African Pilot

African Pilot For those who fly to those who make flight possible. African Pilot Magazine, your go-to source for aviation in Africa.

🇦🇴 Angola’s national airline is focusing on fleet renewal, technical training, operational reliability, international ...
10/06/2026

🇦🇴 Angola’s national airline is focusing on fleet renewal, technical training, operational reliability, international partnerships and network growth as it works to build a stronger and more efficient carrier.

The airline carried 1.26 million passengers in 2025, recorded USD 437 million in revenue and continued the introduction of the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner and Airbus A220-300.

But the challenge remains significant, with TAAG - Linhas Aéreas de Angola also reporting a net loss of USD 144.6 million as it continues its restructuring and modernisation programme.

Read More:https://africanpilot.africa/2026-strategic-growth-plans-for-taag-angola/

Edelweiss is betting on Europe’s growing appetite for 🇳🇦 Namibia. The Swiss leisure airline says rising demand for natu...
08/06/2026

Edelweiss is betting on Europe’s growing appetite for 🇳🇦 Namibia.

The Swiss leisure airline says rising demand for nature-based travel, together with Namibia’s appeal as a premium safari and adventure destination, supported its decision to launch direct flights between Zurich and Windhoek.

The route has already exceeded initial expectations. Edelweiss originally planned two weekly flights for the inaugural season, but strong early demand prompted the airline to increase the service to three weekly flights.

According to the Namibia Airports Company Limited, Switzerland ranked as Namibia’s fifth-largest European source market in 2025, with an estimated 24,200 two-way international origin-destination passengers. Passenger volumes were already up 9% in 2025 compared with 2024.

Edelweiss expects to carry approximately 29,000 passengers annually on the route, equivalent to around 14,500 passengers in each direction.

Read more: https://africanpilot.africa/edelweiss-bets-on-growing-european-appetite-for-namibia/

AERO South Africa opens this week at Lanseria International Airport. The 2026 edition takes place from 10 to 12 June and...
08/06/2026

AERO South Africa opens this week at Lanseria International Airport. The 2026 edition takes place from 10 to 12 June and will bring together the general aviation community for an expanded programme covering business connections, emerging technologies, operational excellence, safety and industry engagement.

The programme includes static aircraft displays, drone demonstration flights, product launches, interactive symposiums, Pratt & Whitney Canada’s first South African Customer Connect event, the Safety Symposium powered by PilotInsure SA, the Business Matchmaking Programme and the Speakers Theatre.

Read more: https://africanpilot.africa/aero-south-africa-opens-this-week-with-expanded-general-aviation-programme/

In general aviation, the right financial structure can be as important as the aircraft itself. Armand Willemse, Absa Sou...
08/06/2026

In general aviation, the right financial structure can be as important as the aircraft itself. Armand Willemse, Absa South Africa Aviation Finance Specialist, looks at how geopolitical pressures, supply chain disruption, aircraft availability, parts supply, maintenance capacity and currency movements are affecting the general aviation sector.

As aircraft and operating costs remain under pressure, some operators are taking on larger funding requirements for similar aircraft than in previous years, not necessarily for expansion, but to sustain operations in a more challenging cost environment.

The article also looks at why aviation finance requires a more nuanced assessment of aircraft value, including maintenance history, engine life, avionics, component upgrades and long-term operational condition.

Read more in African Pilot: https://africanpilot.africa/why-navigating-market-turbulence-needs-the-right-financial-co-pilot/

International | Menzies Aviation is supporting the roll-out of TaxiBot technology at AMS, working with easyJet, Schiphol...
03/06/2026

International | Menzies Aviation is supporting the roll-out of TaxiBot technology at AMS, working with easyJet, Schiphol Airport and industry partners to introduce more efficient, lower-emission ground operations.

TaxiBot enables aircraft to taxi between the gate and runway without using their main engines, helping to reduce fuel burn, emissions and apron noise. EasyJet is now introducing the vehicles on three more Airbus A320neo aircraft operating at Schiphol, following a successful trial earlier this year.

Menzies Aviation is responsible for integrating TaxiBot into live ramp operations, including vehicle operation, employee training and coordination of ground movements.

Read more: https://africanpilot.africa/taxis-bot-introduction-at-amsterdam-schiphol-by-menzies-aviation/

Emirates is expanding its engine repair capability through a new agreement with GE Aerospace.The agreement will suppor...
03/06/2026

Emirates is expanding its engine repair capability through a new agreement with GE Aerospace.

The agreement will support technical consultancy, training and knowledge transfer for piece part component repair for GE90 and GP 7200 engines, linked to the capability roadmap of the Emirates Engine Maintenance Centre.

The EEMC expansion forms part of a US$300 million investment to scale up infrastructure and capability for engine maintenance, repair and overhaul in Emirates’ aircraft fleet.

Read More: https://africanpilot.africa/emirates-ge-aerospace-engine-maintenance-repair-capabilities/

Saab and GA-ASI have completed the first flight of an unmanned Airborne Early Warning solution.The flight was achieved b...
03/06/2026

Saab and GA-ASI have completed the first flight of an unmanned Airborne Early Warning solution.

The flight was achieved by integrating Saab’s LoyalEye radar sensor with GA-ASI’s MQ-9B unmanned aircraft. The milestone marks the start of a several-month test evaluation phase, ahead of a planned full capability demonstration later this year.

The system is designed to support early detection and warning, long-range detection and tracking, and the simultaneous tracking of multiple targets.

Read more here: https://africanpilot.africa/successful-first-flight-of-the-worlds-first-unmanned-airborne-early-warning-solution/

🇨🇬 The Republic of the Congo will waive visa requirements for all African nationals from 1 January 2027.Announced by Pre...
02/06/2026

🇨🇬 The Republic of the Congo will waive visa requirements for all African nationals from 1 January 2027.

Announced by President Denis Sassou-Nguesso during the African Development Bank Group’s 2026 Annual Meetings in Brazzaville, the measure is being positioned as part of Africa’s wider regional integration and trade agenda.

Read More: https://africanpilot.africa/congo-to-introduce-visa-free-access-for-african-nationals-from-2027/



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