The northern flights
Helicopters are providing a vital lifeline for most north African air forces. Alan Warnes has been looking at the fleets.
Features
in Features Why emergency flights must be allowed to go ahead to help combat the COVID-19 crisis
Posted 24 March 2020
As we face a wall of blanket travel bans, why emergency flights must be allowed to go ahead to help combat the COVID-19 crisis, by By Mark Briffa, CEO of Air Partner plc
in Maintenance / Features Firnas breathes new life into recycling aircraft
Posted 23 March 2020
Young Tunisian company, Firnas Aero Technics, is looking to change the way that airlines and operators in Africa and the Middle East deal with dismantling and ‘parting out’ of airframes when they reach the end of their lives, writes Vincent
in Maintenance / Features How to improve profitability on a data-day basis
Posted 19 March 2020
Strong supply chain management is essential if MROs are to control costs in a competitive environment. Chuck Grieve looks at some of the challenges and solutions.
in Air Transport / Features Passenger confidence is vital for the MAX to return
Posted 16 March 2020
After being grounded for almost a year, the Boeing 737MAX is being tested and prepared for re-entry to service. Boeing’s managing director for sub-Sahara Africa, João Miguel Santos, talks to Alan Peaford.
in Defence / Features Adaptable A-Darter homes in on its first production orders
Posted 13 March 2020
A type certificate has been granted for the South African/Brazilian Denel V3E A-Darter infrared homing short-range air-to-air missile (SRAAM), marking the conclusion of the missile’s development, qualification and
in Air Transport / Features FlyEgypt's MAX headroom for improvements
Posted 12 March 2020
New domestic services, new branding and – hopefully – new aircraft will make 2020 a significant year for FlyEgypt, its CEO tells Alan Dron.
in Defence / Features Grob lands African ‘first’ with delivery to Ethiopia
Posted 11 March 2020
Late last year, H3 Grob Aircraft completed the delivery of a first batch of Grob G 120TPs to the Ethiopian Air Force. As African Aerospace was going to press, a second batch was expected to be delivered to fulfil the EAF’s requirement for
in Air Transport / Features It's been a bumpy ride… but now we're ready to take off
Posted 10 March 2020
Air Botswana general manager, Agnes Khunwana, tells Victoria Moores how she is working to stabilise operations and cut costs after a frustrating and turbulent fleet-transition year, which has laid the foundations for future
in Defence / Features Icarus-X Caravan set to take off in east Africa
Posted 9 March 2020
Belgium’s H3 Defence Solutions was showing off its Cessna 208 Caravan demonstrator – dubbed Icarus-X – at the Dubai Airshow in mid-November. Alan Warnes explains why the aircraft is very much a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
in Air Transport / Features ACC eyes up further African possibilities
Posted 6 March 2020
Aviation services provider, ACC Aviation Group, is increasingly looking to Africa as a major area of its future operations, writes Alan Dron.
in Features / Airports Time to get smart in Africa
Posted 5 March 2020
The 28th Airports Council International (ACI) annual general assembly, conference and exhibition took place at the Kempinski Hotel in Accra, Ghana, in October. Chukwu Emeke was there.
in Features / Airports Hot hubs for African expansion
Posted 4 March 2020
With new airports and terminal expansion projects on the rise across Africa, Chloe Wilson reports on how the competition is heating up in the race to become the continent’s primary aviation gateway.
in Defence / Features Spartans boost Zambia and Kenya
Posted 3 March 2020
The Leonardo C-27J Spartan is about to enter full operational service with two new African air force operators. Jon Lake reports.
in Air Transport / Features Ghana accelerates its transformation
Posted 2 March 2020
Ghana’s aviation authorities see huge growth potential in Africa’s air transport industry and have taken giant strides to position the sector to serve as the nation’s economic driver, with the mission of developing a regional aviation hub. Chukwu
in Technology / Features Watching this space
Posted 28 February 2020
With space-based air traffic management gaining traction globally, Thomas Kgokolo, the interim CEO of South Africa’s Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS), speaks to Keith Mwanalushi about system integration in Africa.
in Features Can aviation ever be truly green?
