Ethiopian Airlines Group is in early discussions with Airbus SE over a potential aircraft order as Africa’s largest carrier moves to expand its regional and long-haul operations. According to people familiar with the talks, the airline is considering purchasing around six Airbus A350 widebody jets and roughly 20 A220 regional aircraft, Bloomberg reported. However, the discussions remain at an early stage, and no final decision has been made on whether the order will proceed or on the exact size of any potential deal. Ethiopian Airlines, Africa’s largest carrier, is scaling up its global ambitions with new…
Author: Nandi Biko
Africa’s aviation bottlenecks are well documented. High costs, ageing infrastructure, limited intra-African connectivity and bold sustainability goals top the list. All are issues that Berthé is well-positioned to tackle. A pilot and former CEO of Air Mali and Air Burkina, he brings nearly 40 years of aviation expertise to the role. As Secretary General of the African Airlines Association (AFRAA) – a role he took on in 2018 – Berthé is focused on unlocking intra-African routes, reducing operational barriers and positioning aviation as a powerful driver of trade, tourism and economic growth. Source link
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, alongside the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, Friday officially flagged off RwandaAir’s first dedicated cargo flight on the Nigeria–East/Southern Africa Air Cargo Route. According to a statement from the Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister, Tunde Moshood, the development marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s quest to deepen intra-African trade and economic integration. The launch of the cargo service represents a breakthrough under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, creating new opportunities for Nigerian exporters to access markets across East and…
On 10 January 2026, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali laid the cornerstone at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Bishoftu International Airport (BIA), the mega-hub airport being developed for Ethiopian Airlines and destined to become a new crossroads for Africa. Bishoftu International Airport will be the new home of Ethiopian Airlines (ET), a Star Alliance carrier that is the largest airline on the continent and one of the fastest-growing airlines in the world. BIA is set to become the largest airport in Africa, providing best-in-class facilities and optimal levels of service to travellers and users. With an initial…
Ethiopian Airlines is considering an order for additional Airbus aircraft, media outlets such as Bloomberg and Business Insider Africa have reported, quoting sources familiar with the matter. According to these reports, the East African airline may be considering acquiring six A350 widebody and up to 20 A220 narrowbody aircraft to boost its long-haul and regional fleets, respectively. If confirmed, this would be the first A220 from Ethiopian Airlines. The African carrier, however, has long been an A350-900 operator. It placed its first order for the –900 version of the type as early as 2009 and has since followed up with…
Cuts export freight costs below $2/kg By Yinka Kolawole The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment has formally flagged off the expanded Nigeria–East and Southern Africa Air Cargo Corridor in partnership with RwandAir, in a move to lower export logistics costs and strengthen Nigeria’s participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). A key highlight of the initiative is the sharp reduction in air cargo charges for exports to major African markets. Through the arrangement, cargo rates on the airline’s routes have been fixed at below $2 per kilogram across five destinations—Kigali (Rwanda), Lusaka (Zambia), Harare (Zimbabwe), Nairobi…
Qatar Airways is expanding its Africa network with route resumptions, increased frequencies and a new service to Port Sudan. From 16 June 2026, the carrier will restart four weekly flights to Victoria, Seychelles and twice-weekly services to Kigali, Rwanda, while Marrakesh will return to daily operations from 1 July. The expansion also includes increased capacity across the continent, with services to Alexandria in Egypt and Dar es Salaam in Tanzania moving to daily operations. The Lusaka–Harare route between Zambia and Zimbabwe and the Maputo–Durban route between Mozambique and South Africa will also increase to daily service. Services…
By Mary Agbabiaka Africa’s aviation sector is advancing rapidly in 2026, with improved infrastructure, rising passenger traffic, and better service delivery, as the latest report by Skytrax ranks Cape Town International Airport as the continent’s top airport while industry data points to strong growth in both domestic and international travel. 1. Cape Town International Airport (South Africa) Cape Town International Airport ranks as Africa’s top airport in 2026, known for its high-quality service and efficient operations. With modern facilities and a well-organised layout, it delivers a seamless travel experience, further enhanced by its scenic surroundings. 2. O.R. Tambo International Airport…
RwandAir has partnered with Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment to expand the Nigeria–East and Southern Africa Air Cargo Corridor, opening new export routes for Nigerian businesses and strengthening trade links across the continent. The collaboration will provide direct access for exports from Nigeria to Kigali, Lusaka and Harare, while also improving connectivity to Nairobi and Johannesburg through the RwandAir network. The initiative was officially launched with the inaugural flag-off of the Nigeria–East and Southern Africa Air Cargo Corridor. According to Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, the corridor will offer Nigerian businesses direct and…
FARNBOROUGH, England – Uganda Airlines has placed the largest aircraft order in its young history, committing to four Boeing 737-8 MAX and four Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners in a move that signals ambitions extending well beyond simply expanding its fleet. Announced at the Farnborough International Airshow, the order marks the national carrier’s first direct purchase from Boeing and could redefine Uganda’s aviation future as the East African nation seeks to transform Entebbe into a regional gateway. “This commitment with Boeing marks a defining step in Uganda Airlines’ growth journey and in our broader ambition to position Entebbe as a strategic aviation…
Nigeria has expanded its African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Air Cargo Export Corridor, a development expected to boost regional trade, lower logistics costs and enhance the competitiveness of Nigerian products across African markets. The expanded corridor, launched in partnership with RwandAir, now provides exporters with a direct access to key destinations in East and Southern Africa, including Kigali, Nairobi, Johannesburg, Lusaka and Harare. Speaking at the inauguration of the Nigeria-East/Southern Africa Air Cargo Route in Lagos, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, described the initiative as a strategic intervention aimed at addressing one of the…
Air Peace has launched direct commercial flights between Lagos and Barbados, in a move aimed at improving air connectivity between Africa and the Caribbean. The airline on Sunday confirmed the successful operation of its inaugural scheduled commercial service from Lagos to Barbados, describing it as “a major step toward advancing air connectivity between Africa and the Caribbean.” The historic flight, operated on the airline’s Boeing 777 aircraft on May 24, departed Lagos with more than 284 passengers onboard. Among dignitaries on the flight were Air Peace Chief Commercial Officer, Nowel Ngala; Barbados High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ghana and Liberia, Juliette…