(Posted 09th September 2025)
Introduction.
The Airports Council International – ACI Africa working paper on Safety Fundamentals: Aerodrome Certification highlights major disparities in global certification, with rates as low as 33% in Western and Central Africa and 52% in Eastern and Southern Africa, compared to much higher levels in other regions. While progress has been made through joint ICAO-ACI initiatives such as APEX in Safety and iPACK, many airports—particularly smaller ones—continue to face regulatory, technical, and resource challenges. The paper stresses that aerodrome certification must be treated as a global safety priority, urging States to prioritize the certification of all airports and to actively support industry-led initiatives, such as ACI’s pilot program, designed to help airports achieve compliance. This coordinated approach, the paper argues, is essential to closing regional gaps, strengthening regulatory oversight, and ensuring safe, sustainable growth of global air transport.
Conferences & Events.
The 9th Aviation AFRICA Summit & Exhibition 2025, held on September 4–5 at the Kigali Convention Centre, brought together over 2,000 delegates and more than 100 exhibitors, making it one of the continent’s most significant aviation gatherings. Hosted by the Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority, Rwanda Airports Company (RAC), and RwandAir, and co-organized with Times Aerospace Events and UGAACO, the summit ran under the theme “Collaborating to unlock Africa’s aviation growth.” Discussions centered on sustainable aviation, infrastructure expansion, intra-African connectivity, and advanced technologies, with a dedicated Drone & Advanced Air Mobility track in partnership with the African Drone Forum. Key highlights included the live demonstration of the EHang EH216-S electric air taxi, positioning Rwanda as a frontrunner in urban air mobility, and presentations on the upcoming Bugesera International Airport, designed to handle up to 14 million passengers annually and 150,000 tons of cargo.
AOCs/ASLs/Regulations.
Embraer’s E-Jets E2 family has secured Type Acceptance Certification (TAC) from the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA), a regulatory milestone that clears the aircraft for operation in South Africa and strengthens its positioning in the African market. This achievement comes on the heels of Airlink’s fleet expansion strategy, with the airline finalizing a lease agreement with Azorra for 10 new E195-E2 aircraft. Known for their fuel efficiency, lower emissions, and optimized operating economics, the E2 jets are well-suited for Africa’s regional networks where right-sized capacity is essential for profitability and connectivity. For Embraer, the certification not only validates the E2’s global success but also opens the door to deeper penetration in Africa, where carriers are increasingly seeking modern, sustainable aircraft to meet both regulatory and market demands.
Namibia has announced plans to establish a new national airline instead of reviving the defunct AirNamibia, which was liquidated in 2021 after costing the state around NAD 8 billion. According to Works and Transport Minister Veikko Nekundi, the new flag carrier will be built on a financially sustainable model, supported by a NAD 20 million (USD 1.13 million) feasibility study included in SWAPO’s economic implementation plan. A market study is expected by mid-2025, followed by an expression of interest for private partners, with negotiations to conclude by December 2025. If successful, operations are projected to begin between June and December 2026, with the aim of creating a viable and publicly accountable airline that avoids the mismanagement and financial pitfalls of its predecessor.
On September 4, 2025, Niger’s Council of Ministers approved the creation of “Niger Air International”, signaling the country’s return to national airline operations more than 20 years after its previous flag carrier collapsed. This initiative mirrors Mali’s launch of “Mali Airlines”, as both countries seek to strengthen sovereignty and restore essential domestic and regional air connectivity. However, these national projects coincide with plans for a joint airline under the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), including Burkina Faso, raising questions about strategy, funding, and long-term sustainability. While national carriers enhance branding and sovereignty, aviation experts stress that coordination with regional initiatives is critical to avoid duplication, optimize resources, and ensure the financial viability of air transport in the Sahel.
Aviation Projections and Statistics.
