African Aviation Trails

This trail highlights key developments affecting Africa's aviation industry, including airline certification, regulatory policy, and operating costs. It covers Enugu Air's transition to independent operations, Nigeria's review of helicopter landing charges, and the impact of rising global jet fuel prices on airlines and passengers, underscoring ongoing efforts to strengthen connectivity while navigating economic and geopolitical challenges.

In this trail: Aviation and travel policy developments gathered pace as Puntland suspended Daallo Airlines' operations over safety concerns, Nigeria reversed its airport cashless toll system after severe congestion, Somalia introduced mandatory biometric IDs for domestic air travel, France tightened visa rules for Algerian diplomats, and the UK imposed new visa restrictions on several high-risk countries to curb rising asylum claims.

In this trail: TANZANIA introduced mandatory drug screening for all repatriated human remains at airports after traffickers were found concealing narcotics inside corpses, while ETHIOPIA ruled out immediate aviation market liberalisation. SOMALIA grounded 11 Malawi-registered aircraft over safety concerns, GHANA renamed Kotoka International Airport to Accra International Airport, SOKOTO State advanced plans for Caliphate Air, the UN resumed humanitarian flights into Khartoum, and African leaders renewed calls for visa-free travel to boost continental integration and connectivity.

In this trail, Fastjet Mozambique is preparing to relaunch scheduled operations in the second half of 2026 with three Embraer ERJ145 regional jets based in Beira, while Egypt's start-up Pyramids Airlines is advancing toward regulatory approval ahead of its planned 2026 launch, focusing initially on charter and ACMI operations.

Benin has granted an operating licence to Amazone Airlines, paving the way for the country's new national carrier to launch domestic and regional services and strengthen Cotonou's position as a West African aviation hub. Meanwhile, Israeli carrier Arkia has resumed using Somali airspace on its Bangkok route after authorities reinstated its overflight permit following a two-week suspension. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a UN helicopter carrying MONUSCO Acting Head Vivian van de Perre became the first aircraft to land at Goma International Airport since its closure in January 2025, marking a symbolic milestone toward the gradual restoration of humanitarian air access and operations in the conflict-affected region.

The U.S. FAA issued an emergency directive grounding Canadian-assembled aircraft unless specifically authorized, prompting global regulatory reviews. Kenya ordered obstacle lighting on tall structures near airports to enhance flight safety, while Nigeria's Ebonyi State secured licensing for the launch of Ebonyi Air. Cameroon introduced mandatory digital customs declarations for arriving ASKY Airlines passengers, LAM Mozambique Airlines unveiled a new four-tier fare structure, and Ghana announced plans to rename Kotoka International Airport as part of efforts to reflect the country's historical heritage.

Nigeria’s aviation regulator has ordered domestic airlines to integrate special-needs assistance options into all booking platforms within seven days to improve accessibility, while Ghana announced plans to relaunch a national airline within a year. Libya is establishing an aviation holding company in partnership with Boeing to revive its aviation sector, and Namibia’s Bay Air has applied to expand its fleet and scheduled network. In South Africa, Star Air has entered the passenger ACMI market, Nigeria’s Edo State advanced plans to launch Edo Air, Burkina Faso completed the nationalization of Air Burkina, and Liberia introduced a carbon levy on aviation and maritime emissions to support climate and sustainability goals.

South Sudan: South Sudan's Civil Aviation Authority has warned airlines against repeated breaches of aircraft weight and balance regulations after inspections found overloading and improper load distribution on several aircraft types. The regulator warned that continued violations could result in fines, operational restrictions or aircraft groundings as it strengthens aviation safety oversight nationwide.

African aviation authorities advanced major policy reforms as South Sudan ordered the removal of abandoned aircraft from Juba International Airport, Egypt launched a sustainability-focused National Aviation Action Plan through 2028, and Liberia unveiled its 2025–2045 Civil Aviation Master Plan to modernise infrastructure, strengthen regulatory oversight and align with international aviation standards.