The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of European Air Passenger Rights Reform
(Posted 20th June 20260 By Thomas Reynaert, IATA Senior Vice President, External Affairs The agreement at the start of the week by the EU for the reform of EU261 air passenger rights rules has failed to improve things either for passengers, or for the competitiveness of Europe’s aviation industry. Thomas Reynaert, IATA […]
IATA – Profits and Margins to Shrink in 2026 but Remain Positive
(Posted 20th June 2026) Faced with record jet fuel prices and the major disruption in traffic in the Middle East, the air transport industry is still expected to remain profitable in aggregate in 2026. However, we have halved our forecast for the industry’s net profit to USD 23 billion on total revenues of […]
TravelComments.com – Durban Beach Water Quality Update: Only one beach closed
(Posted 19th June 2026) Travellers planning to visit Durban can continue to enjoy the city’s famous beaches, with the latest eThekwini Municipality water quality results showing that almost all monitored bathing beaches remain open for swimming…. READ MORE
AviaDev Africa 2027 – Welcome to Zambia
(Posted 19th June 2026) Zambia Airports Corporation Limited (ZACL), will host Africa’s premier aviation connectivity conference as the country launches an ambitious air access initiative called Airlift Zambia aimed at increasing air cargo movement, routes and airlines flying into the country. AviaDev Africa, the continent’s only dedicated air service development conference, today confirmed that […]
Suspected poacher arrested with sh2m elephant tusks, hippo tooth
(Posted 19th June 2026) Courtesy of African Elephant News Cyrus Ombati, The Star (Kenya), June 17, 2026 A 58-year-old man was charged after he was allegedly found in possession of wildlife trophies weighing about 18.5kg in Migori County. Police and Kenya Wildlife Service officials put the value of the trophies at Sh2 million. […]
Why Tanzania’s elephant population has declined sharply over the past two decades
)Posted 19th June 2026) Courtesy of African Elephant News Bertha Ismail, The Citizen (Tanzania), June 18, 2026 Tanzania, once among Africa’s leading elephant strongholds, has recorded a sharp decline in its elephant population over the past 20 years, according to the new findings of the National Wildlife Census 2024/2025. The census shows that […]
Wildlife census shows Tanzania leads world in lion populations
(Posted 18th June 2026) Courtesy of African Elephant Ndws Marc Nkwame, The Guardian (Tanzania), June 18, 2026 Tanzania is home to an estimated 17,200 lions, the highest number recorded by any country in the world, according to findings from the latest national wildlife census. The census, conducted during fiscal 2024/2025, represents the country’s […]
KWS Relocates Three Elephants from Kibwezi to Tsavo West National Park
(Posted 19th June 2026) Courtesy of African Elephant News Issa Hussein, Dawan Africa (Somalia), June 18, 2026 Three elephants linked to repeated cases of human-wildlife conflict in Kibwezi West, Makueni County, have been successfully translocated to Tsavo West National Park in a move aimed at reducing tensions between local communities and wildlife. […]
TravelComments.com – Kirstenbosch Set for Upgrades: What vsitors can expect at Cape Town’s world-famous botanical garden
(Posted 19th June 2026) Visitors to Cape Town’s iconic Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden can look forward to a range of upgrades over the coming year, with improvements planned for visitor facilities, garden displays and botanical interpretation…. READ MORE
Dr. Paula Kahumbu Honoured at National Geographic Museum of Exploration
(Posted 19th June 2026) Dr. Paula Kahumbu Honoured at National Geographic Museum of Exploration as Her Life’s Work Is Featured in Washington, DC Kenyan conservationist, National Geographic Explorer and 2021 Rolex National Geographic Explorer of the Year, Dr. Paula Kahumbu, is in Washington, DC this week attending the National Geographic Explorers […]
Boeing Supports Nigeria’s Aviation Growth Through Advanced Engineer Training Program
(Posted 19th June 2026) Sixteen engineers from United Nigeria and ValueJet to receive 737 Next- Generation systems training in Lagos Boeing has launched an advanced technical training program in Lagos for Nigerian airline engineers as part of its continued commitment to strengthen aviation safety, operational readiness and workforce development across Africa. […]
Mozambique: Aerial census estimates over 21,000 elephants, ANAC says
(Posted 18th June 2026) Courtesy of African Elephant News Club of Mozambique (Mozambique), June 16, 2026 Mozambique has an estimated population of more than 21,000 elephants, according to preliminary data from an aerial census carried out in 2025, released by the National Administration of Conservation Areas (ANAC). In a brief statement providing the […]
International community enhances governance of global aviation
(Posted 18th June 2026) ICAO Council and Air Navigation Commission expand representation The Council and the Air Navigation Commission of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) will expand following the completion of the necessary legal requirements. The ICAO Council will expand from 36 Member States to 40, and the Commission from 19 members to 21. […]
New report offers key insights into long-term transformation of global air transport
(Posted 18th June 2026) Today’s newly released report provides insights into how ICAO successfully set the stage for the unprecedented consensus at the 2025 ICAO Assembly, which unanimously passed 32 resolutions in support of ICAO’s strategic vision of air transport for all by 2050, with zero fatalities and net-zero carbon emissions. The 2025 Annual Report of […]
Emirates Launches Comprehensive Insurance for South African Travellers
(Posted 18th June 2026) The enhanced offering provides South African travellers with expanded protection and support before and during their journeys, including access to conflict-related medical expense cover, trip extension benefits and additional assistance during travel disruptions First airline in the world to offer this level of comprehensive travel cover Robust […]
