Africa
FAAN Plans 25-Day Closure of Owerri Airport Runway 17/35 Before Christmas Travel Peak
Nigeria's Federal Airports Authority announced a 25-day closure of Runway 17/35 at Sam Mbakwe Airport in Owerri for rehabilitation works ahead of the Christmas travel period.
South African Civil Aviation Authority Raises Fees Across Range of Services from 1 October
The South African Civil Aviation Authority raised fees across pilot licensing, examinations, aircraft operations and maintenance services from 1 October, with some items increasing by as much as 400%.
Malawi President Mutharika's South Africa Trip on VistaJet Global 6000 Estimated to Cost Over K106 Million
President Peter Mutharika flew to South Africa aboard a VistaJet Bombardier Global 6000, registration 9H-VJW, on a private visit estimated to cost K106.5 million to K110.6 million.
Nigeria's private jet charter market heats up ahead of 2027 elections as campaign bookings begin
Nigerian charter operators report five politician-linked flights in a recent two-week period as 2027 election campaign bookings rise, with hourly rates near $5,000 to $7,000.
Embraer 120 Makes Emergency Belly Landing at Kilimanjaro International Airport After Gear Failure
An Embraer 120 registered 5H-HLL made a gear-up belly landing at Kilimanjaro International Airport on Sunday, October 4, 2026, diverting from a Serengeti-to-Zanzibar flight after landing gear trouble.
Swift Air Ambulance Services and FlyPeejay Technologies Sign 24/7 Private Jet Medical Evacuation Partnership
Swift Air Ambulance Services Ltd and FlyPeejay Technologies Ltd signed a partnership to deliver round-the-clock private jet medical evacuation, led by CEOs AbdulAzeez Yinka Oniyangi and Sani Nadabo Chanchangi.
Africa's Private Jet Market Grows as Bombardier and Embraer Expand Presence, Infrastructure Gaps Persist
Bombardier delivered its first Global 8000 in Africa to Nigeria's BUA Group in June 2026, while Embraer expands Phenom 300 support, even as thin MRO networks and tax regimes push registrations offshore.
Air Peace cancels Abuja-Maiduguri flight, citing Jet A1 fuel shortage and Maiduguri airport sunset restriction
Air Peace cancelled its Saturday Abuja-Maiduguri flight after a Jet A1 fuel shortage delayed departures and Maiduguri tower withdrew a sunset-arrival extension, rebooking passengers for the next day.
20 Israelis Stranded in Ethiopia's Lalibela as Airport Closures and Fighting Block Escape Routes
Israel's Foreign Ministry is working to evacuate 20 Israelis stranded in Lalibela, Ethiopia, after fighting shut airports and made roads dangerous, alongside about 30 other trapped tourists.
Mauritius Denies Landing Clearance to Air Seychelles Flight from Israel, Tour Operator Says
Mauritius denied landing clearance for an Air Seychelles charter flight from Ben Gurion Airport, forcing its cancellation on Saturday after months of prior approval, Spirit World Productions said.
DRC suspends TRACEP Congo Aviation's operating certificate after Let 410 crash kills 17, including two generals
The Democratic Republic of Congo suspended TRACEP Congo Aviation's operating certificate after a Let 410 crash near Kenge killed all 17 people aboard, including two FARDC generals.
SAHCO Acquires AmbuLift to Become Nigeria's First Ground Handler to Operate the Specialised PRM Equipment
Nigerian ground handler SAHCO has acquired and deployed an AmbuLift, becoming the only ground handling company in Nigeria to own and operate the specialised equipment for passengers with reduced mobility.
Public Flight and Ship Trackers Create Commercial Intelligence Risk, TrendAI Warns
TrendAI's technical brief warns that public ADS-B flight-tracking and AIS ship-tracking data can be mass-collected for as little as US$25 to expose corporate M&A activity and supply chains.
Two Pilots Detained in Libya After Allegedly Flying Drunk and Crashing Newly Delivered Cessna Citation Latitude
Libyan authorities detained two pilots accused of flying a newly delivered Cessna Citation Latitude while intoxicated after a landing runway excursion caused extensive damage to the $20 million business jet.
Nigeria Customs Seeks Forfeiture of Three Aircraft Linked to Sayyu Dantata Over ₦2.31 Billion Duty Evasion
Nigeria Customs Service asked the Federal High Court to forfeit three aircraft tied to Sayyu Dantata over an alleged ₦2.31 billion customs duty shortfall, with hearing adjourned to 22 October 2026.