Posted 27 February 2020
Can aviation ever be truly green is the question Tom Parsons, low carbon, commercial development manager, at Air BP, looks in to.
in Maintenance / Features Blade runners
Posted 27 February 2020
Maintenance makes helicopters more expensive to fly than to buy, but they are indispensable in numerous civil roles. Chuck Grieve reviews some of the main players in the African rotary wing MRO business.
in Defence / Features $1.8bn Russian fighter deal for Algeria
Posted 24 February 2020
A $1.8 billion order for 30 Russian aircraft will take Algeria’s fighter fleet numbers up to 74 – sufficient for six squadrons. Jon Lake reports.
in Features Tragedy that turned Dr Ola into a Nigerian lifesaver
Posted 13 February 2020
After a personal tragedy, Dr Ola Brown set herself the ambitious task of changing the west African healthcare sector by setting up Flying Doctors Nigeria. Marcella Nethersole reports.
in Air Transport / Features Wonder Woman
Posted 12 February 2020
Over the past 27 years, Zukisa (Zuks) Ramasia has seen many South African Airways (SAA) CEOs come and go, but she never expected to hold the role herself.
in Features / Airports Four ways to check in to seamless travel
Posted 29 January 2020
Over the next 20 years, demand for air transport in Africa is expected to double, with 4.6% annual growth predicted – the second fastest of all the International Air Transport Association (IATA) regions. Emad Muhanna outlines the steps that need to
in Maintenance / Features The search is on to plug the MRO gap
Posted 27 January 2020
With pressure mounting for more maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facilities throughout the continent, Chukwu Emeke looks at the situation in west Africa.
in Maintenance / Features Dakar at the double for 2AS
Posted 24 January 2020
Senegal’s Blaise Diagne International Airport (BDIA) in Dakar has joined forces with global MRO player, Air France International/KLM Engineering & Maintenance (AFIKLME&M), to provide support for both Air Senegal and airlines using the airport that
in Features / ATM & Regulatory Ethiopia raises its hand for liberalisation
Posted 17 January 2020
The Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority is tasked with ensuring the development of a safe, reliable and modern air transport sector – but now new moves are also afoot in the country, as Kaleyesus Bekele found out when he spoke to ECAA director
in Maintenance / Features AJW's star part in Africa
Posted 15 January 2020
AJW Group chief executive, Christopher Whiteside, talks to Chuck Grieve about adding value to the business of supplying parts and spares through relationships, efficiencies and planning.
in Maintenance / Features Membership on the up in east Africa’s rotary club
Posted 8 January 2020
East Africa has been witnessing significant growth in its helicopter industry. Githae Mwaniki takes a look at the sector.
in Features From A-Z, the secrets of Tunisia's rapid rise in aerospace
Posted 23 December 2019
Over the past decade Tunisia has continued to build a solid, recognised and sustainable aeronautical industry and the leaders of the Tunisian Aeronautics and Space Industries Group – GITAS – have been explaining some of what’s
in Maintenance / Features It's good to talk in Portuguese
Posted 20 December 2019
In just 10 years, Davenport Aviation has developed into a global supplier of aircraft parts, supplies, and equipment. It has a special interest in Africa because, as Chuck Grieve finds out, that’s where it all started.
in Features The drone rangers
Posted 16 December 2019
The booming use of unmanned aerial vehicles has now spread to security, with one South African company using the devices to protect residential estates. Alan Dron reports.
in Features Zipping to the rescue
Posted 11 December 2019
Thousands of lives are being saved in west Africa thanks to Zipline, the world’s first commercial drone delivery service.
in Air Transport / Features How single can west African skies be?
Posted 9 December 2019
West Africa seems to be facing particular problems as it tries to come to grips with implementation of the single African air transport market (SAATM). Chukwu Emeke reports.
in Features International players behind Libya’s drone war
Posted 5 December 2019
Strikes are taking place every day in Libya’s deadly drone war. In the first conflict where unmanned aerial systems (UAS) are making up the bulk of the air operations, both sides have successfully attacked opposition aircraft. Alan Warnes
in Air Transport / Features Just the ticket for tourism - or is it?
