Cirrus has introduced the TRAC10, a purpose-built training aircraft aimed at professional flight schools, universities and pilot training organisations. The new aircraft represents an expansion of the company's dedicated training portfolio and has been designed to address the evolving requirements of modern commercial pilot training. Production of the TRAC10 will take place at Cirrus' headquarters in Duluth, Minnesota. The manufacturer expects to begin deliveries to customers

By Garth Calitz The reported R1 billion credit facility extended to South African Airways (SAA) by Standard Bank has once again placed the national carrier under the aviation industry's microscope. While the existence of the facility has been widely reported, some important question remains unanswered: Who, if anyone, guaranteed the loan? Neither SAA nor Standard Bank has disclosed the terms of the agreement, citing commercial confidentiality. That is standard practice in the

As modern battlefields continue to evolve, one of the greatest challenges facing military planners is how to defeat a weapon that is both inexpensive to build and costly to intercept. Airbus Defence and Space believes it has found part of the answer with its latest development, the Bird of Prey, a reusable uncrewed interceptor designed specifically to hunt and destroy one-way attack drones. The rapid proliferation of one-way attack drones, often referred to as Suicide drones

As wildfires become larger, more destructive and increasingly difficult to control, the aviation industry is searching for innovative ways to support traditional aerial firefighting operations. One of the most intriguing concepts currently under development is the FLYOX I, a large amphibious uncrewed aircraft developed by Spanish company Singular Aircraft. Unlike the small drones that have become commonplace for aerial photography and infrastructure inspections, the FLYOX I o

The Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat has reached another significant milestone in its development, becoming the first collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) to participate in the multinational Exercise Valiant Shield 2026, providing valuable insight into how autonomous aircraft could operate alongside crewed fighters in future coalition operations. Held across the Western Pacific in June, the biennial exercise brought together forces from the United States and allied nations to refine joi

Air cargo connectivity between China and Africa has received another boost with the restart of Astral Aviation's dedicated freighter service linking Haikou, China, with Johannesburg, South Africa. The renewed operation, launched in partnership with Fly Noor Aviation Services, is expected to strengthen one of the world's fastest-growing trade corridors while supporting the continued expansion of e-commerce and high-value freight between the two regions. The agreement was forma

NATO has taken a major step toward modernising its airborne surveillance capability by selecting Saab's GlobalEye as its preferred Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) platform. During the NATO Summit in Ankara, Türkiye, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced that the Alliance will begin formal negotiations with Swedish defence and aerospace company Saab for the potential acquisition of up to ten GlobalEye aircraft. While the announcement represents a significant m

Electra has taken another significant step toward bringing its innovative EL9 hybrid-electric aircraft to market after achieving an important certification milestone with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The Virginia-based aerospace company announced that the FAA has officially closed the G-1 Issue Paper for the EL9 Ultra Short aircraft, establishing the certification basis for the company's nine-passenger hybrid-electric design. The milestone marks the complet

By Garth Calitz The United States Air Force has officially commenced the operational preparation phase at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota to serve as the aircraft's first permanent operating base for the next-generation B-21 Raider stealth bomber. The development marks a significant step in one of the U.S. Air Force's largest modernisation programmes, as the service prepares to transition from the long-serving B-1B Lancer and B-2 Spirit to the sixth-generation B-21 R

By Garth Calitz Long before ultra-realistic cockpits, virtual air traffic controllers and flight simulators that required computers with the processing power of a small nation, there was Google Earth Flight Simulator. Hidden away like an aviation Easter egg in the original desktop version of Google Earth, it allowed anyone with a keyboard and a sense of adventure to leap into the cockpit and explore the world. It wasn't particularly realistic, the aircraft seemed to have an i

When millions of Americans looked skyward during the recent America 250 celebrations, they witnessed a breathtaking spectacle unlike anything seen during previous Independence Day commemorations. Instead of relying solely on traditional fireworks, thousands of illuminated drones painted giant images across the night sky, telling the story of 250 years of American history through light, movement and precision choreography. The display, created by Texas-based Sky Elements, feat

Air Europa has launched a new scheduled direct service between Madrid and Johannesburg, marking the airline's first route into sub-Saharan Africa and adding another long-haul connection to South Africa's largest international gateway. The inaugural flight arrived at O.R. Tambo International Airport on 25 June 2026 aboard one of the airline's Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, where it was welcomed by representatives from Airports Company South Africa (ACSA), South African Touris

