Good morning, it’s Monday, 2 November. Welcome to Aviation Africa Weekly, your roundup of the African and global aviation news shaping airlines, airports, policy and connectivity.
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The Week in 60 Seconds
Immigration requirements deter African travellers: IATA's latest passenger survey found that 52% of African respondents had been discouraged from visiting a destination by immigration requirements, compared with 43% globally.
SAA faces an investor deadline: South African Airways must find a strategic equity partner by February 2027 under conditions attached to a R1 billion government loan guarantee.
International flights return to Khartoum: Badr Airlines has introduced scheduled services linking Sudan's capital with Muscat and Asmara.
Ethiopian opens a new Mozambican route: Three weekly flights to Nacala began on 27 October, connecting northern Mozambique with the airline's Addis Ababa hub.
African airline traffic continues to grow: IATA reports 5% year-on-year growth in total African airline passenger demand for September, although capacity increased faster than traffic.
One Big Headline
Half of African air travellers say immigration requirements have discouraged a trip
More than half of African respondents to IATA's latest Global Passenger Survey say immigration requirements have discouraged them from visiting a destination.
The findings, released on 28 October, put the figure at 52%, compared with a global average of 43%.
The survey collected more than 10,000 responses from over 200 countries and examined how passengers book flights, use technology, and experience international travel.
For African respondents, the complexity of immigration requirements was the leading concern among those discouraged from travelling, followed by cost.
The findings come as African governments and airlines continue working to improve air connectivity under the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM).
SAATM is intended to remove unnecessary restrictions on air services between participating African countries, allowing airlines greater freedom to develop routes and compete.
But opening air routes is only part of the challenge.
An airline may introduce a direct flight between two African cities, reducing travel time and creating new opportunities for tourism, trade and business. Yet passengers may still face complicated visa procedures, costly applications or lengthy immigration requirements.
The survey also reveals strong interest in digital passenger processing.
Among African respondents, 87% expressed interest in using digital passports for online check-in, compared with 84% globally. Meanwhile, 82% were willing to share biometric information to simplify airport processes, although only 49% reported experiencing biometric processing during the previous year.
Interestingly, African passengers also reported relatively high satisfaction with air travel. Some 89% were satisfied with their experience, compared with 87% globally.
People Opening Africa’s Skies
Meet Raphael Kuuchi, AFRAA Consulting Director, Government, Legal and Industry Affairs
Raphael Kuuchi works at the intersection of aviation business and the policies governing access to African air transport markets.
He serves as Consulting Director, Government, Legal and Industry Affairs at the African Airlines Association (AFRAA), a role he took up in January 2021.
Before returning to AFRAA, Kuuchi worked with the International Air Transport Association (IATA), where he served as Vice President for Africa and later Special Envoy to Africa on Aeropolitical Affairs.
His responsibilities included engagement with governments and aviation institutions on regulatory reform and the implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market.
Kuuchi previously worked at AFRAA from 2005 to 2014, holding commercial and industry affairs leadership positions.
His work has covered airline business development, market access, aviation regulation, commercial operations and training.
These issues remain central to the future of African aviation. Airlines seeking to introduce new routes must navigate traffic rights, operating costs, regulatory requirements and competition between national markets.
Kuuchi's career reflects the important role aviation policy specialists play in shaping the conditions under which African airlines operate.
Across Africa
South African Airways faces February deadline to find equity partner
South African Airways has until February 2027 to find a strategic equity partner under conditions attached to its R1 billion government loan guarantee.
According to National Treasury information reported by The Citizen on 29 October, the guarantee was approved on 5 August after the airline requested financial support in July.
Treasury says SAA has not yet borrowed against the guaranteed credit facility.
The conditions require the airline to identify non-core assets for sale or commercial use, submit a detailed asset plan and provide quarterly information on route profitability, passenger loads and yields.
The search for new investment follows the collapse of the proposed Takatso Consortium transaction in 2024.
SAA has resumed operations and rebuilt parts of its network since emerging from business rescue. However, securing sustainable financing remains a central challenge.
The new conditions increase pressure on the airline to demonstrate that it can support its operations commercially without continued reliance on government assistance.
Liberia secures €8.6 million partnership to upgrade Roberts International Airport
Liberia, the European Union and Germany launched a €8.6 million, three-year partnership on 30 October to improve safety, security and infrastructure at Roberts International Airport near Monrovia.
Implemented by German development agency GIZ, the programme will upgrade air traffic control and communication systems, runway and taxiway infrastructure, terminal facilities, emergency response equipment and airport security.