Posted 4 December 2019
A new agreement among African states seeks to link the growth of air transport and tourism – but more has to be done to improve the continent’s aviation infrastructure. Alan Dron reports.
in Business & Finance / Features It's crunch time for credit fraud
Posted 3 December 2019
African airlines, facing an increasing problem of fraud, are seeking new payment methods to try to cut down on their financial losses. Alan Dron reports.
in Features Adcom UAVs in service in Algeria
Posted 2 December 2019
Footage shown on Algerian national TV and posted by the Algerian Ministry of Defence on its official Facebook page has revealed that two Emirati-developed unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) are now in service with the Algerian Air Force. Jon Lake reports.
in Air Transport / Features Angola's goal
Posted 27 November 2019
Fly Angola’s general manager, Belarnicio Muangala, tells Martin Rivers why the start-up airline is betting on one of Africa’s most restricted aviation markets.
in Air Transport / Features Making the Business of Freedom Sustainable
Posted 26 November 2019
By Alexandre de Juniac. It’s no secret that aviation has come in for a good deal of scrutiny and criticism over its environmental impacts. The flight shaming phenomenon and proposals for a Green New Deal that would reduce and even replace air
in Maintenance / Features Home run for MRO deals
Posted 26 November 2019
Recent contracts signed between African airlines and international maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) providers confirm there is movement toward keeping more of Africa’s maintenance spend at home. Chuck Grieve reports.
in Features Africa in the drone zone
Posted 25 November 2019
Countries in sub-Saharan Africa are now using an ever-increasing fleet of small and tactical unmanned air vehicles (UAVs), which will soon be augmented by Mauritania fielding its first medium altitude long endurance (MALE) platform. Erwan de Cherisey reports.
in Defence / Features Combat pilot Mfeka is a SAAF history-maker
Posted 21 November 2019
The South African Air Force (SAAF) now has its first black female combat pilot, writes Jon Lake.
in Business Aviation / Features Swiss bank on the Hart of Africa
Posted 20 November 2019
Booming business across Africa and the resulting increase in high-net-worth individuals is supporting the need for business aviation, encouraging some of the world’s top luxury services providers to invest in the region. Dave Calderwood talked to one of
in Air Transport / Features Ethiopian plots flightpath to 2035
Posted 19 November 2019
Ethiopian Airlines will shortly unveil a new strategic roadmap to serve the airline from 2020 to 2035. Kaleyesus Bekele talked to CEO, Tewolde GebreMariam, to find out more.
in Features Ethiopia to host Africa’s top summit
Posted 15 November 2019
Africa’s most prestigious aviation event heads to Ethiopia for the first time, as Michael de Klerk reports.
in Features / Airports Nigeria’s battle-ground
Posted 14 November 2019
A price war has broken out between Nigeria’s two main ground-handling organisations, leading some to fear that safety could be compromised. Chukwu Emeke reports.
in Defence / Features Aircraft boost for Madagascar
Posted 13 November 2019
The Madagascar Air Force received a boost in June with the arrival of a batch of new aircraft to bolster its small inventory. Erwan de Cherisey report.
in Business Aviation / Features Rwandan academy ‘first’ for Akagera
Posted 12 November 2019
As Rwanda continues its remarkable development – particularly in the aviation arena –Akagera Aviation is proud to be playing its part. Marcelle Nethersole reports.
in Air Transport / Features How Team Congo can pull away from the turbulence
Posted 11 November 2019
Congo Airways boss, Desiré Balazire Bantu, explains to Martin Rivers and Romuald Ngueyap how political unrest at home has slowed the flag-carrier’s growth plans.
in Training / Features South Africa goes Mega for engineer training
Posted 7 November 2019
South Africa’s Mega Aero Training Academy (MATA) is working with Swiss maintenance provider, SR Technics, to establish a European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Part 147 programme that will cover type ratings, basic and specialised
in Features / Airports Kasama development targets tourists
Posted 6 November 2019
Kasama Airport in Zambia’s Northern Province is being upgraded as the country prepares to develop the northern tourism circuit. Humphrey Nkonde reports.
