African Pilot Weekly Magazine 48:2025

Botswana Eyes Aviation Expansion to Support Economic Transformation Agenda

African Infrastructure & Projects

Airlink Unveiled Skybucks-Liveried ERJ135 from New Polokwane Paint Facility

Airlink has rolled out its first Skybucks-liveried ERJ135 from its new Polokwane paint facility, with the aircraft entering service after an 18-day repaint completed by a six-person team.

Turkish Airlines and South African Airways Sign Codeshare Agreement

Turkish Airlines and South African Airways have signed a codeshare agreement to enhance connectivity between Türkiye and Southern Africa, with reciprocal TK and SA codes on key regional and international routes from March 2026.

TAAG Angola Airlines and South African Airways Expand Connectivity with New Codeshare Agreement

African Airline: Codeshare Agreement

TAAG and SAA sign a strategic codeshare agreement, expanding regional and global connectivity through shared routes and seamless travel across Africa and beyond.

EgyptAir Maintenance & Engineering Invests in Operational Excellence with Boeing Tailored Parts Package

EgyptAir Maintenance & Engineering has signed a Tailored Parts Package agreement with Boeing to secure reliable, cost-efficient access to critical spare parts, improving MRO operations and fleet availability.

Kenya Airways Boosts 787 Fleet Reliability with Boeing Airplane Health Management

Kenya Airways has extended its agreement with Boeing to use the Airplane Health Management system, enhancing predictive maintenance and improving fleet reliability for its 787 Dreamliner operations.

Rotortrade Delivers Two Airbus H145 D3 Helicopters to SAF Helicopters

Rotortrade has delivered two Airbus H145 D3 helicopters to SAF Hélicoptères for EMS operations in Catalonia, completing a time-sensitive acquisition and delivery process within two months.

Air Cargo Demand Sets New Record in October, up 4.1%, Marking Eight Straight Months of Growth

Global air cargo demand rose 4.1% in October 2025, marking an eighth month of growth and a new volume record, with strong gains across key trade lanes

October Air Passenger Demand Growth Accelerates to 6.6%

Global air passenger demand rose 6.6% in October 2025, with strong international growth led by Asia-Pacific and the Middle East, according to new IATA data.

Air Turbulence: Why Awareness and Communication Are Now Critical to Safety

Global air turbulence-related injuries are rising. This article highlights why turbulence is difficult to predict and outlines key mitigation strategies for pilots, crew, and passengers.

Remote Towers Raise Fresh Safety Concerns

Remote Tower technology is reshaping air traffic control, but IFALPA and ECA warn of major safety risks, especially when multiple airports share a single RTC.

EASA and IATA Join Forces to Harmonise Flight Emissions Data for Passengers

EASA and IATA partner to align the EU Flight Emissions Label with IATA’s EcoHub and CO₂ Connect, improving transparency and consistency in airline emissions data.

Fixing NOTAM Overload: Why Pilots Must Lead the Change

Aviation article on the growing NOTAM overload, its safety impact, and why pilots must lead reporting efforts to improve clarity, relevance, and operational safety.

Opinion Piece: Building Africa’s Next Industrial Frontier, The Role of Sustainable Aviation Fuels

Boeing’s Henok Teferra Shawl outlines how sustainable aviation fuel production can reduce costs for African airlines, create skilled jobs and build competitive local industries while supporting aviation decarbonisation.

Embraer Develops Artificial Intelligence Solution to Increase Data-Driven Operational Efficiency

Embraer and Aquarela Analytics have developed Smart Planning, an AI-based solution that improves inventory management, enhances supply chain integration and increases data-driven operational efficiency.

New Super-Midsize Gulfstream G300 Takes Flight

Gulfstream’s new G300 has completed its first flight, officially launching the aircraft’s test programme and setting a new benchmark in the super-midsize segment with advanced technology, long range and a spacious cabin.

Daher Flies Its EyePulse MALE Drone

Daher has completed the first flight of its EyePulse MALE drone in Tarbes, meeting a DGA call for rapid capability development and demonstrating fast integration of autonomous technologies with Thales avionics.

Abu Dhabi Airports and SITA Partner to Pioneer AI-Driven Total Airport Management

Abu Dhabi Airports and SITA sign an MoU to co-develop an AI-driven Intelligent Total Airport Management platform, transforming operations and boosting efficiency.

Belgian Defense Selects PC-7 MKX for Its Basic Flight Training

Belgium has selected the Pilatus PC-7 MKX Training System for its new basic flight training solution, ordering 18 aircraft with a fully integrated ground-based training system under a 20-year service contract.

Hi Fly Achieves Another First: Airbus A330 Lands in Antarctica

Hi Fly has completed the first-ever Airbus A330 landing in Antarctica at Wolf’s Fang Runway, marking a new milestone in polar aviation and expanding sustainable long-range operations.