Qatar Airways is set to significantly expand its South African network in early 2026, adding 7 extra weekly flights to the country. The increase will lift the carrier’s total South Africa capacity from 35 to 42 weekly services, reinforcing the airline’s long-term commitment to the market and underlining growing demand for travel between Southern Africa and the rest of the world via Doha. The expanded schedule will be phased in from mid-February to early March 2026 and will se

In a move that underscores both ambition and strategic foresight, Ethiopian Airlines, Africa’s largest and most globally connected carrier, has confirmed a firm order for nine Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, marking a significant expansion of its widebody fleet as international travel demand continues to grow. The announcement, made on January 20, 2026, reflects the airline’s commitment to fleet modernisation, sustainable operations, and enhanced global connectivity. The ne

South African Airways (SAA) and CemAir have announced a landmark domestic codeshare partnership that promises to significantly reshape the South African aviation landscape. Unveiled in Johannesburg on 16 January 2026, the agreement strengthens connectivity between the country’s major metropolitan hubs and a range of niche regional and leisure destinations, many of which have not previously been served directly by SAA. In a move that underscores a renewed focus on domestic gro

As Airlink, South Africa’s largest regional airline, continues an ambitious fleet renewal that already includes next-generation Embraer E195-E2 jets, attention is turning toward the future of its smallest regional aircraft, the Embraer ERJ135. The airline is now considering the Embraer E175-E2 as a potential successor for its ageing E135/E140 fleet, though such a move remains a long-term prospect rather than an immediate commitment. Embraer E175-E2 For decades, South Africa’s

As the aviation sector enters 2026, Cathay Pacific is celebrating a significant milestone in its rich history with the official commencement of its 80th anniversary festivities. Embracing the theme "80 Years Together," the Hong Kong-based airline is honouring eight decades of linking its home city to the globe, while paying tribute to the individuals, partnerships, and collective journeys that have contributed to its legacy since its establishment in 1946. The anniversary pro

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