Now Ethiopia is set to cut it as a part player
Morocco, Tunisia and South Africa already have successful aerospace manufacturing industries. Now Ethiopia is about to establish its own aerospace cluster in east Africa. Kaleyesus Bekele reports.
Features
in Air Transport / Features Uganda flies the flag again
Posted 18 March 2019
Uganda is rejoining the club of countries with national airlines as it seeks to recapture some of the revenue currently being taken by foreign carriers. Alan Dron reports.
in Defence / Features Mauritania goes for second Basler
Posted 15 March 2019
It looks like Mauritania is about to receive a second Basler turbo-Dak intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft, writes Jon Lake.
in Air Transport / Features How to unleash the power of Africa through aerospace
Posted 14 March 2019
Africa has still not realised the full benefits of aviation, according to a panel of industry experts. Alan Dron finds out more at the launch of a new report setting out the sector’s potential to drive the continent’s economic and social
in General Aviation / Features Seychelles embraces drones for fishery protection
Posted 13 March 2019
The Seychelles Fishing Authority has unleashed an unprecedented combination of short-range drones, autonomous long-range unmanned air vehicles (UAVs), Earth observation data and fisheries intelligence analysis in its fight
in Air Transport / Features Ocean partnership on crest of the waves
Posted 12 March 2019
French airline, Air Austral, and local carrier, Air Madagascar, are continuing with their transformation plans – formalised in November 2017 – that are designed to develop their strategic partnership.
in General Aviation / Features Angola restructures state oil company air division
Posted 11 March 2019
Angola’s state oil company, Sonangol (Sociedade Nacional de Combustíveis de Angola – the National Fuel Society of Angola), has signed an agreement with a consortium formed by Canada’s CHC and Morocco’s Heliconia to
in Defence / Features Rwanda closes in on medevac Caravan
Posted 6 March 2019
A US Air Force (USAF) notification, issued on September 20, revealed that Rwanda is to receive two new aircraft to be used for medical evacuation and light transport missions during international peacekeeping operations throughout Africa.
in Air Transport / Features Give Peace a chance
Posted 4 March 2019
Against an unfriendly operating environment, characterised by multiple airport charges, tough competition and aggravating aero-politics, four-year-old Air Peace remains Nigeria’s fastest growing airline. Chukwu Emeke found out more from Air Peace chairman, Allen
in Business Aviation / Features Brent aims to expand VVIP operations
Posted 1 March 2019
Brent Aviation, a VIP charter operator based at Nairobi’s Wilson Airport, is expanding its local VVIP services, writes Jon Lake.
in Defence / Features Tanzania takes delivery of new helicopters
Posted 28 February 2019
Tanzania is understood to have taken delivery of four Airbus Helicopters Cougar and Super Cougar transport helicopters, writes Jon Lake.
in Air Transport / Features Figuring out the reasons for Africa's weight loss
Posted 27 February 2019
Media reports of sharp contractions in Africa’s air cargo market are not all they seem, reports Alan Dron.
in Features Major challenges face southern African airlines
Posted 26 February 2019
Humphrey Nkonde reports from the 48th Airlines Association of Southern Africa (AASA) annual general assembly in Zambia.
in General Aviation / Features Partnership targets offshore market
Posted 25 February 2019
French helicopter company, Héli-Union, has announced a new partnership with Angolan business jet charter operator and service and maintenance provider, Bestfly, writes Jon Lake.
in Business Aviation / Features PC-24 takes the smooth with the rough
Posted 22 February 2019
Africa’s testing terrain and challenging runways make the Pilatus PC-24 a perfect aircraft for the region, according to ExecuJet, which is the first company to operate and manage the aircraft in Africa. Dave Calderwood reports.
in Defence / Features Kenya takes ex-Emirati Fennecs for anti-insurgency ops
Posted 21 February 2019
The Kenya Air Force (KAF) has taken delivery of nine Eurocopter AS550 Fennec light helicopters from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), writes Jon Lake.
in Air Transport / Features The big issues with being small...