in Defence / Features NAF breaths new life into Albatros
Posted 5 November 2019
Nigeria’s continuing counter-insurgency campaign against Boko Haram is the driving force behind a further small increase in the capabilities of its air force. Alan Dron reports.
in Business Aviation / Features Why Krimson is in the pink
Posted 4 November 2019
Ethiopian business aviation operator, Krimson Aviation, is growing fast. Dawit Lemma, CEO, tells Dave Calderwood how the company is coping.
in Air Transport / Features Adel's grand plan
Posted 1 November 2019
Ahmed Adel, EgyptAir’s new chairman and chief executive, tells Martin Rivers and Alan Peaford why he is looking forward to a renewed period of growth and prosperity for the nation’s flag-carrier.
in Maintenance / Features Desert dust’s open season on engines
Posted 16 September 2019
Maintenance trends in Africa map the prevailing weather conditions. During the Harmattan season, for example, MROs usually notice a spike in engine-related events.
in Maintenance / Features Benefits from pan-African outlook
Posted 12 September 2019
African aviation is prone to frequent change, according to AJW group sales director, Hafsah Abdulsalam.
in Features Algerians assemble new plant deal with Leonardo
Posted 11 September 2019
Africa is about to get a new helicopter assembly plant following a deal between Algeria and European manufacturer Leonardo. Alan Dron reports.
in Maintenance / Features Can Africa keep the wheels turning on its MRO potential?
Posted 10 September 2019
African aviation has a quandary: operators can’t afford to keep spending their maintenance budgets abroad, while establishing their own maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facilities is prohibitively expensive. But
in Features / Airports Terminal plugs new life into Tanzania
Posted 9 September 2019
Tanzania’s economic hub is due to get a boost as Dar-es-Salaam airport’s new terminal opens its doors for business. Alan Dron reports.
in Features Embraer targets the huge opportunity in Africa
Posted 5 September 2019
The Embraer Airline Business Seminar Africa 2019, held in Mauritius at the beginning of April, kept all its promises. The Brazilian manufacturer, which has recently partnered with Boeing, sees Africa as a market with a “huge potential”.
in Air Transport / Features Transformation building a head of steam
Posted 3 September 2019
Air Madagascar continues to implement its ‘Alefa 2027’ transformation plan that’s designed to revive this major airline player in the Indian Ocean and African regions.
in Air Transport / Features A cape of good hope for Icelandair
Posted 2 September 2019
Icelandair Group’s charter and leasing specialist, Loftleidir, has taken a majority shareholding in Cabo Verde Airlines. Alan Dron asks why the Nordic carrier is focusing on a tiny island group 5,000km south of its home?
in Features Airbus leads the way into African market
Posted 30 August 2019
The days have gone when African airlines were forced to struggle with aging aircraft. Kaleyesus Bekele has been finding out more from Airbus.
in Features DHL delivering vital medicines by drone
Posted 29 August 2019
Ukerewe District, an isolated island located on Lake Victoria in Tanzania, has been receiving regular deliveries of essential medicines by drone.
in Defence / Features Galaxy still out of this world
Posted 28 August 2019
The US Air Force’s Lockheed C-5 Galaxy remains a stalwart of airlift operations to and from Africa, supporting deployments and delivering humanitarian assistance.
in Air Transport / Features E2 wins the Peace prize…
Posted 27 August 2019
The newest Nigerian private carrier, Air Peace, is the largest airline in west Africa with 80% of market share. Now the biggest Embraer operator in the region will be the first to add an E2 to its fleet in Africa. Anuradha Deenapanray reports.
in Business & Finance / Features AfDB banks on more regional integration
Posted 22 August 2019
For several years the African Development Bank (AfDB) has been supporting commercial aviation in Africa and the organisation’s chief aviation officer, Romain Ekoto, has been explaining about current projects and his vision for the future.
in Features / Airports Bole in pole position
Posted 20 August 2019
Ethiopia’s increasingly relaxed visa regime and the expansion of the country’s national airline have helped Addis Ababa become Africa’s biggest long-haul transit hub. Alan Dron reports.
