraded interior.
Empowering Women in Aviation: African Section Ninety-Nines Inspires the Next Generation
Event News: African Section Ninety-Nines
Ivana Alvares-Marshall of the African Section Ninety-Nines shares how their initiatives inspire women in aviation through youth programmes, STEM education, and scholarships.