In August 2025, Airbus delivered 61 aircraft to 39 customers and secured 99 new orders, bringing its year-to-date total to 434 deliveries to 76 customers. The month’s handovers included 7 A220-300s, 3 A319neos, 12 A320neos, 32 A321neos, 2 A330-900s, 2 A350-900s, and 3 A350-1000s, with the latter model reaching a significant milestone of 100 deliveries since entry into service. While the performance highlights steady output, it falls short of the ~87 monthly deliveries needed to achieve Airbus’s 2025 target of 820 aircraft, a 7% rise on last year’s 766. Persistent supply chain challenges—particularly with engines and cabin components—continue to weigh on production, though there are signs of gradual improvement among suppliers.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has underscored aviation’s growing importance in Rwanda’s economy, highlighting its USD 160 million annual GDP contribution and support for 42,000 jobs. Speaking at the Aviation Africa Summit in Kigali, IATA Regional Vice President for Africa and Middle East, Kamil Al-Awadhi, commended Rwanda’s resilience and forward-looking aviation strategy. He noted that RwandAir carried over 1 million passengers in 2023/24, with ambitions to reach 1.2 million passengers by 2026. Backed by plans to expand its fleet to 21 aircraft by 2029, coupled with the development of the Bugesera International Airport and the country’s political stability, Rwanda is positioning itself as a key aviation hub in Africa, driving connectivity, tourism, and broader economic growth.
According to the Namibia Statistics Agency, air transport remains a key channel for high-value exports and imports, despite being secondary to sea and road. In June, air freight accounted for 23.6% of total exports, primarily carrying non-monetary gold and diamonds, although the volume was relatively small at just 122 tonnes—down both month-on-month and year-on-year. Eros Airport in Windhoek emerged as the main hub for air exports, processing goods valued at N$2.6 billion (?USD 150 million). On the import side, air accounted for 4% of total goods, focused on diamonds and telecommunications equipment. While sea and road remain dominant for bulk goods, the aviation sector is crucial for high-value trade, emphasizing the importance of efficient air cargo operations for Namibia’s economy.
Air Service Agreements (ASA’s)/Airlines Agreements/Partnerships.
In Benghazi, Italy and Libya signed six technical agreements to enhance bilateral aviation collaboration, building on the reopening of direct air connections in early 2025 operated by ITA Airways and Medsky airways. Key agreements include an implementation memorandum between ENAC and Benghazi Airport Authority for airport development, as well as MoUs involving MedSky, Avioitaliana, Tecnam, Atitech, ASC, Merlo, and the Libya Reconstruction Fund. These focus on regional air mobility, new aircraft acquisition, maintenance, cargo transport, and material and personnel movement across civil, agricultural, and industrial sectors. The agreements, celebrated by high-level Italian and Libyan officials, underscore civil aviation as a tool for fostering integration, dialogue, and strengthened economic and cultural ties between the two nations.
EGYPTAIR CARGO has partnered with Cargo Flash InfoTech to implement the advanced nGen Integrated Cargo Management System (ICMS), marking a major step in its digital transformation. The cloud-based platform replaces legacy systems with a unified solution that automates booking, documentation, warehousing, and delivery while offering real-time visibility and operational accuracy. Led by Cargo Flash’s VP of SaaS Products, Neha Kumari, the system’s rollout is designed to optimise efficiency, transparency, and scalability across EgyptAir Cargo’s global network. Chairman Capt. Ehab El-Tahtawi emphasised that the partnership supports EgyptAir Cargo’s strategy to build a future-ready, data-driven cargo ecosystem aligned with global best practices.
Ghana’s Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation and Prevention Bureau (AIB) is deepening regional cooperation through discussions with Namibia’s Directorate of Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation on a bilateral MoU to enhance aviation safety oversight. A Namibian delegation, led by Acting Director Philippine Lundama, visited Accra to learn from Ghana’s advanced systems in wreckage management, evidence documentation, and investigative tools. Acting Commissioner John M.K. Wumborti said the collaboration reflects International Civil Aviation Organization’s “No Country Left Behind” initiative and promotes mutual knowledge sharing. With Ghana’s proven expertise and Namibia’s modernization efforts, the partnership is set to foster technical exchanges, joint programs, and expanded multimodal safety oversight.
