Africa Weekly Aviation Trails: Week 42, 2025.

Introduction.

The Court of Justice of the European Union (ECJ) has ruled that pets transported by air can legally be classified as baggage, meaning airlines are not obligated to pay higher compensation if an animal is lost unless a special declaration of value was made at check-in. The case stemmed from the disappearance of a dog named Mona during an Iberia Airlines flight from Buenos Aires to Barcelona, after escaping from its crate before boarding and never being found. The dog’s owner, a girl identified as Felicísima, sought €5,000 in damages for emotional distress, but the court limited compensation to €1,578.82, aligning it with standard lost luggage claims under the Montréal Convention. The ECJ concluded that pets are not “passengers” but part of baggage for liability purposes, even though the EU recognizes animal welfare as a general interest. The decision sets a legal precedent for air travelers, highlighting that without a declared value, pets checked into cargo holds are treated the same as ordinary luggage in cases of loss or damage.

Conferences & Events.

The 55th Annual General Assembly (AGA) of the Airlines Association of Southern Africa (AASA) was held from October 16–19, 2025, at the Ciêla Resort & Spa in Lusaka, Zambia, co-hosted by Proflight Zambia. The event brought together over 250 delegates, including airline executives, regulators, government officials, and tourism stakeholders from across the SADC region. Under the theme “Believe, Stop, Improve,” discussions focused on enhancing route connectivity, regulatory harmonization, digital transformation, sustainability, and workforce development. Activities included workshops, working sessions, a gala dinner, and social events such as a Lusaka tour and golf. A key outcome was Zambia’s agreement to lead the implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), reinforcing its growing role in regional aviation and tourism.

Uganda hosted the 20th Supervisory Board Meeting of the North Eastern Africa and Indian Ocean States Satellite Network (NAFISAT) at Speke Resort & Conference Centre Munyonyo, bringing together aviation experts, policymakers, and regional representatives to review progress and plan the future of air navigation services. Uganda Civil Aviation Authority Director General Fred Bamwesigye emphasized Uganda’s commitment to regional collaboration and highlighted the country’s role as host of the NAFISAT Maintenance and Management Centre at Entebbe International Airport. Established in 2007 to provide reliable satellite-based aeronautical communication across the North-Eastern AFI Region, NAFISAT—managed by ATNS and IATA—connects member states including Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Yemen.