Why are the Cobras not striking?
Issues are arising surrounding the Kenya Air Force (KAF) Bell AH-1F Cobra attack helicopters, writes Jon Lake.
Features
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.
in Maintenance / Features Additive manufacturing coul be addictive
Posted 23 May 2019
The potential applications in MRO are among the many attractive features of additive manufacturing (AM).
in Features / Airports Kotoka terminal lightens the load
Posted 22 May 2019
The new Terminal 3 at Kotoka International Airport (KIA), opened in September 2018, has considerably lowered pressure on the two other terminals, writes Vincent Chappard.
in General Aviation / Features Zambia on course for air ambulance service
Posted 21 May 2019
The Zambia Air Force (ZAF) and Zambian Ministry of Health have agreed to partner in establishing a national air ambulance service using a dedicated emergency response aircraft, writes Jon Lake.
in Business Aviation / Features Have an ice day...
Posted 20 May 2019
An African company has targeted Antarctica as a tourist destination. Dave Calderwood reports.
in Defence / Features MiG game in Africa
Posted 17 May 2019
The Russian Aircraft Corporation (RAC) MiG company is hoping that new variants will repeat the success of the original MiG-29 in Africa. Jon Lake reports.
in Air Transport / Features Air Burkina eyes regional expansion
Posted 16 May 2019
Ouagadougou-based Air Burkina has just completed a fleet upgrade and is preparing to strengthen its network as the government begins to study options for re-privatising the airline. Victoria Moores reports.
in Maintenance / Features It's time for spare parts to play more of a leading role
Posted 15 May 2019
The aircraft parts market is at a crossroads as demand challenges suppliers to come up with solutions that satisfy the requirements of both airworthiness and economics. Chuck Grieve reports.
in Features / Airports The springboard for progress
Posted 14 May 2019
Launched 12 years ago and based in Dakar, Senegal, the Union of West and Central African Airport Managers (UGAACO) brings together 17 airports in 16 countries in central and west Africa. The executive secretary of the union, Simon Kabore, talks about current
in General Aviation / Features Hunting hunters
Posted 10 May 2019
From military helicopters through ‘aerial bats’ to unmanned air vehicles, Africa’s aerial anti-poaching operations are being stepped up. David Oliver reports.
in Business Aviation / Features On the right road...
Posted 9 May 2019
The business aviation market in Nigeria is diverse and growing all the time – but it still faces a few problems. Chukwu Emeke takes a look at the big picture.
in Defence / Features Ghana’s air force in a class of its own
Posted 8 May 2019
The Ghana Armed Forces have a small but capable air force. The key to its success is training, as Patrick Dirksen and Frank Mink found out during a recent visit.
in Air Transport / Features Third time lucky?
Posted 7 May 2019
Senegal is once again spreading its wings with an ambitious new flag-carrier. Martin Rivers talked to the architects of the airline's business plan, Philippe Bohn and Jerome Maillet.
in Features Mission possible: taking aid to a new level...
Posted 25 March 2019
There’s a new era in air support opening up to the humanitarian community in Africa. David Oliver reports.
in Aircraft Interiors / Features Honeywell's X Factor on the right wavelength
Posted 22 March 2019
Honeywell is offering a new speedy JetWave installation service in South Africa. Steve Nichols reports.
in Air Transport / Features Africa joins the Nexus jet set
Posted 21 March 2019
Saudi Arabian-based Nexus is rapidly gaining a reputation throughout Africa for service excellence. Now, as Alan Dron reports, it is being courted by a number of different countries on the continent.
in Features Now Ethiopia is set to cut it as a part player
Posted 19 March 2019
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.
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.
