All Africa news
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Analysis
Airlines accelerate hiring of women to top executive roles from low base
The industry has been employing more women in the C-suite for some time now, but new data hints at the pace of change quickening after years of glacial progress, with positive steps continuing into the first few months of 2024
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News
Kenya Airways posts first annual operating profit for seven years
Kenya Airways posted its first operating profit for seven years in 2023 off the back of increased passenger numbers, although heavy currency exchange impact kept it loss-making at an overall level.
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News
Collapsed SAA privatisation being referred to special investigators
South African Airways’ failed privatisation is to undergo scrutiny after being referred by parliamentarians to special investigators.
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News
Virgin expands African reach with Kenya Airways codeshare pact
UK operator Virgin Atlantic Airways is to begin codesharing with SkyTeam partner Kenya Airways, a move re-establishing its presence in the London-Nairobi market.
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News
Niger moves to expel US forces from West African airbase
The military junta that overthrew Niger’s elected government in 2023 has ordered American forces to vacate their last remaining air base in the country, which has been critical to counter-terrorism operations in the troubled Sahel region.
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News
Indian navy retakes hijacked cargo ship with C-17 commando airdrop
The operation to free a pirate-controlled bulk carrier ship involved marine commandos parachuting from a Boeing C-17 strategic transport, supplemented with reconnaissance support from a Boeing P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol jet.
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News
South African government to explore alternative financial avenues for developing SAA
South Africa’s government is confident that flag-carrier South African Airways will be able to continue expanding despite the collapse of a long-running effort to sell a majority share to private investors. Investor consortium Takatso had been set to take a 51% share of the airline, but the two sides have ...
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News
South African Airways’ drawn-out privatisation deal collapses as parties agree cancellation
South Africa’s government and an investment consortium have ended public-private partnership plans for South African Airways under which the consortium would have taken a majority share in the flag-carrier. The Takatso consortium had been unveiled as a potential investor in SAA some two-and-a-half years ago. But finalising the agreement has ...
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News
Bell extends H-1 production with $455m attack helicopter order from Nigeria
The US rotorcraft manufacturer finalised a contract to provide the Nigerian air force with 12 of the latest AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters.
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Interview
Airlink takes stock after making its name in South African market
While regional carrier Airlink has long been an established player in the market, it has under founding chief executive Rodger Foster taken the chance created by rivals’ troubles in South Africa to expand into new markets in its own right
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News
Airlink looks to standardise configurations after rapid Embraer fleet growth
South African regional carrier Airlink will focus on standardising configurations within its Embraer regional jet fleet after a period of rapid growth since starting operations under its own brand three and a half years ago.
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News
Safarilink Dash 8 collides mid-air with flight-school Cessna near Nairobi
Kenyan investigators are probing a mid-air collision involving a De Havilland Dash 8-300 operated by regional carrier Safarilink Aviation. Safarilink states that the crew of its domestic flight 053 – from Nairobi Wilson airport to the coastal destination of Diani on 5 March – experienced a “loud bang” shortly after ...
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News
Nigerian carrier Air Peace to use Norse wet-lease for Lagos-London service
Nigerian carrier Air Peace is to open a route between Lagos and London Gatwick using aircraft wet-leased from Norse Atlantic Airways.
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In depth
We fly Mwari, Paramount’s low-cost warrior with a big spirit
Paramount has begun delivering the strikingly-styled and highly versatile Mwari light tactical aircraft to its first two African customers. We put the low-cost warrior through its paces.
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News
Gabonese transition government plans air transport holding company
Gabon’s transitional government has presented a draft decree to create a holding company for air transport, which will acquire interests in national and international activities. The transitional government – in place since a military coup last year – set out the plan, under the economy ministry, during a council of ...
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News
Gear collapse during landing badly damages MD-82 in South Sudan
South Sudanese media are reporting that a Boeing MD-82 has been substantially damaged during a landing accident at the country’s northern Malakal airport on 9 February. Images circulating on social media show the MD-82, in the livery of Kenyan operator African Express Airways, came to rest on the runway having ...
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News
United Nigeria advised to check ERJ nose-wheel steering system after Lagos excursion
Investigators have notified United Nigeria Airlines of a need to ensure compliance with recommendations to upgrade Embraer ERJ-145 nose-wheel steering systems, after a runway excursion accident at Lagos.
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News
Israel’s El Al prepares to suspend flights to Johannesburg
Israeli flag-carrier El Al is to suspend services to Johannesburg, citing a reduction in traffic in the months since the Gaza conflict began.
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Analysis
Despite exceptional 2023 figures, airline safety faces scrutiny after wake-up calls
The airline industry’s exceptional performance in 2023 illustrates how much safety has improved over recent decades – but the new year’s opening week delivered a stark wake-up call.
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News
Airlink ERJ-135 suffers wet-runway excursion on landing in north Mozambique
One of South African regional carrier Airlink’s Embraer ERJ-135s has been involved in a runway excursion in Mozambique.