Good morning, it’s Monday, 12 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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Morocco announced several aerospace investment agreements during the Marrakech Airshow, held from 7 to 10 October.

The agreements include a planned 120 million Moroccan dirham investment by Safran Oil Systems in aircraft-engine equipment manufacturing, expected to create approximately 100 jobs.

Three additional projects announced on 8 October cover component surface treatment, aircraft electrical wiring and precision machining. Together, they represent proposed investments of €28 million and US$16.46 million, with approximately 950 projected jobs.

The announcements come as Morocco seeks to move into higher-value aerospace manufacturing. Its industry currently employs around 25,000 people across approximately 160 companies.

Mohammed Bellatig, head of the Moroccan aerospace industry association GIMAS, told Reuters that annual aerospace exports could increase from approximately US$3 billion to US$5 billion within three years.

The agreements are investment commitments rather than completed projects. Their implementation will determine how much additional manufacturing capacity and employment Morocco creates.

Read Reuters' industry report

Adefunke Adeyemi has served as Secretary General of the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) since September 2022.

AFCAC is the African Union's specialised agency for civil aviation and the executing agency responsible for implementing the Yamoussoukro Decision and the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM).

Under her leadership, AFCAC has worked with African governments, regulators and airlines to advance aviation liberalisation, improve connectivity and address barriers restricting air transport across the continent.

Her priorities include accelerating SAATM implementation, strengthening aviation safety and regulatory cooperation, developing industry skills and supporting innovation and sustainability.

Adeyemi has consistently emphasised that Africa already has the policy frameworks needed to open its skies. The challenge is translating commitments into practical implementation.

Her work places her at the centre of efforts to make air travel across Africa more accessible, affordable and efficient, supporting tourism, trade and continental integration.

Royal Air Maroc receives another Boeing 737-8

Royal Air Maroc received another Boeing 737-8 from Aviation Capital Group, completing a programme of six aircraft delivered by the lessor over approximately six months.

The latest delivery, announced on 5 October, supports the Moroccan airline's fleet expansion as it develops Casablanca's connecting network.

Air Peace expands its Embraer fleet

Air Peace received a 96-seat Embraer E190 at Lagos' Murtala Muhammed International Airport on 7 October.

The aircraft has 12 business-class and 84 economy-class seats. The airline says the delivery brings its Embraer fleet to 18 aircraft and represents its eighth aircraft acquisition of 2026.

Nigeria investigates fatal military aircraft crash

A Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 crashed in Ondo State on 5 October while travelling from Benin City to Lagos, killing all 25 people aboard.

President Bola Tinubu ordered an investigation. Following discussions between aviation authorities and the Air Force, officials announced plans for closer cooperation on airworthiness, certification, training and safety oversight.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

TAAG activates contingency plan over technicians' strike

TAAG Angola Airlines announced an operational contingency plan on 7 October after receiving a strike notice from the Aircraft Maintenance Technicians Union.

The union scheduled industrial action for 11–15 October, with further periods planned in November and December. Negotiations concern salary adjustments, with the union reportedly seeking a cumulative increase of approximately 100% by December 2027.

TAAG says it will seek to maintain operations while complying with applicable technical and safety requirements.

Read TAAG's statement

Southern African airlines renew calls for SAATM implementation

Airline executives meeting at AASA's annual assembly in Mauritius called for lower taxes and charges, improved infrastructure, stronger safety oversight and liberalised market access.

The association also urged governments to advance implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market, which seeks to remove unnecessary restrictions on air services between participating African countries.

The recommendations represent industry priorities rather than newly adopted government measures.

Etihad and Ibom Air announce interline partnership

Etihad Airways and Nigeria's Ibom Air announced an interline agreement on 5 October, intended to connect Etihad passengers travelling through Lagos and Accra with Nigerian domestic destinations.

The arrangement covers planned connections to Abuja, Uyo, Port Harcourt, Calabar and Enugu.

The service is expected to become available when Etihad launches its Lagos and Accra flights in March 2027.

Owerri airport prepares for runway repairs

Nigeria's Federal Airports Authority announced plans to temporarily close the runway at Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport in Owerri from around 20 October.

The proposed 25-day closure will allow repairs to deteriorated runway pavement, including cracked surfaces and potholes.

The final operational timetable remains subject to confirmation. Airlines and passengers may need alternative arrangements during the works.

Lagos airport reconstruction advances

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria and China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation reported completing concrete works on a landside bridge associated with the rehabilitation of Terminal 1 at Murtala Muhammed International Airport.

The milestone forms part of the wider terminal reconstruction programme. Completion and operational reopening dates were not established in the reporting reviewed.

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18.4%

Central and West Africa: Growth in scheduled airline seats for October 2026, reaching 3.5 million. This makes it the world's fastest-growing aviation region by percentage capacity growth this month.

11.4%

North Africa: Increase in scheduled seat capacity, reaching 7.6 million seats in October, approximately 777,000 more than in October 2025.