Posted 20 February 2019
One of the small private airlines in Ethiopia, National Airways, is transforming itself from a charter flight operator to a scheduled flight service provider. Kaleyesus Bekele reports.
in Maintenance / Features Will CFM's policy unlock Africa's potential?
Posted 19 February 2019
The landmark agreement by CFM International to open up the aftermarket for its best-selling CFM56 engines should be good news for African airlines. Chuck Grieve reports.
in Features EDEX debut proves to be the perfect model
Posted 18 February 2019
For three days, from December 3-5, the Egyptian International Exhibition Centre in Cairo hosted the country’s first ever defence exhibition – EDEX 2018. Alan Warnes was there.
in Training / Features Going global: The Air School that's aiming high
Posted 15 February 2019
A South African flight school has gone global in its reach and is now training cadet pilots from all over the world. Dave Calderwood reports.
in Features / Airports Uganda’s new airport rising from the bush
Posted 14 February 2019
A new international airport is about to emerge in western Uganda, as the country seeks to unlock its oil wealth. Alan Dron reports.
in Business Aviation / Features CHC contracts cancelled over ‘local employment’ row
Posted 13 February 2019
A row over how many local people are employed by an international company has seen Equatorial Guinea cancelling contracts with CHC Helicopter. Jon Lake reports.
in Defence / Features Russian sales rush is on
Posted 12 February 2019
African countries have traditionally provided a good market for Russian Helicopters, with more than 700 in active service across the continent. Now, as Jon Lake reports, the push is on to sell more.
in Air Transport / Features The Phax of life
Posted 11 February 2019
Tunisian businessman and politician Mohamed Frikha tells Martin Rivers why he is bringing Syphax Airlines back from the dead.
in Maintenance / Features MRO looks set to break through in west Africa
Posted 8 February 2019
Chukwu Emeke highlights one of the major challenges facing west African airlines.
in Features In-flight connectivity in Africa worth mega-millions
Posted 7 February 2019
Inmarsat unveiled its white paper ‘In-flight connectivity – a new opportunity for African aviation’ at the African Airlines Association (AFRAA) annual general assembly in November. Steve Nichols reports.
in Features / Airports Kenya merger plan is still up in the air
Posted 6 February 2019
Kenya Airways is seeking to emerge from a period of austerity and start to expand again. But, as Alan Dron reports, one part of the plan designed to bolster its financial strength has hit delays.
in Business Aviation / Features Time for Denali
Posted 5 February 2019
Cessna is entering a new segment of the aircraft market with its in-development Denali single-engine turboprop. Dave Calderwood takes a first look.
in Defence / Features Cameroon's eyes in the sky focus on Boko Haram
Posted 4 February 2019
Since May 2014, Cameroon has been battling the terrorist organisation known colloquially as Boko Haram. Erwan de Cherisey takes a look at the country’s capabilities.
in Air Transport / Features Makolo connects her magic Rwanda
Posted 1 February 2019
Yvonne Manzi Makolo was appointed CEO of RwandAir in April 2018. With no prior experience of the aviation industry, she has risen to the challenge and – less than a year in – she speaks to Victoria Moores with all the authority and passion of an industry veteran.
in Air Transport / Features It's time for some joining-up thinking
Posted 11 December 2018
Rolls-Royce’s senior market analyst for Middle East & Africa, Taieb Ben Sghaier, outlines the potential for the civil aviation sector across the African continent.
in Air Transport / Features Air Algérie starts to punch its weight again
Posted 10 December 2018
Faced with the opening up of air freight to national private operators as part of the government’s new economic orientation, Air Algérie has taken measures to adapt to the new environment. Anuradha Deenapanray and Vincent Chappard
in Features / Events Pineau promises a vintage year
Posted 7 December 2018
The sixth running of Morocco’s Marrakech Air Show takes place from October 24-27 at the country’s Base Ecole des Forces Royales Air – the prestigious Royal Air School. The school’s director, Gaël Pineau, tells Vincent Chappard about what’s planned.
