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
TAAG Angola Airlines Opens Abidjan Route, Expanding West African Connectivity
TAAG Angola Airlines has officially launched ticket sales for its new Luanda–Abidjan service, marking another step in the airline’s strategy to expand its footprint across the African continent and strengthen Angola’s role as a regional aviation hub. The new route will commence on 6 April 2026, linking Luanda with Abidjan, one of West Africa’s leading financial and logistics centres. Flights will operate between Dr. António Agostinho Neto International Airport and Félix Houphouët-Boigny International Airport, enhancing connectivity between Southern and West Africa. TAAG will deploy its modern Airbus A220-300 on the route, configured to carry 137 passengers, with 12 seats in Business Class
Bridges Air Cargo Launches First Embraer E-Freighter in Europe
Bridges Air Cargo has officially entered the European cargo market with the launch of its first Embraer E-Freighter. The aircraft completed its maiden commercial flight, departing Cologne, Germany and landing in Larnaca, Cyprus carrying time-sensitive express shipments. The milestone flight took place on March 9, 2026. The aircraft will operate across Europe, the Middle East and Africa providing network solutions tailored to the growing demands of the express logistics industry. A Milestone for Bridges Air Cargo Guy Bridges, CEO of the Bridges Group, highlighted the significance of the launch: “We have worked tirelessly over the past 12 months developing a bespoke container
Lufthansa “Queen of the Skies” Gets XXL Crane for 100th Anniversary
The iconic Boeing 747-8 – affectionately known as the “Queen of the Skies” – is now wearing a striking blue special livery featuring an XXL crane to mark Lufthansa’s 100th founding anniversary. The aircraft, registration D-ABYN, received its new paint scheme in San Bernardino California. Operating as flight LH9913, the Jumbo will return to its home base at Frankfurt Airport with arrival expected on Thursday March 5 at around 10 a.m. The aircraft christened “Niedersachsen,” is scheduled to land on the airport’s center runway – offering excellent viewing opportunities for spotters, journalists and aviation fans. The 747-8 will enter scheduled service on
Vietnam Airlines Finalizes Order for 50 Boeing 737 MAX Aircraft to Support Regional Expansion
In a significant move to strengthen its regional operations and modernise its narrowbody fleet, Vietnam Airlines has finalised an order for 50 Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft from Boeing. The agreement marks the airline’s first order for Boeing single-aisle aircraft and represents a major milestone in its long-term fleet development and network growth strategy. The newly ordered 737-8 aircraft are expected to play a key role in expanding Vietnam Airlines’ short- and medium-haul operations as passenger demand continues to rise across Southeast Asia. With regional air traffic projected to grow significantly over the next decade the introduction of these modern and fuel-efficient aircraft
Air Canada Discloses Order for Eight Airbus A350-1000s
Air Canada has disclosed a firm order for eight Airbus A350-1000 aircraft marking a pivotal upgrade to the airline’s long-haul fleet strategy with an additional commitment to Airbus widebody aircraft. The order was initially listed as undisclosed in November 2025. The A350-1000’s economics and lower operating costs are expected to deliver a significant competitive advantage to Air Canada. With an industry-leading range of up to 9 000 nautical miles the latest-generation widebody aircraft will be central to the airline’s global expansion enabling seamless nonstop connectivity from Canada to high-growth markets across the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia and Australia. “Air Canada’s continued global
FlySafair Welcomes Proposed New Shareholder, Reaffirms Business as Usual
FlySafair has confirmed that its shareholders have entered into a Sale and Purchase Agreement with Harith and its affiliates to acquire the airline, subject to required regulatory approvals. For customers, employees and partners, it is business as usual. The airline will continue to operate under its existing brand, leadership and strategy, delivering the same affordable fares, reliable operations and strong on-time performance that travellers have come to expect. The proposed transaction reflects confidence in a business built on operational discipline, a committed workforce and a clear strategic focus, positioning FlySafair for long-term sustainability. A regulatory process relating to FlySafair’s structure, following findings
Boeing and Singapore Airlines Group Ink Largest Landing Gear Exchange Deal
Boeing has signed the largest landing gear exchange agreement in its history with Singapore Airlines Group (SIA), covering more than 75 aircraft across Singapore Airlines and Scoot’s 737 MAX and 787 fleets. The agreement provides fully overhauled certified landing gear assemblies as part of Boeing’s Landing Gear Exchange (LGE) program, designed to reduce aircraft downtime and simplify maintenance logistics. The deal underscores the value of Boeing’s LGE program, which allows airlines to maintain a reliable supply of landing gear without large on-site inventories. By leveraging Boeing’s global managed inventory and partner network, SIA Group can improve fleet availability, enhance dispatch reliability and
Madagascar Airlines Launches Transversal Air Service on the East-North Axis
Madagascar Airlines, in partnership with the Ministry of Transport and Meteorology, has officially launched a transversal air service program linking key destinations along the East-North axis, including Toamasina, Sainte-Marie, Antalaha, Maroantsetra, Sambava, Antsiranana and Nosy-Be. The program uses a LET-410 aircraft operated by the Malagasy State to provide faster, more reliable connections between regions. The initiative aims to enhance territorial continuity, support local economies and improve accessibility in areas where road travel remains long and restrictive. With the new flights, journeys that previously took several hours or even a full day by land can now be completed in as little as 35
FlySafair Marks Pink Day with Proteas Livery Flyover at Wanderers
FlySafair took to the skies above DP World Wanderers Stadium on Thursday with a special stadium flyover celebrating the iconic Pink Day T20 International between the Proteas and the West Indies, one of South Africa’s most significant sporting initiatives supporting breast cancer awareness. As proud sponsors of the Proteas, FlySafair conducted two precisely timed flypasts featuring its Proteas-branded aircraft, creating a powerful moment of national pride and unity for fans in a packed Wanderers. Pink Day has become a deeply unifying tradition, turning the stadium into a sea of pink as supporters, players, survivors and corporates rally behind the fight against breast
MOST POPULAR
NEWSLETTER
Subscribe to our newsletter for new blog posts, tips and news
