Introduction.
Khartoum International Airport, has now been cleared of war‑damaged aircraft and debris and is set to resume commercial operations from 5 January 2026, marking a key milestone in the recovery of Sudan’s long‑disrupted aviation sector after nearly three years of closure due to conflict. The airport suffered extensive damage when it was repeatedly targeted by paramilitary forces, but carriers and authorities have removed wreckage and begun repairs, and Badr Airlines plans to operate the first scheduled service on the reopening date. While a full technical inspection and formal notice to reopen airspace were initially pending, the planned resumption reflects growing confidence in safety and signals a broader revival of air transport infrastructure in Sudan. In parallel, Port Sudan has emerged as a growing hub, with new international services boosting connectivity and supporting tourism and business access to the Red Sea region.
AOCs/ASLs/Regulations.
Mauritanian private airline Global Aviation is approaching entry into the Senegalese market, having completed a key demonstration flight on the Dakar–Ouagadougou route on 26 December 2025 under the supervision of Senegal’s aviation authorities. This flight is part of the final steps to secure an Air Operator Certificate (AOC), assessing crew competence, aircraft airworthiness, operational procedures, and overall safety compliance. Already operating in countries such as Mauritania, Burkina Faso, Mali, Guinea, Niger, and Cape Verde, Global Aviation aims to establish Senegal as a strategic West African hub, enhancing regional connectivity and addressing logistical challenges in intra-African transport. Once approved, the AOC would allow the carrier to operate commercially in one of the sub-region’s most dynamic aviation markets, strengthening its role in the evolving West African air transport landscape.
Aviation Projections and Statistics.
Preliminary reports indicate that in 2025, global aircraft deliveries were strong for Airbus Aircraft and Boeing, while COMAC underperformed and Embraer recorded solid results. Airbus delivered 784 aircraft against a revised target of 790, led by single-aisle A320neo and A220 jets, with widebody A330 and A350 deliveries supporting long-haul growth. Boeing delivered 595 aircraft, exceeding analyst expectations of 588, driven by 737 MAX single-aisle jets and continued 787 Dreamliner widebody production. COMAC delivered 38 aircraft, well below its revised target of 50, primarily C919 and ARJ21 jets, with output constrained by supply chain disruptions and sanctions. Meanwhile, Embraer delivered 70 commercial aircraft against a target of 80.
According to the latest OAG African aviation data for December 2025, the continent’s airline and airport activity showed marked growth and established trends: total scheduled airline capacity in Africa reached 25.2 million seats, a 6.8 per cent increase year‑on‑year, driven primarily by international services, which accounted for 77 per cent of total seats and rose 7.6 per cent versus December 2024. Domestic capacity also grew, albeit more modestly, by 4.4 per cent, while low‑cost carriers expanded at a faster rate (+9.9 per cent) compared with mainline airlines. Egypt was the largest national market with about 3 million seats, followed by South Africa, Morocco, Ethiopia and Nigeria, with Nigeria ranking fifth despite a 3.7 per cent capacity decline. On the airport front, Cairo International Airport remained Africa’s busiest airport with around 1.7 million departing seats, while Casablanca and Marrakech recorded some of the fastest growth among top hubs. In terms of domestic markets, South Africa led with approximately 1.8 million seats, with strong growth also seen in Tanzania and Algeria, highlighting both regional disparities and pockets of robust demand in African aviation.
Also according to OAG’s 2025 busiest routes data, the Cape Town–Johannesburg domestic sector was the busiest airline route in Africa in 2025, with 5,475,986 scheduled seats, highlighting the strength of intra‑South African air travel demand. On international routes, the Cairo–Jeddah corridor remains a key African link, recording around 8 million seats in 2025 and ranking among the world’s busiest cross‑border markets, supported by strong business, leisure, and visiting‑friends‑and‑relatives traffic.
Between July and September 2025, Nigerian domestic airlines operated 17,731 flights across 26 airports, of which 765 flights (22.95%) were delayed and 80 flights (0.12%) were cancelled, showing a slight improvement compared to Q3 2024 when 15,898 flights were operated, with 843 delays (25.29%) and 251 cancellations (1.58%). In 2025, Air Peace Limited recorded the highest delay rate at 6.87%, followed by Max Air Ltd (3.75%), United Nigeria Airlines (3.42%), and Ibom Air (1.23%). On cancellations, United Nigeria led with 0.63%, followed by Max Air (0.42%), while Green Africa, Ibom Air, and Air Peace reported minimal cancellations under 0.3%. Overall, most airlines showed marginal improvements in punctuality and reduced cancellations compared to the same period in 2024.
