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Inbound travel to East Africa massively impacted by Middle East airspace closures

  (Posted 01st March 2026)   The East African tourism destinations of Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania including Zanzibar, Rwanda but also countries beyond such as Mozambique, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, South Africa, Namibia and of course the West African tourism destinations are taking massive financial hits as flights normally filled to capacity, bringing tourists to beach […]

IATA – Seasonal Demand Spike Mirrors Western Holiday Highs

  (Posted 01st March 2026)   Seasonal Demand Spike Mirrors Western Holiday Highs Traffic volumes during the 2026 Lunar New Year period are expected to be 10.8% higher than levels observed so far this year for a regular day, underscoring the sustained strength of seasonal demand. This increase is broadly in line with the 11% […]

TravelComments.com – How the Middle East escalation is affecting flights to and from Southern Africa (Updated: 28 February 2026)

  (Posted 29th February 2026)   The renewed escalation in the Middle East, including US and Israeli strikes on Iran, has disrupted international aviation – forcing airspace closures and triggering flight cancellations and reroutes across the region and beyond. Iran’s retaliatory strikes and the resulting rise in regional military activity are also contributing to the heightened security […]

Helicopter crashes in Nandi County / Kenya

  (Posted 28th February 2026)   A Eurocopter AS 350B3 Ecureuil, owned and operated by Corporate Helicoptersz, registered as  5Y-DSB and MSN 7183, crashed earlier today near Mosop, Nandi County / Kenya. The flight had reportedly taken off from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport and was enroute to an upcountry location. All six on board, including a […]

ICAO Global Aviation Gender Summit

  (Posted 28th February 2026)   I know you understand that the underrepresentation of women in the aviation workforce limits the ability to draw on the full range of talent needed for the industry’s sustainable future. To address this critical need, the ICAO Global Aviation Gender Summit 2026, which will take place in Luanda, Angola, from 21 to 23 […]

Deutsche Bahn set to link Brussels Airport with Cologne – and beyond

  (Posted 28th February 2026)   New high-speed train between Cologne and Brussels Airport by Deutsche Bahn     As of September 2026, Deutsche Bahn will connect Brussels Airport with Cologne with a high-speed train, linking German passengers in only 2 hours to the more than 180 direct destinations of Brussels Airport. Brussels Airlines launches […]

IATA Cargo Tracker – February 2026

  (Posted 28th February 2026)   Advancing Sustainability in ULD Operations Through LCA New guidance on a standardized life cycle assessment framework to comprehensively evaluate the environmental impact of unit load devices beyond weight alone, supporting more consistent and holistic sustainability comparisons. Read more > World Cargo Symposium 2026 – Lima, Peru Don’t miss this […]

ATF26 | Only 2 Months Left Until the End of the 2nd Early Booking Period!

  (Posted 28th February 2026)     The International Antalya Tourism Fair (ATF26) will bring the industry together in Antalya for the eighth time on October 26–27–28.  Only 2 months remain until the end of the 2nd early booking period, offering exclusive advantages for exhibitors.     The 2nd Early Booking Period ends on May […]

Suspected ivory trafficker arrested in Nwoya with 154kg of elephant tusks

  (Posted 27th February 2026)   Courtesy of African Elephant News Edward Anyoli, New Vision (Uganda), February 24, 2026 The arrest of a suspected ivory trafficker by the Special Wildlife Crime Unit and the Uganda Police Force has led to the recovery of 154 kilogrammes of raw elephant ivory in an intelligence-led operation in Nwoya […]

Relief as elephant trapped in mud near residential area is rescued

  (Posted 27th February 2026)   Courtesy of African Elephant News Ascah Mwango, K24 Digital (Kenya), February 25, 2026 An elephant that had become stuck in mud along River Galana has been safely rescued in a coordinated operation led by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS). In an update, KWS said it received reports that the […]

ICAO Event – Register Today and Get Ready for a Powerful GISS Experience

  (Posted 27th February 2026)     Time is moving quickly, and we are now approaching the final stretch before GISS 2026. If you have not yet finalized your plans, now is the moment to complete your registration and secure your accommodation. As preparations intensify and the programme is finalized, this is the moment to lock in […]

TravelComments.com – |Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park update: Sendelingsdrift pontoon ferry closed!

