For those who fly to those who make flight possible.
Angola and Tanzania signed a bilateral air transport agreement in Dar es Salaam on 29 October 2026, during President João Lourenço’s state visit to Tanzania. The two governments will now consider which airline will be the first to implement the arrangement, and work continues towards direct Luanda to Dar es Salaam air services.
Angola’s Minister of Transport, Ricardo Viegas d’Abreu, has proposed a repayable financing mechanism under which the initial costs of opening new African air routes would be shared and reimbursed once the routes become economically sustainable. He put the proposal to the Lusophone Africa Investment Forum on Sal, Cabo Verde, on 26 and 27 October 2026.
Air France has increased its seasonal Paris to Cape Town service to five weekly direct flights for the 2026/2027 summer season. The route launched in November 2011 with three weekly flights and is marking 15 years of operation, with the last two years recording the highest passenger volumes in its history.
African airlines increased air cargo demand by 4.7% in September 2026 compared with September 2025 while capacity fell by 1.2%, lifting their cargo load factor by 2.7 percentage points to 47.0%. IATA’s Air Cargo Market Analysis, published on 29 October 2026, also revised African carriers’ August international demand growth from 3.0% to a 1.1% decline.
African airlines recorded a 5.0% increase in passenger traffic in September 2026 compared with September 2025, while global passenger demand declined by 0.5%. African carriers’ capacity rose by 7.7%, lowering their total passenger load factor by 1.9 percentage points to 73.5%, and their international traffic grew by 8.0% on 8.8% more capacity.
Air Sénégal is exploring a multi-leg service from Dakar’s Blaise Diagne International Airport to Roberts International Airport in Monrovia, with planned stops in Conakry and Freetown. Proposed operations target a launch in the first or second quarter of 2027, following discussions between Air Sénégal and the Liberia Civil Aviation Authority.
Harith Aviation’s proposed acquisition of Safair Holdings has received conditional approval from South Africa’s Competition Tribunal. The conditions cover competitively sensitive information, access to Lanseria International Airport and protection against merger-related retrenchments. Harith will exercise sole control over Safair Holdings and FlySafair’s operations once the merger is implemented.
TAAG Angola Airlines has opened bookings for twice-weekly Luanda–Praia flights starting 12 December 2026, using Airbus A220-300 aircraft with 137 seats.
LIFT has received two honours at the 2026 World Luxury Travel Awards, recognising its cabin crew in South Africa and domestic airline services across Africa.
Ethiopian Airlines has launched a three-times-weekly passenger service to Nacala, adding a third destination in Mozambique alongside Maputo and Beira.
Air Mauritius has reported a profit of EUR 78.63 million (MUR 4.1 billion) for the financial year 2025/2026, after its Board approved the audited annual financial statements on 29 October 2026. Shareholders’ equity is positive at EUR 26.0 million, having been in deficit since the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Government of Mauritius has approved the dismantling of Airport Holdings Ltd, with operations to be reorganised into an Aviation Group led by Air Mauritius and an Airport Operations Group led by Airports of Mauritius Co. Ltd. Cabinet took the decision on 30 October 2026, and Airport of Rodrigues Ltd will be directly government owned.
Ahmad Abba, Director of Aerodrome and Airspace Standards at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), has been re-elected Executive Vice President for Africa and the Middle East of IFATCA at the federation’s 37th regional meeting in Amman, Jordan, held from 26 to 30 October 2026. His new term runs from 2027 to 2029.
President João Lourenço reports cumulative traffic of two million passengers at Dr António Agostinho Neto International Airport, alongside approximately 28,000 tonnes of cargo. His 15 October address also covered TAAG fleet renewal, airports under construction and studies for Cazombo and Mavinga.
WSP in Africa is strengthening locally led aviation capability, combining regional teams and global expertise across airport planning, engineering, environmental services and operations.