Air Service Agreements (ASA’s)/Airlines Agreements/Partnerships.
Ethiopian Airlines Group has entered into a strategic partnership with Nucore Technologies Inc to accelerate its digital transformation agenda, with a strong emphasis on B2B services and modern airline retailing. Signed in Addis Ababa on 2 January 2025, the agreement integrates Nucore’s back-office automation, system integration, reporting, and analytics solutions into Ethiopian Airlines’ digital ecosystem, strengthening the airline’s Agency Portal through NDC-enabled distribution and improved data transparency. The enhanced platform will provide travel agents, OTAs, aggregators, and corporate clients with seamless access to NDC-based offers, ancillary services, hotel packages, and multiple payment options, while improving operational efficiency and decision-making through advanced analytics.
Routes and Airline Connectivity.
Two international charter flights landed at Moi International Airport, Mombasa, on Wednesday, 31 December 2025, marking a significant boost to Kenya’s coastal tourism and international leisure connectivity. The first was an inaugural direct charter from Budapest, Hungary, operated by Smartwings in partnership with Hungarian tour operator IBUSZ, which arrived with 189 tourists on board. The Budapest–Mombasa service is scheduled to operate nine rotations using a Boeing 737-800 MAX, with a technical stop in Hurghada, Egypt for crew change. Earlier the same day, a second charter flight from Bucharest, Romania, also touched down in Mombasa. Together, the two arrivals underscore growing demand from Central and Eastern European markets and form part of broader efforts to strengthen coastal tourism and diversify Kenya’s international source markets.
Air Europa will launch a new thrice-weekly service from Madrid Barajas to Johannesburg O.R. Tambo in South Africa starting 24 June 2026, operating on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays with Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft. This marks the airline’s first year-round route to sub-Saharan Africa, expanding beyond its previous seasonal North African network. The new connection aims to tap into high-demand safari and cultural tourism markets while strengthening Air Europa’s SkyTeam partnership through aligned schedules and reciprocal loyalty benefits.
TUI Airlines has secured a one‑year air service licence from the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), effective 10 November 2025, allowing it to operate Amsterdam–Zanzibar–Mombasa charter flights with two weekly Boeing 787 rotations, albeit without traffic rights between Zanzibar and Mombasa. This approval is part of a broader KCAA licensing round in which the regulator granted air service licences to 25 airlines covering domestic and international operations, including new and renewed permits for carriers such as Kenya Airlines Ltd and Freedom Airline Express Ltd, while a small number of applications were declined. The charter service marks a strategic effort by TUI to leverage the recovery in international tourism, particularly demand from Europe for East African and Indian Ocean leisure destinations, despite concerns from local tourism stakeholders about competition and impact on domestic operators.
Congo Airways, the national carrier of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), plans to restart operations in the first quarter of 2026 with the introduction of the Embraer E190, a fuel-efficient regional jet well-suited for shorter runways and domestic airports. The move aims to enhance air connectivity within DRC and to neighboring East and Central African destinations, supporting both business travel and tourism. By expanding domestic and regional networks, the airline seeks to unlock DRC’s significant tourism potential, including national parks, wildlife reserves, and cultural sites.
Africa United Airlines, Gabon’s leading domestic carrier, has announced an expansion of its domestic network aimed at strengthening connectivity, improving mobility, and supporting the country’s growing tourism sector. By increasing flight options to key destinations such as Libreville, Port-Gentil, and gateways to major national parks including Loango and Ivindo, the airline is enhancing access to Gabon’s rainforests, wildlife reserves, coastal regions, and cultural centres. The network expansion is expected to play a critical role in unlocking Gabon’s eco-tourism and adventure travel potential, while also benefiting local communities through improved access to services, job creation, and increased tourism-related economic activity.
Air Algérie is executing a multi-pillar growth strategy focused on consolidating its historic African routes while accelerating expansion across sub-Saharan Africa and key intercontinental markets. According to CEO Hamza Benhamouda, the airline’s Africa strategy prioritises established services to cities such as Dakar, Abidjan, Nouakchott, Niamey, and Ouagadougou, the development of regional connectivity via Libreville, Cotonou, and Conakry, and the expansion of long-haul African routes, including the relaunch of Johannesburg from 15 January 2026 and planned services to Addis Ababa, Lagos, and Accra.
