African Aviation Trails

In this trail, airlines continued expanding connectivity across Africa and beyond, with Eswatini Air launching the first direct link to Zambia, Royal Air Maroc adding Bilbao to its Spanish network, AEGEAN introducing Athens–Casablanca flights, and SalamAir opening the first non-stop Muscat–Mogadishu route. EgyptAir confirmed plans to launch Los Angeles services, Ethiopian Airlines announced three new domestic destinations, while TAAG Angola, Sichuan Airlines, and Airlink advanced network expansion initiatives, underscoring continued growth in regional and long-haul air connectivity.

In this trail, Air Algérie Group signed strategic cooperation agreements with the African Business Council (AfBC) and Africa Prosperity Network (APN) to strengthen intra-African trade, business mobility, and regional integration, while Egypt and Qatar advanced bilateral aviation cooperation through high-level talks on regulatory alignment, technical training, and air transport modernization.

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.

EgyptAir has taken delivery of its first Airbus A350-900, becoming the first airline in North Africa to operate the type and advancing its long-haul fleet modernization with improved fuel efficiency and expanded intercontinental capabilities. Ethiopian Airlines added a new Boeing 737-8 MAX, while TAAG Angola Airlines inducted another Airbus A220-300 to support regional growth.

Ethiopian Airlines ranked second globally for aircraft utilisation in 2025, while global flight cancellations surged in January 2026 amid severe winter disruptions. Cairo International Airport reinforced its position as Africa's busiest hub with record traffic, as Africa's airport certification rate reached 44.8%, highlighting continued infrastructure challenges. Namibia's visa-on-arrival programme generated strong tourism and revenue gains, and Réunion Airport reported steady passenger growth. Meanwhile, Skyward Airlines appointed Diana Nyambura as CEO, Nigeria reshuffled senior aviation officials across key agencies, United Nigeria Airlines unveiled ambitious expansion plans during its fifth anniversary, and legal proceedings continued against former Nigerian Aviation Minister Stella Oduah, while a Kenyan court temporarily halted a planned aviation workers' strike.

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.

Libya reopened Kufra International Airport after runway rehabilitation, while Safran announced a €280 million aerospace manufacturing investment in Morocco. South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda advanced major airport infrastructure projects, as Emirates expanded its retail presence in Abidjan and Ethiopian Airlines confirmed its move to a new headquarters in August 2026. Meanwhile, Kenya launched plans to secure a strategic investor for Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines reported strong half-year growth, Cabo Verde Airlines secured US$35 million in state-backed financing, and Ghana's new airport infrastructure levy sparked industry concerns over its potential impact on travel demand and competitiveness.

Air Sierra Leone has expanded its UK network with the launch of weekly Banjul–London Gatwick flights, strengthening West Africa–UK connectivity and supporting tourism and business travel. Royal Air Maroc unveiled a major European network expansion with new routes linking northern Morocco to Spain, reinforcing its long-term growth strategy ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup.

rance and Senegal have expanded their aviation cooperation to strengthen safety oversight, air navigation, and sustainable aviation, while EgyptAir is partnering with Equatorial Guinea to revitalize Ceiba Intercontinental through maintenance, training, infrastructure development, and a proposed Cairo–Malabo route.