South Africa’s target of moving 1.2 million tonnes of air freight through its airports by 2029 will depend partly on faster regional liberalisation, as African aviation leaders warn that fragmented markets, restrictive bilateral agreements and weak airline profitability continue to limit continental connectivity.Speaking at the opening of the 14th Aviation Stakeholders Convention in Johannesburg on May 18, Transport Minister Barbara Creecy said South Africa supported faster implementation of the long-discussed Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) as part of efforts to improve regional connectivity and strengthen air cargo corridors. Hosted by the African Airlines Association (AFRAA) and SAA under the…
Author: Nandi Biko
Story audio is generated using AI US carrier Delta Airlines says South Africa remains a strategically important market in its global network, as travel demand between the two countries continues to rise.Speaking at a media and stakeholder roundtable in Joburg this week to mark 20 years in South Africa, Delta executives highlighted growing tourism, business and corporate travel demand between South Africa and the US and signalled plans to increase flight capacity over time.The carrier operates daily flights between Joburg and Atlanta and three weekly services from Cape Town on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays.Delta said all permitted flights between South…
The African Drone Forum has partnered with Aviation Africa 2026 to deliver a dedicated drone and autonomous systems programme in Nairobi on 9–10 September. The event will include a Drone and Autonomous Systems Track, the inaugural African Drone Regulators Forum, an exhibition pavilion and live demonstrations. The partnership aims to strengthen regulatory dialogue, support BVLOS and unmanned traffic management development, and expand market access across Africa’s low-altitude economy. The African Drone Forum (ADF) has announced a strategic partnership with Aviation Africa 2026, taking place on 9–10 September 2026 at the Sarit Expo Centre in Nairobi, Kenya, to strengthen dialogue,…
Airline Association of Southern Africa CEO Aaron Munetsi says South Africa’s aviation sector is facing mounting pressure with domestic airlines introducing fuel surcharges as operators move to offset rising costs.The sector continues to be affected by a global aerospace supply chain crunch, now in its sixth year, which has limited the availability of new aircraft and parts. “Aircraft and engine makers are still struggling to return to pre-Covid-19 production levels,” he told BDTV, adding this has forced many airlines, particularly in Africa, to keep older, less fuel-efficient aircraft in service for longer than planned.Africa remains a marginal player in global…
In the hard-to-reach areas of Southern Africa aviation takes over where roads don’t go. The HISTORY Channel Africa’s newest reality series, Extreme Airport Africa takes viewers into the high-risk world of bush flying, where pilots navigate rough runways, unpredictable weather and wildlife that doesn’t respect airport boundaries.The local series, which starts on the HISTORY Channel Africa (DStv 186) on Thursday 4 June at 19h25 goes behind the scenes at both the busiest travel hubs and the most remote airstrips in the region. From major international airports to dirt airstrips deep in Kruger National Park and the Okavango Delta, the series…
On Monday, Egypt inaugurated the 11th Africa-Indian Ocean (AFI) Aviation Week, hosting the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) flagship regional aviation event for the first time as more than 550 aviation leaders, regulators and industry executives gathered in Cairo to chart the future of air transport across Africa.The five-day conference, running from July 27 to 31, is bringing together civil aviation authorities, policymakers and representatives of leading international and regional aviation organisations to discuss priorities including aviation safety, security, air navigation, airport development, sustainability, digital transformation and regional connectivity.Civil Aviation Minister Sameh El-Hefny opened the event alongside ICAO Secretary General…
…as Intra-African trade climbs to $207m in 2025 Nigeria has expanded its African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) implementation drive with a new partnership between the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and RwandAir aimed at significantly reducing air cargo costs for exporters shipping goods across East and Southern Africa. Under the new arrangement, cargo rates on all five destinations serviced by RwandAir will cost exporters less than $2 per kilogram, a sharp reduction from the previous rates that ranged between $3 and $10 per kilogram. According to a statement by the ministry on Sunday, the initiative was unveiled…
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, and Ghana-based Africa World Airlines (AWA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a strategic partnership covering codeshare and interline services, cargo operations, and frequent flyer programmes.The agreement, signed in Accra, provides a framework for the two airlines to integrate their networks. Once implemented, Etihad passengers will be able to book a single ticket beyond Accra to destinations across Ghana and West Africa served by Africa World Airlines. Likewise, AWA customers will gain seamless access to Abu Dhabi and Etihad’s global network of 118 destinations.Beyond passenger travel, the…
Vehicles are being abandoned at South Africa’s busiest airports, said Mpho Maluleka of the Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) on CapeTalk. Maluleka said airport staff identify possible abandoned vehicles by checking for excessive dust build-up, flat tyres and how long the vehicle has remained parked. He explained that parking attendants and security teams monitor vehicles daily and report cars that appear abandoned. ACSA then works with banks, law enforcement and the South African Police Service to determine ownership and whether the vehicles may have been stolen. RELATED: Customers stuck with four-figure fees after parking at OR Tambo Level 2Owners sometimes…
Kalé Logistics Solutions (Kalé) has entered into a strategic partnership with e-Smart Logistics (e-SL) to integrate Kalé’s cloud-based air cargo technology solutions with e-SL’s advanced logistics expertise. The agreement, announced during the TIACA Executive Summit in Warsaw, aims to enhance real-time visibility and transparency at the individual shipment and SKU level. By combining their capabilities, the two companies will enable airlines to broaden their service offerings, particularly in the growing e-commerce and high-value cargo segments. The partnership is expected to provide end-to-end tracking and operational visibility, helping airlines deliver greater efficiency, control, and customer service throughout the cargo journey. Through…
Jet fuel prices, a critical component of airline operating expenses, have surged sharply since the conflict began. Brent crude was trading near $98 per barrel in early Wednesday trading, reflecting a rise of more than 30% since the onset of hostilities, according to Reuters. The increase has been linked to concerns over energy security and uncertainty surrounding a fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran. Dominick Andoh, managing partner of AviationGhana, said the spike has already altered how African airlines procure fuel. “It has affected how much African carriers purchase aviation fuel for their…
…as tight capacity drives yield growth African airlines have emerged as the undisputed engine of global air cargo growth, posting a staggering 13.3 percent year-on-year increase in freight demand for May 2026. Data released by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) confirms that Africa recorded the strongest performance of any continent, vastly outperforming the global average demand growth of 6.0 percent. Even more significant for African carriers is their strict capacity discipline. While demand skyrocketed by double digits, available cargo capacity (ACTK) on the continent ticked up by a mere 1.3 percent. This gap between booming freight volumes and conservative…