Airline Fleets and ACMI’s.
Air Algérie has taken delivery of a brand-new Airbus A330-941 (A330neo), marking a significant addition to its long-haul fleet. The aircraft, MSN 2114, completed its first flight on 10 December 2025 and was delivered to the airline on 31 December 2025. Built at Airbus’ Toulouse (TLS) production facility, the aircraft was ferried directly from Toulouse to Algiers (ALG) on the day of delivery and entered commercial service immediately. Registered as 7T-VJE, the A330neo is powered by two Rolls-Royce Trent 7000-72 engines and features a configured capacity of 18 business class, 24 premium economy, and 266 economy class seats. At the time of delivery, the aircraft was just 0.1 years old.
The Zambian government has invested K167 million (approximately USD 7.6 million) to recapitalise the Zambia Flying Doctor Service (ZFDS) with a new Beechcraft King Air 200 aeromedical aircraft, aiming to revitalise emergency medical aviation and improve healthcare access across remote areas. The investment, announced at the commissioning in Ndola, addresses a critical gap in aero‑medical capability after ZFDS was left with only one serviceable plane and maintenance backlogs. The new aircraft is expected to enhance the service’s operational reach, support more frequent medical missions, and improve response times for patients nationwide, bolstering Zambia’s healthcare delivery infrastructure.
The Ebonyi State Government in Nigeria has procured three new aircraft as part of its plan to launch Ebonyi Air, a proposed state-owned airline expected to begin operations in January 2026. Governor Francis Nwifuru described the initiative as a strategic economic move to improve connectivity, attract investment, promote tourism, reduce travel costs, and encourage private sector participation, rather than a pursuit of prestige. The airline is poised to be the fifth state-owned carrier in Nigeria and the second in the South-east, following Ibom Airline and CALLY AIR. The governor highlighted that the initiative aligns with his administration’s People’s Charter of Needs Agenda, which prioritizes infrastructure, economic empowerment, and inclusive growth.
Aviation Infrastructure, Financing & Profitability.
TAAG-Linhas Aereas de Angola is developing a new maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility in Luanda in partnership with the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) as part of its long-term growth and capacity expansion strategy. The project will be delivered in phases, with the first of three prefabricated hangars expected to become operational by June 2026, and is designed to support TAAG’s growing fleet while improving maintenance turnaround times and reducing reliance on external MRO providers. Beyond strengthening the airline’s operational self-sufficiency, the facility is expected to contribute to regional aviation development by enhancing local maintenance capabilities, supporting skills development, and positioning Angola as a potential MRO hub for Southern Africa as air travel demand continues to rise.
The Government of Kenya, through the Kenya Airports Authority, has announced plans to construct an expanded, modern airport at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), with development scheduled to commence in 2026. The announcement, made by President William Ruto during his New Year address, follows sustained growth in passenger traffic, with JKIA handling approximately 8.6 million passengers in 2025—well above its current design capacity of 7.5 million. The proposed expansion aims to relieve infrastructure constraints, enhance passenger handling capacity, and accommodate projected growth in air traffic, while reinforcing JKIA’s role as Kenya’s primary international gateway.
ASKY AIRLINES is planning a USD 100 million MRO facility in Lomé, Togo, developed through a joint venture with Ethiopian Airlines, which holds a minority stake. The phased project will initially feature two hangars dedicated to narrowbody aircraft maintenance and component repairs, with future expansion to widebody capabilities to support ASKY’s long-term ambitions, including planned Boeing 787 long-haul operations. Designed to serve not only ASKY’s growing fleet but also third-party airlines across West and Central Africa, the facility aims to reduce maintenance costs, improve aircraft availability, and address the region’s limited MRO capacity
EGYPTAIR Cargo has launched the EgyptAir Cargo Loyalty Programme for 2026, an incentive initiative designed to support cargo agents and drive sales growth through performance-based rewards. Running from January 1 to December 31, 2026, the programme recognises top-performing agents by featuring their names and trade identities on the official EgyptAir Cargo website under the “Air Cargo Takeoff Programme Partners” banner. According to CEO Captain Ahmed Adel and EgyptAir Cargo Chairman Captain Ihab El-Tahatawy, the initiative aligns with the company’s strategic focus on enhancing commercial efficiency, supporting international trade, and strengthening collaboration with cargo partners. The programme reflects EgyptAir Cargo’s commitment to professional best practices, revenue maximisation, and innovation in the air cargo sector, aiming to reinforce its regional and global leadership while creating added value for agents and the broader air cargo ecosystem.