in Air Transport / Features How Dana sowed the seeds of recovery
Posted 6 December 2018
In Nigeria, an airline that suffers a crash invariably collapses. Dana Air’s chief operating officer explains to Alan Dron how the company’s qualities have allowed it to buck that trend.
in Defence / Features Hawk helicopters pave the way for troops' rescue
Posted 5 December 2018
Jon Lake reports on a vital helicopter rescue mission near the Somali border with Kenya.
in Air Transport / Features Nouvelair gets personal
Posted 3 December 2018
Nouvelair, a Tunisian private company operating charter and scheduled flights, will celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2019. Deputy general manager, Chokri Zarrad, shared his ambition for the company with Vincent Chappard.
in Defence / Features Africa's arms race
Posted 30 November 2018
Many believe that Africa will be the big growth market for the global defence industry, thanks to burgeoning security requirements and vast oil and natural gas reserves. Jon Lake takes a look at the situation.
in Air Transport / Features Pereira wrestles with TAAG team troubles
Posted 29 November 2018
Despite the Angolan Government disbanding a consortium that planned to set up a feeder airline for national carrier TAAG, one of the main movers behind it believes that the project will still go ahead. Alan Dron reports.
in Defence / Features Secret Spartans for Kenya
Posted 28 November 2018
Kenyan Treasury Secretary, Henry Rotich, has revealed the previously undisclosed acquisition of two or three Alenia C-27J Spartan tactical transport aircraft and an undisclosed number of Agusta Westland AW139 helicopters (thought to be four). Jon Lake reports.
in Air Transport / Features Pilgrims and progress…
Posted 27 November 2018
Nigeria-based Med-View Airline is a scheduled passenger airline that has succeeded –despite numerous survival challenges over the years – largely as a result of its involvement in the airlifting of pilgrims. Chukwu Emeke reports.
in Defence / Features US angered by laser targeting of pilots
Posted 26 November 2018
US military pilots in Djibouti have reported being targeted by high-powered lasers – apparently from a nearby Chinese base. Alan Dron reports.
in Air Transport / Features The fast track to survival...
Posted 23 November 2018
Just weeks ago, African low-cost carrier, Fastjet, was teetering on the brink of collapse. But a cash infusion and improved operational indicators are giving CEO, Nico Bezuidenhout, cause for cautious optimism. Alan Dron reports.
in Defence / Features No deal on lifting CAR arms embargo
Posted 22 November 2018
An arms embargo placed on the Central African Republic is to remain in place, blocking a proposed Chinese weapons package being delivered to the country’s forces.
in Air Transport / Features Why you can now buy Ethiopian off the shelf
Posted 21 November 2018
Africa’s most profitable airline has been put up for partial privatisation. Kaleyesus Bekele explains.
in Features Spy wars in the skies over north Africa
Posted 19 November 2018
Alan Warnes looks at the tense spying game being played out between Morocco and Algeria.
in Defence / Features Botswana replaces crashed C212 with second-hand Airbus
Posted 16 November 2018
The Botswana Defence Force Air Wing has acquired a second-hand Airbus CAS C-212 light turboprop transport aircraft to replace one similar that crashed in 2017.
in Air Transport / Features Aerospace on a roll in Morocco
Posted 15 November 2018
Morocco’s aeronautical ecosystem continues to grow, integrating new operators and new technologies. Anuradha Deenapanray and Vincent Chappard spoke to Karim Cheikh, the new president of Morocco’s aeronautical and space industries group (GIMAS).
in Features / ATM & Regulatory A FAANtastic opportunity...