Paystack has partnered with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to launch a cashless solution for airport access fee payments, starting at Lagos and Abuja airports. Central to the initiative is the FAAN Prepaid NFC Card, which allows drivers to tap and pay fees instantly, eliminating cash transactions, reducing delays, and improving traffic flow. Users can register online or via QR code, fund their wallet from ?1,000 (approximately $1.35 USD), and link the card to their account. Payments are processed securely and gates open automatically. Nationwide expansion is planned by the end of 2025, modernizing Nigeria’s airport access system.
Egypt’s Ministry of Civil Aviation has signed a cooperation protocol between the Egyptian Holding Company for Airports and Air Navigation and the Egyptian Academy of Aviation Sciences to enhance training and professional development for airport employees. Signed in the presence of Minister Sameh el-Hefny, the agreement aims to create specialised training programmes aligned with ICAO standards and national regulations, focusing on improving staff skills, service quality, and operational efficiency across Egyptian airports. Officials emphasised that investing in human capital is central to modernising the sector, supporting sustainable development, and reinforcing Egypt’s role as a regional aviation hub.
Routes and Airline Connectivity.
Turkish Airlines resumed flights to Misrata, Libya, on 2 September 2025, marking its third destination in the country after Tripoli and Benghazi. The service, suspended since January 2015, operates three times a week—Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays—using Boeing 737-800 aircraft. Flight TK 1145 departs Istanbul at 11:30 AM, arriving in Misrata at 2:25 PM, while the return flight TK 1146 leaves Misrata at 4:25 PM and lands in Istanbul at 7:15 PM. The resumption was celebrated at Misrata International Airport with officials and Turkish Airlines executives. Promotional fares were offered for travel booked by 9 September for journeys until 30 November. Misrata, Libya’s third-largest city on the Mediterranean coast, is a major industrial and commercial hub, strengthening Turkish Airlines’ African network, which now spans 62 destinations.
TAAG-Linhas Aereas de Angola has launched direct passenger flights between Luanda and Nairobi from 1 September 2025, marking its first scheduled service into Kenya. The route operates three times weekly—on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays—using the Airbus Aircraft A220-300, configured with 137 seats across Business, Premium Economy, and Economy cabins. Flight schedules include a daytime Monday service (DT590/DT591) and a Thursday overnight service (DT592/DT593), with flight times averaging about four hours each way. Early operations have shown good on-time performance, with minor delays on some return legs. This new connection strengthens business, tourism, and diplomatic ties between Southern and Eastern Africa, while also enhancing onward international connectivity through Nairobi and Luanda.
FlyGabon, operated by Afrijet Business Service, has officially launched a new weekly service between Bangui (BGF) in the Central African Republic and Yaoundé Nsimalen (NSI) in Cameroon. The route, which commenced on 2 September 2025, is operated with a CRJ900 regional jet and runs once per week, departing Yaoundé on Tuesdays at 20:20 and arriving in Bangui at 21:35. This new connection is part of FlyGabon’s strategy to enhance regional air connectivity across Central Africa.
On Thursday, 4 September 2025, during the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF 2025) in Algiers, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune directed the immediate launch of a direct air route between Algiers and N’Djamena, tasking Air Algérie CEO Hamza Benhamouda with fast-tracking the service. The move underscores Algeria’s strategy to enhance intra-African air connectivity, strengthen bilateral relations with Chad, and position Algiers as a hub for regional integration.
South African Airways (SAA) will launch a twice-daily service between Johannesburg and Gaborone starting Tuesday, 4 November 2025, further strengthening its regional network and enhancing connectivity for both business and leisure travellers. The schedule includes two daily return flights, seven days a week, with morning and afternoon rotations designed for convenience. Group CEO Prof John Lamola emphasized that the new route not only deepens cultural and economic ties between South Africa and Botswana but also reinforces SAA’s role as a premium network carrier committed to regional integration, tourism, and inclusive economic growth.
Gulf Air, Bahrain’s national carrier, has announced the launch of a new seasonal service to El Alamein, Egypt, starting in 2026. Operated with Airbus A320 aircraft, the route aims to enhance passenger travel options while promoting El Alamein as a beach and leisure destination. The launch follows the recent visit of Bahrain’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, to Egypt, highlighting the strengthening of bilateral relations. Gulf Air has served Egypt since 1974, with current operations including a double daily service to Cairo and previous seasonal flights to Sharm El Sheikh and Alexandria.