in Defence / Features AS365N Dauphins for Djibouti
Posted 19 August 2019
As part of an ongoing expansion programme, Djibouti’s small air arm, the Force Aérienne du Djibouti (FAdD, Djibouti Air Force), has taken delivery of four newly refurbished AS365N Dauphins.
in Air Transport / Features New kid on the block is not kidding around
Posted 15 August 2019
Allan Kilavuka became CEO of Kenya Airways’ low-cost carrier (LCC), Jambojet, in January 2019, succeeding industry veteran Willem Hondius. Kilavuka talked to Victoria Moores about how it felt to fill those shoes, as a complete newcomer to
in Maintenance / Features Lufthansa Technik sets up shop in South Africa
Posted 14 August 2019
Lufthansa Technik has become the first foreign MRO provider to establish line maintenance operations in South Africa through a new contract with Comair – and it bodes well for the region. Chuck Grieve reports.
in Features The Major breakthrough for South African aviation
Posted 13 August 2019
Cindy Lou Dale turns the spotlight on a maverick pilot who – 90 years ago – revolutionised the airways over South Africa and effectively created the country’s most famous airline.
in Features / Airports It's good to talk why collaboration is the name of the game
Posted 12 August 2019
With significant growth forecast across the continent’s aviation sector, Chloe Wilson reports on how the industry is tackling challenges to safety and security in African airports.
in General Aviation / Features FAI celebrates and targets Africa
Posted 9 August 2019
As FAI marks its 30th anniversary it is looking to increase its business in Africa. Marcelle Nethersole reports.
in Defence / Features Twin giants square up for Herculean task
Posted 8 August 2019
With most African countries ignoring the more expensive C-130J Hercules, both the Leonardo C-27J and Airbus C295 are now battling it out for tactical airlift supremacy in Africa. Alan Warnes looks at the state of play and the status of the North
in Air Transport / Features Mahogany en route to a solid base
Posted 7 August 2019
After a false start in 2014, Mahogany Air is riding a wave of pro-aviation government policies in Zambia. Martin Rivers talked to the airline’s founder and chief executive, Jim Belemu.
in Features / Events MEBAA's North Star
Posted 5 August 2019
The MEBAA Show Morocco is the only dedicated business aviation event in north Africa – and its growing popularity reflects market demand.
in Features Mercy missions flood cyclone-hit areas with relief
Posted 2 August 2019
More than 1,000 people were killed and property destroyed as two cyclones tore through southern and eastern Africa in March and April. Humphrey Nkonde reports.
in Features / Airports The way Lusaka will live next...
Posted 1 August 2019
As African cities recognise the value of extending in and around airports, Chloe Wilson takes a closer look at the plans behind Lusaka’s Airport City.
in General Aviation / Features How the Black Hawk can give commercial operators an edge
Posted 31 July 2019
Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk family helicopters have been used in Africa for several decades, with military operators including Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia. Commercial operators, however, were non-existent… with one
in Business Aviation / Features The BBJ's Royal family
Posted 29 July 2019
Business jets have been a controversial subject across Africa as governments of developing nations recognise a need for top-level travel for their heads-of-state while, at the same time, fending off accusations of buying expensive white elephants. Now, as Alan
in Defence / Features Man with a mission to modernise
Posted 26 July 2019
When Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar was appointed as the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) chief of air staff in July 2015, only 50% of his aircraft were serviceable. In one of his first speeches, he said he wanted “effective and efficient capacity building” and training
in Air Transport / Features Ethiopian – managing the MAX crisis
Posted 25 July 2019
Kaleyesus Bekele meets Tewolde Gebremariam, the CEO coping with the aftermath of the Ethiopian airliner crash that killed 157 people.
in Defence / Features Why are the Cobras not striking?
