African Pilot Weekly Magazine 45:2026 - African Pilot Magazine

Airlines, Cargo & Connectivity

Aircraft Swap

SWISS Replaces A340 With A350 on Johannesburg–Zurich Route

SWISS has replaced the A340-300 with the A350-900 on its daily Johannesburg–Zurich service, introducing 27 additional seats per flight and the new SWISS Senses cabin.

Video

Inside the SWISS A350 in Johannesburg: First Class Suites, Flight Deck & More

SWISS replaced the Airbus A340-300 with the Airbus A350-900 on its daily Johannesburg–Zurich service from 25 October 2026. African Pilot went aboard at OR Tambo International Airport during the airline’s media presentation on 27 October for a closer look at the new aircraft.

The video takes viewers through the SWISS Senses cabin in First, Business, Premium Economy and Economy, and into the flight deck with the SWISS chief station engineer in Johannesburg. René Koinzack, Senior Director Sales for the Lufthansa Group, explains what the aircraft brings to South African travellers.

Watch on YouTube

Revenue Management

Kenya Airways Selects PROS AI Technology to Improve Revenue Forecasting and Commercial Performance

Kenya Airways has selected PROS Revenue Management Advantage, an AI-powered solution that combines advanced forecasting and network planning, after an extensive evaluation of revenue management solutions. The airline will use it to anticipate demand, maximise revenue opportunities across its network and lay the foundation for future offer optimisation and its broader retailing transformation.

State Airline MoU

Nigeria’s Edo State Signs MoU With China Express and KDN Aero to Establish State-Owned Edo Air

Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has signed a memorandum of understanding with China Express Airline Co. Ltd and KDN Aero for the establishment of Edo Air, a proposed state-owned airline, following a fact-finding visit by a seven-member Edo delegation to China Express and COMAC in September 2026.

Direct Service

Proflight Zambia to Fly Lusaka–Windhoek Direct From November

Proflight Zambia will fly all three weekly Lusaka–Windhoek services non-stop from November 2026, saving passengers about an hour, with the Livingstone stopover returning each April for the peak tourism season. Passengers for Livingstone can connect through Lusaka, and from 2027 the flights move to Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.

New Route

Qantas to Launch First Non-Stop Flights Between Australia and Cape Town

Qantas will launch the first non-stop flights between Australia and Cape Town on 19 October 2027, with a seasonal Sydney–Cape Town service three times a week on Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners until March 2028, adding almost 30,000 seats between the two countries. Tickets are on sale, and the route is subject to government and regulatory approval.

All Airports, Infrastructure & Air Navigation

Airport Contracts

DRC Signs Contracts to Modernise 13 Airports With Four Civil Engineering Firms

The Democratic Republic of the Congo has signed contracts with SAFRICAS, SAFRIMEX, SOKERICO and Modern Construction to rehabilitate, modernise and build 13 airports, including Mbandaka, Kalemie, Matadi and Gbadolite. The works are financed by the public treasury, with first deliveries expected at the end of 2028, and Beni and Isiro are to be added with Mont Gabaon.

Public Comment

Cape Winelands Airport Expansion Opens Wildlife, Noise and Emergency Plans for Comment Until 16 November

Registered interested and affected parties can comment until 16 November 2026 on the amended Environmental Management Programme for the approved Cape Winelands Airport expansion. Nine new plans, covering wildlife hazards, emergency response, noise and lighting among others, were added under conditions set when the Minister dismissed the appeals in May.

Business, General & Rotary Aviation

All Business, General & Rotary Aviation

Offshore Wind Helicopters

World Bank Recommends South Africa Set Helicopter Rules for Offshore Wind Farm Operations

A World Bank framework for offshore wind in South Africa recommends specific regulations for helicopter operations at offshore wind farms, referencing the UK CAA’s CAP 437 helideck standards, and coordinated search and rescue procedures. It also identifies SACAA obstacle consent and radar interference as siting constraints.

Private Air Ambulance

New Private Air Ambulance Service Launches in Polokwane

ROCKET has launched a private air ambulance service in Polokwane, operating from Polokwane Civil Airport since 1 November 2026. The service extends ROCKET’s aeromedical response to private patients and ROCKET Connect members across Limpopo, alongside the Pride of Limpopo Aeromedical Service it has operated with the Limpopo Department of Health for four years.

Helicopter Market

Egypt’s Civil Aviation Minister Meets Airbus Helicopters to Discuss Market Opportunities

Egypt’s Minister of Civil Aviation, Dr Sameh El-Hefny, has met Airbus Helicopters’ Sales Manager for Egypt, Maxime Nicolas, to review the company’s proposed projects and discuss opportunities to use helicopters in tourism, private aviation and emergency medical services, along with the accreditation and operating requirements that would apply.