The investment includes €7.8 million from the EU and €800,000 from Germany.
The improvements aim to strengthen compliance with international aviation standards and support more reliable air connectivity, trade and tourism. Brussels Airlines remains an important European connection for Liberia.
International flights return to Khartoum Airport
Khartoum International Airport has resumed scheduled international services after years of disruption caused by Sudan's conflict.
According to schedule information reported by NewsAero on 31 October, Badr Airlines began weekly Khartoum–Muscat flights on 26 October and three weekly flights between Khartoum and Asmara on 28 October.
Services to Addis Ababa began on 25 October.
Badr Airlines is using Boeing 737-800 and Bombardier CRJ200 aircraft on the routes.
Khartoum Airport closed in April 2023 after fighting damaged aviation infrastructure and disrupted normal operations. Port Sudan subsequently became the main gateway for much of the country's limited international air connectivity.
The return of international flights gives travellers additional options for accessing the capital.
Ethiopian Airlines launches flights to Nacala, Mozambique
Ethiopian Airlines began three weekly passenger services to Nacala on 27 October, making the northern Mozambican city its third destination in the country after Maputo and Beira.
The route operates from Addis Ababa through Blantyre in Malawi before continuing to Nacala. The return journey operates directly from Nacala to Addis Ababa.
Flights are scheduled on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays using Boeing 737-800 aircraft.
The airline announced the route in September. The inaugural operation on 27 October is the development being reported this week.
Nacala serves an area with tourism, port and commercial activity. The service provides another connection from northern Mozambique to Ethiopian Airlines' international network through Addis Ababa.
Air Congo receives Boeing 787-9 under new leasing arrangement
Air Congo has received a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner leased from MIAT Mongolian Airlines through an arrangement facilitated by aviation services company Chapman Freeborn.
Chapman Freeborn confirmed the transaction on 30 October, saying the aircraft would provide 292 passenger seats across three cabins.
The configuration includes 30 Business Class seats, 36 Premium Economy seats and 226 Economy seats.
The aircraft is intended to strengthen Air Congo's long-haul operations and replace existing leased capacity.
Libya announces removal of international airspace restrictions
Libya's Ministry of Transport announced on 26 October that international aviation restrictions introduced during the country's civil war had been removed.
According to Reuters, the ministry said the International Civil Aviation Organisation had issued the decision on 23 October.
The ministry also reported a substantial increase in applications for permission to transit Libyan airspace.
It cited 61,968 monthly flight permits for the 2026–2027 winter season, compared with an average of around 2,000 monthly transit flights during the previous season.
Greater access to Libyan airspace could give airlines additional routing options between Europe, North Africa and other destinations.
African airlines record passenger growth as load factors decline
African airlines recorded 5% growth in total passenger demand in September 2026 compared with the same month last year, according to figures released by IATA on 30 October.
Available capacity increased by 7.7%.
As a result, the average passenger load factor fell by 1.9 percentage points to 73.5%.
On international services alone, African airlines recorded 8% demand growth against an 8.8% increase in capacity.
The figures show that African airlines are expanding capacity faster than passenger demand is growing.
African air cargo demand grows despite lower capacity
African airlines recorded a 4.7% increase in cargo demand during September 2026, according to IATA data released on 29 October.
Available cargo capacity declined by 1.2% during the same period.
The Africa–Asia cargo trade lane recorded 2.6% growth.
Globally, cargo demand increased by 7.7%, while available capacity grew by 2.7%.
IATA also reported that jet fuel prices were 103.4% higher than in September 2025.
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New Routes & Connectivity
Airline | Route | Change and status | Effective date |
|---|---|---|---|
Ethiopian Airlines | Addis Ababa–Blantyre–Nacala | Launched, three weekly flights | 27 October 2026 |
Badr Airlines | Khartoum–Muscat | Reported launch, weekly | 26 October 2026 |
Badr Airlines | Khartoum–Asmara | Reported launch, three weekly | 28 October 2026 |
FlySafair | Johannesburg–Lusaka | Previously announced, five weekly flights planned | 1 February 2027 |
Numbers of the Week
480,552
Africa has the world's fourth-busiest international air route
Cairo–Jeddah had 480,552 scheduled seats in both directions in October 2026, ranking fourth globally. Capacity increased by 1% from October 2025, according to OAG.
