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

Embraer and Airlink have advanced their longstanding partnership by signing a new Component Pool Program agreement to support Airlink's new fleet of ten Embraer E195-E2 jets. These aircraft, being leased from Azorra, represent the latest phase in Airlink's fleet modernisation strategy and further strengthen the regional carrier's dependence on Embraer's top-tier support ecosystem. For over twenty years, Airlink has been committed to operating Embraer aircraft and is now recog

Ethiopian Airlines, the largest and most internationally connected carrier in Africa, has reinforced its enduring partnership with Boeing by agreeing to acquire 11 more Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. This deal, finalised at the Dubai Airshow, includes 11 737-8 jets and represents a crucial advancement in the airline's ambitious expansion plan. The agreement strengthens Ethiopian Airlines' status as the African airline with the most Boeing aircraft on order, featuring the 737 MAX, 7

flydubai has made a notable advancement in its long-term growth strategy by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for 75 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, with the possibility of acquiring an additional 75. Announced on 19 November 2025, this agreement represents the Dubai-based airline's fourth order for this model, solidifying the 737 MAX as the core of its growing fleet. The new agreement bolsters the airline's status as a leading operator of Boeing's single-aisle aircraft. W

Photos Trevor Cohen FlySafair has elevated fan engagement to unprecedented levels with the introduction of a vibrant Protea-themed aircraft livery, crafted by 22-year-old self-taught graphic artist and student Dinika Naidu from Gqeberha. This special edition aircraft, unveiled at FlySafair’s Johannesburg hangar on 4 November 2025, marks the first anniversary of the partnership between the airline and Cricket South Africa (CSA). The design was selected from numerous submission

Federal Airlines (FedAir) has revealed a significant strategic expansion set to considerably enlarge its renowned lodge shuttle network throughout the Lowveld starting in May 2026. This initiative reinforces the airline's enduring position as the cornerstone of luxury safari connectivity in Southern Africa. It establishes a more organised, high-frequency schedule connecting major regional hubs with the nation's top private lodges. Starting in mid-May next year, FedAir will la

By Garth Calitz In a significant decision affecting the global cargo industry, the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has released an emergency airworthiness directive grounding all McDonnell Douglas MD-11 and MD-11F aircraft. This directive, declared on 8 November, comes in response to the fatal crash of a UPS Airlines MD-11F during take-off at Louisville International Airport on 4 November. The FAA announced that it "has determined the unsafe condition is l

By Garth Calitz South African Airways (SAA) is attempting to step up its game in regional travel by launching a new twice-daily flight between Johannesburg and Gaborone, Botswana. The first flight took off on 4 November and management was quick to chalk it up as yet another big step in the national airline's growth across Africa. Speaking at the launch event in Gaborone, SAA Group CEO Professor John Lamola emphasised that the new route represents far more than an additional f

Boeing has officially broken ground on a major expansion of its Boeing South Carolina (BSC) site, the home of the 787 Dreamliner program. The move marks a significant investment in the future of the company’s widebody production as it gears up to increase 787 output to 10 aircraft per month by 2026. The expansion project will enable Boeing to address the increasing global demand for the 787 Dreamliner series, known for its long-range efficiency, passenger comfort, and economi

By Garth Calitz The US government shutdown that kicked off at the beginning of October has turned the nation's aviation system into a comedy of errors, turning usual travel plans into an unexpected episode of “Survivor: Airport Edition.” While commercial flights are still taking off, the US skies are not exactly friendly. With more employees staying at home, processing is moving slower than a sloth on Sunday and staffing levels are making a skeleton crew look overstaffed. Del