NetJets Takes Delivery of First Three Cessna Citation Ascend Jets
Cessna Citation Ascend launch customer NetJets has taken delivery of the first three aircraft, marking a major milestone for Textron Aviation and the future of midsize business aviation. The deliveries were announced in Wichita on 5 May 2026 with NetJets becoming the first private fleet operator to place the Citation Ascend into service. The aircraft is designed to deliver improved performance, operational efficiency, comfort and advanced technology for the midsize business jet market. Lannie O’Bannion, Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Textron Aviation, said the Citation Ascend reflects the company’s continued investment in supporting NetJets customers into the future. He
EgyptAir Takes Delivery of First Boeing 737 MAX
EgyptAir has taken delivery of its first Boeing 737 MAX 8, marking a key milestone in the airline’s fleet modernisation programme. The aircraft is the first of 18 737-8 jets leased from SMBC Aviation Capital and represents the introduction of the 737 MAX family into Egypt. EgyptAir says the new jet will enhance operational efficiency while improving passenger experience, aligning with its strategy to maintain a young technologically advanced fleet. The 737-8 delivers around 20% lower fuel consumption and emissions compared to the aircraft it replaces. The aircraft will be deployed on short- and medium-haul routes, including services to Paris, Brussels, Istanbul
Proflight Zambia Launches New Route to Maun
Proflight Zambia is set to expand its regional network with the launch of a new route connecting Lusaka, Livingstone and Maun starting 2 May 2026. The airline will operate the three-city link three times a week (Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday), offering a direct connection between two of Southern Africa’s top tourism destinations. The Civil Aviation Authority of Botswana (CAAB) has announced that it will host a celebratory event to mark the inaugural landing at Maun International Airport on Saturday 2 May 2026 beginning at 12:00 PM on the airside. According to CAAB, the new route is a result of Botswana’s Air Access
Cessna Skyhawk selected by Turkish Airlines Flight Academy for fleet expansion
Textron Aviation, a subsidiary of Textron Inc. , has announced that Turkish Airlines Flight Academy has signed a purchase agreement for 10 additional Cessna Skyhawk aircraft, further expanding its training fleet to meet growing pilot demand across Europe. The academy currently operates 66 Skyhawks, making it one of the largest training fleets of its kind in the region. Deliveries of the new aircraft are expected to commence later this year. “The Cessna Skyhawk continues to set the benchmark for flight training worldwide, offering the reliability, performance and operating efficiency that flight schools depend on,” said Lannie O’Bannion, Senior Vice President of Sales
Airbus completes first A350F freighter main deck cargo door in Spain
Airbus has completed the manufacturing and assembly of the first main deck cargo door for its Airbus A350F at its Illescas facility in Spain. The component has now been delivered to the Final Assembly Line (FAL) in Toulouse where it will be integrated into the fuselage of the first test aircraft and undergo testing in the coming weeks. Airbus plans to manufacture two A350F aircraft for flight testing between 2026 and 2027. The A350F main deck cargo door is the largest in the industry featuring a 4.5-metre cut-out width and a 4.3-metre-tall opening. It is designed to streamline loading and unloading operations
Bombardier Delivers First Global 8000 to Vista
Bombardier has delivered the first Global 8000 to Vista Global at London Biggin Hill Airport marking a significant milestone in the evolution of ultra long range business aviation. The Global 8000 is now the fastest civil aircraft since Concorde offering a top speed of Mach 0.95 and an impressive range of 8,000 nautical miles. This combination allows operators to connect distant city pairs faster while maintaining the flexibility expected in business aviation. The aircraft also features the lowest cabin altitude in its class at just 2,691 ft helping reduce fatigue and improve passenger comfort on long haul missions. For Vista this delivery
Federal Air Welcomes New Cessna Grand Caravan EX Aircraft
Federal Air (FedAir) has reached a significant milestone in its operational growth with the introduction of two brand-new Cessna Grand Caravan EX aircraft into its fleet. The delivery marks a defining moment for the airline as it continues to expand its footprint across Southern Africa. The addition of these modern turboprops comes at a pivotal time as FedAir prepares for the launch of its new scheduled service in the Lowveld region. Renowned for their reliability, versatility and short takeoff and landing capabilities, the Grand Caravan EX is ideally suited to operate in remote and rugged environments making it a perfect fit for
Eight decades of soaring high: Ethiopian Airlines marks 80 years of service
Ethiopian Airlines is celebrating a remarkable milestone, marking 80 years of service on 08 April 2026. The airline’s Group CEO, Mesfin Tasew officially launched the anniversary celebrations during a press conference held at the Ethiopian Skylight Hotel. Founded in April 1946, Ethiopian Airlines began operations with five Douglas C-47 aircraft, initially flying a scheduled route to Cairo via Asmara. From its early fleet of Douglas C-47s, Convair 240s and DC-6Bs, the airline has grown into a technological leader in African aviation, pioneering the introduction of modern aircraft across the continent. Reflecting on the milestone, Mesfin Tasew stated, “This is a proud moment
Global Air Travel Maintains Strong Momentum in February 2026
Global air travel demand continued its upward trajectory in February 2026, reinforcing expectations of a robust year for the aviation industry. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), total passenger demand—measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPK)—rose by 6.1% compared to February 2025, reflecting sustained confidence in air travel despite emerging geopolitical and economic pressures. Capacity, measured in available seat kilometres (ASK), increased by 5.6% year-on-year, slightly trailing demand growth. This imbalance helped push the global load factor to 81.4%, up 0.3 percentage points and marking the highest February load factor on record. The figures underscore a market that remains both resilient
Air Congo Launches Inaugural Service to Johannesburg, Strengthening Regional Connectivity
A new chapter in African aviation has begun with the arrival of Air Congo’s inaugural flight at O.R. Tambo International Airport on 22 March 2026. The milestone marks the airline’s official entry into the South African market and signals a growing commitment to enhanced intra-African connectivity. Operating under its guiding vision, “L’espoir de l’Afrique” (Hope for Africa), Air Congo aims to play a meaningful role in bridging key economic and cultural hubs across the continent. The launch of direct services between South Africa and the Democratic Republic of the Congo is expected to unlock new opportunities for trade, tourism and business collaboration.
Air Europa to Launch Johannesburg Route in June 2026
Air Europa will launch a new route to Johannesburg, South Africa’s main economic and financial hub, on 24 June 2026. Tickets are already on sale, and the airline will operate three weekly flights from Madrid-Barajas Airport every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 15:05, using its Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet. The 787 is one of the most advanced and efficient aircraft in its category, reducing fuel consumption and emissions by up to 25%. It also offers a more comfortable flight experience, with spacious soundproofed cabins, 30% larger windows, an advanced ventilation system that helps reduce fatigue and exclusive Business class seats convertible into
CemAir and Kenya Airways Announce New Commercial Partnership to Enhance Regional Connectivity
CemAir and Kenya Airways have announced a new commercial partnership through a Special Prorate Agreement, aimed at improving travel options and strengthening regional connectivity across Southern and East Africa. The agreement establishes interline-style cooperation between the two airlines, enabling smoother journey planning and ticketing across selected routes on both networks. By combining their regional strengths, CemAir and Kenya Airways aim to deliver tangible benefits to customers, including easier connections, greater flexibility and improved access to a wider range of destinations for business and leisure passengers. On 18 March 2026, CemAir CEO Miles van der Molen said: “We are delighted to be upgrading
MOST POPULAR
NEWSLETTER
Subscribe to our newsletter for new blog posts, tips and news
