Africa Aviation Trails: Week 12, 2026

Introduction.

African airlines are currently experiencing a notable surge in passenger traffic as ongoing Middle East tensions disrupt major Gulf aviation hubs like Dubai and Doha, forcing travelers to seek alternative routes. Ethiopian Airlines and Kenya Airways have been major beneficiaries of this shift, with Ethiopian Airlines reporting a 110% increase in bookings, leveraging its strategic Addis Ababa hub and hub-and-spoke network connecting Europe, Africa, and Asia. Kenya Airways has seen seat occupancy rise to near full capacity, particularly on routes linking Africa to Western markets and Asia, reflecting strong demand for stable travel options outside conflict zones. Both carriers have managed the surge through expanded fleets, operational flexibility, and secured fuel supplies, despite rising costs and the potential volatility of jet fuel markets. This redirection of traffic highlights the growing importance of African aviation hubs in global travel while delivering economic benefits, including increased foreign exchange inflows, tourism growth, and strengthened logistics activity in the region. However, the boost is expected to be temporary, as limited fleet capacity and operational constraints may restrict the ability of African airlines to sustain these elevated traffic levels over the long term.

AOCs/ASLs/Regulations.

Khartoum International Airport in Sudan is now ready to handle domestic, regional, and international flights following phased rehabilitation after being heavily damaged during the April 2023 conflict and military coup. Civilian flights, suspended for over two years, resumed domestically in October 2025, and international operations can now restart, allowing citizens who fled the country to return. The airport’s reopening marks a major step in restoring Sudan’s aviation sector, with authorities completing airspace recovery efforts and implementing measures, including reduced passport fees, to support the voluntary return of Sudanese nationals abroad.

Zamfara State, marked a historic milestone with the maiden test flight at Gusau International Airport, which landed at 4:30 pm on Sunday, March 22, 2026. The Bombardier Challenger 605 aircraft, operated by the Federal Government of Nigeria and registered 5N-FGZ, conducted a one-off flight to assess the airport’s readiness for upcoming VIP movements. The operation was conducted under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) and followed Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations, with a one-time “No Technical Objection” (NTO) granted by the NCAA. Governor Dauda Lawal expressed excitement over the successful test, noting it as a significant achievement for his administration, especially since Zamfara had lacked an operational airport since its creation.