Good morning, it’s Monday, 5 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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The Week in 60 Seconds
Ethiopian expands its cargo plans: An agreement with Boeing covers eight 777-8F and two 777F freighters.
More connections within Africa: Jambojet has returned to Nairobi–Entebbe, while Airlink’s Cape Town–Mauritius service began this weekend.
Hurghada’s airport tender advances: Seven companies or consortia have qualified for the next stage. The concession has not been awarded.
Aviation policy meets trade: A €10 million EU-supported programme aims to strengthen African aviation systems and support SAATM and AfCFTA objectives.
Professional costs change: South Africa’s revised aviation fee schedule took effect on 1 October.
One Big Headline
Ethiopian agrees to acquire ten freighters
Ethiopian Airlines announced an agreement with Boeing on 30 September for eight 777-8F and two 777F freighters. The airline says its existing dedicated cargo fleet comprises twelve 777Fs, two 767 freighters and four converted 737-800 freighters, serving more than 70 cargo destinations.
The investment comes as African airlines add cargo capacity faster than demand is growing. IATA’s August figures show capacity increasing 14% year on year, against 3% growth in cargo demand.
People Opening Africa’s Skies
𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐇.𝐄. 𝐋𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨 𝐃. 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐠𝐞.
Lerato D. Mataboge is the African Union Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy. Her department’s work connects transport, energy and digital infrastructure with the continent’s integration agenda.
In this video, she discusses the Single African Air Transport Market.
Alongside that conversation, an AU statement outlines a US$30 billion aviation infrastructure investment plan, with identified needs of US$25–30 billion over the next decade.
Across Africa
EU-backed aviation programme connects SAATM with trade
A €10 million, five-year EU programme aims to help turn African aviation agreements into practical improvements in safety, connectivity, skills and sustainability. Its first steering committee met in Addis Ababa on 23 September, according to a statement published on 30 September.
The statement explicitly links the programme to SAATM and the objectives of AfCFTA. Its priorities include aviation systems, professional training, digital tools and environmental protection.
African international passenger growth remains ahead of the global market
African airlines recorded 6.7% growth in international passenger demand in August compared with a year earlier, according to IATA. Capacity increased 8.3%, while load factor fell 1.2 percentage points to 78.4%.
Air Zimbabwe reports a narrower historical net loss
At its 30 September annual general meeting, Air Zimbabwe presented financial results for 2024, according to Spiked’s report from the meeting.
Revenue rose from US$7.54 million to US$10.74 million, while the net loss narrowed from US$10.44 million to US$7.12 million.
Nigerian airlines face scrutiny over flight disruptions
Nigeria’s flight-disruption figures have prompted debate about reliability and responsibility. The NCAA’s August report recorded 4,765 delayed flights out of 7,961 domestic services, almost 60%, alongside 36 cancellations.
The regulator recorded 1,330 delays among Air Peace’s 1,864 flights and 943 among United Nigeria Airlines’ 1,231 flights, equivalent to approximately 71.4% and 76.6%, respectively.
Airline representatives argue that the statistics need more context.
United Nigeria has pointed to infrastructure, weather and operational constraints, while Air Peace has cited problems including fuel availability and aircraft parking. The NCAA acknowledges that some disruptions fall outside airlines’ control.
Seven bidders advance in Hurghada airport procurement
Egypt’s Ministry of Civil Aviation has announced seven prequalified companies or consortia for a private-sector partnership to manage, operate and develop Hurghada International Airport.
The list includes groups involving Corporación América Airports, Egis, Fraport, TAV and Vinci, alongside Incheon and Zurich airport companies.
Prequalification allows participation in the next stage. It is not a concession award. The ministry says the airport’s assets will remain state-owned.
Manda improvements prepare the airstrip for increased traffic
Kenya Airports Authority’s work at Manda Airstrip includes runway improvements, a passenger walkway and an expanded aircraft parking apron.
KBC reported on 29 September that preparations were linked to the planned East African Oil Refinery groundbreaking ceremony in Lamu.
Egyptian regional airports record traffic growth
Egypt’s regional airports handled approximately 5.11 million passenger journeys during August and September, up 4.8% from the same period in 2025, according to the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
Hurghada accounted for approximately 2.13 million journeys and Sharm el-Sheikh for 1.64 million.
Reported recapture of Mekelle airport leaves flight resumption uncertain
Ethiopian federal forces reportedly regained control of Alula Aba Nega Airport in Mekelle, according to residents and a military source cited by the Associated Press on 3 October.
Tigrayan fighters had seized the airport on 23 September, prompting Ethiopian Airlines to suspend services to Mekelle, Axum and Shire.
Madagascar begins studying sustainable aviation fuel production
A feasibility study launched in Antananarivo on 28 September, with a workshop continuing on 29 September, according to Newsmada.
The work is supported through the International Civil Aviation Organization’s sustainable aviation fuel assistance programme and EU financing.
Participants examined potential raw materials, production technologies, certification and sustainability requirements.