Dangote Refinery Exports Most Jet Fuel to Europe and Asia, Shipping 80,000 Barrels Per Day in Q2 2026
Aliko Dangote said his Nigerian refinery exported roughly 80,000 barrels per day of jet fuel to Europe and Asia in the second quarter of 2026, mainly to Europe.
ExecuJet MRO Services Extends South African Air Force Falcon Support Contract Without Announced Capacity or Staffing Expansion
ExecuJet MRO Services South Africa announced on 13 September 2026 an extension of its heavy maintenance and component support contract with the South African Air Force covering two Falcon 50s and one Falcon 900.
Both pilots of crashed new private jet accused of flying drunk at Libyan airport
Libyan prosecutors ordered the arrest and pretrial detention of both pilots of a BKNJET Aviation Cessna Citation Latitude that crashed and burned at Misrata International Airport on September 14, 2026, citing evidence of intoxication.
Proflight Zambia adds three BAE Jetstream 41 turboprops, bringing fleet to seven of the type
Proflight Zambia ferried three additional BAE Jetstream 41 29-seat turboprops from North Lincolnshire to Lusaka, raising its Jetstream 41 fleet to seven aircraft.
ExecuJet MRO Services to Exhibit at AAD 2026, Highlighting Military and Civil Maintenance Work
ExecuJet MRO Services will exhibit its civil and military maintenance capabilities at AAD 2026 from Chalet 14, highlighting an extended South African Air Force contract covering two Falcon 50 and one Falcon 900 aircraft.
Namibia's Walvis Bay Airport Airspace Downgraded to Class G, Raising Safety and Operational Concerns
Namibia's Walvis Bay International Airport had its airspace downgraded to Class G, removing mandatory air traffic control separation services, opposition IPC shadow minister Nelson Kalangula said on Wednesday.
Brand-new Cessna Citation Latitude runs off runway and catches fire at Misrata Airport; all three crew survive
A brand-new Cessna 680A Citation Latitude, registered TC-AKF and operated by BKN Jet, ran off the runway and caught fire while landing at Misrata International Airport on 14 September, with all three crew surviving.
Private Aircraft Crashes and Catches Fire at Misrata Airport, Flights Suspended
A private aircraft crashed and caught fire at Misrata International Airport in Libya, prompting airspace closure and suspension of all flight operations while emergency crews responded.
Abidjan Business-Jet Flows to Four West African Cities Total 23 Movements in Two Months, Lagos Corridor Accounts for 60.9%
Between 15 July and 12 September 2026, 23 business-jet flights linked Abidjan's DIAP with four West African airports, with the Lagos corridor accounting for 14 flights, or 60.9% of movements.
ExecuJet MRO Services to Exhibit at AAD 2026, Highlighting 35-Year Relationship with South African Air Force
ExecuJet MRO Services will exhibit at AAD 2026, marking 35 years supporting the South African Air Force after recently extending a contract covering two Falcon 50 and one Falcon 900 aircraft.
Algeria closes airspace to UAE-registered aircraft following severance of diplomatic ties
Algeria's Ministry of National Defence closed its airspace to all UAE-registered civilian and military aircraft on 10 September 2026 after severing diplomatic ties with the UAE.
Nigeria's AGHAN Orders Seven-Day Service Suspension Notices for Two Major Domestic Airlines Over Ground Handling Debt
Nigeria's Association of Ground Handling Companies directed members to give two unnamed major domestic airlines seven-day suspension notices unless they clear 75 percent of debts owed, following a September 4, 2026 executive meeting.
Air Tanzania Resumes Moscow Flights as Russian Airspace Safety Debate Intensifies
Air Tanzania will resume Dar es Salaam-Moscow flights on September 7, days after suspending the route, following a further risk assessment with relevant authorities.
Mozambique Enacts New Licensing Rules for Private Air Operators, Replacing 2011 Regime
Mozambique's government has enacted a new Regulation on Licensing of Private Air Operators, replacing the 2011 framework, with a 90-day transition period running until the end of October.