When the first Airbus A220 entered commercial service in July 2016, few could have predicted the remarkable impact the aircraft would have on the global airline industry. A decade later, the aircraft has established itself as one of the most successful modern commercial airliners, combining advanced technology, exceptional passenger comfort and impressive operating economics. Originally conceived as Bombardier's C Series, the aircraft's journey has been one of persistence, in

Cape Town-based drone pilot and videographer Luke Bell has pushed the boundaries of unmanned aviation after setting a new Guinness World Record for the longest flight by a multirotor drone. His specially developed "Endurance Drone" remained airborne for an impressive 4 hours, 21 minutes and 39 seconds, establishing a new benchmark for electric multirotor endurance. The achievement represents the culmination of months of engineering, testing and refinement. Rather than relying

Swedish aerospace and defence company Saab has signed a contract with the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) for the acquisition of 16 Gripen E multirole fighter aircraft that will be provided to Ukraine as part of Sweden's long-term military assistance programme. The contract is valued at approximately $2.55 billion and will be recorded in Saab's order book during the third quarter of 2026. Deliveries to FMV are scheduled for 2029 and 2030. In addition to the airc

India's regional aviation sector has received a significant boost following the certification of several members of the Embraer E-Jets family by the country's aviation regulator, opening the door for wider deployment of the Brazilian manufacturer's latest regional aircraft. The certification, granted by India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), covers the Embraer E190, E195 and the next-generation E195-E2. The E175 had already received Indian certification and is

By Garth Calitz 30 June 2026 marks 58 years since one of the most ambitious aircraft ever built first took to the skies. On 30 June 1968, the Lockheed C-5A Galaxy made its maiden flight from Lockheed's production facility in Marietta, Georgia, introducing a military transport aircraft unlike anything the world had seen before. At the controls was Lockheed chief engineering test pilot Leo Sullivan, who guided the massive prototype through a successful 84-minute first flight. F

Airlink has added another eye-catching aircraft to its growing fleet of special liveries, unveiling a vibrant green Embraer E190 that celebrates the airline's Skybucks customer loyalty programme while highlighting its role as the Official Domestic Airline for the upcoming Rugby's Greatest Rivalry 2026 tournament. The newly painted aircraft, registered ZS-YAE, entered commercial service on 30 June, making its debut on a flight from Polokwane to Johannesburg's O.R. Tambo Intern

South Africa's international aviation sector is set to receive another welcome boost as Lufthansa expands its Cape Town operations with an additional weekly nonstop service from Frankfurt, giving the airline a daily presence on one of the country's most important long-haul routes during the 2026/27 Northern Hemisphere winter season. Beginning at the end of October 2026, the German flag carrier will introduce a new Monday flight between Frankfurt and Cape Town, complementing i

The United States Air Force has reached an important milestone in the operational introduction of its next-generation combat rescue helicopter with the deployment of the HH-60W Jolly Green II to East Africa. The aircraft arrived at Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti on 10 June as part of the deployment of the 56th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron (ERQS), marking the first operational overseas deployment of the unit since transitioning from the legacy HH-60G Pave Hawk. The deployment est

Puma Energy has bolstered its status as a top aviation fuel supplier in Africa by winning a substantial new contract, enhancing the company's influence in one of the world's rapidly expanding aviation markets. Through a competitive multi-airline jet fuel tender with the African Airlines Association (AFRAA), Puma Energy gained an advantage over competitors TotalEnergies and Vivo. Puma will provide the majority of the fuel volumes for key airlines such as Ethiopian Airlines and

By Garth Calitz A reported mid-air collision between a JetBlue Airbus A321 and an unidentified drone during approach to New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport has once again drawn attention to the growing challenge that unmanned aircraft systems pose to commercial aviation. The incident occurred on 29 June when JetBlue Flight 948, operating from Harry Reid International Airport to JFK, reported what the flight crew believed was a collision with a drone while descend

South African regional carrier CemAir has strengthened its international reach through a new unilateral interline agreement with Spanish airline Air Europa, providing travellers with easier access between Southern Africa, Europe and the Americas. The agreement, which came into effect on 23 June 2026, enables passengers travelling on Air Europa to seamlessly connect to CemAir's domestic and regional network in South Africa via a single itinerary. The arrangement also includes

Africa's largest carrier, Ethiopian Airlines, has taken delivery of the first of two new De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter Classic 300-G aircraft from De Havilland Aircraft of Canada, marking a further investment in regional and domestic connectivity across Ethiopia. The first aircraft was delivered in Addis Ababa on 22 June and will be used to strengthen air services to remote communities while supporting a range of specialised aviation missions. A second aircraft is expe