Qantas launches direct Cape Town–Sydney flights ahead of 2027 Rugby World Cup
(Image: Qantas Official Website) Qantas has announced that South Africans planning to visit Australia will soon have a more convenient travel option, with the first non-stop flights between Cape Town and Sydney. This is a seasonal service that launched in October, 2027, just in time for the knockout stages of the Rugby World Cup, and will strengthen air links between the two countries. The Cape Town–Sydney route will operate three times a week – on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays – with a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner as the aircraft used for flights. Qantas expects the route to add almost 30 000 seats
World Luxury Travel Awards 2026: LIFT wins ‘Best Cabin Crew in South Africa’ and ‘Best Airline in Africa’
According to a recent company announcement, South African airline LIFT won two awards – one for ‘Best Cabin Crew in South Africa’ and another for ‘Best Domestic Airline in Africa’ – at the 2026 World Luxury Travel Awards, which took place in Bangkok, Thailand on the October 24, 2026. This is a noteworthy achievement for South African aviation and LIFT, and further cements the standard set by the South African commercial aviation industry and airlines, five years after the airline’s inception. The ‘Best Cabin Crew in South Africa’ award recognises Lift’s onboard workforce and their ability to provide passengers with a great
South African, Fijian pilots honoured for safely landing aircraft after attempted hijacking
(Image Posted on X by @DXBMediaOffice) A South African off-duty pilot, Rowan Tooth, and an off-duty Fijian pilot, Henson Steven, are being honoured by United Arab Emirates (UAE) authorities on October 27, 2026, for safely landing a damaged Boeing 737 carrying 150 Israeli passengers in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia – which was originally scheduled to fly from Dubai to Tel Aviv – after Captain Smit Machchhar was attacked with an axe by his copilot. Tooth, the son of former South African cricketer, Barry Tooth, was an Airlink pilot until 2023 before becoming a pilot for Flydubai, while Steven previously worked as a pilot
Airbus forecasts 1,640 new passenger aircraft required for Africa by 2045, with Ethiopia’s passenger traffic set to increase almost sixfold
Picture: Airbus Aircraft Africa will require 1,640 new passenger aircraft over the next 20 years, according to Airbus’ latest Global Market Forecast (GMF 2026), as demographic expansion, economic growth, trade and tourism continue to drive demand for air connectivity across the continent. The forecast includes demand for 1,310 single-aisle and 330 widebody aircraft by 2045. The outlook reflects the significant long-term potential of Africa’s aviation market. Passenger traffic from, to and within Africa is expected to almost triple over the next 20 years, growing at a 4.9% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), making it the continent with the second-fastest growing aviation market
Airbus A350F freighter successfully performs its maiden flight
Toulouse, France, 29 September 2026 – The A350F freighter (MSN 700), the first of two test aircraft, has completed its first flight. The aircraft, fitted with special flight test instrumentation, flew for 4 hours 10 minutes reaching an altitude of 25,000 feet. The aircraft was flown by a dedicated Airbus Flight Test crew. “This maiden flight is a major milestone for the A350F and for our customers worldwide. As the latest development of our highly successful A350 platform, the A350F is a true game-changer for the air cargo market, combining unmatched operational flexibility, fuel efficiency, and range,” stated Lars Wagner, CEO Commercial
The new man in charge of South Africa’s airports
By: Warren Hawkins, Top Auto The Airports Company of South Africa (ACSA) has announced that Siphamandla Mthethwa will be its next Chief Executive Officer (CEO). In a statement on the JSE Stock Exchange News Service (SENS), ACSA informed noteholders that it is pleased to announce Mthethwa’s appointment, taking effect on 1 November 2026. As a result of his appointment, Mthethwa will also serve as an Executive Director of the Airports Company of South Africa. The new CEO is a qualified chartered accountant and a seasoned executive with more than 20 years of leadership experience. Mthethwa has held key leadership roles across the
LAM aircraft begin operating under Air Mozambique brand
