African Pilot Weekly Magazine 43:2025
Gulfstream Fleet Surpasses 3 Million Nautical Miles Flown on Sustainable Aviation Fuel
Sustainability
Gulfstream surpasses 3 million nautical miles on SAF as its next-generation aircraft fly to NBAA-BACE 2025, advancing business aviation sustainability.
Terminal 3 Planned for Namibia’s Major Airport
African AirportsNamibia Airports Company to build Terminal 3 at Hosea Kutako International Airport as part of its green, multi-airport infrastructure development plan.
Marrakech Joins Delta’s Growing Global Network: New Direct Route from Atlanta Opens Gateway to Morocco
Commercial & Air TravelDelta Air Lines has officially launched its first nonstop flight between Atlanta (ATL) and Marrakech (RAK), marking a historic milestone for the U.S. carrier and a significant step forward in U.S.–Morocco connectivity.
Liberia Airport Authority Opens Bidding for Domestic Airport PPP Investment
African Infrastructure & Projects: Liberia
Liberia Airport Authority invites bids for a ten-year Public-Private Partnership to finance, modernise, and manage five domestic airports under a Build-Operate-Transfer model.
Botswana’s NDP 12 Prioritises Aviation Reform and Infrastructure Development
Botswana: Infrastructure & ProjectsBotswana’s NDP 12 outlines aviation reforms, airport upgrades, and Air Botswana’s turnaround to strengthen the nation’s position as a regional aviation hub.
Botswana Air Access Welcomes New Proflight Zambia Service Connecting Lusaka, Livingstone and Maun
Commercial & Air TravelProflight Zambia’s new Lusaka–Livingstone–Maun route enhances regional air connectivity, tourism, and business cooperation between Zambia and Botswana.
Airlink to Spice Up Zanzibar Market – Tickets Now on Sale!
Commercial & Air TravelAirlink launches twice-weekly Johannesburg–Zanzibar flights from 3 June 2026, boosting tourism and investment links with Tanzania’s island economy.
South Africa’s Air Navigation Crisis Grounds Flights and Threatens Economic Stability
Air Traffic Control
Flight cancellations and delays across South Africa as ATNS fails to maintain navigation procedures, disrupting tourism and regional air connectivity.
ATNS Integrated Financial Report 2024/2025: Stabilisation, Accountability and Modernisation
Air Traffic: South Africa
ATNS Says It’s Making Good Progress to Stabilise and Rebuild
Air Traffic Control: South Africa
ATNS reports significant progress in stabilising operations, restoring flight procedures, and rebuilding core capacity under new leadership and expert guidance.
Air Seychelles Increases Frequency to Daily Service from Seychelles to Abu Dhabi
Commercial & Air TravelAir Seychelles increases Seychelles–Abu Dhabi flights to a daily schedule from 16 October 2025, enhancing connectivity and boosting tourism growth.
AirExplore Adds an Additional B737-800 to Its Fleet
International AirlineAirExplore expands its fleet with a new B737-800 from Aviation Capital Group, strengthening its ACMI operations across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
Nigeria’s Aviation Sector Stands at a Pivotal Crossroad, Poised for Transformative Advancement – Keyamo
African Infrastructure & Projects: NigeriaFestus Keyamo highlights Nigeria’s aviation reforms and global partnerships driving infrastructure upgrades and competitiveness in Africa’s air transport market.
Avion Express Offers 250 Open Positions for Pilots Worldwide
ACIM: Pilot RecruitmentAvion Express opens 250 pilot positions worldwide for EASA and ICAO license holders. Join the world’s largest ACMI operator and grow your flying career.
Leadership Update At Air Botswana
African Airline: LeadershipAir Botswana confirms the departure of General Manager Ms Naomi Leungo Rasebotsa and continuation of Mr Boikanyo Ntwaagae as Acting General Manager.
Riyadh Air Operates First Flight to London Heathrow
International: AirlineRiyadh Air begins its first daily service to London Heathrow, marking a major milestone in Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the airline’s Pathway to Perfect plan.
South Africa General Aviation: Industry Deliberating the Way Forward After Judgment on 12-Year Engine Rule
General Aviation: South AfricaThe AIC 18.19 Task Team met to assess the legal implications of the 12-year engine rule judgment and to define a phased strategy for the South African aviation industry.
#AVIATIONnews Room
Local & Global Supplied News
PHI Air Medical Becomes First Air Ambulance Operator in the Americas to Train Pilots with VR Flight Simulation—Using Loft Dynamics’ Simulator
ReadPHI Air Medical pioneers VR flight simulation with Loft Dynamics’ FAA-qualified system, redefining pilot training for air ambulance operations.
Sikorsky Converts BLACK HAWK® into U-Hawk™, A Battle-Ready Autonomous UAS
ReadSikorsky transforms the UH-60L Black Hawk into the autonomous S-70UAS™ U-Hawk™, a next-generation uncrewed helicopter with 25% more cargo space and MATRIX™ autonomy.
Textron Announces Appointment of Lisa Atherton as its President and CEO and as a Member of the Board
ReadTextron appoints Lisa Atherton as President and CEO effective 4 January 2026, succeeding Scott Donnelly, who becomes Executive Chairman of the Board.
Diamond Aircraft Reintroduces the Beloved DA20i Katana to European Production
ReadDiamond Aircraft resumes European production of the DA20i Katana in Austria, featuring a Rotax 912 iSc3 Sport engine and Garmin G500TXi glass cockpit.
Most Airline Costs Are Still Managed by Hand – It’s Time to Change That
ReadSITA and Maureva launch AeroCost Manager, an automated airline cost-control system that detects errors, prevents fraud and simplifies financial operations.
SalamAir and Mach Aerospace International Partner to Provide Aircraft Wheels and Brakes Maintenance Services
ReadSalamAir and Mach Aerospace International sign a 10-year MOU to establish aircraft wheels and brakes maintenance facilities in Oman, boosting local MRO capability.
Garmin Unveils D2 Air X15 and D2 Mach 2, Its Newest Aviator Smartwatches
ReadPilot-centric watches boast avionics connectivity and tools aviators will want on the ground and in the skies. Garmin has announced the D2™ Air X15 and the D2 Mach 2, its latest aviator smartwatches with advanced aviation, health, fitness and other valuable smartwatch features. Including bright AMOLED touchscreen displays and built-in speakers and microphones, the newest D2 smartwatches add avionics connectivity, aviation-centric morning reports, voice commands and more.
EAA: New Possibilities Now Available for Recreational Flight
ReadThe FAA’s new MOSAIC rule launches the Sport Pilot 2.0 era, expanding aircraft eligibility and training access for recreational pilots across the United States.
Embraer Reports Record US$31.3 Billion Backlog in Third Quarter of 2025
ReadEmbraer achieves an unprecedented US$31.3 billion backlog in 3Q25, driven by strong Commercial Aviation sales, milestone deliveries, and global growth.
A Reflection on the Outcomes of ICAO’s 42nd Assembly
ReadIATA’s Thomas Reynaert reflects on key outcomes from ICAO’s 42nd Assembly, highlighting global standards, sustainability, and alignment with IATA priorities.
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.