Hurghada International Airport recorded its highest daily level of operations on Saturday 31 October 2026, with 389 take-offs and landings and about 67,000 passengers. The figures compare with the previous record of 358 movements and 56,641 passengers on 1 November 2025, increases of 8.7% and 18.3%.
A tender for advisory services on an airport redevelopment in South Africa has had its closing date extended. The assignment covers a feasibility study, a business case and support for procuring and implementing the preferred delivery approach. Premium subscribers access the details.
Libya’s Airports Authority has welcomed an ICAO decision to cancel the aviation safety warnings for Libyan airspace issued in 2013 and 2015. The Authority says it will keep working with international bodies to complete the lifting of remaining restrictions on Libyan airlines.
Western Aircraft has delivered its 300th new PC-12 and 30th new PC-24 while marking 30 years as an authorised Pilatus sales and service centre.
Global Medical Response has ordered additional IFR-equipped Bell 407GXi helicopters to support its helicopter air ambulance operations across the United States.
HALO-Flight has ordered a Bell 407GXi intended to become its seventh IFR-equipped aircraft of the type, supporting air medical services across South Texas.
Chapman Freeborn examines how arrival windows, airport choice and complete journey costs influence whether scheduled flights or charter best support large corporate events.
The Commercial Aviation Association of Southern Africa has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Aviation Development Foundation, backed by a R50,000 sponsorship. The foundation develops emerging aviation talent through initiatives including its Protégé Leadership Development Programme, which pairs emerging talent with experienced industry leaders.
Jose Ramirez sets out the European regulatory route for South African drone manufacturers, separating product requirements under Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/945 from operational approval under Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947. His article covers the open, specific and certified categories, SORA 2.5, military exclusions and export controls.
The French Armament General Directorate (DGA) has qualified the new vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) variant of Airbus Helicopters’ U010 Aliaca tactical uncrewed aerial system, announced on 3 November 2026. The qualification clears it to enter service under the French Navy’s SMDM contract, with the first two systems delivered in September.
Airlines spent US$24.5 billion processing payments in 2025, with costs rising faster than sales, according to IATA’s analysis of fees, operations and losses.
Chapman Freeborn has arranged the lease of a Boeing 787-9 between MIAT Mongolian Airlines and Air Congo. The aircraft arrived at N’djili International Airport in Kinshasa on 27 October 2026 and is scheduled to enter service on 31 October with 292 seats across Business Class, Premium Economy and Economy cabins.
GE Aerospace has qualified NYCO’s TURBONYCOIL 600 for GEnx-1B engines following an Air France evaluation spanning more than 36 months and nearly 7,000 flight hours.
The African Airlines Association (AFRAA) has announced the second African MRO Conference for 4 to 6 April 2027 at the Intercontinental Hotel in Cairo, hosted by EGYPTAIR MAINTENANCE & ENGINEERING. The conference is to develop an MRO marketplace, and an Aviation Finance Forum follows at the same venue on 7 April.
Air Mauritius has a request for proposals under way for up to five narrow-body aircraft, and its fleet review recommends reassessing three A350-900s on order. The airline is also considering converting an ATR 72-500 to a medevac and cargo configuration for the Rodrigues route, as part of a ten-strategy programme outlined on 23 October 2026.
Shell Trading Rotterdam B.V. has signed a long-term offtake agreement with Green Sky Manara LLC for output from a planned facility at Port Nador, Morocco, covering approximately 150,000 tonnes a year of sustainable aviation fuel or equivalent HVO, plus bionaphtha and biopropane. The plant is scheduled to start up in October 2028.
Dornier Aviation Nigeria has selected Avsoft International’s online Dash 8 Q400 Aircraft Systems course, which includes interactive lessons, aircraft systems illustrations and assessments for pilots.
TRU Simulation has introduced a Cessna Grand Caravan EX configuration for its Veris virtual reality flight training device, featuring dual-seat operation and Garmin G1000 NXi avionics.
