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Aviation

Aviation is the sector encompassing the design, development, production, operation and use of aircraft for commercial, military, private and recreational purposes. The industry includes airlines, aircraft manufacturers, airports, air traffic control systems, maintenance and repair organisations, and associated service providers. Commercial aviation dominates the sector economically, comprising scheduled passenger and cargo carriers that connect cities and countries through global route networks. The industry is capital-intensive, requiring significant investment in aircraft fleets, infrastructure and technology, and is heavily regulated by national authorities and international bodies such as the International Civil Aviation Organisation. Aviation plays a critical role in global trade, tourism and economic development, enabling the rapid movement of people and goods across continents. In Africa, the sector faces challenges including fragmented airspace, limited intra-continental connectivity and high operating costs, though regional blocs such as the Economic Community of West African States are working to harmonise regulations and liberalise markets. The industry is a major employer, supporting roles ranging from pilots and cabin crew to engineers, ground handlers and airport staff. Environmental concerns have driven growing focus on fuel efficiency, emissions reduction and the adoption of sustainable aviation fuels. Aviation has historically been sensitive to economic cycles, geopolitical events and public health crises, with demand closely tied to GDP growth and consumer confidence.

Latest Articles in 60 Seconds

IATA names first female director-general

The International Air Transport Association's board has appointed Saadia Zahidi, currently MD of the World Economic Forum, as its ninth director-general, the first woman to hold the post. She takes over from Willie Walsh on November 1, with IATA CFO Sandrine Le Borgne serving as interim director-general from Walsh's departure on July 31.

Uganda Airlines orders Boeing widebodies and single-aisle jets

Uganda Airlines has placed its first Boeing order, for four 787-9 Dreamliners and four 737-8 aircraft, announced at the Farnborough International Air Show. The 787-9s will serve long-haul routes to Asia, the Middle East and Europe, while the 737-8s cover intra-African routes, with the combined fleet cutting fuel consumption by 20% to 25% versus the aircraft being replaced.

Cape Town–Johannesburg confirmed as Africa's busiest route

IATA's 'World Air Transport Statistics 2025' report shows the Cape Town–Johannesburg route carried 3.4-million passengers last year, Africa's busiest airport pair, amid rising global use of Boeing 787 and Airbus A350 widebodies.

Aviation Updates


IATA director-general Saadia Zahidi
IATA announces the appointment of its next director-general
24th July 2026 By: Rebecca Campbell

The board of directors of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which is the global representative body for the airline industry, has announced the appointment of the organisation’s... 


Uganda Airlines aircraft
Uganda Airlines orders Boeing aircraft
21st July 2026 By: Rebecca Campbell

US-based global major aerospace group Boeing has announced that Uganda Airlines, the flag-carrier for the East African country, had placed an order for eight of the airframer’s airliners. This was... 


An Embraer E2 aircraft
Embraer forecasts demand for 8 500 smaller jetliners by 2045, 370 for Africa
20th July 2026 By: Rebecca Campbell

Brazil-based major global aerospace group Embraer has released its market forecast for jet airliners with fewer than 150 seats, covering the next 20 years. Globally, the company expects 8 500... 


Magazine Cover Image
Cargo and fuel projects feature strongly in R20bn ORTIA investment plan
17th July 2026 By: Irma Venter

Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) has put in place a roughly R20-billion project pipeline for the OR Tambo International Airport (ORTIA), running up to the end of 2031. ACSA spokesperson Ofentse... 


Magazine Cover Image
Cargo and fuel projects feature strongly in R20bn ORTIA investment plan
17th July 2026 By: Irma Venter

Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) has put in place a roughly R20-billion project pipeline for the OR Tambo International Airport (ORTIA), running up to the end of 2031. ACSA spokesperson Ofentse... 


Cape Town International Airport
Cape Town-Johannesburg is Africa’s busiest air passenger route
16th July 2026 By: Rebecca Campbell

The route between Cape Town International Airport (CTIA) and Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport (ORTIA) was the busiest airport pair connection in Africa last year. This is one of the... 


