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AFRICA AVIATION TRAILS
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Other aviation trails: Week 44, 2026
African aviation recorded developments in airport operations, institutional leadership, engineering capacity, airline relations and infrastructure security. CAIRO International Airport handled 2.78 million passengers and 19,927 flights in October 2026. ZIMBABWE appointed Anderson Shonhiwa Director of Air Navigation and Technical Services, while ESWATINI named Thandiwe Hlatshwayo chair of its civil aviation authority. EGYPT also established a new aircraft engineers’ association board focused on professional development and safety standards. Meanwhile, South African Airways pursued a US$1.37 million claim against KENYA AIRWAYS over disputed codeshare payments. UGANDA arrested 11 aviation authority staff over alleged infrastructure vandalism, while NAMIBIA’s airport governance dispute reached court.
Route & Connectivity: Week 44, 2026
African aviation route developments included new international, domestic and seasonal services. EASYJET launched twice-weekly flights between Newcastle and Marrakech, while The Gambia Experience partnered with Jet2.com to operate twice-weekly London Gatwick–Banjul charters. Solenta Aviation Mozambique introduced a three-times-weekly Maputo–Vilankulo service, and VALUEJET planned to restore daily Lagos–Asaba–Abuja flights. AIR ALGÉRIE expanded its network with new Algiers–Athens and Algiers–Lagos connections, supported by ground-handling arrangements in Nigeria. QANTAS announced seasonal Sydney–Cape Town flights for 2027, while Bishkek–Sharm El-Sheikh services were suspended for winter following Egyptian regulatory changes.
Airline Fleet trails: Week 443, 2026
African aviation recorded significant fleet and training developments, with TAAG ANGOLA AIRLINES receiving a new Airbus A220-300 and CVSKY adding an ATR 72-600. ROYAL AIR MAROC acquired a previously operated Embraer E190, while MONT GABAON AIRLINES received a Boeing 737-400 freighter. DRAGONFLY AVIATION expanded its regional jet fleet, and UNITED NIGERIA AIRLINES added an ACMI-leased Airbus A320. UGANDA AVIATION ACADEMY secured approval to expand training facilities, acquire eight aircraft and introduce simulators, while NIGERIA’s Baze University received two training aircraft. MOROCCO also strengthened military airlift capacity with a new Airbus C-295W.
Infrastructure & Finance Trails: Week 44, 2026
African aviation recorded significant regulatory, infrastructure and institutional developments. EGYPT inaugurated ACI Africa’s regional headquarters in Cairo to strengthen airport cooperation and capacity building. KENYA advanced the KSh154.2 billion modernisation of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, while GHANA reported 20% completion of a new connecting concourse at Kotoka International Airport. LIBERIA launched an €8.6 million airport safety and infrastructure project, and TANZANIA’s Arusha Airport commenced 24-hour operations following an TSh11 billion upgrade. EGYPT also upgraded baggage screening at Cairo Airport. Meanwhile, Airbus Helicopters explored market expansion in Egypt, while airlines and airport operators reported significant financial developments.
LATEST ARTICLES
Addis Ababa Bole International Airport H1 2026 Performance: How Africa's Premier Aviation Hub Continues to Redefine Continental Connectivity
Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD) recorded 11.83 million seats in H1 2026, ranking as Africa’s third busiest airport and top intra-African hub. Driven by Ethiopian Airlines—which held 93.4% of total capacity—the airport averaged over 65,000 daily seats, led internationally by Dubai and regionally by Johannesburg.
Morocco’s Leading Gateways: Q1 2026 Airline Capacity Analysis of Mohammed V International Airport (CMN/GMMN) and Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK/GMMX)
Morocco’s aviation landscape saw a notable shift in Q1 2026, with Marrakech Menara Airport overtaking Mohammed V International Airport as the country’s busiest airport by seat capacity, driven by strong European leisure demand and low-cost carrier expansion. While Casablanca maintained its role as a major intercontinental hub with significant intra-African connectivity, Marrakech emerged as a high-growth, tourism-focused gateway with rapidly increasing capacity and a predominantly Europe-oriented network. The analysis highlights contrasting trends—declining capacity in Casablanca versus steady growth in Marrakech—alongside differences in network structure, airline competition, and fleet deployment. Overall, the findings reflect a broader structural shift in Morocco’s aviation sector, where leisure-driven traffic is increasingly shaping capacity dynamics alongside traditional hub operations.
Entebbe International Airport (EBB/HUEN): Q1 2026 Airport Capacity Analysis
Entebbe International Airport recorded stable but mixed performance in Q1 2026, handling 733,810 seats and 541,454 passengers, with a load factor of 73.8%. While overall passenger traffic declined slightly compared to 2025, growth in transit and domestic segments signaled improving regional connectivity. Cargo volumes, however, dropped significantly, highlighting weaker trade activity despite increased aircraft movements. The airport’s network remained strongly linked to regional hubs such as Addis Ababa and Nairobi, with Ethiopian Airlines and Uganda Airlines leading capacity. Overall, the performance reflects a resilient but transitional phase, with growth opportunities in transit traffic and regional integration, alongside challenges in cargo and long-haul demand.
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