African Pilot

01/12/2025

The 57th Annual General Assembly of the African Airlines Association (AFRAA) opened in Luanda on 1 December 2025, hosted by TAAG - Linhas Aéreas de Angola. The gathering brings together African aviation leaders, government and diplomatic representatives, regulators, industry partners and experts to discuss cooperation, sustainability and strategic growth.

In addition, AFRAA’s Annual Report was presented by Secretary General Abdérahmane Berthé, outlining data on traffic, fleet performance, market share, mobility, visa policies, ongoing projects and progress on the Single African Air Transport Market.

Roundtable discussions focused on the reinvention of African airlines, ongoing challenges, and the hub strategy for intra-African connectivity, including a case study on the transformation of Angolan civil aviation.

01/12/2025

The 57th General Assembly of the African Airline Association (AFRAA), held under the theme - Sustainable Skies, Connected Africa, has officially opened. The African Pilot team looks forward to two days of engaging discussions with the industry.

| African Airlines Association

29/11/2025

Airbus has issued an update on precautionary fleet action for the A320 Family following findings that solar radiation may corrupt data essential to flight control systems. An Alert Operators Transmission has been released, with an associated EASA Emergency Airworthiness Directive to follow. The company acknowledged expected operational disruptions and confirmed it will work closely with operators to ensure safety.

https://africanpilot.africa/airbus-update-on-a320-family-precautionary-fleet-action/

28/11/2025

Bell Flight confirms more than 700 flight hours on blended SAF with the Bell 505. The trials with Safran Helicopter Engines continue to show strong performance and support wider SAF adoption in rotorcraft operations.

https://africanpilot.africa/bell-505-achieves-over-700-flight-hours-with-blended-sustainable-aviation-fuel/

28/11/2025

The Gabon Civil Aviation Authority has been recognised with the ICAO Council President Certificate for its progress in aviation security oversight during the latest USAP audit.

https://africanpilot.africa/gabon-civil-aviation-authority-honoured-with-icao-council-president-certificate-for-security-oversight-progress/

27/11/2025

ICAO - International Civil Aviation Organization’s feasibility study outlines Ethiopia’s potential to produce Sustainable Aviation Fuel, assessing key feedstocks and the actions needed to support SAF deployment.

https://africanpilot.africa/ethiopia-feasibility-study-on-sustainable-aviation-fuel/

27/11/2025

Embraer has celebrated the delivery of its 1,700th Ipanema cropduster, the EMB-203 model. The ethanol-powered aircraft leads the agricultural aviation market with approximately 60 percent share and delivers high productivity, precision and low operating costs. More than 180 units have been sold in the last three years, reinforcing its position as a preferred platform for efficient and sustainable aerial spraying.

https://africanpilot.africa/embraer-celebrates-delivery-of-1700th-ipanema-cropduster/

27/11/2025

ExecuJet MRO Services South Africa, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dassault Aviation, has successfully renewed its approvals from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as well as multiple African civil aviation authorities.

https://africanpilot.africa/execujet-mro-services-south-africa-strengthens-its-regional-presence-with-renewed-us-faa-and-african-approvals/

27/11/2025

Airports Company South Africa launches real-time baggage tracking on its mobile app, giving passengers visibility of their checked-in bags through all handling stages.

https://africanpilot.africa/acsa-introduces-new-baggage-tracking-feature-to-enhance-passenger-experience/

26/11/2025

✈️ || The Boeing Company and the DLA tested the Rapid Delivery Release model, cutting aircraft-parts delivery times by months. The first F-15 trial confirmed RDR’s potential for urgent and surge support, with expansion now underway.

https://africanpilot.africa/boeing-new-supply-model-means-faster-delivery-of-aircraft-parts/

Boeing and the US Defence Logistics Agency trial a new Rapid Delivery Release model that shortens proposal-to-award cycles and accelerates delivery of critical aircraft parts.

26/11/2025

✈️ || Qatar Airways is boosting winter travel by increasing services to global destinations, including Cape Town and Nigeria.

Read more: https://africanpilot.africa/qatar-airways-boosts-winter-travel-with-service-increase-to-global-destinations-including-cape-town-and-nigeria/

26/11/2025

✈️ || In a media release dated 21 November 2025, the Fuels Industry Association of South Africa responds to recent media reports regarding Jet A-1 supply constraints at Cape Town International Airport (CTIA) and wishes to clarify several important points to ensure accurate public understanding of the situation.

https://africanpilot.africa/update-on-jet-a-1-supply-constraints-at-cape-town-international-airport/