Africa

Tunisia prepares for 5.5 million foreign tourists this year after increasing security at hotels and airports.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced that African aviation has supported 6.9 million jobs and generated over USD80 billion in Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Tunisair will begin flights to Montreal in May after Canada's transport agency (CTA) granted the airline an exemption to begin flights to the country.

Jet Aviation Basel has appointed David Peterson as director of completions sales.

Senegal has developed a new national carrier to replace Senegal Airlines, Air Senegal.

Airbus Defense and Space has developed a counter-UAV system that detects UAVs at long ranges and offers electrical countermeasures.

The first passenger jet, a Boeing 737-800, has landed at St Helena's Airport.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced the theme for the 2016 Aviation Day Africa, "Driving African Economies through the Power of Aviation."

Inflight Dublin (IFD) has announced its partnership with Royal Air Maroc (RAM), which will see it provide a wide range of video and audio content, as well as bespoke solutions for the airline's web and print platforms.

Kamuzu International Airport (KIA), Malawi, has been blacklisted by international airlines with South African Airways (SAA) cancelling flights on Friday.

The East African Community e-passport is due to replace all national passports next year.

Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, has been rated as Africa's fifth busiest airport in terms of passenger volume.

EgyptAir Training Center has passed the European Agency for Safety and Aviation (EASA) inspection.

African Ministers responsible for aviation security and facilitation met with Dr Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu, President of the ICAO Council, in Windhoek, Namibia, to address challenges concerning aviation security and facilitation in Africa through the implementation of the Comprehensive Regional Implementation Plan for Aviation Security and Facilitation in Africa (AFI SECFAL PLAN).

The European Commission has ruled the recapitalisation of Air Austral did not violate EC state aid rules.

The carrier has wet-lease an A321-100 from Olympus Airways.

NAC Charter and Awesome Aviation are merging to form the rebranded FlyAwesome.

Fastjet has deferred the planned launch of Fastjet Zambia until the end of the year.

Bluebird Aviation has had its assets frozen by a court in Nairobi pending the outcome of a court case.

The new airport will completely revolutionise travel to and from the island. At present, Saint Helena is accessible by a boat trip that takes around five days from Cape Town.

Emirates is increasing its free baggage allowance on all of its African routes, to be introduced on Friday.

Avtrade has increased its Power-by-the-hour contracts to support aircraft around the world.

EgyptAir has opened a second office at the African Union Headquarters, Addis Ababa.

Textron Aviation has enhanced its sales relationships with existing channel partners, Africair and Absolute Aviation Group.

FlySafair has confirmed it is not for sale after Comair announced an acquisition it is currently negotiating.