in Maintenance / Features Posted 22 December 2020
Covid-19 has shone a light – as if it were needed – on problems in Africa’s MRO sector. There are many strategies but no easy answers.
in Features Posted 18 December 2020
Africa’s largest carrier, Ethiopian Airlines, has more than trebled its cargo fleet as it battles to navigate through the economic storms created by the Covid-19 pandemic. Kaleyesus Bekele reports.
in Air Transport / Features Posted 16 December 2020
The Covid-19 pandemic could prove to be an opportunity for aviation entrepreneurs and one company in The Gambia has firm plans in place.
in Air Transport / Features / ATM & Regulatory Posted 15 December 2020
Dr Kwasi Adjekum, Assistant Professor of Aviation at the University of North Dakota, USA, has more than 22 years of military and civil flying experience. A native of Ghana, he is an ICAO designated subject-matter expert in flight
in Features / Airports Posted 14 December 2020
Normally around 11 million passengers per year transit through Cape Town International Airport, making it the third largest in Africa. Now, as Guy Leitch reports, the airport has been brought to an almost complete standstill.
in Air Transport / Features Posted 11 December 2020
West African start-up, Sky Mali, was planning to launch domestic scheduled flights as African Aerospace was going to press.
in Features Posted 9 December 2020
Senegal’s national airline – Air Senegal – began 2020 with a well-defined strategy and now, despite the ravages of Covid-19, it’s looking to revive its fortunes.
in Features / Airports Posted 7 December 2020
Construction of a new terminal at Tamale Airport in northern Ghana, is under way, while the country's main hub at Accra has become a critical hub for supplies to fight the Covid-19 pandemic.
in Defence / Features Posted 3 December 2020
Efforts to allow unmanned aircraft to fly safely in unsegregated airspace have taken a step forward with the aid of South African company S-Plane Automation.
in Air Transport / Features Posted 1 December 2020
Ibom Air is setting a new flightpath for Nigeria’s chronically under-performing civil aviation sector.
in Air Transport / Business Aviation / Features Posted 28 November 2020
Africa is now steeling itself for a second wave of Covid-19 while it is still responding to the first wave. Aviation advisory service Osprey monitors the effect on different countries and today issue a stark analysis of the current
in Features / Airports Posted 26 November 2020
A row has broken over Nigeria’s plans to hand over major international airport terminals to private operators.
in Defence / Features Posted 24 November 2020
Production of Paramount Aerospace Industries’ ground-breaking AHRLAC is about to be ramped up as the company prepares to emerge from the final stages of South Africa’s business rescue process.
in Air Transport / Features Posted 23 November 2020
Cameroon’s president has ordered that national airline, Camair-Co, should be prepared for privatisation. Alan Dron looks at how attractive the debt-laden carrier might be to external investors.
in Defence / Features Posted 19 November 2020
A number of African air forces are making significant improvements to their fighter and other capabilities.
in Air Transport / Features Posted 17 November 2020
Former Angolan Air Force fighter pilot, Rui Carreira, became CEO of TAAG Angola in autumn 2018. No stranger to fast-paced mission-critical decisions, he is now reformulating the 80-year-old airline’s strategy as it battles against Covid-19.
in Features Posted 18 September 2020
Before the Covid-19 outbreak, the Moroccan aeronautical and space industry had recorded a growth of more than 20% over the last two years. Now the Group of Moroccan Aeronautics and Space Industries (GIMAS) has launched a debate on the future in the
in Air Transport / Features Posted 14 September 2020
Sky Navigator, South Sudan’s newest airline, is helping to open a new chapter in the country’s short but troubled history.
in Air Transport / Features Posted 11 September 2020
Dana Air COO, Obi Mbanuzuo, is no stranger to Nigerian aviation. Over the past two decades he has also held senior roles with Air Nigeria and Virgin Nigeria. Against the backdrop of Covid-19, Mbanuzuo revealed to Victoria Moores how the airline’s strategic plans
in Air Transport / Features Posted 7 September 2020
Ghanaian carrier, Africa World Airlines, is looking to consolidate Accra as a regional hub for west Africa once the Covid-19 crisis has abated.
in Air Transport / Features Posted 2 September 2020
Even before the current Covid-19 crisis, which has seen airlines all over the world seriously affected, Egyptian airline, Nile Air, had paused its expansion. Managing director, Yossrey Abdel Wahab, explained why to Martin Rivers.