Read Newsmada’s report
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New Routes & Connectivity
Airline | Route | Change and status | Start or effective date |
|---|---|---|---|
Jambojet | Nairobi–Entebbe | Resumed, daily | 1 October 2026 |
Airlink | Cape Town –Mauritius | Launched, twice weekly | 2 October 2026 |
Air Algérie | Algiers–Tripoli Mitiga | Scheduled resumption, twice weekly | 28 October 2026 |
Ethiopian Airlines | Addis Ababa–Durban | Scheduled resumption, daily | 11 December 2026 |
Numbers of the Week
26.6 million seats: OAG’s October snapshot puts African scheduled capacity 8.8% above October 2025.
44.5% growth in Nigeria: The country has approximately 1.35 million scheduled departing seats, the fastest percentage growth among the ten largest country markets in this snapshot.
4.35 million seats within Africa: The international destination breakdown puts intra-African capacity well below Europe’s 10.4 million seats.
Africa’s Airports
𝐂𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐨 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐢𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭, 𝐄𝐠𝐲𝐩𝐭
Cairo’s airport story began with an American military airfield during the Second World War. Its subsequent development into a civilian airport is documented in the airport’s official history.
Today, its scale is visible in scheduled capacity. OAG lists approximately 1.78 million departing seats for October, placing Cairo first among African airports in that measure. This is capacity offered, rather than completed passenger journeys.
Airlines Connecting Africa
𝐄𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐀𝐢𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬, 𝐄𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐚
Ethiopian began operations with five Douglas C-47 aircraft in April 1946. Its first scheduled service flew to Cairo via Asmara on 8 April.
Eighty years later, OAG lists the airline as Africa’s largest by scheduled seat capacity for October, with approximately 2.1 million seats in its African market snapshot.
Beyond carrying passengers, the airline serves businesses moving goods between Africa and markets overseas. This week’s freighter agreement is the latest development in that part of its network.
Beyond Africa
Airbus A350F completes its first flight
Airbus’s first A350 freighter test aircraft flew from Toulouse on 29 September, beginning a flight-test campaign expected to last more than nine months. The manufacturer specifies a payload of up to 111 tonnes.
For African cargo operators and logistics businesses, this is a development to follow in the future supply of long-haul freighter aircraft.
FAA holds MAX 10 certification pending software resolution
The US Federal Aviation Administration said on 28 September that it would delay certification of Boeing’s 737 MAX 10 until a newly disclosed software issue is resolved, Reuters reported.
Boeing said the issue could prevent access to automated flight guidance during a specific landing scenario on certain MAX aircraft. It had notified operators and was developing a software update. FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford did not give a timetable for resolving the issue.
The delay adds uncertainty to the largest MAX variant’s entry into service and the fleet plans of airlines awaiting it.
US slows aircraft-parts licensing to China
The US Commerce Department has slowed export licensing for aircraft parts destined for China, according to sources cited by Reuters on 1 October.
The report also describes limits on quantities approved for shipment to Chinese aircraft manufacturer COMAC and discussions about further controls. Sources linked the measures to Washington’s efforts to gain leverage in trade negotiations. The Commerce Department and White House had not responded to Reuters’ requests for comment at publication.
EASA issues Saudi airspace advice
A European Union Aviation Safety Agency bulletin issued on 30 September advises affected operators against flights within a defined part of Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah Flight Information Region, and calls for caution elsewhere in the region.
The bulletin is valid until 16 November unless reviewed earlier.
Read the EASA bulletin
Travel coalition calls for voluntary biometric processing
ACI EUROPE, Amadeus, IATA, IDEMIA Public Security and SITA have formed a coalition advocating rules to support voluntary biometric passenger processing under the EU’s Digital Omnibus proposals.
Their position includes passenger choice, deletion rights and a non-biometric alternative. It is a policy proposal from the participating organisations, rather than a newly adopted rule.
For airports considering digital passenger systems, the debate raises questions about convenience, consent and the alternatives available to travellers.
People & The Profession
South Africa introduces a revised aviation fee schedule
South Africa’s revised civil aviation fee schedule took effect on 1 October under the Thirty-Fifth Amendment of the Civil Aviation Regulations, implementing an Activity-Based Costing Model.
Pilots, cabin crew, aircraft maintenance engineers, training organisations and employers should check the current schedule when budgeting for licence, examination and renewal costs.
Opportunities & The Week Ahead
Open positions
Head of ATM Planning and Technology Adoption, ATNS
Permanent role covering air traffic management planning and technology adoption. Location: Southern Africa. Apply by 7 October 2026
Manager, Air Traffic Services, Lanseria, ATNS
Permanent role leading the unit’s air traffic services and operations. Location: Johannesburg. Apply by 7 October 2026
Events to watch
7–10 October: Marrakech Air Show, Morocco.
55 countries. How connected is yours?
See where your country ranks, compare connectivity scores and explore the direct air links shaping travel across Africa.
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Until next time,
AVIATION AFRICA
