Good morning, it’s Monday, 26 October. Welcome to Aviation Africa Weekly, your roundup of the African and global aviation news shaping airlines, airports, policy and connectivity.

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Air Algérie announced start dates for five international services on 24 October as part of its network expansion.

Four routes connect Algiers with African destinations: Conakry, Guinea; Brazzaville, the Republic of the Congo; Lagos, Nigeria; and Tripoli, Libya. The fifth connects Algiers with Shanghai, China.

The scheduled launches are:

The airline says the expansion will strengthen Algiers' position as a connecting hub between Africa, Europe and Asia.

Shanghai becomes its third Chinese destination after Beijing and Guangzhou.

The African routes extend Air Algérie's network into West and Central Africa while restoring connections with Libya.

The announcement adds travel options between Algeria and markets not always well connected by direct air services.

The routes are scheduled to begin operating between 25 and 28 October.

Read the Algerian Press Service announcement · Read the launch timetable in French

Kamil Al-Awadhi is the Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East at the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

A former chief executive of Kuwait Airways, he joined IATA in 2021 after a 31-year career with the airline.

He represents IATA across more than 60 countries, working with airlines, governments and regulators on aviation safety, connectivity, operating costs and sustainability.

In Africa, Al-Awadhi has been a leading advocate for stronger safety standards, lower aviation taxes and charges, and the removal of restrictions that limit connectivity.

He also oversees IATA's regional engagement through initiatives such as Focus Africa, which seeks to address safety, infrastructure, operating efficiency and skills development.

In April 2026, Al-Awadhi called on African governments to treat aviation as economic infrastructure, rather than primarily as a source of tax revenue.

Read IATA's official profile · Read his remarks on African aviation

Zambia to install new air traffic control simulator

Zambia Airports Corporation Limited has contracted New Zealand's Airways International to supply, install and commission a TotalControl air traffic control simulator at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka.

The system will include two controller working positions, two simulated pilot positions and an instructor station. It will replicate air traffic scenarios across Zambia's flight information region.

ZACL expects the simulator to reduce training costs, shorten on-the-job training time and improve trainee success rates.

The contract was announced on 15 October and reported by African Pilot on 23 October. Installation and commissioning dates have not been disclosed.

Read ZACL's official announcement · Read African Pilot's report

Airlink expands summer flight schedule

Airlink announced additional regional and domestic services on 19 October ahead of the Southern African summer season.

The airline will introduce three weekly flights between Lanseria and Harare from 15 November, a route first announced in August.

It will also increase Johannesburg–Zanzibar services to three weekly flights during December and add frequencies between Johannesburg and Nosy Be, Madagascar.

Cape Town–Harare will receive three additional weekly flights, while more services are planned between Johannesburg, Cape Town and George.

Airlink will also deploy its Embraer E195-E2 on daily Johannesburg–Nairobi services.

Read Airlink's announcement

Mozambique outlines US$420 million aviation plan

Mozambique's Civil Aviation Institute presented further details of its 2026–2045 aviation development plan during an industry conference in Nacala.

The programme covers 141 activities, including airport infrastructure, air connectivity, safety oversight, training and airspace management.

Its estimated cost has been reduced from US$710 million to US$420 million.

The regulator says it is working with the African Development Bank to mobilise financing.

Pemba and Vilankulo airports are among the facilities identified for improvements.

The plan was approved in January. The financing remains under development.

Read Diário Económico's report in Portuguese

TAAG returns two aircraft after maintenance

TAAG Angola Airlines announced on 23 October that a Boeing 777-300ER and a Dash 8 Q400 had completed major maintenance programmes.

The Boeing 777 underwent a C-check in Addis Ababa, including structural work and cabin refurbishment. It is scheduled to return to commercial service on 29 October.

The Dash 8 underwent maintenance in Nairobi and has already resumed domestic operations.

The aircraft will help restore capacity to TAAG's domestic and international network.

Read NewsAvia's report in Portuguese

East African regulators meet in South Sudan

Civil aviation regulators from East African Community member states met in Juba on 19 October for a two-day meeting organised by the Civil Aviation Safety and Security Oversight Agency (CASSOA).

The meeting examined safety oversight, regulatory harmonisation and technical cooperation.

Officials also discussed support for South Sudan's efforts to strengthen compliance with international aviation standards.

Read Sudan Post's report

South Africa investigates false bomb threat involving FlySafair

A bomb threat involving a FlySafair flight at King Phalo Airport in East London was declared a false alarm on 21 October.

Police, airport security and emergency responders searched the aircraft and luggage after receiving a report of a possible explosive device.

No explosives or suspicious materials were found. All passengers and crew disembarked safely.

The South African Police Service opened an investigation to identify the caller.

Read the South African Police Service statement

WHO calls for stronger monitoring at African borders

The World Health Organisation reported on 23 October that the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo had spread to Kenya and Nigeria through imported cases.

As of 20 October, Kenya had recorded nine cases, including one death. Nigeria confirmed its first imported case on 20 October.

WHO called for stronger disease surveillance, monitoring at points of entry and coordination between affected countries.

The organisation advised against restrictions on travel to, or trade with, affected countries.