535.1M

Global airline seats: Scheduled worldwide for October 2026, up 1.6% from 526.8 million a year earlier.

7.8%

Middle East capacity decline: Scheduled seats fell to 22.4 million, a reduction of approximately 1.9 million compared with October 2025.

O.R. Tambo International Airport, the busiest airport in sub-Saharan Africa, is South Africa's principal international aviation hub, connecting Johannesburg with destinations across Africa and the wider world.

Located in Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni, the airport began operations in 1952 as Jan Smuts Airport. It became Johannesburg International Airport in 1994 before being renamed in 2006 in honour of Oliver Reginald Tambo, a leader of South Africa's struggle against apartheid.

In 2025, the airport handled over 20 million passengers and more than 212,000 aircraft movements.

More than 40 airlines serve the airport, including Airlink, South African Airways, Ethiopian Airlines and Kenya Airways.

Its two parallel runways support a network of domestic, regional and intercontinental flights.

Airports Company South Africa, which owns and operates the airport, is implementing a multi-year infrastructure programme covering improvements to airport facilities and passenger services.

Read Aviation Africa's O.R. Tambo profile on LinkedIn

Royal Air Maroc is wholly owned by the Moroccan government. It operates from its base at Mohammed V International Airport, Casablanca.

The airline operates a fleet of about 70 aircraft and is expanding its fleet as part of a broader strategy to strengthen Casablanca's position as an international connecting airport.

OAG's October 2026 data lists approximately 817,000 scheduled seats for Royal Air Maroc, an increase of 20.6% compared with October 2025.

The airline's expansion is taking place alongside Morocco's growing aerospace manufacturing industry, linking the country's development as an air transport hub with its ambitions in aircraft production and maintenance.

Avolon announces agreement for 250 aircraft

Irish aircraft lessor Avolon announced agreements on 9 October to acquire 250 aircraft from Airbus and Boeing, with options for another 100 Airbus aircraft.

The proposed purchases comprise 140 Boeing 737 MAX, 75 Airbus A320neo and 35 Airbus A330neo aircraft. The agreements remain subject to shareholder approval.

The order highlights the continuing importance of aircraft leasing in global fleet financing, including for airlines seeking capacity without purchasing aircraft outright.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines orders ten Airbus aircraft

Biman Bangladesh Airlines confirmed an order for four Airbus A350-900 widebodies and six A321neo narrowbodies on 7 October.

The order adds Airbus aircraft to a fleet historically dominated by Boeing and follows an earlier agreement for 11 Boeing aircraft.

The decision reflects the commercial considerations involved in fleet diversification, including capacity, maintenance, training and supplier relationships.

Riyadh airport attacks disrupt international aviation

King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh suffered attacks over the weekend of 10–11 October, causing casualties and operational disruption.

Saudi authorities reported 13 deaths and more than 300 injuries following Saturday's attack. Another attack on Sunday caused additional casualties.

The airport was closed following the attacks, with international airlines cancelling or suspending services.

The disruption highlights the vulnerability of major aviation hubs to regional conflict and the consequences for international passenger connections.

Indian airlines raise fuel surcharges

Indian airlines adjusted passenger fuel charges during the week as aviation fuel prices increased.

IndiGo was among the carriers announcing revised charges for domestic and international services.

Fuel costs remain a significant factor in airline pricing and route economics. Similar cost pressures can affect African airlines, although the consequences depend on individual carriers' fuel procurement, currencies and operating structures.

AASA elects new leadership

The Airlines Association of Southern Africa elected TAAG Angola Airlines CEO Miguel Caneiro as chairperson and Air Botswana General Manager Bao Mosinyi as deputy chairperson for 2026–2027.

The appointments were made during the association's 56th Annual General Assembly in Mauritius.

Read the leadership announcement

The African Airlines Association has scheduled a webinar with Visa examining how spending and travel intelligence can help airlines identify underserved city pairs.

The session is titled From Latent Demand to Launched Routes.

It is scheduled for Tuesday, 13 October, and is particularly relevant to airline network planners, commercial teams, aviation researchers and organisations studying African air connectivity.

AFRAA - VISA Webinar

Why is this conversation important?

One challenge in African aviation is distinguishing routes with genuine commercial demand from routes that appear attractive primarily because they lack nonstop services.

Travel and transaction data can help identify potential markets, although demand estimates must be tested against fares, operating costs, traffic rights and passenger behaviour.

Ghana Airports Company Limited has announced a full-scale emergency simulation at Accra International Airport.

The exercise, named FALCON EYE 2026, is scheduled from 09:00 to 12:00.

It will involve aviation, emergency, security and government agencies.

The exercise is intended to test emergency coordination, communication, decision-making and operational response.

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Reply with your perspective, data, correction or story idea. We welcome contributions and partnerships from across Africa’s aviation community.

Until next time,

AVIATION AFRICA