TravelComments.com – TAAG Angola Airlines launches direct Luanda–Guangzhou flights from June 2026
(Posted 18th June 2026) TAAG Angola Airlines is expanding its international network with the launch of a new direct route between Luanda and Guangzhou, strengthening air connectivity between Angola and China…. READ MORE
EcoTourism Kenya is publishing a ‘Responsible Traveler Guide’
(Posted 18th June 2026) What visitor culture do we want embedded in #destinations? Every choice matters. Be the #tourist who leaves a positive impact, respects #nature‘s boundaries and supports local #communities and #culture. his time is an opportunity for tour operators, guides, accommodations, attraction sites, destination management organzations, etc to lead by example. […]
Good News from Kenya’s Maasai Mara
(Posted 18th June 2026) We have often reported on Kenya’s Maasai Mara Reserve, the northernmost segment of the Greater Serengeti Ecosystem. Usually this has been to show how development in the Mara has brought about tourism congestion and a huge reduction in wildlife. Now, there is hope this can be reversed. An […]
United expands pooled MileagePlus miles to include Airlink, SAA, Ethiopian Airlines and 37 other carriers globally
(Posted 18th June 2026) United Airlines has expanded its MileagePlus Miles Pooling feature to now include 40+ partner airlines – including Airlink, SAA, Ethiopian Airlines and EgyptAir in Africa along with numerous others (full list below) – making it easier for families and friends to combine their miles and book future travel together. MileagePlus members […]
Habitat abuse: Nigeria’s forest elephant population declines to 400
(Posted 17th June 2026) Courtesy of African Elephant News Chinedum Uwaegbulam, The Guardian (Nigeria), June 15, 2026 Nigeria has warned that habitat loss, poaching, illegal logging and human encroachment are pushing the country’s elephant population to critically low levels, with only about 400 elephants remaining nationwide. The Minister of Environment says there is […]
Customs intercepts 130kg elephant tusks, arrests four suspected traffickers
(Posted 17th June 2026) Courtesy of African Elephant News Adaku Onyenucheya, The Guardian (Nigeria), June 16, 2026 The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A, Lagos, in collaboration with the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) and the Wildlife Justice Commission (WJC), has arrested four suspects and seized […]
Influential Media Leaders and Creative Pioneers in Tourism and Arab Media Honoured in Cairo by AFASU
(Posted 17th June 2026) The Afro-Asian Union (AFASU) held its International Golden Awards 2026/2027 ceremony on Sunday, June 14, 2026, at the Concorde El Salam Hotel, Heliopolis, Cairo, under the theme “Honoring Influential Leaders and Creative Pioneers in Tourism and Arab Media.” The event drew public figures, media leaders, and tourism professionals […]
TravelComments.com – Emirates adds more Dubai-South Africa flights from July 2026
(Posted 17th June 2026) Emirates is expanding its South African network from 01 July 2026, introducing a third daily flight between Dubai and Cape Town and reinstating a fourth daily service between Dubai and Johannesburg. The move will give travellers more flexibility, improved connections and additional seat capacity on one of Southern Africa‘s busiest international routes…. READ MORE
Aerotrail Africa: Update 23, 2026
(Posted 17th June 2026) Courtesy of Mr. Aled Koech and AeroTrail Ltd. The European Commission has updated the EU Air Safety List, reducing the number of banned airlines from 169 to 154, while adding Air Express Algeria due to serious safety deficiencies identified by EU aviation experts. Beyond the blacklist update, […]
Dr. Alain St.Ange Honoured with AFASU Award for Excellence and Dedication in Egypt
(Posted 16th June 2026) Ambassador Dr. Alain St.Ange, Seychelles Ambassador At Large, received the AFASU General Award for “Excellence and Dedication” during a special gathering in Cairo. The award came moments after he wrapped up his address to a room full of Influential Media Leaders and Creative Pioneers in Tourism and the […]
Attend the Webinar: Digital Travel Credentials in Practice
(Posted 16th June 2026) Register Now 30 June 2026 8.00 AM EDT Digital Travel Credentials (DTC) are no longer just a concept. They are entering live operations, pilot projects, and real-world border environments. This webinar explores how DTC, when combined with biometrics, API/PNR data flows, and interoperable orchestration platforms, can move from technical […]
EU261 Reform Misses the Mark on Delays and Competitiveness
(Posted 16th June 2026) The International Air Transport Association (IATA) expressed frustration that revisions to EU261 (Europe’s passenger rights regulations) stopped short of the meaningful reform needed to address the regulation’s deep flaws. The result is a missed opportunity with little to improve the passenger experience and nothing to shore-up European competitiveness. The […]
TravelComments.com – Etosha National Park in July 2026: Peak safari season, wildlife & travel updates
(Posted 16th June 2026) Etosha National Park in July 2026 sits firmly in the heart of Namibia’s cool, dry season and remains one of the most reliable wildlife-viewing periods of the entire year. With almost no rainfall, sparse vegetation, and animals concentrated around permanent waterholes, July offers classic Etosha conditions: high visibility, predictable sightings, and excellent safari photography opportunities…. READ […]
TravelComments.com – Malaria in Southern Africa in July 2026: What travellers need to know
(Posted 16th June 2026) Malaria remains one of the most important travel health considerations for visitors to Southern Africa during and beyond the winter months. While July typically falls within the cooler, drier season across much of the region, malaria transmission does not disappear entirely—risk remains geographically concentrated and seasonally variable…. READ MORE
Free TACT Online Training Session
(Posted 16th June 2026) We’re excited to invite you to an exclusive free training session designed to help you maximize your use of TACT Online and enhance your operational efficiency. Session 1 July 1, 2026 10:00 AM CET Session 2 July 1, 2026 4:00 PM CET In today’s fast-paced environment, staying […]
