For those who fly to those who make flight possible.
The Airlines Association of Southern Africa (AASA) identified five action items on safety, costs and charges, airport infrastructure, market access under the Single African Air Transport Market and cross-border regulation at its 56th Annual General Assembly in Mauritius on 9 October 2026.
EGYPTAIR and PMI SAL, trading as PMI Flight, have signed a technology partnership agreement under which PMI Flight will provide a B2B booking and distribution platform, a B2B mobile application, an NDC and API Out gateway and a partner sandbox, announced by the airline on 14 October 2026.
LIFT will introduce its revised Premium onboard menu on 22 October 2026, featuring 15 meal options across five rotating cycles and an expanded heated meal offering.
TAAG Angola Airlines CEO Miguel Carneiro has been elected AASA Chairperson for 2026-27, with Air Botswana’s Dr Bao Mosinyi as deputy. Angola will host the 2027 assembly.
Walvis Bay International Airport on Namibia’s Atlantic coast handled its largest aircraft in 15 years on 25 September, when a Boeing 747-409F operated by Network Airline Management landed with about 80 tonnes of equipment for the CTBTO Integrated Field Exercise 2026, which runs from 10 October to 20 November.
Airways International has signed a contract with Zambia Airports Corporation Limited for the supply, installation and commissioning of a TotalControl air traffic control simulator at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, with two controller working positions, two pseudo pilot positions and an instructor position.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, Jean-Pierre Bemba, chaired a working meeting on 15 October 2026 on modernising Kinshasa-Ndolo airport, where two runway layouts of up to 2,700m were presented. A three-week technical consultation will precede validation of the chosen option.
The Rwanda Civil Aviation Training and Innovation Center has commissioned a TotalControl air traffic control simulator at its Kigali International Airport facility, in partnership with Airways International, comprising a 360-degree Aerodrome Control simulator with three controller working positions, three Approach and Area Control simulators and eight simulator pilot positions.
Tecnam has appointed Giovanni Pascale Langer as CEO, with Paolo Pascale Langer becoming President, marking a third-generation leadership transition at the Italian aircraft manufacturer.
Bell Textron has appointed Moroccan company AVIARAIL as an authorised independent sales representative for its commercial aircraft portfolio, expanding its network serving helicopter operators in Morocco.
Italy’s official delegation and Leonardo will participate in AFRIDEX 2026 in Lagos as Nigeria progresses with its AW-109 Trekker B helicopter and M-346 aircraft programmes.
United Nigeria Airlines plans to issue commercial paper in a first tranche of ₦20 billion under a ₦100 billion programme, with 270-day and 364-day series, Meristem Capital as lead arranger and ratings from Agusto & Co and DataPro, according to its announcement of 19 October 2026.
Aviation Capital Group has placed a firm order for 75 Airbus A320neo Family aircraft, with deliveries scheduled between 2032 and 2035.
Pratt & Whitney Canada has unveiled its Transport Canada-certified PT9 turboprop, reporting increased power at altitude, lower fuel consumption and a modular design for future aircraft.
Airbus forecasts demand for 1,640 new passenger aircraft across Africa by 2045, with Ethiopian origin-and-destination passenger traffic expected to increase almost sixfold.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has named people, technology and standards as the areas for the next advances in aviation safety, with priorities under each, at the opening of its World Safety and Operations Conference 2026 in Istanbul on 6 October 2026. IATA cites fatal accident rates of one per 5.6 million flights.
IATA has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Somalia’s Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation Authority in Mogadishu on 18 October 2026, under which the Somali Civil Aviation Authority will recognise the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) and the IATA Safety Audit for Ground Operations (ISAGO) as acceptable means of compliance with national regulations.
The US Federal Aviation Administration has certified the Boeing 737-10, the largest 737 MAX variant, after nearly 1,000 test flights. Boeing expects to begin deliveries in the coming months against orders for 1,555 aircraft, and says the type is the first commercial aircraft certified to the full extent of the 2020 Aircraft Certification, Safety, and Accountability Act.
South Africa’s Civil Aviation Amendment Act took effect on 12 October 2026, introducing changes to independent accident investigations, pilot examination extensions and regulatory procedures.
The South African Civil Aviation Authority provided updates on aviation safety, regulatory oversight, its financial performance and industry developments during a media briefing on 13 October 2026.
A panel at Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD), with Airlink, Airbus, Alt Academy, Kershal Aviation and Milkor, traced aviation’s skills shortage from school subject choices to technician training, mid-career retention, ageing instructors, training funding and the recognition of qualifications between African countries.
ALT Academy and Rhodesfield High School have signed an MoU to develop aviation education pathways, technical training opportunities and educator development programmes.