Service Life Extension

Robinson Helicopter Company Receives FAA Approval for Extended R44 Component Service Lives

Robinson Helicopter Company has received FAA approval to extend fatigue life-limited component service lives on current-production R44 helicopters, including the R44 Cadet, potentially reducing maintenance downtime.

Production Milestone

Bell Delivers 2,000th Bell 407 to White Saddle Air Services

Bell has delivered its 2,000th Bell 407 to Canada’s White Saddle Air Services, marking a production milestone for the light single-engine helicopter series.

Defence, Aerospace & Future Flight

All Defence, Aerospace & Future Flight

Fighter Acquisition

Ethiopia Announces 12 Su-35 Fighters and Plans to Acquire S-400 Air Defence Systems

Ethiopia has begun receiving Russian-built Su-35 fighters under an announced 12-aircraft acquisition and plans to acquire four S-400 long-range air defence batteries as part of its military modernisation.

Engine Programme

Rolls-Royce and UK Government Plan £2.5bn Jet Engine Technology Programme

Rolls-Royce and the UK Government have announced plans for a joint 10-year, £2.5 billion research and technology programme to develop gas turbine technologies for civil and defence aerospace, including an engine demonstrator, as Rolls-Royce seeks a UK engine position on the next generation of narrowbody aircraft. The plan is subject to a final agreement.

Satellite Contract

Airbus to Deliver IRIS, France’s Next-Generation Military Earth Observation Satellites

The French defence procurement agency (DGA) has awarded Airbus Defence and Space, as lead contractor, and Thales Alenia Space a contract worth more than €1.5 billion for IRIS, two next-generation military Earth observation satellites that will replace France’s CSO system, together with the ground segments and in-orbit operations and maintenance.

Funding Round

Zipline Raises US$1.5 Billion to Build Nationwide Drone Delivery Network

Zipline has raised US$1.5 billion to expand its US drone delivery network, while continuing autonomous medical logistics operations and network expansion across Africa.

Finance, Leasing & Investment

All Finance, Leasing & Investment

Lessor Order

Avolon Finalises Order for 140 Boeing 737-10 Jets

Avolon has finalised its order for 140 Boeing 737-10 aircraft, a record 737 MAX order by a lessor, taking its backlog to more than 240 unfilled Boeing orders. The lessor announced the order in October subject to approval by its majority shareholder.

Fleet, MRO & Supply Chain

All Fleet, MRO & Supply Chain

Landing Gear Testing

HEGGEMANN AG and Deutsche Aircraft Advance New-Generation Landing Gear Certification for D328 Fleet and D328eco

HEGGEMANN AG and Deutsche Aircraft have completed low- and high-speed taxi tests and an initial flight-test campaign for a new landing gear designed for both the existing Dornier 328 fleet and the D328eco. The development flights were completed in September 2026, and certification testing continues towards the D328eco’s entry into service.

EFB Weather App

From Fragmented Flight Information to Clear Decision Support Pilots Can Count On

SITA has launched SITA eWAS+, an electronic flight bag app that combines data from more than 10 certified weather providers with trajectory, airspace and airport information for every phase of flight. It builds on SITA eWAS, used by more than 40,000 pilots at over 60 airlines, and integrates SITA OptiFlight fuel-saving recommendations.

Monthly Deliveries

Air Algérie and TAAG Take Airbus Deliveries in October as Manufacturer Hands Over 74 Aircraft

Airbus delivered 74 aircraft to 45 customers in October 2026, including an A330-900 to Air Algérie and an A220-300 to lessor Azorra for TAAG Angola Airlines. The manufacturer booked 202 gross orders in the month, led by lessors Aviation Capital Group and Avolon, and has delivered 621 aircraft so far in 2026.

Fuel, Energy & Sustainability

All Fuel, Energy & Sustainability

Revised SAF Loan

EBRD Revises Proposed Morocco SAF Loan to US$135 Million, With Approval Set for 2 December

The EBRD has revised its proposed financing for Green Sky Capital’s Morocco SAF plant at Nador West Med Port to a senior secured loan of up to US$135 million, split into US$85 million committed and US$50 million uncommitted tranches, with approval now scheduled for 2 December 2026.

Market Movements

All Market Movements

Seat Capacity

OAG Puts Africa’s November 2026 Scheduled Capacity at 25.2 Million Seats, With Nigeria Growing Fastest

Airlines have scheduled 25.2 million seats across Africa in November 2026, up 6.3% year on year, OAG data shows. Nigeria leads growth among the ten largest markets at 25.3%, Royal Air Maroc is the fastest-growing top-ten airline, and South Africa and Tunisia have cut capacity.