Linhas Aéreas de Moçambique (LAM) has begun operating under the Air Mozambique commercial brand with the first of two additional Embraer 190 aircraft entering service as part of the state-owned carrier’s recovery and restructuring programme. The first aircraft, named “Limpopo”, made its inaugural flight between Maputo and Nacala in Nampula province, becoming the first of the two newly acquired aircraft to enter service under the new Air Mozambique commercial designation. The second Embraer 190, named “Zambeze”, is expected to join the fleet at a later stage. According to Mozambique’s Ministry of Transport and Logistics, the introduction of the new brand and the
Fastjet Zimbabwe Welcomes Airbus A320 to Expand Regional Capacity for Peak Season
Fastjet Zimbabwe has officially introduced a 168-seat Airbus A320-200 into its flying programme, welcoming the narrowbody aircraft during a ceremonial reception at Victoria Falls International Airport. The additional aircraft has been deployed to support high passenger demand during the peak travel months of August and September 2026 across key regional trunk routes connecting Johannesburg with both Victoria Falls and Harare. Throughout the peak operational period, Fastjet is introducing a enhanced “Business Premium” product aboard the A320. The service features extra-wide seating at the front of the cabin, curated menu options, full bar service at designated times, access to business-class lounges and an
National Airlines Completes World’s Longest Nonstop Commercial Boeing 777 Freighter Flight
U.S.-based cargo carrier National Airlines has successfully completed what is believed to be the world’s longest commercial Boeing 777 Freighter flight carrying live cargo. The ultra-long-haul mission covered 9,849 nautical miles nonstop from Prestwick, Scotland to Melbourne, Australia in 19 hours and 23 minutes. The flight was operated using one of National Airlines’ newest Boeing 777 Freighters (registration N792CA) to transport time-critical Aircraft on Ground (AOG) components for another airline. Designed to resolve an urgent maintenance requirement, the entire charter was planned, coordinated and launched within 30 hours of the initial customer enquiry. The mission generated widespread public interest on global flight-tracking
Emirates and South African Airways Expand Codeshare Agreement to Boost Regional Connectivity
Emirates and South African Airways (SAA) have announced a major expansion of their long-standing codeshare partnership, transitioning the arrangement into a fully reciprocal agreement that adds nine new destinations across central and southern Africa. The enhancement marks a key operational evolution in the nearly 30-year partnership between the two carriers. Previously operating on a unilateral basis where SAA placed its code on Emirates flights, the newly approved framework allows Emirates to place its ‘EK’ code on SAA-operated domestic and regional flights. Under the expanded network, passengers gain single-ticket connectivity, coordinated flight schedules and through-checked baggage to additional destinations via SAA’s hub at
FlySafair continues to be South Africa’s most punctual airline
FlySafair maintains the strongest on-time performance (OTP) of any South African carrier, demonstrating its commitment to reliable customer service. Throughout 2026, the airline has consistently achieved punctuality levels above 92%, with an OTP of 94.14% in June.OTP is the aviation industry’s standard measure of how reliably an airline adheres to its schedule. In South Africa, Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) independently monitors and publishes OTP data for OR Tambo International Airport, Cape Town International Airport and King Shaka International Airport. The measurement follows International Air Transport Association (IATA) standards, which classify a flight as on time if it departs or arrives within
Air Zimbabwe Marks Defining Milestone with A330-300 Reception and Harare-London Route Launch
Years of anticipation culminated in an emotional homecoming at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport as Air Zimbabwe officially marked the revival of its direct Harare to London service. The milestone event was anchored by the grand arrival and reception of the national carrier’s newly deployed Airbus A330-300, signalling a transformative era for the country’s aviation footprint and international connectivity. Facilitated by the Airports Company of Zimbabwe Private Limited, the wide-body aircraft was welcomed on the tarmac with a traditional water cannon salute. The arrival of the A330-300 drew immense emotion from gathered aviation officials, dignitaries and onlookers, dissolving years of waiting into
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