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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.

Aviation Updates


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... 


Irvin Phenyane
ACSA announces eight new board appointments
18th May 2026 By: Lumkile Nkomfe

Airports company South Africa (ACSA) has announced the board appointments of Irvin Phenyane as chairperson, and Xoliswa Daku, Keitumetse Mahlangu, Surendra Sooklal, Roy Mnisi and Theunis... 


Magazine cover image
R20bn in airport projects poised to take off in Cape Town
15th May 2026 By: Irma Venter

The airspace over Cape Town is set to become much busier in the next two to seven years, with two mega-projects ramping up to allow for increased air traffic to and from the Western Cape capital.... 


Magazine cover image
R20bn in airport projects poised to take off in Cape Town
15th May 2026 By: Irma Venter

The airspace over Cape Town is set to become much busier in the next two to seven years, with two mega-projects ramping up to allow for increased air traffic to and from the Western Cape capital.... 


Charles Shilowa appointed acting ACSA CEO as Mpofu completes tenure
14th May 2026 By: Schalk Burger

State-owned management agency Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) has appointed Charles Shilowa as acting CEO, effective July 1, while the board undertakes a formal process to recruit and appoint... 


Airports as Catalysts: Driving Construction Growth and Professional Development in South Africa
5th May 2026

By: Khanyisa Nkuna - Group Manager: Infrastructure and Property Development at Airports Company South Africa Airports in South Africa are far more than transport hubs; they are strategic economic... 


Global air passenger demand up in March, with Africa leading, despite Gulf crisis – IATA
30th April 2026 By: Rebecca Campbell

Global total air passenger demand increased by 2.1%, year-on-year in March, the global representative body for the airline industry, the International Air Transport Association (IATA), has... 


African governments need to prioritise aviation, says IATA
29th April 2026 By: Rebecca Campbell

Aviation was a strategic enabler for African social and economic development, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has highlighted, at its Focus Africa Conference, in Addis Ababa,... 


The wing of an aeroplane, with a runway in the background
Ghana seeks majority private investor for new national carrier
29th April 2026 By: Reuters

Ghana said late Tuesday it was working to identify an investor for a new national airline, inviting "potential strategic partners" to engage with the West African country, which has not had a... 


AASA urges Southern African airline industry to be transparent about jet fuel supply plans
24th April 2026 By: Schalk Burger

Industry organisation the Airlines Association of Southern Africa (AASA) calls on fuel suppliers, depots, airports and governments in the region to urgently share their contingency fuel allocation... 


An Ethiopian Airlines-branded aeroplane on the tarmac at an airport
Ethiopian Airlines buying six more Boeing 787-9 airplanes
21st April 2026 By: Reuters

Africa's largest carrier Ethiopian Airlines on Monday said it is buying six additional Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner jets as it looks to expand its long-haul flights across Africa and to the US, Europe... 


The grid needs more wires, more transformers and more storage
Oil persists, coal declines, renewables increase by 2040, but global warming to rise through to 2100, says Bain&Co
17th April 2026 By: Schalk Burger

Even under the low-carbon scenario, modelled by consulting firm Bain & Co in its 'Global Energy and Materials Outlook 2026' report, fossil fuel supply constitutes 52% of global primary energy... 


Lufthansa-branded aeroplanes
Lufthansa grounds planes, Nigerian carriers threaten to stop flying as Iran war strains show
17th April 2026 By: Reuters

Governments and airlines are sounding increasingly urgent alarms about diminishing jet fuel supplies and soaring prices due to the Iran war, as Lufthansa grounded planes, Nigerian carriers... 


KEY BENEFITS
From a sustainability perspective, the three key benefits of additive manufacturing are that it reduces material waste compared with subtractive methods, enables material reuse and lowers logistics requirements and associated costs
Additive manufacturing gains traction in niche production
10th April 2026 By: Devina Haripersad

Greater adoption of additive manufacturing is enabling South African manufacturers to produce complex, low-volume components more cost effectively, says additive manufacturing company Aditiv... 


ACSA to spend R11.3bn on new runway, terminal upgrades at Cape Town Airport
3rd April 2026 By: Irma Venter

Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) will spent an estimated R11.3-billion to upgrade and expand Cape Town International Airport (CTIA). The infrastructure programme forms part of the State-owned... 


IATA director-general Willie Walsh
IATA reports that air passenger traffic saw a strong increase in February
1st April 2026 By: Rebecca Campbell

Global total air passenger traffic grew by 6.1%, year-on-year, in February, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has reported. (IATA is the global representative body for the airline... 


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