Introduction.

On December 7, 2024, the global aviation community commemorated the 80th anniversary of the signing of the Convention on International Civil Aviation, also known as the Chicago Convention, in the United States. This landmark agreement has been the cornerstone of the international civil aviation system, facilitating its evolution over eight decades to promote safe, efficient, and orderly air transport for the benefit of nations worldwide.

In parallel, the global aviation industry faces regulatory changes as International Air Transport Association (IATA) moves forward with Resolution 024a, requiring airlines to file passenger fares and excess baggage charges in USD, effective December 10, 2024. Although initially reversed by Amadeus for consultations, the resolution, introduced in October, remains contentious among industry stakeholders.

African Aviation: Projections and Statistics.

A recent study by Transport and Environment, a Brussels-based advocacy group, reveals a concerning lag in the adoption of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) among airlines and a lack of commitment from oil producers in facilitating the transition. SAF currently represents a mere 1% of the aviation fuel market, far below what’s needed to achieve global carbon reduction targets. Cost remains a barrier, with SAF priced at 2–5 times the cost of conventional jet fuel. While some airlines like Air France-KLM, United Airlines, and Norwegian are making tangible efforts by investing in cleaner-burning synthetic SAF, the report finds that 87% of airlines globally are failing to make meaningful progress. Even leaders in the field risk missing their ambitious targets without greater investment in production and usage.

Tunisia’s aviation sector is showing strong signs of recovery in 2024. Data from the Civil Authority for Airports (Oaca) reveals a 9.4% year-over-year increase in passenger numbers, exceeding 8.9 million travelers in the first 11 months of the year. Airports in Djerba and Tozeur were standout performers, with growth rates of 12.7% and an impressive 97.9%, respectively. Aircraft movements also climbed 5%, totaling over 73,000 takeoffs and landings, while Tunisian airspace recorded a 15.5% surge in overflights to 56,270.

In a display of resilience, Airbus delivered 84 aircraft to 24 customers in November 2024, further cementing its strong performance this year. The manufacturer also secured 30 new orders, including A321neo, A330-900, and A350-900 aircraft from undisclosed clients. With these achievements, Airbus’s total deliveries for 2024 have reached 643 aircraft across 82 customers, reinforcing its position as a market leader in the aerospace industry.

Air Service Agreements (ASA’s) and Airlines Agreements/Partnerships.

The first session of the Jordanian-Moroccan Consular Committee concluded last week in the Moroccan capital, Rabat. The committee discussed several consular issues of mutual concern to both nations, including the resumption of resuming direct flights between Jordan and Morocco.

South Africa is in talks with the Indian government as well as three airlines to introduce direct flights to India to boost tourism. Currently, India and South Africa are connected by layover flights by Emirates, Kenya Airways, Air Mauritius, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad, Air Seychelles, RwandAir and Qatar Airways.

The Moroccan National Tourism Office (ONMT) and NORWEGIAN AIR SHUTTLE ASA announced that they are teaming up to develop a direct air service to connect between Tangier and Copenhagen starting May 2025 in an to increase air service to Morocco’s tourist destinations. The two destinations will be linked through a weekly flight that is scheduled during the first season. The flight will be the first air service connecting Tangier to a Scandinavian airport

French-Dutch multinational airline holding company Air France-KLM implemented a new codeshare agreement with South African regional airline Airlink, effective 03 December 2024. This commercial partnership enhances connectivity for travellers, offering Air France and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines customers access to an extensive range of destinations in Southern Africa. At this stage, the codeshare agreement is active on 14 Airlink domestic destinations in South Africa.

Air Sénégal S.A and Royal Air Maroc last month launched reciprocal codeshare partnership, covering service on Casablanca – Dakar route. The pair launched its first codeshare flight since late-November 2024.

Routes and Airline Connectivity.