Projects To Watch

All Projects To Watch

Aircraft Hire Plan

Tanzania’s Deep Sea Fishing Authority Plans US$189,360 Aircraft Hire for EEZ Fisheries Patrols

A Tanzanian fisheries authority plans to hire aircraft for aerial patrols over the country’s offshore waters under a World Bank-financed programme. The service appears in a revised procurement plan, with an open bidding process for aviation operators to follow. Premium subscribers can access the reference, estimate and planned dates.

Safety, Regulation & Operations

All Safety, Regulation & Operations

State Air Ambulance

Namibia Launches First Government-Owned Air Ambulance

Namibia has launched its first government-owned air ambulance, a Bombardier Learjet 31A registered V5-NAG that previously carried senior government officials. The aircraft has moved from the Ministry of Works and Transport to the Ministry of Health and Social Services, and the Namibia Civil Aviation Authority certified it as an air ambulance on 3 October 2026.

Airspace Closures

ALG Paper Measures the Cost of the Middle East Air Corridor Breakdown

Rerouting around closed Middle East airspace added about 325nm and 31 minutes to each Paris–Dubai A380 flight in early 2026, costing about €12,400 per flight, according to an ALG paper based on ADS-B data. The study tracks five Europe–Asia route pairs across four phases of the Israel–Iran and US–Iran conflicts.

Safety Briefing

When the Basics Are Missed: Flight Planning, Weather and Emergency Preparedness

A Brakpan-Benoni Airfield safety briefing examined recurring general aviation risks, including density altitude, weather decisions, flight-plan SAR procedures, emergency preparedness and pilot wellbeing.

Ebola Travel Restrictions

Africa CDC Stands With Kenya, Calls for Lifting of Unjustified Ebola Travel Restrictions

Africa CDC has expressed its solidarity with Kenya and called on Saudi Arabia to engage with Kenya, Africa CDC and WHO to review and lift Ebola-related travel restrictions not supported by current evidence. Kenya has recorded nine confirmed cases, all linked to one imported case, with no new confirmed case since 19 October.

China Air Services

Nigerian Senate Urges Renegotiation of China Air Services Agreement to Secure Direct Flights for Nigerian Airlines

Nigeria’s Senate has adopted a motion urging the Federal Government to renegotiate its Bilateral Air Services Agreement with China to secure reciprocal flight slots and direct services for Nigerian airlines. In the same sitting it rejected reviving the Nigeria Air contracts while calling for a viable national carrier.

Tenders & Opportunities

All Tenders & Opportunities

Airport Equipment Tenders

Madagascar Tenders Airport Fire and Rescue Equipment and Toliara Generator as Runway Extension Studies Enter Plan

Madagascar has airport equipment procurements open this month under a World Bank-financed transport programme, covering rescue and firefighting equipment and backup power at regional airports, and has added runway extension studies to its plan. Premium subscribers can access the references, closing dates and estimates.

Closing 16 November 2026

Retail Concession Call

Madagascar’s Ravinala Airports Seeks Operator for Travel Retail and Services Store at Ivato International Airport

An airport concessionaire in Madagascar is seeking a retail operator for a travel retail and services store in the international terminal at the country’s main airport. Expressions of interest close this month. Premium subscribers can access the store size, requirements and submission details.

Closing 15 November 2026

Calibration Tender

Namibia’s NCAA Extends Deadline for Three-Year Flight Calibration Services Tender to 13 November

Namibia’s civil aviation authority has extended the deadline on its international tender for three years of flight calibration services covering instrument landing systems and en route navigation aids at the country’s airports. Premium subscribers can access the new closing date, locations and bidder requirements.

Closing 13 November 2026

Training & Skills Development

All Training & Skills Development

Simulator Training

European Flyers Shapes the Next Generation of Pilots With ALSIM’s Airliner and ALX Simulators

European Flyers has brought ALSIM Airliner and ALX simulators into operation at its Madrid and Mutxamel, Alicante, bases in Spain, a €1 million investment. The FNPT II MCC Airliner supports APS MCC and MPL Phase II training in Madrid, while the ALX allows students in Alicante to complete multi-crew cooperation training locally.

Ab Initio Training

Airbus and Blue Angels Air Will Deliver Ab Initio Pilot Training for the Indian Market

Airbus and India-based Blue Angels Air have signed an agreement to train aspiring airline pilots within the Airbus Flight Academy network, with cadets completing Airbus’ EASA-standard Ab Initio syllabus. The first cohort will begin training in 2027 at The Aviator Institute partner flight school in Monastir, Tunisia.

ARFF Graduation

98 Airport Firefighters Graduate from the KAA Training Academy

Kenya Airports Authority has welcomed 98 airport firefighters following a four-month training programme. The graduates will undertake on-the-job training before assuming full operational duties.