A FlySafair aircraft
Commission recommends to Tribunal that it approve Harith's buyout of FlySafair, but with conditions
14th July 2026 By: Rebecca Campbell

The Competition Commission of South Africa has announced that it has recommended to the Competition Tribunal that the latter approve the acquisition of Safair Holdings by Harith Aviation, with... 


Artist's impression of the Cape Winelands Airport
Cape Winelands Airport, South Africa – update
10th July 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Cape Winelands Airport and Stellenbosch University have entered into a cooperation agreement to advance “smart” and “green” development linked to the airport expansion.  


Airbus expects a total global demand for 42 000 new airliners over the next 20 years
9th July 2026 By: Rebecca Campbell

Global major aerospace group Airbus expects total air passenger traffic to grow at an annual rate of 3.9% over the next 20 years, driven by a global gross domestic product that would increase by... 


A hydrogen-powered fuel cell engine mounted on an aircraft
Airbus, MTU Aero Engines create JV to develop hydrogen fuel cell aircraft engine
8th July 2026 By: Rebecca Campbell

Global major aerospace group Airbus and German engine manufacturer MTU Aero Engines have announced the creation of a joint venture (JV) focused on the development and commercialisation of a fully... 


Cape Winelands Airport, Stellenbosch University form sustainable development partnership
2nd July 2026 By: Schalk Burger

Cape Winelands Airport and Stellenbosch University (SU) have formed a partnership to advance smart and green development innovation, foster sustainable growth and drive academic advancement. The... 


Emirates arrives in Cape Town with a third daily service, its newest aircraft
Emirates arrives in Cape Town with a third daily service, its newest aircraft
2nd July 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

International airline Emirates’ third daily service on the Dubai-Cape Town route landed at Cape Town International Airport on July 1, marking the first arrival of flight EK778 and the debut of the... 


Airlink's ZS-YAE aircraft in green livery
Airlink unveils its rugby-supporting green machine E190 airliner
1st July 2026 By: Rebecca Campbell

South Africa’s largest regional and domestic airline, Airlink, has unveiled one of its Embraer E190 jetliners repainted in a one-off celebratory all-green livery. The aircraft, ZS-YAE, was... 


Africa saw the strongest air passenger growth in May, reports IATA
30th June 2026 By: Rebecca Campbell

The global representative body for the airline industry, the International Air Transport Association (IATA), has reported that total global air passenger traffic fell by -2.2%, year-on-year, in... 


Luggage on a carousel
Rate of mishandled air baggage is declining globally
29th June 2026 By: Rebecca Campbell

The global aviation industry’s specialist IT and communications group, SITA, has reported that Africa is still the region with the highest rate of mishandling airline luggage. Its 'Baggage IT... 


Aeroplane flying over a runway
IATA creates alliance to overcome bottlenecks in the development of aviation carbon trading
10th June 2026 By: Rebecca Campbell

The global representative body for the airline industry, the International Air Transport Association (IATA), has announced the launch of the Supporting Alliance for CORSIA EEU Supply, as part of... 


ATNS retains its Level 2 Canso environmental rating
9th June 2026 By: Schalk Burger

South African State-owned Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS) has retained its Level 2 recognition under the Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (Canso) GreenATM environmental... 


An aircraft being refuelled
IATA, ICAO to cooperate on facilitating sustainable aviation fuels
4th June 2026 By: Rebecca Campbell

The International Air Transport Association (IATA – the global representative body for the airline industry) and the intergovernmental International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) have... 


An Edelweiss aircraft
New direct European air connection for Windhoek
2nd June 2026 By: Rebecca Campbell

Swiss low-cost carrier Edelweiss Air, part of the Lufthansa Group, has announced the start of its Zurich-Windhoek service. The first flight on this new route was actually flown on Monday from... 


Cape Winelands Airport
Cape Winelands Airport, South Africa – update
22nd May 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Boogertman + Partners has been appointed lead architect and will work with amd.sigma, a Berlin-based airport development company and wholly owned subsidiary of Munich Airport International, on the... 


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