African Aviation Trails

Niger’s Niamey International Airport resumed operations after security forces repelled a coordinated militant attack that damaged aircraft belonging to Air Côte d’Ivoire and ASKY Airlines. In Europe, the death of a passenger following a Smartwings flight from Cape Verde has renewed debate over onboard medical preparedness, while Mauritius temporarily closed its main international airport and Air Mauritius suspended flights due to Cyclone Garance. Meanwhile, Egypt successfully conducted a full-scale emergency response exercise at Cairo International Airport to strengthen operational readiness, and Nigeria’s FAAN launched the country’s first fully electric airport-to-city shuttle service at Abuja Airport, advancing sustainable airport transport.

Angola unveiled the master plan for the Icolo e Bengo Aerotropolis to position Luanda as a regional aviation hub, while Cameroon reopened Douala International Airport’s renovated underground parking and Cape Verde secured €40 million to modernise its airport network. AeroCloud expanded into Africa through a South African partnership, South Africa advanced reforms to establish an independent air accident investigation body, and Somalia launched its first locally owned ground handling company in 35 years. Meanwhile, Liberia secured over US$8 million in EU funding to upgrade Roberts International Airport, Kenya Airways dismissed reports of investment talks with Temasek despite a share price rally, and Mozambique’s LAM continues to grapple with significant financial challenges amid its restructuring efforts.

United Nigeria Airlines has expanded its fleet with the delivery of a leased 180-seat Airbus A320-200 to support network growth and operational flexibility. DHL Aviation has stationed two Boeing 737-400SF freighters in Lagos to strengthen cargo connectivity across West Africa and key Africa–Europe and Africa–Asia trade corridors. Meanwhile, Uganda’s government is seeking funding for a dedicated helicopter to enhance wildlife conservation and aerial surveillance, while lawmakers cautioned that maintaining Uganda Airlines’ operational stability remains vital to sustaining the country’s tourism growth.

Sudan Airways restored scheduled commercial flights to Khartoum International Airport for the first time in over two years, while Air Sénégal reinstated full widebody capacity on its Dakar–Paris route using a wet-leased Boeing 777-200ER. SalamAir launched the first direct Muscat–Port Sudan service, and Air Tanzania inaugurated flights to Accra via Lagos, expanding its West African network. Lufthansa Cargo introduced scheduled freighter services to Algiers, Kuwait Airways and Gulf Air expanded seasonal services to Egyptian destinations, and Air Mauritius increased Perth frequencies. Meanwhile, Air Sierra Leone launched its Banjul–London Gatwick service, Air Zimbabwe announced plans to resume Harare–London flights by June 2026, Condor will begin daily Frankfurt–Cairo flights from May, and Ethiopian Airlines temporarily suspended flights to Mekelle amid renewed security concerns in Ethiopia’s Tigray region.

Morocco is advancing ratification of a new air services agreement with Rwanda to strengthen bilateral aviation cooperation, while Royal Air Maroc has leased 13 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft from DAE to support fleet expansion from 2027. Air Peace signed a multi-year distribution agreement with Travelport to expand its global sales reach, and the African Development Bank partnered with Air Côte d’Ivoire to explore aviation financing, training, and sustainability initiatives across Africa. Ethiopian Airlines secured a five-year agreement with Aeroservices for ExxonMobil aviation lubricants, while Kenya’s Astral Aviation expanded its Middle East presence by appointing ANA Aviation Services as its General Sales Agent in the UAE.

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.

African aviation saw significant developments across research, infrastructure, governance and sustainability, with Kenya selected for the ARISS programme, major airport investments, leadership appointments, industry awards, labour and legal developments, while IATA highlighted Ethiopia’s economic aviation impact amid profitability challenges, and geopolitical instability continued reshaping regional aviation operations and travel.

African aviation security remained in focus as Türkiye investigated the fatal Falcon 50 crash carrying Libya’s military chief, Sudan lost a Bayraktar Akinci combat drone during fighting in South Kordofan, and Somalia’s Civil Aviation Authority faced scrutiny over a private jet transiting its airspace en route to Israel, raising oversight concerns.

African aviation and tourism recorded several strategic developments as Greece and Algeria strengthened tourism cooperation, Eswatini Air partnered with Nsingizini Hotspurs, AirlinePros became Proflight Zambia's Namibia sales agent, Nigeria advanced Enugu Airport's concession and United Nigeria Airlines' training partnership, while TAAG Angola introduced ticket instalment payments to improve travel accessibility.