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

Swiss aircraft manufacturer Pilatus has officially commenced construction of a major new sales, service and production facility at Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (KSRQ), marking a significant expansion of the company’s industrial footprint in the United States. The groundbreaking ceremony, attended by Pilatus executives alongside representatives from local, regional and state authorities, signals the first phase of what is planned to become the company’s flagship U.

By Garth Calitz The recent announcement by US President Donald Trump to pursue the “decertification” of Bombardier aircraft in the United States has sent shockwaves through the global aerospace industry. While the proposal has yet to be fully implemented, the political signal alone has raised serious concerns among manufacturers, operators, regulators, and investors about the stability of international aviation certification frameworks. At the centre of the dispute is Bombard

Exercise Red Flag 2026 will once again bring together air, space and ground forces from the United States and allied nations for one of the most complex and demanding military training exercises in the world. Conducted primarily at Nellis Air Force Base and across the Nevada Test and Training Range (NTTR), Red Flag provides a realistic environment in which participating forces can practise large-scale, high-intensity combat operations. The exercise operates across more than 1

Daher has unveiled the latest evolution of its high-performance single-engine turboprop family, the TBM 980, marking a significant step forward in cockpit technology and passenger comfort. The new model integrates Garmin’s third-generation G3000® PRIME avionics suite while building on the proven performance and efficiency of the TBM 900-series. The TBM 980 was officially revealed at Daher Aircraft’s TBM production facility in Tarbes during an evening event attended by custome

Cirrus Aircraft has lifted the curtain on its 2026 SR Series G7+ lineup, introducing a suite of refinements across the SR20, SR22 and SR22T that further sharpen the ownership experience while reinforcing the brand’s long-standing focus on safety, connectivity and pilot convenience. The latest generation brings expanded avionics capabilities, enhanced global connectivity, refreshed design collections and, for the first time on the SR22, an optional four-blade composite propell

Boeing has reaffirmed its long-standing commitment to the global aviation community by announcing the continuation of its Platinum Level sponsorship of the Experimental Aircraft Association’s (EAA) flagship event, EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. The renewed agreement, announced on 5 January 2026, extends the partnership for a further three years and ensures Boeing’s continued prominent presence at what is widely regarded as the world’s greatest aviation gathering. Since formally begi

Gulfstream Aerospace has achieved another significant milestone with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) granting steep-approach landing certification to the Gulfstream G500 and G600. The approval further expands the operational flexibility of these award-winning business jets, enabling access to a wider range of airports across Europe and beyond, including those with challenging terrain, short runways, or noise-sensitive environments. The certification allows th

Spain has taken a decisive step in reshaping its military aviation capabilities, announcing an order for 100 Airbus helicopters as part of an ambitious national modernisation programme. Formalised on 18 December 2025 in Albacete, the contracts represent the largest single helicopter acquisition ever undertaken by the Directorate General for Armament and Material (DGAM) of the Spanish Ministry of Defence and form a central pillar of the National Helicopter Plan unveiled earlie