Read WHO's 23 October update

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77%

International services account for 77% of Africa's scheduled airline capacity in October 2026, according to OAG. Domestic services account for 23%.

11.9%

Growth in Africa's scheduled domestic airline seats compared with October 2025.

5.5 million

Scheduled seats offered by low-cost carriers in Africa this October, an increase of 11.4% year on year.

29.7%

Growth in scheduled seats at Lagos' Murtala Muhammed International Airport, the highest percentage increase among Africa's ten largest airports in OAG's October data.

These figures measure scheduled airline capacity, not passengers carried.

Houari Boumediene International Airport is Algeria's principal international airport and the main hub of Air Algérie.

Located near Algiers, it connects the capital with destinations across Africa, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

The airport is named after Houari Boumediene, Algeria's former president.

Its passenger facilities include a newer international terminal opened in 2019, designed to accommodate additional traffic and support the country's international aviation ambitions.

According to OAG, the airport has approximately 580,000 scheduled seats in October 2026, an increase of 7.4% compared with October 2025.

Air Algérie's latest route expansion adds connections to West and Central Africa and provides additional international services through Algiers.

Source: OAG African airport capacity data

Air Sénégal is Senegal's national airline, operating from Blaise Diagne International Airport near Dakar.

The airline was established in 2016 and began commercial operations in 2018, succeeding the country's previous national carriers.

Its network includes domestic, regional and international services.

Air Sénégal is currently working to strengthen its fleet and improve operational reliability.

The airline's Boeing 737-800, named Gorée, is undergoing final regulatory and technical checks ahead of entering commercial service.

The 174-seat aircraft, registered 6V-XLS, was received in September and is intended to increase the airline's available capacity.

Read the latest fleet update in French

Boeing 737 MAX 10 receives FAA certification

The US Federal Aviation Administration certified Boeing's 737 MAX 10 on 20 October following years of testing and regulatory review.

The approval allows Boeing to proceed towards deliveries of the largest member of its 737 MAX family.

Certification had been delayed by additional safety requirements introduced following the MAX family's earlier problems.

Read the FAA announcement

American Airlines reports record revenue amid higher fuel costs

American Airlines reported third-quarter revenue of US$16.3 billion on 22 October, up 19.3% from the same period in 2025.

However, fuel expenses increased by US$1.9 billion, or 67.5%, and the airline recorded a net loss of US$269 million.

The results show how higher operating costs can offset revenue growth, even for large airlines.

Read American Airlines' financial results

Ryanair cuts 20 routes from Belgium

Ryanair announced on 20 October that it would remove 20 routes, six aircraft and approximately 1.1 million seats from its Belgian winter schedule.

The airline attributed the reductions to an increase in Belgium's aviation tax from €2 in January 2025 to €7 in January 2027.

Ryanair says the higher charges are making the market less competitive. The attribution reflects the airline's position.

Read Ryanair's announcement

Qatar Airways announces Western Sydney service

Qatar Airways announced plans to begin flights between Doha and Western Sydney International Airport on 15 December 2027.

The service is expected to operate three times weekly, adding an international connection to Australia's new airport.

The route could offer additional connecting options through Doha, including for passengers travelling between Australia and Africa.

Read the New South Wales Government announcement

Tunisia joins Boeing's AeroSTAR programme

Boeing and Amideast announced the expansion of their AeroSTAR youth programme to Tunisia on 23 October.

The initiative introduces students aged 15–18 to aviation and aerospace careers through workshops, mentoring, industry visits and practical projects.

Tunisia will host the programme's regional camp and graduation in summer 2027.

Participants will come from Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.

Read Boeing's announcement

Applications are open to students aged 15–18 who can attend sessions in Tunis or Sousse.

Deadline: 20 November 2026.

Apply through Amideast

Morocco | Boeing–Amideast AeroSTAR Programme

Applications are open to eligible students who can attend sessions in Casablanca or Rabat.

Deadline: 15 November 2026.

Apply through Amideast

Senegal | IATA training for travel agents

IATA will hold a BSP and BSPLink Training for Travel Agents course in Dakar on 18–19 November.

An early registration offer is available until 28 October 2026. Fees vary by eligibility category.

View registration details

What to watch this week

We often talk about opening Africa's skies, improving air connectivity and making travel between African countries easier. But aviation is only one part of a much larger transport network.

I recently crossed Beitbridge Border Post between Zimbabwe and South Africa. The immigration officials on both sides provided excellent service, but the overall experience left me thinking about how much more needs to be done.

There was heavy traffic, with buses and trucks everywhere. At times, bus company personnel appeared to be managing access to queues, making it difficult to distinguish official procedures from instructions given by private operators.

Having travelled through O.R. Tambo and Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, the difference in how we manage the passenger experience was striking.

A person travelling by bus deserves the same consideration as someone arriving by plane.

As we work towards the Single African Air Transport Market, we must also improve our road networks, border crossings and other transport infrastructure. A seamless flight means little if the rest of the journey is complicated by unnecessary delays and inefficient systems.

African integration cannot be achieved through aviation alone. Our airports, roads, railways and border posts must work together.

The goal should be to move to Africa more easily, regardless of how people choose to travel.

Tawanda
Editor

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AVIATION AFRICA