By Rob Russell Every time you open a travel site or read a travel article, Cape Town is right up there and everyone wants to travel to the Western Cape. Great for business and the economy, but is the Cape well-equipped to handle the increase in air traffic? At present, the Cape only has one airport that can handle international traffic, both scheduled and non-scheduled. Many of these non-scheduled (and private) flights bring some well-known people to the Cape and they are her

One of the world's leading aircraft lessors has reinforced its confidence in the future of single-aisle aviation with a major commitment to Boeing. At the Farnborough International Airshow, SMBC Aviation Capital announced an order for 100 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, comprising 60 737-10s and 40 737-8s, marking one of the largest commercial announcements of the event. The agreement is particularly significant as it represents SMBC Aviation Capital's first-ever order for the Boein

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

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

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

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

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

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