Posted 14 November 2018
Chukwu Emeke looks at a new open investment plan in Nigeria.
in Business Aviation / Features Bristow floats fixed-wing passenger service in Nigeria
Posted 13 November 2018
One of the world’s major helicopter operators is planning a fixed-wing service in Nigeria. Alan Dron finds out more.
in Defence / Features Military gains for Indonesia in Africa
Posted 12 November 2018
Indonesia is making inroads into the African military transport market. Jon Lake reports.
in Air Transport / Features Single minded
Posted 9 November 2018
Former Air Burkina and Air Mali CEO, Abderahmane Berthé, took leadership of the African Airlines Association (AFRAA) in January, succeeding Elijah Chingosho. Victoria Moores caught up with Berthé to hear about his experience as secretary general so far, as he
in Defence / Features Threats and peace-keeping needs top of the shopping list
Posted 8 November 2018
Jon Lake looks at the reasons why Morocco is seeking new fighters and attack helicopters.
in Features / Airports Africa's growing places
Posted 7 November 2018
Kaleyesus Bekele reports from the sixth Africa Airport Expansion Summit held in Addis Ababa.
in Business Aviation / Features Kodiak’s Quest
Posted 5 November 2018
An aircraft tailor-made for non-government agencies (NGOs) operating humanitarian flights into the world’s most awkward and inhospitable landing strips now has an authorised dealer for southern and east Africa. Dave Calderwood reports.
in Defence / Features Why the Mirage F1 is of Paramount importance
Posted 2 November 2018
Paramount Group, the South African-based global aerospace and defence company, has become the prime contractor for the maintenance, repair and modernisation of recently retired Mirage F1 supersonic multi-role fighter aircraft. David
in Air Transport / Features Air Tanzania in Dreamland…
Posted 1 November 2018
A new era in east African aviation opened in July when Air Tanzania took delivery of its very first wide-body aircraft, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 TEN engines, Alan Peaford reports.
in Features Air Algérie starts to punch its weight again
Posted 25 October 2018
Faced with the opening up of air freight to national private operators as part of the government’s new economic orientation, Air Algérie has taken measures to adapt to the new environment. Anuradha Deenapanray and Vincent Chappard
in Features The blag market
Posted 28 September 2018
African governments, companies and organisations are becoming increasingly adept at strengthening their security to fend off cyber attacks. Now, as Steve Knight reports, they face a new threat – the rise of the ‘blagger’.
in Air Transport / Features Congo's Desire to take up the challenge
Posted 27 September 2018
Congo Airways SA, the national carrier for Democratic Republic of Congo, has huge plans for the future. Githae Mwaniki finds out more from the airline’s CEO, Desire Balazire Bantu.
in Defence / Features Huey II simulators hunt for Kenya and Uganda
Posted 26 September 2018
The US Army is carrying out market research to find a contractor that can deliver a level 5 flight-training device (FTD) to Kenya, with a potential option for an additional Huey II FTD for the Republic of Uganda, writes Jon Lake.
in Air Transport / Features Maureva at ONE with IATA
Posted 24 September 2018
Maureva, a leading Mauritian airline software and service solutions provider, is now a strategic partner of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) on a major modernisation programme. Anuradha Deenapanray met the management team at the company’s
in Defence / Features Angola orders C295s for maritime surveillance
Posted 21 September 2018
Angola has ordered three C295 transport aircraft from Airbus Defence and Space, writes Jon Lake.
in Maintenance / Features ExecuJet set-up positioned to capitalise on European market
Posted 20 September 2018
Africa’s fleet of business aircraft benefits from fully accredited MRO capabilities right on its doorstep, thanks to ExecuJet. Chuck Grieve reports.
in Air Transport / Features Bryan looks West for growth
Posted 19 September 2018
Delta Airlines is targeting the growth potential of Nigeria. Chukwu Emeke explains why.
in Maintenance / Features Ethiopian maps the route to 2025
Posted 18 September 2018
Ethiopian MRO Services is building its capabilities to meet growing demand for MRO services and to expand its third-party business operations in Africa. Kaleyesus Bekele reports from Addis Ababa.
in Defence / Features Partnerships progress in Senegal and New Jersey
Posted 17 September 2018
Two rounds of the African partnership flight (APF) programme were conducted in March and April 2018. Jon Lake reports on progress.
in Air Transport / Features Flagging up a furore
Posted 14 September 2018
Zimbabwe’s shock decision to acquire four Boeing wide-bodies and set up a new flag-carrier raises more questions than answers, as Martin Rivers reports.
in Features / Events Every woman can be a high flyer
Posted 13 September 2018
Captain Alia Twal had a simple message to pass to the Aviation Africa audience: If you are female, want to be a pilot and have the determination, nothing should stop you.
in Business Aviation / Features From Russia with verve...