in Features / Airports Posted 27 August 2020
The future of Rwanda’s new international airport has been given a significant boost by the involvement of Qatar Airways.
in Air Transport / Features Posted 25 August 2020
Das es Salaam-based Precision Air’s roots date back to 1987, when a former East Africa Airways pilot set up a crop-spraying operation. In 1993, the airline took on its current name and started operating ATRs. Group managing director and CEO, Patrick
in Defence / Features Posted 20 August 2020
South Africa’s Denel is in the midst of a transformation programme to restructure itself into a profitable company after years of shrinking defence budgets and alleged corruption – and the coronavirus pandemic certainly hasn’t helped.
in Air Transport / Features Posted 17 August 2020
Wrenelle Stander became co-CEO of South Africa’s Comair in July 2019 and was promoted to group CEO in December that year, succeeding industry veteran Erik Venter. She took the helm at a turbulent time, with a series of exceptional events taking a harsh toll on
in Maintenance / Features Posted 12 August 2020
The impact of Covid-19 on African civil aviation has laid bare the weakness of regional maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) capabilities, where encouraging signs in one arena are counterbalanced by stumbling performance elsewhere.
in Features / Airports Posted 10 August 2020
Air connections are vital if Madagascar is going to attract foreign investment and develop its trade and tourism industry. Now, as Vincent Chappard reports, many airport regeneration programmes are taking place.
in Defence / Features Posted 5 August 2020
The South African Air Force has (quietly) celebrated its centenary against backdrop of worries that it is in “dire straits”.
in Features Posted 31 July 2020
Times Aerospace correspondent - Martin Rivers - wants the air transport industry to be worried about shootdowns before – not after – they happen.
in Business Aviation / Features Posted 28 July 2020
An enhanced experience awaits business aviation passengers at Marrakesh Menara International Airport.
in Air Transport / Features Posted 27 July 2020
Mikail Houari – President Airbus Africa Middle East gives his thoughts on the next steps for African aviation.
in Air Transport / Features Posted 24 July 2020
Africa was late to start feeling the effects of the Covid 19 virus – but a number of its most populated nations were hit with a vengeance. As the continent reels from the pandemic, Alan Peaford argues that emerging from the lockdowns and crisis
in Defence / Features Posted 12 June 2020
The Moroccan Government is expected to procure transport aircraft, helicopters, multirole fighters, submarines, missile defence systems, frigates, and armoured vehicles, as the country’s 2020 finance bill increases the kingdom’s national
in Air Transport / Features Posted 11 June 2020
The new CEO of Mauritania Airlines, Amal Maouloud, firmly believes in the success and sustainability of the company.
in Technology / Features Posted 9 June 2020
Maureva, a Mauritius-based company that specialises in the provision of software and follow-up services to airlines, continues to grow internationally with the opening of offices in the Canadian city of Montreal and a further
in Features Posted 8 June 2020
Lost luggage is the bane of air travel. Chloe Wilson reports on why a comprehensive IT backbone and community-wide collaboration is key for African airports in tackling the issue of mishandled baggage.
in Defence / Features Posted 5 June 2020
The Tunisian National Guard has formed an air unit equipped with three Bell 429 GlobalRanger helicopters, and this has now been declared operational, writes Jon Lake.
in Maintenance / Features Posted 4 June 2020
The African Federation of Non-Destructive Testing (AFNDT) takes a leading role in the expansion of NDT competence on the continent, mainly through training and certification.
in Training / Features Posted 3 June 2020
Demand for simulators across Africa is growing. Keith Mwanalushi looks at a recent initiative to support Q400 pilot training in Kenya.
in Defence / Features Posted 2 June 2020
The no-fly zone over Libya has already claimed victims, writes Jon Lake.
in Air Transport / Features Posted 1 June 2020
Three years after taking on the top job at Tunisair, Ilyes Mnakbi tells Martin Rivers the flag-carrier is still struggling to turn the corner.
in Business & Finance / Features Posted 29 May 2020
One of the challenges for African airlines is gaining access to suitable aircraft. Now, as Victoria Moores reports, leasing-support company, Six West, has an idea that could help.
in Features Posted 27 May 2020
Akue Come Adovi, director of operations, National Aviation Services (NAS), the ground-handling company operating in Cote D’Ivoire, explains his company’s twin goals of hitting tough targets while maintaining an emphasis on safety.
