Africa

A major milestone has been reached in the history of air transport in the Central African country of Gabon as the new national airline, Fly Gabon, began operations on 31 August.

As interest grows globally in seaplane and amphibious aviation, the Future Opportunities for Seaplanes and Amphibious Aviation conference is seeing strong interest from delegates and exhibitors.

Benin and Tunisia are the latest African nations to upgrade their border and interior surveillance capabilities with new aircraft.

The 24th edition of the Airport Show is gearing up to take place May 6 –8, 2025 at DWTC, Dubai.

Under the theme “Embracing innovation and technology for safe and efficient operations,” a key focus at the 2024 IATA World Safety and Operations Conference (WSOC) was the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and data-driven technologies on aviation safety, efficiency and resilience.

ATR is introducing Starlink high-speed internet connectivity onboard its aircraft.

South African Airways (SAA) has added two aircraft to its fleet in the last two weeks -growing its fleet size to 20 aircraft.

Ethiopian Airlines has received its IATA CEIV Pharma (Center of Excellence for Independent Validators in Pharmaceutical Logistics) accreditation as an Airline and ground handling agent.

Regional airport upgradation, expansion, and new developments will be under the spotlight for three days at the Airport Show, May 6 to 8, in Dubai.

Airbus delivered 766 commercial aircraft to 86 customers around the world in 2024.

November was another month of strong growth in the demand for air travel with an overall expansion of 8.1%, reports IATA.

Air Arabia has launched new non-stop flights to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

IATA has released data for November 2024 global air cargo markets.

Embraer delivered 75 aircraft in 4Q24 – or 27% higher than in the previous quarter when 59 aircraft were delivered.

Trading in shares of Kenya Airways has resumed after being suspended for more than four years, the Nairobi stock exchange has revealed.

Ethiopian Airlines Group has inaugurated the newly built Wako Gutu Airport Terminal at Bale Robe.

The announcement indicates either a third African operator for the A-29 or top-up orders by Mauritania or Nigeria.

Embraer has signed a contract for the sale of four A-29 Super Tucano light attack and advanced trainer aircraft to an undisclosed customer in Africa.

IATA has launched the IATA Air Cargo Device Assessment Program to validate air cargo tracking devices, data loggers and sensor-equipped devices.

In February 2024, the U.S. Space Force set up a pilot program called Tactical Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Tracking (TacSRT).

Etihad Airways plans for a significant community development initiative in Nairobi, coinciding with the launch of its new Abu Dhabi-Nairobi service.

Ethiopian Airlines has partnered with the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) for the establishment of Air Congo.

TAAG Angola Airlines and Lufthansa Technik have signed a long-term agreement on aircraft component services for airline’s fleet of new Boeing 787 long-range aircraft.

Boeing and JA Africa have recognised an all-girls team from Ghana with an Sustainable Innovation Award.

An emergency rescue plan to save Congo Airways, the flag-carrier of the Democratic Republic of the Congo – at serious risk of losing its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) and IATA approval in September this year – has been instigated.