Royal Air Maroc (RAM) has restored two vital routes after disruptions. The Casablanca-São Paulo service resumed on December 7, 2024 after a five-year hiatus, operating three weekly flights with a Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The following day, on December 8, 2024, RAM launched a new transatlantic route to Toronto, Canada, marking an expansion in its North American network. This complements its long-standing (Since 1975) Casablanca-Montreal route, addressing the needs of the Moroccan diaspora in Canada. The Casablanca-Toronto route will operate three times a week, utilizing Boeing 787 Dreamliners. In the Morocco-Canada market, Air Canada, Air Transat and RAM have scheduled flights to/from Montreal.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has officially launched its national carrier, Air Congo, with its inaugural flight taking off on December 1, 2024. A product of a public-private partnership with Ethiopian Airlines, this venture is a key move to strengthen DRC’s aviation landscape. Air Congo’s domestic operations include daily flights connecting Kinshasa to Lubumbashi, Goma, Kisangani, and Mbuji-Mayi, alongside routes to Kalemie and Kolwezi several times a week. With plans to grow its fleet to six aircraft and expand to international destinations by mid-2025, the airline operates under a shared ownership model: 51% by the DRC government and 49% by Ethiopian Airlines.

Ethiopian Airlines, in partnership with Ghana Airports Company Limited, inaugurated its first intercontinental flight ETH8719 to Kumasi, Ghana, from London Gatwick on Friday, December 6, 2024. The leased aircraft from GACL represents a milestone for the recently internationalized Prempeh I International Airport. The launch was Initially planned for December 3, 2024, but later portponed.

Air Botswana commenced Durban-Gaborone flights on December 1, 2024, following delays due to late aircraft deliveries as the route was originally scheduled to begin on 1 October 2024. The route forms part of its Gaborone-Windhoek-Durban network, with flights on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.

Kush Air Limited, a South Sudan-based carrier, joined the Entebbe-Juba route on December 6, 2024, operating thrice-weekly flights with a 90 seater Dash 8 Q400 aircraft. It now competes with Uganda Airlines, Eagle Air, and Premier Aviation on this route.

Challenge Group, a cargo specialist, made its African debut on December 2, 2024, with Nairobi as its first destination. Utilizing a Boeing 767 freighter with a capacity of 52 tons and a volume of 400 cubic meters, the twice-weekly flights bolster Nairobi’s growing status as a logistics hub.

Brussels Airlines is poised for significant expansion in sub-Saharan Africa, planning a 10% capacity increase for the summer 2025 season. With the addition of an 11th long-haul aircraft in June 2025, the airline will offer 56 weekly flights, further strengthening its role as a leading bridge between Europe and Africa. Key enhancements include daily flights to Nairobi (Kenya) and Accra (Ghana), as well as increased frequencies to Banjul (Gambia), Freetown (Sierra Leone), and Conakry (Guinea). The network will also see improved efficiency with direct flights to Dakar (Senegal) and Abidjan (Ivory Coast), eliminating triangular routes. The flagship Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of the Congo) route will be upgraded to daily direct flights from March 2025, offering enhanced passenger convenience and reduced environmental impact by bypassing stops in Luanda (Angola).

China Eastern Airlines’ Shanghai Airlines will launch its first direct flight between Shanghai and Casablanca on January 19, 2025, marking its second route to Africa following the Shanghai-Cairo connection established last December. Operating on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, the flight will connect Shanghai Pudong International Airport with Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport via Marseille, France.

Airlink plans to expand its Johannesburg-Nairobi service with three weekly night flights beginning March 30, 2025. The new schedule includes Flight 4Z 072 departing Johannesburg at 20:30 and arriving in Nairobi at 01:30, with the return Flight 4Z 073 departing Nairobi at 02:15 and arriving in Johannesburg at 05:25, operated on Embraer E190 aircraft.

Discover Airlines will debut a new route to Seychelles starting in winter 2025, with non-stop flights from Frankfurt twice weekly. Scheduled to commence on October 26, 2025, this service will include onward connections to Mauritius, offering travelers seamless access to both Indian Ocean destinations.

