By Garth Calitz South African Airways (SAA) has delivered a headline that would have seemed improbable just a few years ago: the national carrier claims to be profitable for a second consecutive year. At its Annual General Meeting in Johannesburg, the SAA Group announced a net profit of R155 million for the year ended 31 March 2025, with the airline itself contributing R30 million. For an airline long associated with turbulence of the financial rather than aerodynamic kind, t

By Garth Calitz In the aviation world, landing gear might not win beauty contests, but it is absolutely crucial to the safe operation of any aircraft, as they all have to land at some point and return safely to the sky. With that in mind, Boeing has been placing a renewed emphasis on its Landing Gear Exchange (LGE) programme, helping airlines keep their fleets flying and maintenance headaches on the runway. Landing gear is “boring but essential,” which makes Boeing’s exchange

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

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 global commercial aviation industry closed 2025 with airliner sales at levels not seen since before the COVID-19 pandemic, underscoring airlines’ urgent need to modernise fleets, restore capacity and meet long-term growth projections. While aircraft demand remained exceptionally strong across all market segments, persistent production constraints continued to define the pace at which manufacturers could deliver on record order books. At the heart of the ma

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