Russia’s Tu-214 airliner has returned to frontline civil service after receiving formal approval for a major change to its standard design. The aircraft, now equipped with a modern suite of domestically produced avionics and onboard systems, has been certified by the Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviatsiya) following a positive conclusion from the Russian Aviation Register confirming compliance with all stated airworthiness requirements. The Certificate of Approval marks a

By Garth Calitz As widespread protests gripping Iran entered their third week, several major international airlines have suspended or cancelled flights to and from the Islamic Republic, citing safety concerns, operational challenges and a deteriorating civil situation. The disruptions have affected routes linking Tehran and other Iranian cities with hubs across the Middle East and beyond, leaving travellers facing uncertainty and airlines on alert. The cancellations began lat

By Garth Calitz On 6 January 2026, the aviation industry takes a moment to recognise a significant milestone. Exactly a century earlier, in the chilly winter atmosphere of Berlin, a merger occurred that would permanently change the course of global commerce and travel. The joining of Deutsche Aero Lloyd and Junkers Luftverkehr led to the creation of Deutsche Luft Hansa. Today, a hundred years after those groundbreaking times, Lufthansa marks its centenary not just as an airli

By Garth Calitz Ethiopia's geological "sleeping giant" has stirred, and its initial stirrings have thrown the global aviation industry into chaos. On Sunday, 23 November 2025, the Hayli Gubbi volcano in Ethiopia’s Afar region erupted for the first time in over 12,000 years. While the eruption has had a significant local impact on livestock and nomadic communities, the atmospheric effects have led to a logistical crisis extending from the Horn of Africa to the Indian subcontin

Turkish Airlines, Türkiye's national flag carrier, and South African Airways (SAA), the national airline of South Africa, have made a major advancement in enhancing aviation cooperation between the two nations by signing a new codeshare agreement. This partnership was officially established on 4 December 2025 at a ceremony in Geneva, Switzerland, coinciding with the Star Alliance Chief Executive Board (CEB) meeting. Senior executives from both airlines attended to formalise t

The approval of the GCC Civil Aviation Authority (GCC-CAA) represents a significant milestone in the integration of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Endorsed at the 46th GCC Summit in Bahrain in early December 2025, this unified regulatory body is poised to revolutionise the aviation operations across the six member states. This decision underscores the GCC's dedication to strengthening its position as the world’s leading aviation hub. The establishment of the GCC-CAA is a

By Garth Calitz Airbus' A320 series, a key player in short- to medium-haul flights globally, gained significant attention in late November when the manufacturer, along with international regulators, released an urgent Airworthiness Directive (AD) mandating a compulsory software update. This directive was prompted by an incident in which an A320 experienced an uncommanded altitude change due to a rare flight-control data corruption event. Although there were no injuries, a tho

Uganda Airlines has further enhanced continental connectivity by establishing a new interline agreement with Airlink, a top privately owned regional airline in Southern Africa. Announced on 24 November 2025, this partnership offers travellers throughout East and Southern Africa a more seamless and integrated travel experience by connecting Uganda Airlines’ hub in Entebbe with Airlink’s extensive network through Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB). For both a

This week represented a significant milestone in the global commercial aviation industry as the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Ltd. (COMAC) made its inaugural appearance at the Dubai Airshow 2025. Starting on November 17th at Al Maktoum International Airport, the event marked the Middle Eastern debut of China's domestically developed narrow-body airliner, the C919, along with its regional jet variant, the C909 business jet. COMAC's participation in the renowned air

By Garth Calitz Emirates and South African Airways (SAA) are preparing to advance their collaboration by initiating a reciprocal codeshare agreement ahead of the busy holiday travel period. This development strengthens a partnership that has endured for nearly thirty years, enhancing travel connections for passengers throughout South Africa, the African continent, and globally. The enhanced codeshare agreement will enable Emirates passengers travelling to Johannesburg to effo