in Air Transport / Features Posted 26 May 2020
Three years after America lifted most sanctions against Sudan, local carriers like Tarco Aviation are still in a fight for survival. Bushra Abushora, the airline’s strategic planning director, told Martin Rivers how the sector is coping.
in Features / Airports Posted 22 May 2020
Many people will never have heard of it, yet Maun Airport is one of the busiest in southern Africa. And now, as Alan Dron reports, it is receiving much-needed improvements to cope with growing numbers of travellers.
in Defence / Features Posted 21 May 2020
The announcement by US State Department that it has approved a possible $234 million foreign military sale (FMS) of 12 Textron Aviation Beechcraft T-6C Texan II trainers to Tunisia will undoubtedly lead to an improved relationship between the two
in Technology / Features Posted 20 May 2020
Ethiopian Airlines is investing heavily in information and communications technology (ICT) development to boost its sales revenue. Kaleyesus Bekele reports.
in Technology / Features / People Posted 19 May 2020
More than 200 start-up companies from across some 28 countries in Africa applied for a place on the Africa4Future initiative run by Airbus.
in Air Transport / Features Posted 19 May 2020
Having re-started commercial services in 2015, after more than a dozen years in the airline wilderness, Air Djibouti is embarking on ambitious plans to expand both freight and passenger services regionally and internationally.
in Features Posted 18 May 2020
The founding general assembly of west African ground-handling companies took place in Togo late last year. Chukwu Emeke was in Lomé to report on this historic event.
in Air Transport / Features Posted 15 May 2020
Air Senegal is pursuing its roll-out with a well-defined strategy in line with the government’s ‘Emerging Senegal’ plan. Anuradha Deenapanray Chappard met with CEO, Ibrahima Kane, one of the young generation of African leaders ready
in Maintenance / Features Posted 14 May 2020
A big challenge of non-destructive testing (NDT), long a staple in aircraft line and base maintenance programmes, is to find the right experts and tools when they’re needed. Innovations in tools and training could help put African MROs on a winning path.
in Features / Airports Posted 13 May 2020
The economy of the Republic of Congo, depends almost entirely on oil and, consequently, has been hit hard by the global decline in oil prices since 2014.
in Defence / Features Posted 12 May 2020
Nigerian Air Force commander, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, talks to Alan Warnes about modernising the force’s capabilities while, simultaneously, fighting Boko Haram terrorists.
in Air Transport / Features Posted 11 May 2020
Like all Libyan carriers, Afriqiyah Airways is in a seemingly endless fight for survival. But chairman, Mustafa Maatug, tells Martin Rivers he’s full of hope for the future.
in Maintenance / Features Posted 7 May 2020
Africa needs a continent-wide response to the growing demand for qualified MRO technicians. The challenge, as Chuck Grieve reports, is navigating a route to harmonisation and standardisation of training.
in Features / Airports Posted 6 May 2020
As the national carrier, Ethiopian Airlines, is acquiring new fleet and opening new international and domestic routes, the Ethiopian Airports organisation is trying to keep up with the growth. Kaleyesus Bekele reports.
in Defence / Features Posted 5 May 2020
The rapid degradation of the security panorama in neighbouring Burkina Faso has served as a catalyst for a limited aircraft procurement effort by Togo. But, as Erwan de Cherisey reports, air force modernisation can be a slow, and often uphill, journey.
in General Aviation / Features Posted 4 May 2020
Gyrocopters – also known as autogyros – have become a notable fixture of the African aviation panorama. Erwan de Cherisey reports.
in Business Aviation / Features Posted 1 May 2020
Montasser Channoufi, founder and CEO of Carthage SKY Services, plans to launch a fixed-base operation in Tunisia this year. He told Vincent Chappard that the high-standard services provided will serve the country’s growing business aviation industry.
in Air Transport / Features Posted 30 April 2020
Cornwell Muleya is no stranger to African aviation, after gaining senior leadership experience at Air Botswana, Air Tanzania, Air Mauritius and Zambezi Airlines. As Victoria Moores reports, his latest challenge has been setting up Uganda Airlines, an ambitious
in Features Posted 25 March 2020
Helicopters are providing a vital lifeline for most north African air forces. Alan Warnes has been looking at the fleets.
in Features 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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.