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AFRICA AVIATION TRAILS
Stay informed with our latest aviation industry analysis
Other trails: Week 24,2026
The AFRICAN aviation sector recently marked key milestones: TOGO hosted the AFCAC EXPO 2026 to accelerate SAATM, while an Embraer report identified 45 untapped intra-continental routes to boost AFRICA’S 2.1% share of global air traffic. Major leadership shifts saw Captain Ahmed Shanan named CEO of Red Sea Airlines, Captain Folayele Akinkuotu appointed Chairman of NIGERIA’S Falcon Aerospace, and the industry mourn the passing of former Ethiopian Airlines CEO Captain Zeleke Demissie. Additionally, EgyptAir’s training academy gained EASA Airbus A350 certification, Dr. Alaa Ashour earned a Royal Aeronautical Society Fellowship, and United Nigeria Airlines joined the Amadeus GDS. Finally, SOMALIA and TANZANIA signed a vital visa-easing pact—amid new UNITED STATES visa curbs on some Ethiopians—while TAAG Angola Airlines and Airlink joined IATA CO2 Connect for precise emissions reporting.
Accidents & Incidents Trails: Week 24, 2026
An EgyptAir Boeing 787-9 safely diverted to Bamako after a birdstrike over Burkina Faso during a Hajj charter flight from Jeddah, with no injuries reported. In the DRC, a Busy Bee Congo Fokker 50 suffered an engine failure during landing, while a separate Su-25 military aircraft crashed near Kindu under unclear circumstances. At London Gatwick, authorities are investigating the death of a suspected stowaway found in an Air Arabia aircraft landing gear. In Niger, an attack on Niamey airport killed at least 35 people, including soldiers and attackers, amid ongoing Sahel insecurity. Meanwhile, Malawi’s parliamentary probe into the 2024 military aircraft crash has raised concerns over missing evidence and procedural lapses in earlier investigations.
Regulatory trails: Week 24, 2026.
TAAG Angola Airlines has secured EASA approval to operate its Boeing 787-9 into EUROPE, supporting its long-haul expansion across key markets including BRAZIL and CHINA. Air Peace has received approval from BRAZIL to launch scheduled services, advancing plans for direct Nigeria–Brazil connectivity. ESWATINI has introduced new ICAO-aligned aviation training regulations, while Uganda is reviewing multiple new airline licence applications amid rising demand. Canada’s AJW Technique has also obtained AMO certification in SOUTH AFRICA, strengthening its regional MRO footprint.
Infrasctructure & Finance Trails: Week 24, 2026
Tanzania has upgraded Kilimanjaro Airport’s maintenance facilities to support Air Tanzania and reduce reliance on foreign MRO services. Uganda’s Kabalega (Hoima) Airport is near completion ahead of AFCON 2027, while AfDB has approved $170 million to upgrade Arua Airport into an international-standard facility. Kenya has secured financing partners for a $1.2 billion expansion of JKIA to boost capacity from 7.5 to 22 million passengers. Nigeria plans to link Lagos airports to the rail network to improve access and is also upgrading terminal infrastructure to handle rising traffic.
LATEST ARTICLES
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.
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA): Q1 2026 Airport Capacity Analysis
In Q1 2026, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) recorded 2.36 million seats, averaging about 26,269 daily, reinforcing its role as a key East African hub. Capacity peaked in January before gradually declining into March due to factors such as the KAWU strike and Middle East geopolitical tensions, which disrupted some international routes.
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