British Airways will expand its short-haul network this winter with the addition of Rabat, Morocco, as a new year-round destination from London Gatwick. Alongside existing Moroccan destinations Marrakech and Agadir, Rabat will become BA’s third route to the country, operating twice weekly on Wednesdays and Sundays using an Airbus A320. The service, starting 5 November 2025, will offer both economy and Club Europe (business class) options, with lounge access for premium passengers. This launch enhances connectivity to Morocco’s capital, renowned for its cultural heritage and architecture, and provides passengers with onward connections to BA’s long-haul network and the oneworld alliance.
Aeroflot – Russian Airlines is resuming its seasonal flights from Moscow to the Seychelles ahead of the winter travel season, with services to Mahé starting on September 27, 2025. The route will operate twice weekly, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, using Airbus A350 aircraft in a three-class configuration (Economy, Comfort, and Business). This relaunch forms part of Aeroflot’s expanded winter holiday program, offering Russian travelers greater access to sun-soaked beaches and warm seas in the Seychelles, complementing its other long-haul winter destinations such as Sri Lanka and Goa. Ticket sales for the Seychelles flights are now open.
AirAsia X, the long-haul low-cost arm of AirAsia, suspended its direct Kuala Lumpur–Nairobi service on 1 September 2025, citing lower-than-expected travel demand. The route, which launched on 15 November 2024 with four weekly flights, marked the airline’s first direct connection between Southeast Asia and East Africa. Affected passengers were offered a range of service recovery options (SROs), including full refunds, travel credits, or complimentary flight changes for bookings up to 31 August 2025. The strategic exit, coming less than a year after the route’s launch, reflected AirAsia X’s network optimization strategy in response to weak demand.
Airline Fleets and ACMI’s.
Air Côte d’Ivoire has officially taken delivery of its first Airbus A330-900neo, registered TU-TRG, on 4 September 2025. The aircraft is powered by two Rolls-Royce Trent 7000-72 engines and features a modern four-class cabin layout with 4 First Class, 44 Business Class, 21 Premium Economy, and 173 Economy seats. The widebody jet was ferried from Toulouse (TLS) to Abidjan (ABJ) on the same day, marking the airline’s long-anticipated entry into the next-generation Airbus widebody family. This aircraft is brand new, and its delivery represents a major milestone for Air Côte d’Ivoire as the airline expands into long-haul operations and strengthens its regional and intercontinental ambitions.
CAMAIR-CO has recently taken delivery of a Boeing 737-8Q8 (WL), registered OK-TVJ, on 4 September 2025. The aircraft, powered by two CFM56-7B26 engines, is configured in an all-economy layout with 189 seats and comes on lease from Smartwings. This airframe has a long operational history, having previously flown with multiple carriers including Excel Airways, Zoom Airlines, Sunwing Airlines Inc., XL AIRWAYS, Travel Service/Smartwings, and Air Transat, under various lease arrangements managed by lessors such as ILFC, AerCap, and Aviator Capital. Originally delivered in March 2004, the aircraft is now approximately 21.5 years old at the time of joining Camair-Co’s fleet. This marks a further step in Camair-Co’s efforts to strengthen its operational capacity with additional narrowbody aircraft.
Aviation Infrastructure, Financing & Profitability.