Posted 12 September 2018
With the first Sukhoi SSJ100 airliner for an African customer due to be delivered this year, the Russian manufacturer has toured the continent with its executive jet variant. Alan Dron reports.
in Defence / Features Senegal steps in for light-attack L-39NG
Posted 11 September 2018
Aero Vodochody’s L-39NG jet trainer programme received a considerable boost in early April when the Senegal President, Macky Sall, announced a deal for four of the new generation classics. Alan Warnes reports.
in Air Transport / Features Aigle Azur back in the game
Posted 10 September 2018
Aigle Azur’s president, Frantz Yvelin, believes that new strategic partnerships and a greater concentration on long-haul routes are key to developing the French airline’s strong potential, hopefully returning it to profitability by 2020.
in Features / Events The sound of silence on the flight deck
Posted 6 September 2018
One highlight of Aviation Africa was the African launch of the new Bose headset meaning that airline pilots can at last benefit from a technology that has changed the world for passengers and general aviation pilots around the world.
in Features / Airports ROUTES and IATA combat the trafficking of wildlife
Posted 5 September 2018
According to the wildlife trade monitoring network TRAFFIC – a joint programme of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) – wildlife trafficking has become one of the most
in Defence / Features Diamond sparkles
Posted 4 September 2018
Diamond Aircraft set out to woo new buyers by undertaking a west African tour with two of its aircraft. David Oliver followed the mission’s progress.
in Air Transport / Features Seychelles takes one step back to move forward
Posted 3 September 2018
Air Seychelles is undergoing a major restructuring as it feels the effects of a surge in long-haul competition. Alan Dron found out more from interim CEO, Remco Althuis.
in Features / Airports Lusaka airport takes shape as passenger numbers soar
Posted 30 August 2018
The Zambia Airports Corporation Limited (ZACL) has made progress in upgrading infrastructure at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport as the country prepares to revive the national airline. Humphrey Nkonde reports.
in Defence / Features Rafale delays hold back the Wild Wolves progress
Posted 28 August 2018
Jon Lake reveals that it’s good news and bad news for Egypt’s Rafales.
in Air Transport / Features Leaders need to plot the way ahead
Posted 24 August 2018
One of Fly Africa’s authors tells Alan Dron of his optimism about the future of commercial air transport on the continent, despite continuing hurdles that must be overcome.
in Features Governments hold the key to unlock Africa's potential
Posted 23 August 2018
Airbus’ top salesman for Africa, Hadi Akoum, believes that a clear dialogue with governments could be the key to unlocking Africa’s aviation potential. Victoria Moores reports.
in Features / Airports Time to change the flightpath
Posted 22 August 2018
Business transformation for sustainable development of African airports was the theme of the 59th Airports Council International (ACI) Africa board meeting and regional conference in Lagos, Nigeria. Chukwu Emeke reports.
in Business Aviation / Features Malawi President's air ambulance promise
Posted 21 August 2018
Malawian President, Peter Mutharika, used his new year message to promise a number of health sector projects. Among his pledges was a new air ambulance, writes Jon Lake.
in Defence / Features Farmageddon
Posted 20 August 2018
Mali is rapidly becoming a major terrorist focus point. Alan Warnes looks at what’s being done to combat the problem.
in Air Transport / Features Why Africa looks booked to succeed
Posted 16 August 2018
For many years, Africa has been talked of as a continent of great potential in commercial aviation. That potential has never really materialised. As Alan Dron reports, the authors of a new book believe that, at last, things are about to change.
in Features / Airports Support our industry call from new ACI boss
Posted 15 August 2018
Bongani Maseko, new chairman of the Airports Council International (ACI), believes that, despite challenges, African aviation is becoming a strong contributor to global economic growth.