Kenya Aviation Workers Call Off Strike After Three Days of Airport Disruption
Kenya's aviation union KAWU ended a three-day strike on Tuesday, September 1, signing a return-to-work agreement after industrial action disrupted airports including JKIA, Moi and Kisumu since Sunday, August 30.
FAAN Plans 25-Day Closure of Owerri Airport Runway 17/35 Before Christmas Travel Peak
Nigeria's Federal Airports Authority announced a 25-day closure of Runway 17/35 at Sam Mbakwe Airport in Owerri for rehabilitation works ahead of the Christmas travel period.
South African Civil Aviation Authority Raises Fees Across Range of Services from 1 October
The South African Civil Aviation Authority raised fees across pilot licensing, examinations, aircraft operations and maintenance services from 1 October, with some items increasing by as much as 400%.
XEJet Express Launches Inaugural Abuja–Gusau Direct Service with Embraer ERJ-145MP
XEJet Express launched its inaugural direct flight between Abuja and Gusau on 5 October 2026, using an Embraer ERJ-145MP aircraft that will operate twice weekly on the route.
Malawi President Mutharika's South Africa Trip on VistaJet Global 6000 Estimated to Cost Over K106 Million
President Peter Mutharika flew to South Africa aboard a VistaJet Bombardier Global 6000, registration 9H-VJW, on a private visit estimated to cost K106.5 million to K110.6 million.
Nigeria's private jet charter market heats up ahead of 2027 elections as campaign bookings begin
Nigerian charter operators report five politician-linked flights in a recent two-week period as 2027 election campaign bookings rise, with hourly rates near $5,000 to $7,000.
Nigeria raises $500 million for Lagos airport reconstruction and aviation projects
Nigeria's federal government raised $500 million without borrowing to fund the reconstruction of Lagos airport and other aviation projects, Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo announced.
Embraer 120 Makes Emergency Belly Landing at Kilimanjaro International Airport After Gear Failure
An Embraer 120 registered 5H-HLL made a gear-up belly landing at Kilimanjaro International Airport on Sunday, October 4, 2026, diverting from a Serengeti-to-Zanzibar flight after landing gear trouble.
Swift Air Ambulance Services and FlyPeejay Technologies Sign 24/7 Private Jet Medical Evacuation Partnership
Swift Air Ambulance Services Ltd and FlyPeejay Technologies Ltd signed a partnership to deliver round-the-clock private jet medical evacuation, led by CEOs AbdulAzeez Yinka Oniyangi and Sani Nadabo Chanchangi.
Flyfofa: A Decade of Cancelled Contracts, Court Rulings and Government Disputes in South African Aviation
South African aviation firm Flyfofa has faced over a decade of cancelled government contracts and court rulings, including a 2026 Special Tribunal decision voiding an R85,340,863 SAA lease.
Explosions reported in Addis Ababa hours after Ethiopia bans drone flights over capital
Explosions were heard overnight in Addis Ababa near the military headquarters and a southern neighbourhood, hours after Ethiopia banned drone flights over the capital.
Ethiopia Bans All Drone Flights Over Addis Ababa Indefinitely Amid Renewed Northern Fighting
Ethiopia's National Intelligence and Security Service imposed an indefinite ban on all drone flight permits in Addis Ababa, effective immediately, citing counter-drone monitoring needs.
South Africa's Air Traffic Control Operator ATNS Discovers Ransomware on OT Network, Seeks Cyber-Forensics Help
South Africa's ATNS found ransomware-linked malware and possible data exfiltration to Chinese IP addresses in an operational technology network supporting weather services, and is now seeking cyber-forensics firms.
Nigeria's Ground Handlers Suspend All Services to XEJET Airline Over N300m Unpaid Debt
The Aviation Ground Handlers Association of Nigeria suspended all ground handling services to XEJET Airline on Monday over an unpaid debt of about N300 million.
Africa's Private Jet Market Grows as Bombardier and Embraer Expand Presence, Infrastructure Gaps Persist
Bombardier delivered its first Global 8000 in Africa to Nigeria's BUA Group in June 2026, while Embraer expands Phenom 300 support, even as thin MRO networks and tax regimes push registrations offshore.
Air Peace cancels Abuja-Maiduguri flight, citing Jet A1 fuel shortage and Maiduguri airport sunset restriction
Air Peace cancelled its Saturday Abuja-Maiduguri flight after a Jet A1 fuel shortage delayed departures and Maiduguri tower withdrew a sunset-arrival extension, rebooking passengers for the next day.