South African Airways will introduce daily direct flights between Johannesburg and Dar es Salaam starting January 20, 2025, coinciding with AIR TANZANIA COMPANY LIMITED‘s resumption of the same route on November 30, 2024. Additionally, Air Tanzania has secured approval to launch cargo services between Dar es Salaam and Guangzhou, with the first flight expected this December, using its Boeing 767-300 Freighter.

Airlink has reinstated its Johannesburg-Maseru flights after resolving service disruptions at Lesotho’s Moshoeshoe I International Airport, caused by inadequate fire and rescue equipment. The airport resumed operations on December 5, restoring Airlink’s full schedule.

Proflight Zambia will cease its Lusaka-Durban direct route on January 4, 2025, citing adjustments to post-pandemic travel demands and route sustainability.

Airline Fleets and ACMI’s.

AFRIQIYAH AIRWAYS is set to bolster its fleet with the addition of a 10.5-year-old Airbus Aircraft A330-300, registered as 5A-ONR, which had been grounded for years. The aircraft successfully completed test flights at Sofia Airport and over Bulgarian airspace, paving the way for its ferry flight to Libya. Configured with 28 business class seats and 263 economy class seats, the A330-300 will enhance the airline’s operational capacity. Additionally, Afriqiyah’s Airbus A319, registered as 5A-ONI and also parked at Sofia Airport, is undergoing test flights and is expected to return to scheduled service soon.

In a related development, Libya‘s Berniq Airways has expanded its fleet with its first Airbus A330-200, a 16.5-year-old aircraft now registered as 5A-BRG. Previously operated by Aircraft Finance Germany (AFG), the A330-200 marks a significant milestone for Berniq Airways’ growing operations.

Aviation Infrastructure, Financing & Profitability.

Kenya‘s National Treasury is exploring alternative public-private partnerships (PPPs) to finance the expansion of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) following the cancellation of the Adani Group-led initiative. The government has proposed a Diaspora Infrastructure Bond as a potential solution to fund the construction of a new airport and other key national projects. If well-structured, this bond could raise over Sh500 billion, exceeding the initial target of Sh300 billion.

In Libya, the Government of National Unity (GNU) has announced that construction on the new Misrata International Airport is 50% complete. This significant project, which covers 24,000 square meters and is designed to handle up to 3.5 million passengers annually, is expected to be finished by the end of 2025. The airport will feature modern equipment and facilities, including four aircraft gates and 15 passenger boarding stations, aiming to boost Libya’s aviation infrastructure.

Meanwhile, in Nigeria, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has launched the Directorate of Air Transport Regulation (DATR) Electronic Portal (E-Portal), a major step toward modernizing aviation operations. The E-Portal will streamline processes, offering a single-window platform to improve the efficiency of air transport regulations.

In Ghana, the installation of an electronic gate (e-gate) at Kotoka International Airport (KIA) aims to alleviate passenger congestion and enhance border security at the arrivals terminal. The e-gate, developed by the indigenous Margins Group, was inaugurated by Ghana’s Vice President Dr. @Mahamudu Bawumia.

In Egypt, Hassan Allam Holding has partnered with France’s ADPI Middle East (Groupe Aéroports de Paris) to manage and operate the country’s airports. The alliance submitted a proposal this week and is seeking to hold workshops with Egypt’s Ministry of Civil Aviation to explore potential partnerships as part of Egypt’s ongoing airport privatization efforts. ADP, a global leader in airport management, operates France’s three largest airports and has experience managing multiple airports worldwide.

In Nigeria, Aero Contractors of Nigeria Ltd, the country’s oldest active carrier, has reported a 14% profit, marking a financial turnaround after a challenging period. The airline, which suspended commercial operations due to financial difficulties in 2021 and 2022, is now on a recovery path.

Awards and Recognition.

Kenya Airways has been recognized as the top African airline for customer service and punctuality, according to AirHelp, a leading global advocate for air passenger rights. With an impressive AirHelp score of 6.71 and an on-time performance (OTP) score of 6.3, the airline ranks 39th globally, demonstrating excellence in both service quality and operational reliability. EGYPTAIR follows as the second-best African airline, securing the 96th spot globally with an AirHelp score of 4.95 and an OTP of 4.8. Air Mauritius ranks third in Africa and 101st globally, with an AirHelp score of 4.84 and an OTP of 6.7.