  (Posted 27th February 2026)     South African National Parks (SANParks) has temporarily closed the pontoon at the Sendelingsdrift pontoon at the Sendelingsdrift border post in the |Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park due to high water levels in the Orange River. Visitors planning to enter the park are advised to use the Alexander Bay gravel road as an alternative route to reach Sendelingsdrift. … READ MORE

African Development Bank Group and African Union renew push for visa-free travel to accelerate Africa’s Economic Transformation

  (Posted 27th February 2026)   Participants concluded that achieving a visa-free Africa will require aligning migration policies, digital identity systems, and border infrastructure, alongside sustained political commitment     African policymakers, business leaders, and development institutions have renewed calls for visa-free travel across the continent, describing the free movement of people as essential to […]

Stray Elephant Sparks Fear Among Kamwenge Communities

  (Posted 26th February 2026)   Courtesy of African Elephant News Ivan Mugisha, Nile Post (Uganda), February 24, 2026 Residents of Kahunge and Kamwenge sub-counties in Kamwenge District are living in fear following the continued presence of a stray elephant believed to have escaped from Kibale National Park. Local leaders and residents say the elephant […]

Govt warns S/Province residents as over 100 elephants cross from Zimbabwe

  (Posted 26th February 2026)   Courtesy of African Elephant News Edwin Mbulo, News Diggers (Zambia), February 24, 2026 THE Ministry of Tourism has warned Southern Province residents of a large breeding herd of over 100 elephants that have crossed from Zimbabwe. Last year, over 10 people lost their lives as a result of elephant […]

IATA Opens Nominations for 2026 Edition of Diversity & Inclusion Awards

  (Posted 26th February 2026)   The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced the opening of nominations for the 2026 edition of the IATA Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) Awards. The Awards recognize excellence in the promotion of diversity and inclusion in the aviation industry in three categories: The Inspirational Role Model Award recognizes a woman holding a senior […]

World Travel Awards Newsletter February 2026

  (Posted 26th February 2026)   Voting open for Middle East and Indian Ocean regions Voting is now open for the 33rd annual World Travel Awards Middle East and Indian Ocean regional programmes. This is your opportunity to recognise the leading travel and tourism nominees across these two vibrant regions – cast your vote today to […]

IMEC Marks 30 Years of Ethical Mountaineering: Launches $30,000 “Accountability” Campaign

  (Posted 25th February 2026)   The International Mountain Explorers Connection (IMEC) is proud to announce its 30th anniversary, marking three decades of transforming the mountain trekking industry from the ground up. Since its founding in 1996, IMEC has been the silent engine behind ethical trekking, ensuring that the “people behind the summit photos” are […]

Explore 400 ways to add news skills to your career.

  (Posted 25th February 2026)     IATA Training has all the resources you need to excel your aviation career. Learn and apply industry knowledge as you go, prepare for any challenge that comes your way, and showcase your IATA certificate to your network and peers. Take advantage of our 50+ years of experience to […]

Ivory Trafficker Arrested with 154kg of Elephant Tusks

  (Posted 25th February 2026)   Courtesy of African Elephant News Sam Ibanda Mugabi & Lindah Nduwumwami, Nile Post (Uganda), February 23, 2026 A joint operation by the Special Wildlife Crime Unit and the Uganda Police Force has led to the arrest of a suspected ivory trafficker and the recovery of 154 kilograms of raw […]

TravelComments.com – Mozambique Travel Update 2026: New eVisa & ETA system launched as flood recovery continues

  (Posted 25th February 2026)     Mozambique has introduced a new digital eVisa and Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system in February 2026, significantly modernising its entry procedures for international visitors. The reform simplifies border processing and reduces historic uncertainty at land crossings – particularly important for self-drive and safari-and-beach travellers…. READ MORE

TravelComments.com – NWR Fuel Shortage Update (February 2026): What self-drive travellers in Namibia need to know

  (Posted 24th February 2026)     The ongoing NWR fuel shortage continues to affect internal petrol stations operated by Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR) across several national parks and remote resort locations. For self-drive travellers, overlanders, and safari visitors, this is not a minor inconvenience – it is a route-planning issue that must be factored into every Namibia itinerary. This February 2026 […]

ATCNews: 

Prof. Dr. Wolfgang H. Thome is the founder and publisher of ATCNews, Eastern Africa’s leading aviation, tourism and conservation news blog of its kind. Wolfgang has nearly 50 years of experience in the tourism, aviation and conservation fields in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, covering all aspects of safari-, hotel- and air-operations. 

The Managing Editor of ATCNews is Mrs. Esther C. Goossens.

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