20 Israelis Stranded in Ethiopia's Lalibela as Airport Closures and Fighting Block Escape Routes
Israel's Foreign Ministry is working to evacuate 20 Israelis stranded in Lalibela, Ethiopia, after fighting shut airports and made roads dangerous, alongside about 30 other trapped tourists.
Mauritius Denies Landing Clearance to Air Seychelles Flight from Israel, Tour Operator Says
Mauritius denied landing clearance for an Air Seychelles charter flight from Ben Gurion Airport, forcing its cancellation on Saturday after months of prior approval, Spirit World Productions said.
DRC suspends TRACEP Congo Aviation's operating certificate after Let 410 crash kills 17, including two generals
The Democratic Republic of Congo suspended TRACEP Congo Aviation's operating certificate after a Let 410 crash near Kenge killed all 17 people aboard, including two FARDC generals.
SAHCO Acquires AmbuLift to Become Nigeria's First Ground Handler to Operate the Specialised PRM Equipment
Nigerian ground handler SAHCO has acquired and deployed an AmbuLift, becoming the only ground handling company in Nigeria to own and operate the specialised equipment for passengers with reduced mobility.
Public Flight and Ship Trackers Create Commercial Intelligence Risk, TrendAI Warns
TrendAI's technical brief warns that public ADS-B flight-tracking and AIS ship-tracking data can be mass-collected for as little as US$25 to expose corporate M&A activity and supply chains.
MMA2 Operator Plans Slot Management and Digitisation to Ease Peak-Hour Congestion
Bi-Courtney Aviation Services, operator of Lagos's MMA2 terminal, is pursuing slot coordination, digitisation and security staffing changes to ease peak-hour congestion, as Nigeria's 2025 passenger traffic reached 18.8 million.
Libya Opens New Air Traffic Management Centre in Tripoli
Libya inaugurated a new Air Traffic Management Centre in Tripoli, upgrading air navigation services to international standards and monitoring coverage near Kufra and the Egyptian border.
Piper PA-28-180 Stalls After Takeoff at Morningstar, Three Occupants Injured
A Piper PA-28-180 stalled and crashed shortly after takeoff from Morningstar airfield on Tuesday, injuring all three occupants aboard.
Two Pilots Detained in Libya After Allegedly Flying Drunk and Crashing Newly Delivered Cessna Citation Latitude
Libyan authorities detained two pilots accused of flying a newly delivered Cessna Citation Latitude while intoxicated after a landing runway excursion caused extensive damage to the $20 million business jet.
Nigeria Customs Seeks Forfeiture of Three Aircraft Linked to Sayyu Dantata Over ₦2.31 Billion Duty Evasion
Nigeria Customs Service asked the Federal High Court to forfeit three aircraft tied to Sayyu Dantata over an alleged ₦2.31 billion customs duty shortfall, with hearing adjourned to 22 October 2026.
Adnoc Distribution to Launch Aircraft Refueling at Egypt's Sphinx and Hurghada Airports
Adnoc Distribution will begin aircraft refueling at Egypt's Sphinx Airport in October and at Hurghada Airport by year-end, using state-owned infrastructure at both sites.
Dangote Refinery Exports Most Jet Fuel to Europe and Asia, Shipping 80,000 Barrels Per Day in Q2 2026
Aliko Dangote said his Nigerian refinery exported roughly 80,000 barrels per day of jet fuel to Europe and Asia in the second quarter of 2026, mainly to Europe.
ExecuJet MRO Services Extends South African Air Force Falcon Support Contract Without Announced Capacity or Staffing Expansion
ExecuJet MRO Services South Africa announced on 13 September 2026 an extension of its heavy maintenance and component support contract with the South African Air Force covering two Falcon 50s and one Falcon 900.
Air Charter Service airlifts 163 tons of power plant machinery from India to Ghana
Air Charter Service moved 163 tons of outsize power plant machinery from Mumbai to Accra using two Boeing 747 freighters, then trucked it to Kumasi, Ghana.
Both pilots of crashed new private jet accused of flying drunk at Libyan airport
Libyan prosecutors ordered the arrest and pretrial detention of both pilots of a BKNJET Aviation Cessna Citation Latitude that crashed and burned at Misrata International Airport on September 14, 2026, citing evidence of intoxication.