Regulatory trails: Week 25, 2026.

KENYA is preparing to review its aviation access policy by easing restrictions on the number of airlines and international flights permitted to serve the country, as part of a broader strategy to double international tourist arrivals to five million by 2028. Speaking at the Kenya Association of Hotel Keepers and Caterers Annual Symposium in Malindi, Tourism Principal Secretary Julius Bitok said the government, in collaboration with aviation stakeholders and the private sector, will assess existing limitations on airline access while balancing airport capacity, security requirements and national interests. The move seeks to address long-standing challenges that have constrained tourism growth, including restrictive aviation policies, limited airport infrastructure, short runways at coastal airports such as Malindi and Diani, and inadequate road connectivity. Industry leaders welcomed the proposed reforms, arguing that a more liberal aviation regime would improve KENYA'S competitiveness against regional tourism destinations and attract more international carriers. In addition to improving air access, the government is positioning KENYA as a leading destination for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) through the modernization of the Bomas of Kenya into a world-class convention centre, while also encouraging the hospitality sector to maintain high service standards and invest in workforce development to support sustainable tourism growth.

NIGERIA'S aviation sector has expanded with the certification of Rocket Aviation Services, after the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) granted the airline an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) to commence non-scheduled commercial flight operations. The approval, which followed nearly two years of rigorous regulatory evaluation, confirms that the carrier has met the NCAA'S stringent requirements covering operational readiness, safety management systems, aircraft maintenance, personnel competency and regulatory compliance. During the certificate presentation, NCAA Director-General Capt. Chris Ona Najomo emphasized that certification marks the beginning of the airline's safety responsibilities rather than the end of the approval process, urging Rocket Aviation to maintain strict adherence to standard operating procedures, effective crew resource management and continuous regulatory compliance. The new certification enables Rocket Aviation to enter NIGERIA'S growing charter and business aviation market, supporting executive travel, corporate aviation and other non-scheduled services, while contributing to increased competition, job creation and improved aviation connectivity as the NCAA continues to expand the country's certified airline base without compromising international safety standards.

Fly-Pyatic, the aviation arm of Pyatic Group, has secured its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), authorising it to commence commercial air transport operations and marking a major milestone in its strategy to become a leading provider of executive aviation services in NIGERIA. The certification, regarded as one of the aviation industry's most rigorous regulatory approvals, confirms that the company has met stringent standards covering aircraft maintenance, operational procedures, personnel competence, safety management systems, emergency response capabilities, and organisational effectiveness. With the AOC in place, Fly-Pyatic will launch executive charter and non-scheduled flight operations while also offering fleet management services for strategic partners, targeting businesses, government institutions, diplomats, entrepreneurs, and high-net-worth individuals seeking reliable, flexible, and private air travel solutions. Founder and Group CEO HRH (Capt.) Aliyu Ahmad Yakubu said the certification represents more than regulatory approval, describing it as the foundation of a broader vision to use aviation as a catalyst for business growth, productivity, and economic development by improving executive mobility across NIGERIA. The company believes that, despite challenges such as infrastructure constraints and high operating costs, the country's aviation sector presents significant opportunities for innovation. Fly-Pyatic also highlighted its collaboration with PwC in shaping its corporate transformation and reaffirmed its commitment to delivering safe, efficient, and on-demand aviation services while building sustainable partnerships and contributing to NIGERIA'S economic growth. Meanwhile, the NCAA reiterated that although obtaining an AOC is a significant achievement, maintaining the highest standards of safety and operational discipline remains non-negotiable.

AirMuj has secured an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) in GABON, marking a significant milestone in its strategy to build a multi-country pan-African cargo airline. The Gabonese certification allows the carrier to establish commercial cargo operations from Central Africa, providing enhanced access to regional markets, bilateral traffic rights, and cross-border freight opportunities while complementing its existing Tanzanian operations. By creating multiple operating platforms across the continent, AirMuj aims to improve network flexibility and overcome market access limitations that often constrain African cargo carriers. The airline has also identified KENYA as its next expansion destination, leveraging the country's strategic location and the role of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) as East Africa'S largest air cargo hub and a key gateway for international freight. Through its growing network, AirMuj intends to strengthen the transportation of high-value and time-sensitive cargo—including perishables, pharmaceuticals, e-commerce shipments, and other specialized freight—while enhancing intra-African logistics, facilitating trade, and improving air cargo connectivity between East, Central, and West Africa as it advances its vision of developing a comprehensive pan-African cargo network.

The Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) plans to separate its regulatory and airport operations functions by mid-2027 in a major governance reform aimed at strengthening oversight, improving operational efficiency, and eliminating conflicts of interest. Under the proposed structure, one entity will focus exclusively on aviation regulation—including safety oversight, licensing, and enforcement—while a separate body will manage airport operations such as infrastructure, passenger services, and commercial activities at Entebbe International Airport and other facilities. The reform follows a recent major aviation emergency preparedness exercise at Entebbe simulating a hijacked aircraft carrying 67 passengers, as well as UGANDA’S strong performance in ICAO’S Universal Security Audit Programme, where it scored 81.6%, above regional and global averages. Authorities say the restructuring will align UGANDA with international best practices, enhance regulatory independence, and improve investor and airline confidence in the country’s aviation sector.