49.7%
Domestic air capacity expands in the Republic of the Congo
Scheduled domestic airline seats in Congo increased by 49.7% in October 2026 compared with October 2025, reaching approximately 144,200 seats. The increase is substantial for a relatively small aviation market.
23.2%
easyJet becomes Africa's fastest-growing top-ten carrier
easyJet increased its scheduled African-market capacity by 23.2% to 385,484 seats in October 2026, adding approximately 72,500 seats year on year. It entered OAG's top ten airlines serving Africa, ranking tenth.
65%
Air traffic control constraints dominate Europe's en-route delays
Air traffic control capacity and staffing accounted for 65% of Europe's en-route air traffic flow management delay minutes during 19–25 October 2026. Weather accounted for another 20%.
Africa’s Airports
Nacala Airport, Mozambique
500,000
Designed annual passenger capacity
28,437
Passengers handled in 2023
1,158
Aircraft movements in 2023
3,100 m
Runway length
Located in Nacala, a port city in Mozambique's northern Nampula Province, Nacala International Airport (IATA: MNC, ICAO: FQNC) is one of the country's most ambitious aviation infrastructure investments.
Inaugurated on 13 December 2014, the airport was developed from a former military airbase, with construction undertaken by Brazilian company Odebrecht at an estimated cost of approximately US$200 million.
Its infrastructure includes a 3,100-metre runway, 45 metres wide, capable of accommodating large aircraft such as the Boeing 747. The passenger terminal has 16 check-in counters, separate domestic and international departure lounges, and four aircraft parking stands, including two designed for widebody aircraft.
The airport was designed to handle approximately 500,000 passengers annually.
According to Mozambique's Civil Aviation Authority (IACM), Nacala handled just 28,437 passengers and 1,158 aircraft movements in 2023, representing approximately 5.7% of its designed annual passenger capacity. Cargo traffic totalled 231.7 tonnes.
LAM Mozambique Airlines provides domestic connections, while South Africa's Airlink inaugurated twice-weekly Johannesburg–Nacala flights on 2 February 2026.
On 27 October 2026, Ethiopian Airlines introduced three weekly flights connecting Nacala to Addis Ababa via Blantyre, Malawi, making Nacala its third Mozambican destination.
These developments bring the airport's scheduled airline operators to three: LAM, Airlink and Ethiopian Airlines.
Beyond passenger aviation, Nacala is strategically located near one of Africa's important deep-water ports and forms part of the Nacala Development Corridor, linking northern Mozambique with Malawi and Zambia through road and rail infrastructure.
Sources: Mozambique Civil Aviation Authority, 2023 Statistics · CAPA Airport Profile · Airlink, 2 February 2026 · Ethiopian Airlines, 27 October 2026
Airlines Connecting Africa
Kenya Airways, Kenya
4.56M
Passengers carried in 2025
45
Group fleet at year-end 2025, including 37 in service
64,780
Cargo tonnes transported in 2025
Kenya Airways Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. Photo: Mike Peel / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0.
Kenya Airways, Kenya's national airline, was established in January 1977 following the dissolution of East African Airways. Its inaugural flight took place in February that year.
It operates from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi.
Its 2025 annual report recorded 47 destinations worldwide, while OAG's August 2026 schedules showed a network spanning 44 airports in 33 countries, with Africa accounting for 71.5% of the airline's scheduled seat capacity.
In 2025, Kenya Airways carried 4.56 million passengers, down from 5.23 million in 2024. Its passenger load factor was 74.8%.
The group reported 45 aircraft in its fleet at the end of 2025, including 37 in service. Its aircraft include Boeing 787 Dreamliners for long-haul operations, Boeing 737s, Embraer E190 regional jets and dedicated freighters.
Kenya Airways is also a member of the SkyTeam airline alliance. Its wider aviation businesses include Jambojet, KQ Cargo, aircraft maintenance and aviation training.
The group transported 64,780 tonnes in 2025, compared with 70,776 tonnes the previous year.
The airline is currently led by Acting Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Captain George Kamal.
For the first six months of 2026, Kenya Airways reported revenue of KSh81 billion, up 9% year on year, but recorded a net loss of KSh16.1 billion as fuel costs, aircraft availability and supply-chain constraints continued to affect operations.
The airline is working to restore grounded aircraft, strengthen its maintenance capabilities and secure new investment.
Beyond Africa
Boeing reports higher revenue and progress on aircraft certification
Boeing reported third-quarter revenue of US$24.2 billion on 27 October, an increase of 4% compared with the same period in 2025.
