African Pilot Weekly Magazine 41:2025
Safety Starts with People: ICAO’s Call for a Positive Safety Culture in African Skies
Aviation Safety
When the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) gathered for its 42nd Assembly, one message rose above the noise of policy debate and economic forecasts: “Safety starts with people”.
The paper presented by Austria, IFALPA, IFATCA and the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) makes a clear case: aviation safety depends not only on technology and regulation, but on the social sustainability of those who keep aircraft flying. In other words, decent work and fair treatment are as vital to safety as the engineering of an aircraft’s wings.
LAM Mozambique Airlines Acquires De Havilland Q400 to Strengthen Fleet Stability
African AirlineLAM has acquired a De Havilland Q400, marking a strategic step towards fleet ownership, financial stability, and sustainable domestic operations.
Growthpoint Backs Cape Winelands Airport with Landmark Partnership
Cape Winelands Airport
Growthpoint invests in Cape Winelands Airport, joining RSA Aero to develop a world-class, sustainable aviation, logistics and tourism precinct in the Western Cape.
Airlink and Air Austral Expand Networks with Bilateral SPA
Commercial & Air TravelAirlink and Air Austral sign a bilateral SPA to expand connectivity across Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean, enhancing regional trade and tourism links.
New Aerobridges Commissioned at Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport to Enhance Passenger Experience
Airport Infrastructure: ZambiaZACL commissions new aerobridges at Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport, enhancing passenger comfort, safety, and operational efficiency in Ndola.
Supply Chain Challenges Could Cost Airlines More Than $11 Billion in 2025
Industry Association NewsIATA and Oliver Wyman warn that aircraft supply chain delays could cost airlines $11 billion in 2025, driven by fuel, maintenance, leasing, and inventory costs.
The Cessna SkyCourier® Lands in Africa: Absolute Aviation Highlights Its Features
The Cessna SkyCourier® has officially arrived in Africa for its grand tour, and Justin van Tonder, Aircraft Sales Director at Absolute Aviation, provided an in-depth walk-through of the 19-seat, twin-engine turboprop aircraft during a recent static display held in their hangar at Lanseria.
Designed to maximise efficiency, reliability, and profitability for regional operators, the Cessna SkyCourier® combines a large payload with excellent short-field performance. It is ideally suited for commuter routes, charter services, and remote-access missions where capacity and flexibility are critical. The freighter configuration further enhances its operational versatility, providing additional value for operators.
With a maximum cruise speed of 210 knots (389 km/h), a useful load of 6,000 pounds, and a take-off field length requirement of just 3,660 feet (1,116 metres), the aircraft offers exceptional performance for both high-frequency and remote-airstrip operations, positioning it as a strong contender for African markets. The cockpit accommodates two pilots and up to 19 passengers, enabling operators to achieve high utilisation and revenue efficiency.
Social Sustainability and Safety Leadership Are Shaping the Future of Flight
Aviation Industry Workforce
ICAO and IATA align on safety and social sustainability, spotlighting people, leadership and data as the twin engines driving aviation’s future — especially in Africa.
Airbus Streamlines Its Tactical Uncrewed Aerial System Offering
Future Flight: UASAirbus consolidates its tactical uncrewed aerial systems, creating a unified portfolio under Airbus Helicopters to enhance defence and security capabilities.
Blackhawk Group Completes First Garmin G1000 NXi Autothrottle and Autoland Installation for King Air 350
AvionicsBlackhawk completes the first Garmin G1000 NXi Autothrottle and Autoland installation for the King Air 350, advancing cockpit automation and safety.
Lockheed Martin and Belgium Celebrate Arrival of First Belgian F-35 Aircraft
Military & Defence: F-35A Lightning IIBelgium’s first F-35A Lightning II has arrived at Florennes Air Base. Lockheed Martin and the Belgian Air Force mark a new era of advanced air defence and allied cooperation.
Safran Aero Boosters and BMT Aerospace to manufacture key components of Pratt & Whitney’s F135 engine which powers the F-35 Lightning II aircraft
Military & Defence: F-35 Lightning IISafran Aero Boosters and BMT Aerospace to produce key F135 engine components for Pratt & Whitney’s F-35 aircraft, strengthening Belgium’s aerospace industry.
Zambia Airways Appoints AirlinePros Zimbabwe as General Sales and Services Agent (GSSA)
African AirlineZambia Airways has appointed AirlinePros Zimbabwe as its Passenger GSSA, strengthening its regional sales, marketing, and growth strategy across Southern Africa.
Magma Aviation Highlights Growth Focus for 2026 and Beyond
Air Cargo & Air FreightMagma Aviation reveals its 2026 growth strategy, focusing on fleet expansion, new routes, and partnerships to strengthen its global cargo network.
Mauritania Airlines Selects StandardAero for LEAP-1B and CFM56-7B Engine Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul Support
African Airline: Engine MROStandardAero will provide CFM56-7B and LEAP-1B engine maintenance, repair, and overhaul services for Mauritania Airlines’ Boeing 737 fleet.
Safran Strengthens Its Industrial Footprint in Morocco to Support Growth in Global Air Traffic
Aircraft EnginesSafran expands in Morocco with new LEAP MRO and assembly facilities, investing €350m to boost aerospace capacity and create over 2,000 jobs by 2030.
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.
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.
Read Report