President Yoweri Museveni has officially endorsed the development of Mbarara International Airport in Nyakisharara, Mbarara District, following discussions with a China-based consortium at State House, Entebbe, on September 4, 2025. The project is being spearheaded by @Base 7 Aviation International Academy, with construction led by Hunan Construction and Investment Engineering Company, design by China Southwest Architectural Design and Research Institute, and financing and operations managed by Blackrock Uwekeza under a Build, Operate, and Transfer (BOT) model. Museveni emphasized the airport’s potential to transform Western Uganda’s economic landscape by enhancing tourism, agriculture, and trade, and urged close collaboration with Uganda’s technical teams to finalize project details while ensuring environmental preservation. The airport is expected to handle both regional and international flights and is projected to significantly boost Uganda’s economic output upon completion, targeted for 2030.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has commenced major reconstruction works at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos, advising passengers to adjust their schedules to avoid disruptions. FAAN urged travellers to arrive early, follow traffic guidelines, and use designated parking areas, while requesting non-travelling visitors to stay away due to space limitations. The works form part of a broader N900 billion aviation infrastructure initiative approved by the Federal Executive Council, with the Lagos Terminal One modernisation singled out as the “centrepiece,” costing approximately N712 billion (~USD 1.7 billion) and scheduled for completion in 22 months, including full rebuilding of core systems.
Tanzanian President and CCM presidential candidate Samia Suluhu Hassan has pledged to build a new airport in Njombe Region to improve the transport of high-value crops like avocados and tea to domestic and international markets. Speaking at a campaign rally, she highlighted ongoing efforts to boost the region’s agricultural and economic potential, including constructing 50 fruit storage centres, recruiting avocado-focused extension officers, and providing subsidies for organic fertilisers and pesticides.
The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) is in advanced discussions with Uganda‘s Ministry of Works and Transport to upgrade Arua Airfield to international airport status. The project aims to improve regional connectivity, particularly with neighboring South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, and is expected to boost trade, tourism, and economic activity in Uganda’s West Nile region. AfDB’s involvement highlights the strategic importance of the initiative in enhancing infrastructure and fostering regional integration.
The Ekiti State Government has awarded a N3.86 billion contract (approximately $5.2 million USD) to CCECC Nigeria Limited for the construction of Aviation Staff Quarters at the Ekiti State Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport in Ado-Ekiti. The project includes 40 residential units—32 self-contained apartments for junior and middle cadre officers, six one-bedroom units for senior staff, and two two-bedroom apartments for management—alongside external infrastructure, car parks, and a simple solid waste incinerator. The quarters aim to enhance operational efficiency, security, and staff welfare. The project is scheduled for completion within four months.
TCE (Trans European Cargo Express) has opened its first African office at Casablanca Mohammed V Airport, marking a strategic expansion of its global air cargo operations. Led by Viktor Staroshaliev, the Casablanca team of five will manage cargo handling, customs facilitation, and customer support for both local and international clients, including WestJet Cargo and Air Transat. The office aligns with TCE’s “Airports 2030” vision and Morocco’s growing air cargo hub, benefiting from CMN’s ongoing $1.5 billion terminal expansion and broader national airport modernization projects. The Casablanca office, fully paperless, strengthens TCE’s African footprint while supporting global connectivity and compliance standards.
Mozambique is taking decisive steps to stabilize and revitalize its national carrier, LAM-Linhas Aéreas de Moçambique, through the creation of a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to facilitate a $130 million acquisition of a 91% stake by a consortium of state-owned enterprises, including Hidroeléctrica de Cahora Bassa (HCB), Caminhos de Ferro de Moçambique (CFM), and the national insurance firm EMOSE. The airline, burdened with over $230 million in debt, a limited fleet, and operational challenges, recorded losses of €53.5 million in 2023 and negative equity of €265 million, though service sales grew 4% to €118.7 million. Former Air Serbia CEO Dane Kondic has been appointed to oversee a comprehensive restructuring plan, which includes acquiring eight new aircraft, leasing an additional five Boeing 737-700s, and implementing operational reforms to minimize cancellations. The Institute for the Management of State Holdings (IGEPE) will manage debt repayment through government-backed annual installments and coordinate with commercial banks. This initiative underscores Mozambique’s commitment to ensuring LAM’s long-term sustainability and strengthening its role as a key national and regional carrier.
VISA/Passports/Consulates/Travel.