in Features / Events It all AADs up to a spectacular
Posted 14 August 2018
According to Leon Dillman, CEO of the Commercial Aviation Association of Southern Africa (CAASA), this year’s anticipated Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD2018) show is expected to be “bigger and better than ever”.
in Business Aviation / Features Caverton rings up eleven new Bells
Posted 13 August 2018
Caverton Helicopters Limited has unveiled what it calls a fleet of “11 new Bell 407 and 412 helicopters”. Jon Lake reports.
in Defence / Features The Paramount picture
Posted 10 August 2018
Sam Basch takes brief look at South Africa’s Paramount Group, which is headed by Ivor Ichikowitz, a man who seems to have the ability to see opportunities others often overlook and who continuously grows his innovative defence group across the air, land and sea domains.
in Air Transport / Features People power
Posted 9 August 2018
In Namibia, there aren’t many people. This means, as Victoria Moores finds out, that Air Namibia acting managing director advocate, Mandi Samson, recognises the role played by every single member of her team in the airline’s success.
in Air Transport / Features Kenya's Silverstone on the fast track to growth
Posted 6 July 2018
Silverstone Air is the latest low-cost carrier to enter the east African market space. Githae Mwaniki takes a closer look at what’s on offer.
in Air Transport / Features Dynamic future planned for Air Senegal
Posted 5 July 2018
The Senegalese authorities have appointed ex-Airbus executive, Philip Bohn, as director general of Air Senegal SA to head-up its mission to relaunch the company.
in Air Transport / Features Love Safair
Posted 4 July 2018
Elmar Conradie was a finance guy but, 12 years ago, he got sucked into the aviation industry and now, as Victoria Moores discovers, he’s leading South African aviation firm Safair and its low-cost carrier, FlySafair.
in Features Osprey en route to a safer flight
Posted 2 July 2018
In today’s dynamic and challenging airspace environment, the lack of a cost-effective, real-time risk-management solution has been an industry concern for years. Now a new aviation security company will be at Aviation Africa in Cairo this month to share
in Features / Airports Row brews over privatisation plans
Posted 29 June 2018
Controversy surrounds the privatisation of some Nigerian airports. Chukwu Emeke has been looking into the situation.
in Defence / Features Hueys give Uganda's force uplift
Posted 28 June 2018
The Ugandan People’s Defence Force (UPDF) has received a useful boost to its vertical lift capabilities with the arrival of five refurbished Bell Huey II helicopters from US surplus stocks.
in Air Transport / Features Meeting the freight of expectation
Posted 27 June 2018
Egyptian exports rely heavily on the freight system. Alan Peaford met with Captain Bassim Gohar to explore how the EgyptAir cargo division is meeting expectations.
in Features It's no accident that the AIB is getting better all the time
Posted 26 June 2018
Nigeria’s Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), the only autonomous accident investigation agency in west Africa has, since December 2016, worked on the execution of its short and medium-term plans, one of which is
in Features ZAS the way to do it - be part of the African family
Posted 25 June 2018
ZAS Aviation Services (ZAS) is looking to expand its operations in Africa with MD, Omar Zarkani, saying: “Africa is more in line with the type of company we have set up to be.”
in Defence / Features ZAF remembers the Spartans
Posted 22 June 2018
The Zambian Air Force (ZAF) will substantially improve its transport capabilities with the arrival of two Leonardo C-27J Spartan tactical airlift aircraft.
in Air Transport / Features Sudan's glimmer of hope
Posted 21 June 2018
For a decade, Sudan Airways has struggled to maintain services in the face of US sanctions against the African nation. Those sanctions have now been eased, but the airline still faces problems, as deputy general manager, Yasir Timo, explained to Alan Dron.
in Air Transport / Features The battle for survival
Posted 19 June 2018
More than 50 local airlines have emerged and collapsed since Nigeria’s independence in 1960 and, as Chukwu Emeke reports, the cycle looks set to continue.