Ethiopian Airlines was also honored at the Nigerian National Tourism Transportation Summit & Expo in Abuja, where it received the “Outstanding Onboarding Experience Achievements” award. This accolade highlights the airline’s commitment to enhancing Nigeria’s tourism sector through superior air connectivity services.

Meanwhile, EGYPTAIR earned recognition as the second most punctual airline at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport in October, according to the Dutch hub’s monthly performance report. The airline’s consistent operations on its Cairo-Amsterdam route and its strong global customer base have contributed to its high standing in punctuality rankings.

Aviation Accidents/Incidents.

On December 1, 2024, a MicroWings Cubby aircraft, a 75% replica of the J-3 Piper Cub, crashed into open field terrain in Rheenendal, Western Cape, South Africa. The pilot sustained serious injuries, and the aircraft sustained significant damage.

On December 2, 2024, a TAAG-Linhas Aereas de Angola Boeing 737-700, en route from Luanda to Cape Town, had to divert to Windhoek after losing cabin pressure. The crew initiated an emergency descent to 10,000 feet and later chose a precautionary diversion to Windhoek.

Berniq Airways flight 461, an Airbus A320, encountered cracks in the right-hand side cockpit window while flying over Egypt on December 4, 2024. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.

On December 6, 2024, a Fly Bird HS 125 aircraft, operating a flight from Abuja to Accra, lost both engines shortly after takeoff. Despite the technical difficulties, the crew successfully landed the aircraft back in Abuja, with no injuries reported.

On December 5, 2024, Jambojet’s scheduled flights were disrupted when one of its DHC 8-400 aircraft collided with a pole during ground operations at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. The collision did not cause injuries but rendered the aircraft temporarily inoperable.

MaxAir Limited’s Flight VM1623 had to make an emergency landing back at Maiduguri International Airport after a bird strike caused engine failure shortly after takeoff. The aircraft landed safely, and all passengers were unharmed.

On December 1, 2024, an Air Sénégal S.A Airbus A330-941, at Dakar-Blaise Diagne International Airport, sustained minor damage to an aircraft door due to incorrect operation of a service truck while on the ground.

In other news.

Sky Handling Partner Sierra Leone Ltd (SHP SL), a subsidiary of Groupe Europe Handling, has achieved a significant milestone by receiving validation as a Regulated Third Country Agent (RA3) from the European Union, announced on December 5, 2024. This certification underscores the company’s commitment to maintaining a secure air cargo and mail supply chain between Sierra Leone and EU member states.

Meanwhile, South African Airways (SAA) pilots ended their two-day strike on December 7, which had caused the cancellation of nearly half of the airline’s flights on the first day. The strike stemmed from a salary dispute, with the pilots initially demanding a 30% increase, later reducing the request to 15.7%. SAA had initially offered an 8.46% increase, which was later raised to 9.47%. The airline was operating 51% of its planned flights on the first day of the strike, including just 33% of international flights.

Cairo Airport Company launched a training program on December 5, 2024, aimed at training 15 participants from various African airports. The initiative, in collaboration with the Egyptian Agency of Partnership for Development, seeks to share Cairo International Airport’s expertise with other African countries, supporting the Egyptian Ministry of Civil Aviation’s mission to bolster Africa’s aviation sector.

RwandAir Ltd has also announced the launch of its Cadet Pilot Program, which will provide aspiring Rwandan pilots with the necessary skills and qualifications to succeed in the aviation industry. This initiative is part of the airline’s broader commitment to offering world-class travel experiences.

In other news, an alleged U.S. spy plane breached the airspaces of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) three times in November 2024. The Bombardier Challenger 604 aircraft, believed to be leased by the U.S. Department of Defense, flew over regions in both countries, including Kasese and Bundibugyo in Uganda and Beni in the DRC.