Malawi has launched a new ICAO-compliant passport system, ensuring its travel documents are internationally recognized and verifiable. The upgrade, handled by Madras Security Printers of India, features biometric data and machine-readable technology, allowing seamless border processing worldwide. Homeland Security Minister Ezekiel Ching’oma personally tested the system, highlighting express processing in 1–2 days and standard passports within 10 days. Over 2,000 passports have already been issued, with a capacity of 2,000 per day, helping clear a backlog of 100,000 applications. The move positions Malawi ahead of ICAO’s 2026 global biometric passport deadline, enabling smoother international travel.
People/Appointments.
Effective September 1, 2025, the African Civil Aviation Commission AFCAC appointed Getachew Mengistie Alemayehu as its new Director of Air Transport. Mengistie, formerly Director General of the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority (ECAA), brings over 20 years of leadership experience in aviation, including regulatory reform, infrastructure development, and international collaboration, and is expected to advance AFCAC’s strategic goals and the integration of Africa’s aviation sector under Agenda 2063. In parallel, Ms. Adefunke Adeyemi was reappointed as Secretary General for a second term, running until August 31, 2028, in recognition of her contributions to the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), aviation safety and security, and sustainable development. These appointments reinforce AFCAC’s commitment to fostering a safe, sustainable, and integrated African aviation sector.
AirlinePros International has announced the appointment of Peggy Macharia as the new Managing Director for Kenya. With extensive industry expertise and a solid grasp of the regional aviation market, Macharia is expected to play a pivotal role in strengthening the company’s local presence and driving airline representation and growth across Kenya.
Peter Kamile has announced that he is taking up a new role as Africa Manager at Sky Vision Airlines, a Cairo-based carrier founded in 2022 that is steadily growing its presence in the aviation sector. His appointment signals the airline’s intent to strengthen its footprint across the continent through regional strategy, partnerships, and market development. With Kamile’s background in business strategy and planning, his leadership is expected to play a key role in advancing Sky Vision Airlines’ expansion ambitions in Africa.
Awards, Recognition, Certifications & Milestones.
Ethiopian Airlines has been nominated for the prestigious Global Carrier of the Year – Top Award by the Payload Asia Awards 2025, recognizing its excellence and leadership in cargo operations. The nomination highlights Ethiopian Cargo’s commitment to reliability, efficiency, and innovation in air freight across Asia and beyond. Stakeholders and aviation enthusiasts are encouraged to cast their votes before September 12, 2025, to support Ethiopian Airlines in securing this top industry accolade.
Ghana’s Ambassador Nancy Q. Sam has been honoured by Miami International Airport in recognition of her significant contributions to tourism and her efforts in strengthening cultural and economic ties between Ghana, the diaspora, and the United States. The award highlights her dedication to promoting Ghana as a leading heritage tourism destination, particularly through initiatives that connect African Americans and Afro-Caribbean communities with their ancestral roots in Ghana. Ambassador Sam has played a central role in positioning Ghana on the global tourism map by advancing projects such as heritage tourism exchanges, cultural events, and business collaborations that deepen bilateral relations.
Ethiopian Airlines has marked the 50th anniversary of its flights to Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), celebrating a route it has operated without interruption since 1975. At a ceremony attended by DRC officials and Ethiopian executives, Group CEO Mesfin Tasew reaffirmed the airline’s commitment to deepening ties with the DRC and Africa at large, while pledging further service expansion. Ethiopian currently operates 32 weekly passenger flights to Kinshasa, Lubumbashi, and Goma, in addition to dedicated cargo services, underscoring its role as the continent’s largest network carrier and a vital pan-African connector.
Lawsuits/Investigations.
On Wednesday, 3 September 2025, U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor presided over a three-hour hearing in Fort Worth, Texas, to consider objections to a controversial non-prosecution agreement (NPA) between Boeing and the U.S. Department of Justice, which would shield the company from criminal prosecution over the 2018 and 2019 737 MAX crashes that killed 346 people. During the hearing, around two dozen grieving relatives of victims—many of whom traveled from Ethiopia, Indonesia, Canada, and Europe—gave emotional testimonies urging the court to reject the settlement, arguing that it amounted to Boeing “buying its freedom” and denying families true justice. The proposed deal requires Boeing to admit to obstructing an FAA investigation, pay $1.1 billion in penalties and compensation, and commit hundreds of millions to compliance and safety programs, while obliging its board to meet with families. However, it does not require a guilty plea or an independent safety monitor, a point Judge O’Connor questioned directly, pressing government lawyers on why only a “compliance consultant” was mandated instead. The DOJ has argued the judge must approve the agreement unless it finds bad faith, noting that families of 110 victims either support or do not oppose the settlement, though others remain firmly against it. A final ruling on the deal has yet to be issued.
A Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered British Airways to pay N50 million (~USD 68,000) to Nigerian passenger Stephen Osho for breach of contract of carriage and unfair treatment. Justice Ibrahim Kala ruled that Osho suffered undue hardship, inconvenience, and financial loss after the airline failed to provide the service he had fully paid for. British Airways had argued that Osho was responsible and suggested any award be limited to N60,000, a position the court rejected. The judgment considered litigation costs, legal representation, and the declining value of the naira, citing the Montreal Convention 1999 and Nigeria’s Civil Aviation Act to grant compensatory relief.
Mali has filed a case against Algeria at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over the downing of a Malian military reconnaissance drone between March 31 and April 1, 2025, near Tinzaouatene in Mali’s northern Kidal region. Bamako accuses Algiers of deliberately destroying the drone, calling it an act of “blatant aggression” and a violation of the principle of non-use of force under international law, while Algeria maintains the drone violated its airspace. The incident has fueled a sharp diplomatic fallout, with Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso recalling their ambassadors from Algiers in April, prompting Algeria to close its airspace to Malian flights and withdraw its own envoys. The case highlights escalating tensions in the Sahel, where military operations and regional alliances are increasingly strained.
Aviation Accidents/Incidences.
A United Airlines flight from Lagos to Washington, D.C. (UA613) made an emergency return on Tuesday after a passenger experienced a medical complication mid-flight. Departing at approximately 12:10 a.m., the aircraft was over 90 minutes into its journey when the captain requested medical assistance on board and decided to turn back to Lagos to prioritize passenger safety. The flight safely landed at Murtala Muhammed International Airport around 2:26 a.m., where medical teams attended to the passenger. Following the incident, the flight was cancelled, and affected passengers were accommodated in a hotel pending further arrangements.
Other information:
Rwanda has made history by hosting Africa’s first-ever public flight of an electric passenger air taxi, the EHang EH216-S, during the Aviation Africa 2025 Summit in Kigali. The self-flying eVTOL, which carries two passengers and is certified by China’s aviation authority, demonstrated Rwanda’s ambition to lead in urban air mobility after pioneering drone delivery services with Zipline. The EH216-S, equipped with 16 electric motors, can reach speeds of about 130 km/h, fly up to 30–35 km, and costs around US $400,000 per unit. This milestone was made possible through collaboration between Rwanda’s Ministry of Infrastructure, the Civil Aviation Authority, EHang, and China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), and is part of Rwanda’s plan to build up to 30 vertiports to support future operations.
Allegations have surfaced that Bujumbura International Airport in Burundi has become a key stopover for a stream of military cargo planes, with observers noting an uptick in unusual nighttime movements. The flights are suspected to be coordinated between authorities in Kinshasa and Gitega, allegedly serving as discreet channels to move weapons, troops, and other reinforcements into eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, where armed rebel activity persists. Though unconfirmed, the pattern has raised concerns among regional security analysts, who fear the airport may be quietly repurposed into a logistical hub for sustaining conflict operations, further destabilizing an already volatile area.
Sierra Leonean inventor Francis A. S. Tucker, famously known as “the helicopter man,” is on the verge of achieving a historic milestone with the near completion of the country’s first locally designed and assembled helicopter, the “Sierra Eagle.” After more than 30 years of research, experimentation, and gradual assembly using mostly locally sourced components, the single-seater aircraft is almost flight-ready. Tucker, inspired from childhood to create a homegrown helicopter, now seeks NLe 15,000 (~USD 600) to purchase essential instruments, including an altimeter and tachometer. The project aims not only to demonstrate local innovation but also to inspire youth through a planned Talent Development and Display Center.
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