By Garth Calitz On 14 November 2025, the South African civil aviation community came together in Gauteng for the third instalment of the glittering Civil Aviation Industry Awards (CAIA), hosted by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA). The event, now firmly established as the sector’s premier celebration, honoured both individuals and organisations for their outstanding contributions across a range of categories from safety and security to innovation, transformat

By Garth Calitz The South African general aviation community convened at the scenic Birchwood Hotel & OR Tambo Conference Centre to celebrate members who have shown exceptional performance over the past year. The location was perfect, with aircraft frequently flying overhead as they made their final approach to runway 03R at OR Tambo. This marked the second year the event was held at this venue. Once everyone was seated, the formal proceedings began with the skilled MC, David

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

Pipistrel has reached a significant regulatory achievement as Transport Canada has officially validated the type certificates for three of its current aircraft models: the Pipistrel Explorer, Velis Club, and the fully electric Velis Electro. This approval represents an important advancement for Canadian operators, flight schools, and aviation innovators aiming to incorporate next-generation training aircraft into their fleets. With this validation, Canadian operators are now

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

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

Textron Aviation has achieved a significant milestone with the FAA certification of its latest midsize business jet, the Cessna Citation Ascend. This accomplishment represents a crucial step towards its service launch later this year, reinforcing Ascend's status as the next advancement in the world's most successful midsize jet family. Designed and manufactured at Textron Aviation’s Wichita headquarters, the Citation Ascend represents a complete reimagining of the proven Cita

This week, a significant milestone in aviation history took place in California's skies as Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, collaborating with NASA, successfully conducted the inaugural flight of the X-59. This innovative supersonic research aircraft is engineered to travel faster than sound without the disruptive sonic boom that has historically restricted supersonic travel over land. The X-59, an elegant, needle-nosed experimental jet, departed from U.S. Air Force Plant 42 in P

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