The manufacturer delivered 161 commercial aircraft during the quarter, compared with 160 a year earlier.
However, its commercial aircraft division remained loss-making, reporting an operating loss of US$697 million.
Boeing also reported certification progress on the 737-7 and 737-10 models.
Airbus reports 547 commercial aircraft deliveries in nine months
Airbus reported 547 commercial aircraft deliveries during the first nine months of 2026, up from 507 during the same period last year.
The results, released on 28 October, also showed 1,105 net commercial aircraft orders and a backlog of 9,310 aircraft.
Airbus maintained its full-year delivery target of approximately 870 aircraft, subject to operating and supply-chain conditions.
Airbus and Air France establish A350 component support company
Airbus and Air France-KLM announced on 28 October that they had established Alpha Component Solutions, a joint venture providing component support for Airbus A350 operators.
The two companies each hold a 50% stake.
The business will manage component inventories, repairs, maintenance services and supply-chain support.
Airbus says the new venture already supports more than 500 aircraft under contract.
Reliable access to replacement components can reduce aircraft downtime, helping airlines maintain operations when equipment requires maintenance or repair.
The new company will serve A350 operators globally.
Global air cargo grows as fuel costs rise
Worldwide air cargo demand increased by 7.7% in September 2026, according to IATA.
Available cargo capacity rose by 2.7%, while jet fuel prices were more than double their level a year earlier.
The Asia–North America trade lane recorded 17% growth, reflecting stronger cargo activity on one of the world's largest aviation trade corridors.
People & The Profession
Libya reassigns aviation employees to airport operations
Libya has announced the reassignment of 340 employees from struggling aviation and transport businesses to the Airports Authority.
The decision concerns workers from organisations including Libyan Airlines and airport service providers.
The government says the arrangement is intended to retain skilled personnel within the transport sector and strengthen airport operations.
Opportunities & The Week Ahead
South Africa | Instrument landing system replacement at O.R. Tambo
Airports Company South Africa is inviting qualified suppliers to bid for the replacement of instrument landing systems at O.R. Tambo International Airport.
The contract period will not exceed 36 months.
Reference: ORTIA81982026RFP
Deadline: 13 November 2026, 12:00 SAST
Africa | AFCAC opens new aviation master's scholarship applications
The African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) and ITAérea Aeronautical Business School have opened a new application round for the 2026 AWAYA Scholarship, supporting advanced aviation education for professionals from AFCAC member states.
The programme offers eight online master's courses, including a newly introduced Master in Human Factors in Aviation Operations.
The scholarships form part of AFCAC's African Women and Youth in Aviation (AWAYA) initiative, with women aviation professionals particularly encouraged to apply.
Eligibility: Civil aviation professionals from AFCAC member states, subject to programme requirements.
Application deadline: 26 November 2026.
Study commencement: 8 March 2027.
South Africa | Airfield ground lighting maintenance
ACSA is seeking contractors to maintain airfield ground lighting at O.R. Tambo and Bram Fischer International Airports.
The five-year project concerns infrastructure used to guide aircraft during ground movements and airfield operations.
Reference: ORTIA82632026RFP
Deadline: 2 November 2026, 12:00 SAST
What to watch this week
2 November: The ACSA airfield ground lighting tender closes at 12:00 SAST.
4 November: ACSA's tender for refurbishment of staff restrooms at O.R. Tambo International Airport closes at 12:00 SAST.
13 November: The upcoming instrument landing system tender deadline at O.R. Tambo provides a further procurement milestone.
Editor’s Perspective
Opening Africa's skies is not enough if we cannot move freely
We have spent years discussing how to open Africa's skies.
Through the Yamoussoukro Decision and the Single African Air Transport Market, our governments have made commitments intended to improve air connectivity between African countries.
But IATA's latest passenger survey raises another important question.
What happens when an airline introduces a direct flight between two African cities, but the passengers it hopes to carry are discouraged by immigration requirements?
More than half of African respondents to the survey said immigration requirements had discouraged them from visiting a destination.
That is a figure we should be paying attention to.
We can invest billions in airports, acquire modern aircraft and introduce more routes. But if travellers continue facing complicated entry procedures, we will not realise the full benefits of those investments.
I believe we need to begin treating immigration reform, passenger processing and aviation liberalisation as connected priorities.
The objective should not simply be to increase the number of flights across Africa.
It should be to make travelling between African countries easier, more accessible and more affordable for the people those flights are intended to serve.
Tawanda
Editor
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Until next time,
AVIATION AFRICA
