By Garth Calitz ExecuJet has been appointed as the sole Fixed Base Operator (FBO) at Sydney International Airport, a move that reshapes the business aviation landscape at Australia’s primary international gateway. The strategic appointment follows a rigorous, multi-stage evaluation of leading international FBO operators and underscores Sydney Airport’s ambition to partner with a provider capable of delivering a premium, future-focused service offering for VIP passengers, crew

O.R. Tambo International Airport (ORTIA), South Africa’s primary aviation gateway and Africa’s busiest airport, is pressing ahead with an ambitious R14.5 billion, five-year capital expenditure programme aimed at modernising critical infrastructure, improving operational resilience and significantly elevating the passenger experience. The investment forms part of Airports Company South Africa’s (ACSA) long-term strategy to ensure ORTIA remains competitive as a leading intercon

Bell Textron has unveiled TRU Simulation + Training’s Veris Virtual Reality (VR) Bell 505 Flight Simulator at the Singapore Airshow 2026, marking the system’s Asia-Pacific debut and underlining Bell’s growing emphasis on advanced training solutions to complement its light helicopter portfolio. Developed by TRU Simulation + Training Inc., an affiliate of Bell Textron Inc., the Veris VR simulator has been qualified by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as a Level 7 Fl

Swiss aircraft manufacturer Pilatus has officially commenced construction of a major new sales, service and production facility at Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (KSRQ), marking a significant expansion of the company’s industrial footprint in the United States. The groundbreaking ceremony, attended by Pilatus executives alongside representatives from local, regional and state authorities, signals the first phase of what is planned to become the company’s flagship U.

By Garth Calitz Photos by Garth Calitz and Trevor Cohen The South African Air Force (SAAF) marked its 106th anniversary with a traditional Prestige Day Parade at Air Force Base (AFB) Swartkop, reaffirming its enduring legacy as one of the world’s oldest independent air forces and underscoring its continued relevance in a challenging operational and fiscal environment. Held at the historic Swartkop Air Force Base (recently renamed Air Force Mobile Deployment Wing), widely rega

By Garth Calitz Ghana is moving decisively to re-establish a national airline, marking a strategic push to revitalise its aviation sector and strengthen its position as a key regional hub in West Africa. After more than two decades without a state-backed carrier, the government has set a clear goal of launching a new national airline within the next year, with plans to celebrate “a Ghanaian airline flying to the rest of the world” by early 2027. The announcement comes amid a

By Garth Calitz The recent announcement by US President Donald Trump to pursue the “decertification” of Bombardier aircraft in the United States has sent shockwaves through the global aerospace industry. While the proposal has yet to be fully implemented, the political signal alone has raised serious concerns among manufacturers, operators, regulators, and investors about the stability of international aviation certification frameworks. At the centre of the dispute is Bombard

By Garth Calitz Throughout the history of aviation, war has been one of the most powerful, even if uncomfortable, forces shaping the development of civilian aircraft. While conflict brings devastation and human suffering, it has repeatedly accelerated technological progress, industrial capability and operational expertise that later migrated into commercial aviation. From jet propulsion and advanced materials to navigation systems and global airline networks, the influence of

For those who were anticipating positive news for the South African Air Force, Embraer has officially identified the Republic of Uzbekistan as the previously unnamed customer for its C-390 Millennium military transport aircraft. This announcement was made during the Singapore Airshow, dashing hopes that South Africa might be the customer. This confirmation represents a notable achievement for both Embraer and the Uzbek Air Force, with Uzbekistan poised to be the first operato

Exercise Red Flag 2026 will once again bring together air, space and ground forces from the United States and allied nations for one of the most complex and demanding military training exercises in the world. Conducted primarily at Nellis Air Force Base and across the Nevada Test and Training Range (NTTR), Red Flag provides a realistic environment in which participating forces can practise large-scale, high-intensity combat operations. The exercise operates across more than 1