Posted 20 June 2019
Issues are arising surrounding the Kenya Air Force (KAF) Bell AH-1F Cobra attack helicopters, writes Jon Lake.
in Features / ATM & Regulatory Mekonnen's law
Posted 19 June 2019
Tefera Mekonnen, the new secretary general of the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), officially took up office on January 7. He shares his vision with Kaleyesus Bekele.
in Defence / Features Equatorial Guinea continues air force expansion
Posted 18 June 2019
The air force branch of the Equatorial Guinea Guardia Nacional (National Guard) has continued its expansion, writes Jon Lake.
in Features Astral plane plugs the capacity gap
Posted 17 June 2019
Kenyan all-freight operator, Astral Aviation, is to add two Boeing 767-200Fs this year – marking its first examples of the type – and is separately evaluating Airbus A321 and 737-800 freighters as it seeks to address capacity gaps in its fleet. Victoria
in Defence / Features Cameroon gears up for counter-insurgency campaign.
Posted 14 June 2019
The Armée de l’Air du Cameroun (Cameroon Air Force) is undergoing a major re-equipment programme, although the US halted assistance in February 2019 amid reports of gross violations of human rights by Cameroon’s security
in Air Transport / Features Air Côte d’Ivoire looks to long-haul
Posted 13 June 2019
Air Côte d’Ivoire’s business plan for the next 10 years maintains the current strategy but with an increased emphasis on long-haul, according to CEO, René Décurey.
in Features Clusters can make the difference
Posted 12 June 2019
Building up an aerospace manufacturing sector in Africa would be a significant creator of employment in the continent, says Airbus’ aviation White Paper. Alan Dron reports.
in Defence / Features Tunisia completes Black Hawk purchase from US
Posted 11 June 2019
The US Army’s Security Assistance Command (USASAC) has completed the delivery of a $338 million foreign military sales (FMS) package of eight Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters and associated training and support to Tunisia, writes Jon
in Air Transport / Features Camair-Co goes from strength to strength
Posted 10 June 2019
Cameroonian national airline, Camair-Co, posted a good performance in 2018 with a 62% increase in turnover, passenger traffic reaching 343,000, and a reduction in its operating loss, report Romuald Touembou Ngueyap and Vincent Chappard.
in Maintenance / Features Connected world keeps repair times in check
Posted 7 June 2019
Airbus has a vested interest in helping maintenance and repair organisations (MROs) and airlines manage their aircraft. Guillaume Mille explained the European airframer’s approach and goals to Chuck Grieve.
in Features / Airports Libreville to realise Gabonese dream
Posted 5 June 2019
Gabon’s planned new airport at Libreville will help to realise the dream of turning the city into a key airport hub in central and west Africa, through enhancing connectivity, providing jobs and increasing the country’s status in the region, writes
in Defence / Features Dogged determination to counter terrorism
Posted 4 June 2019
African air force commanders met with US Air Force and State Department leaders at the eighth annual Air Forces Africa (AFAFRICA) symposium in Morocco. Jon Lake reports.
in Air Transport / Features Mauritania looks to strike a Paris match
Posted 3 June 2019
Mauritania Airlines is rapidly expanding its route network, but one of the major prizes still remains tantalisingly out of reach. Alan Dron reports.
in Maintenance / Features Russian MRO boost for Egyptian Air Force
Posted 31 May 2019
The Rostec State Corporation company, Russian Helicopters, is to open a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) centre for the Egyptian Air Force’s Mi-8T and Mi-17-1V helicopters.
in Features / Airports Zambia's Copperbelt plan is belting along
Posted 30 May 2019
The $397 million Copperbelt International Airport, being developed by the Zambia Airports Corporation Limited (ZACL), is now 35% complete. Humphrey Nkonde looks at the project.
in Defence / Features Egypt gets extra bite with the ‘Nile Crocodile’
Posted 29 May 2019
The Kamov Ka-52 ‘Nile Crocodile’ helicopter has officially entered service with the Egyptian Air Force. Jon Lake reports.
in Air Transport / Features A morale victory...
Posted 28 May 2019
Most African airline CEOs are tasked with reaching profitability. LAM Mozambique director general, João Carlos Pó Jorge, is no different. However, he also had to completely rebuild staff morale from absolute rock bottom – not once, but twice, as Victoria
in Space / Features How space can help Africa reap its rewards
Posted 24 May 2019
Making greater use of space – or at least Earth orbiting satellites – could greatly help African farmers and the wider population, the Airbus Aerospace In Africa forum heard. Alan Dron was there.