McNally Capital has acquired Airforce Turbine Service (ATS), a global aviation services provider specialising in MRO for the PT6A turboprop engine family. The acquisition includes Turbine Engine Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (TEMRO), now a wholly owned ATS subsidiary based in Johannesburg, South Africa, which expands ATS’s international footprint and enhances certified engine maintenance capabilities. Founded in 1989 and headquartered in Mathis, Texas, ATS offers comprehensive engine MRO, on-wing AOG support, and aftermarket solutions, with facilities also in Malaysia and a support office in Guatemala. McNally Capital views ATS as a scalable platform with strong growth potential, maintaining the company’s operational excellence and customer-focused culture.
VISA/Passports/Consulates/Travel.
Following the expansion of former President Trump’s U.S. travel ban in December 2025, several African nations implemented reciprocal visa restrictions on American citizens. On 26 December 2025, Niger permanently prohibited visas and indefinitely banned U.S. nationals from entering its territory. Chad, which had already been affected by the U.S. ban in June 2025, suspended visas for Americans on the principle of reciprocity. Burkina Faso introduced equivalent measures in late December 2025, fully banning visas for U.S. citizens while emphasizing mutual respect and sovereign equality. Similarly, Mali implemented reciprocal restrictions , requiring U.S. nationals to comply with the same conditions applied to Malian citizens entering the United States.
Since January 1, 2026, Cape Verde has overhauled its entry requirements, ending the previous system that allowed travelers from many countries to obtain visas upon arrival following online pre-registration through the “EASE” portal. Under the new rules, nationals of 96 specified countries must now secure an entry, transit, or airport stopover visa prior to traveling; failure to do so may result in denial of entry. This change, based on Decree No. 244/GMAI/2025 published in November 2025, applies to both tourist and transit visas, though exemptions are provided for airline crew, EU residence permit holders, foreign residents in Cape Verde, certain diplomatic passport holders, and individuals born in Cape Verde who later acquired foreign nationality. All travelers, including those previously visa-exempt, must complete mandatory online registration via the EASE platform, including payment of the Airport Security Tax.
The UK government under Sir Keir Starmer has, for the first time, imposed visa sanctions on the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in response to the country’s failure to cooperate on the return of failed asylum seekers and foreign offenders. As of November 2025, fast-track visa services, which allow expedited processing for work, study, and travel visas, have been suspended for all DRC nationals, and senior officials and VIPs must now apply under standard procedures. This follows warnings to the DRC, Angola, and Namibia, with the latter two countries agreeing to improve their repatriation processes. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood emphasized that further sanctions, including a full visa ban, could be applied if cooperation does not improve.
Awards, Recognition, Certifications & Milestones.
According to Cirium’s 2025 On-Time Performance Review, African airlines and airports delivered strong punctuality performance within the Middle East & Africa region. FlySafair led the airline rankings with an industry-leading 91.06% on-time arrival rate across 62,805 flights, followed by Royal Jordanian at 90.73% from 37,524 flights. Airlink ranked fifth, achieving 84.47% punctuality across 84,361 flights, while South African Airways placed eighth with an 81.26% on-time arrival rate from 24,461 flights. On the airport side, Johannesburg O.R. Tambo International Airport ranked third among Medium Airports, recording 86.22% on-time departures from 189,542 flights. Cape Town International Airport also featured prominently, placing sixth among Small Airports with 88.72% on-time departures across 82,030 flights, underscoring robust operational performance at key South African aviation hubs.
Lawsuits/Investigations.
A federal judge in Boston has blocked the Trump administration from ending Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for South Sudanese citizens in the U.S., preventing the status from expiring on January 5, 2026. The ruling followed an emergency lawsuit filed by South Sudanese nationals and African Communities Together, arguing that ending TPS would expose people to deportation to a country still facing severe humanitarian crises, including ongoing conflict, displacement, and famine. TPS, granted to South Sudanese in 2011, allows recipients to work legally and remain temporarily protected from deportation. Homeland Security had argued that improved peace and diplomatic conditions justified ending TPS, but United Nations reports and humanitarian assessments highlighted continued instability and human suffering, supporting the court’s decision to maintain protections.
