African Pilot Weekly Magazine 40:2025
FlySafair’s Growth Story: 11 Years of Connecting South Africa
Commercial & Air Travel: FlySafair
FlySafair marks 11 years of affordable air travel, operating 37 Boeing 737 aircraft and over 1,250 weekly flights. New routes boost domestic connectivity, tourism, and regional economic growth.
Zimbabwe Heading for Growth in the Aviation Sector
Leadership & Interviews: Zimbabwe’s Aviation SectorZimbabwe is upgrading airports, restoring Air Zimbabwe, and advancing sustainable aviation fuel production to drive long-term growth in its air transport sector.
South Africa and Eswatini Strengthen Regional Cooperation through Bilateral Air Services and Search and Rescue Agreements
Air Connectivity: Eswatini & South Africa
South Africa and Eswatini sign Bilateral Air Services and Search and Rescue Agreements to boost regional air safety, trade, and connectivity in Southern Africa.
Acron Aviation and Flight Data Technologies Join Forces to Deliver an Innovative Vision for Flight Data Management
Spotlight Innovation: Flight Data ManagementAcron Aviation and Flight Data Technologies partner to enhance flight data management, improving safety, efficiency, and reducing operating costs.
AEGEAN Airlines Expands Fleet with New ATR 72-600, Two More on Order
New AircraftAEGEAN Airlines, through Olympic Air, has added a new ATR 72-600 to its fleet and ordered two more for delivery in December 2026, reinforcing its regional fleet modernisation and sustainability strategy.
AELF Joins Airlink Inc as a Platinum Sponsor Supporting Global Humanitarian Efforts
Humanitarian AviationAELF commits $100,000 as a Platinum Sponsor of Airlink Inc, supporting aviation-based humanitarian aid and global disaster relief operations.
Bell Sees Strong Growth in Africa’s Helicopter Market – Tim Evans on Regional Opportunities
During the recently held Aviation Africa 2025 summit in Kigali, Rwanda, African Pilot Magazine Editor Phillippa Dean sat down with Tim Evans, Managing Director for Africa and the Middle East at Bell, to discuss the company’s product range and activities across the region and the evolving helicopter market.
Tim shares insights into Bell’s broad product portfolio, including the Bell 505, 407, 412, 429 and how these models serve operators across training, utility, parapublic and general aviation sectors. He highlights a recent success in Tunisia for twelve Bell 412s in a utility configuration, and notes continued growth across both Africa and the Middle East.
The conversation also covers product performance improvements, Bell’s customer support network and training, and a quick update on the Bell 525programme. We also touch on how integrated systems are enhancing safety, predictive maintenance and pilot awareness.
Passengers Are Already Digital. Why Isn’t Travel?
Spotlight: Technology
Passengers are already digital. SITA’s 2025 report reveals travellers want smarter, seamless, and sustainable journeys powered by technology.
South African Team Shines at 24th FAI World Rally Flying Championships
General Aviation & Lifestyle: World Rally Flying Championships in Ferrara
South Africa’s Tarryn and Iaan Myburgh shone at the 24th FAI World Rally Flying Championships in Ferrara, Italy, securing first place in the Landings Competition. Discover how the event unfolded and why this performance is a proud moment for South African aviation.
Aviation Makes Significant Economic Contributions to Tanzania
Commercial & Air Travel: TanzaniaIATA’s latest study shows aviation contributes USD 3.8 billion to Tanzania’s GDP and supports 711,000 jobs, driving growth, safety, and training.
African Development Bank and JGC Corporation Sign Agreement to Advance Use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel and Support Africa’s Green Aviation Agenda
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)The African Development Bank and JGC Corporation partner to advance Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production and green aviation innovation across Africa.
GAMA Releases Second Quarter 2025 Aircraft Shipment and Billing Report
Association News: GAMA Aircraft Shipment & Billing ReportThe General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) reports increased aircraft shipments and higher delivery values for the first half of 2025, driven by growth in the business jet and piston airplane sectors.
IADA Releases Current Market Portrait & Forecast, Noting an Increase in New Aircraft Enquiries from Africa
Association News: IADA Market ReportIADA’s 2025–2026 Market Portrait & Forecast highlights global business jet trends and growing demand for new aircraft across Africa.
TAA and TRC Sign Memorandum of Understanding on Air and Rail Transport Cooperation in the Country
Transport Integration: Rail & AirThe Tanzania Airports Authority and Tanzania Railways Corporation sign an MoU to integrate air and rail transport, boosting efficiency and connectivity.
TRU Simulation’s Veris Virtual Reality Flight Simulator Achieves FAA Qualification, Ushering in a New Era of Immersive Pilot Training
Pilot Training: Helicopter SimulatorTRU Simulation’s Veris Virtual Reality Flight Simulator earns FAA Level 7 qualification, marking a new era in immersive pilot training with Bell 505 integration.
HAVELSAN’s Boeing 737 MAX Full Flight Simulator Achieves EASA Recurrent Certification
Pilot Training: Flight Simulator 737 MAXHAVELSAN has received EASA recurrent certification for its Boeing 737 MAX Full Flight Simulator, reinforcing its position in advanced pilot training technology.
International: Yingling Aviation Completes First Winglet Installation on Falcon 900
MRO & EngineeringYingling Aviation completes its first Falcon 900 winglet installation ahead of schedule, showcasing precision engineering and exceptional craftsmanship.
ALSIM Launches New AL2006 Tecnam Simulator
Pilot Training: New SimulatorALSIM unveils the AL2006, a high-fidelity simulator replicating the Tecnam P2006T NG, meeting EASA FNPT II and FTD Level 5 standards for twin-engine training.
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:
Veryon AIRE Redefines Aviation Maintenance with AI-Powered Intelligence Across the Entire Fleet
Spotlight: Technology AIVeryon launches AIRE, an AI-powered aviation intelligence platform delivering predictive maintenance, smarter fleet management, and enhanced reliability.
ATNS Update Regarding Chief Dawid Stuurman, Polokwane, and Kruger Mpumalanga International Airports
ATNS has issued an update on the suspension and maintenance of instrument flight procedures at Chief Dawid Stuurman, Polokwane, and Kruger Mpumalanga International Airports to ensure regulatory compliance and safety.
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.
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.