South African Airways (SAA) has confirmed that a presidential proclamation published on 19 December 2025 has expanded the scope of an ongoing Special Investigating Unit (SIU) corruption probe to formally include its maintenance division, South African Airways Technical (SAAT), which had previously been excluded from the investigation. The development does not launch a new inquiry but amends the original SIU probe authorised in 2020 to cover SAAT’s operations, enabling investigators to scrutinise maintenance‑related activities alongside other aspects of SAA’s conduct. This expansion reflects broader efforts by the SIU to investigate alleged maladministration and unlawful conduct linked to the airline’s affairs.
Aviation Accidents/Incidences.
On Monday, 29 December 2025, a passenger aircraft carrying approximately 50 occupants was involved in a ground incident during the taxi phase at Nairobi–Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO/HKJK), Kenya. The aircraft, which had arrived from El Wak Airfield (HKEW), veered off Taxiway E after landing under circumstances that have not yet been formally detailed. No fatalities or injuries were reported among the occupants, and there were no ground casualties. Information regarding the aircraft type, registration, operator, and the extent of aircraft damage has not been disclosed.
On December 30, 2025, the Libyan Customs Authority, in cooperation with the Internal Security Agency, intercepted an attempt to smuggle €490,290 out of Libya via Misrata International Airport. A Libyan national traveling to Istanbul on a Berniq Airways flight was apprehended after completing travel procedures; the cash was concealed in a hidden belt. The authorities confirmed that the act violated customs and currency regulations, and the suspect along with the seized funds have been referred to the competent prosecution for legal action.
On Friday, 2 January 2026, a Piper PA-20 Pacer, registration ZS-WEZ (manufacturer serial number 22-808), was involved in a fatal accident near a field in Ferreira, Free State Province, South Africa. The aircraft was completely destroyed after crashing under circumstances that remain unknown, with the phase and nature of the flight not yet established. There was one occupant on board—the sole pilot—who sustained fatal injuries, and no other fatalities were reported on the ground. Information on the aircraft’s departure and intended destination has not been disclosed.
On Friday, 2 January 2026, a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) CASC Rainbow CH-4 unmanned aerial vehicle, registration NAF-114, was destroyed after crashing in Kontagora Forest, Niger State, Nigeria. The military drone was en route at the time of the occurrence and reportedly went down following a technical malfunction. As the aircraft was unmanned, there were no occupants on board and no fatalities were recorded, either on the aircraft or on the ground. Details regarding the drone’s point of departure and intended destination have not been disclosed.
A series of unannounced aircraft landings at the Paga airstrip in northern Ghana between 28 and 31 December 2025 has raised significant local security concerns. Residents and the Paga Youth Movement reported that an aircraft bearing tail number 60171, reportedly of United States origin, landed three times and departed abruptly before community members or local security could engage with it, heightening suspicion and anxiety in the border community near Burkina Faso. On 31 December 2025, district security agencies, including the Ghana Police Service, National Intelligence Bureau and National Security operatives, intervened when the aircraft landed again, but according to the youth group the crew refused to cooperate and subsequently took off after a regional command allegedly classified it as a “national security aircraft.”
Morocco’s National Airports Office (ONDA) reported that a section of the false ceiling at the landside dome of Marrakech-Menara Airport collapsed following severe weather with heavy rain and strong winds. Technical teams had previously detected anomalies and intervened, and a safety perimeter was immediately established to protect passengers and airport users. Operations outside the secured area have continued normally, with no impact on flights or essential services. ONDA confirmed that repair works are underway according to safety standards, technical investigations are ongoing to determine the cause, and preventive measures remain in place.
Other information:
Starting this January 2026, Brussels Airlines will introduce African-inspired meals on long-haul flights from sub-Saharan Africa to Brussels, enhancing its onboard experience and differentiating its long-haul product. The rotating menu will feature dishes such as Cape Malay braised chicken with cashew nuts, mango, and coriander for Business Class and Cod Mbongo, a traditional Cameroonian dish, in Economy Class. The initiative aligns with the airline’s “boutique hotel in the air” concept, aiming to make passengers feel at home while celebrating African culinary traditions. Serving 18 destinations in sub-Saharan Africa, Brussels Airlines has been investing in passenger experience through upgraded tableware, refined service procedures, and meals prepared by Belgian Star Chef Glenn Verhasselt in Business Class.
