Africa Weekly Aviation Trails: Week 51, 2025.

Introduction.

Eswatini has positioned itself at the forefront of efforts to advance the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) by hosting a three‑day high‑level regional capacity‑building workshop from 15 to 17 December 2025 in Manzini and Mbabane. The event was hosted by Eswatini Civil Aviation Authority (ESWACAA) in collaboration with the African Union and the Eastern Africa, Southern Africa and Indian Ocean (EA‑SA‑IO) regional bloc. It brought together senior government officials, civil aviation authorities, regulators, and industry stakeholders to assess progress, address challenges, and develop strategies to accelerate SAATM implementation—a flagship African Union initiative aimed at liberalising air transport across the continent under Agenda 2063. Workshop discussions focused on reviewing the status of key SAATM measures among signatory states, identifying bottlenecks to full liberalisation, and strengthening regulatory and institutional capacity to improve connectivity and reduce barriers to regional air travel.

AOCs/ASLs/Regulations/Certifications.

Libya is set to revive its aviation sector with the launch of a new national carrier, Libyan United Airlines, expected to begin operations in early 2026. The airline plans to operate Airbus A320 aircraft to serve short- and medium-haul routes, supporting the country’s efforts to modernize and consolidate its air transport industry under a national aviation holding company. Ziad Farhoud was recently appointed as the airline’s first CEO, expressing ambitions to establish Libyan United Airlines as the country’s premier carrier, offering modern service and connecting Tripoli to key destinations across North Africa, the Middle East, and beyond. With existing state-owned airlines, Libyan Airlines and Afriqiyah Airways, operating minimal fleets and limited resources, the new airline represents a pivotal step in revitalizing Libya’s aviation ambitions.

Cabo Verde Airlines has secured ETOPS (Extended Twin‑Engine Operations) approval, a key regulatory milestone that enables its twin‑engine jets—such as its Boeing 737 variants—to operate long‑over‑water routes beyond the standard diversion limits from suitable alternate airports, a prerequisite for reliable trans‑Atlantic services. While full details of the approval were published under subscription, broader industry context indicates that achieving ETOPS certification involves rigorous evaluation of an airline’s operational procedures, aircraft systems, maintenance standards, and safety programmes to ensure safe extended‑range operations over remote or oceanic areas. With ETOPS in place, Cabo Verde Airlines is positioned to expand or reintroduce services across the Atlantic—particularly between West Africa and the Americas—by allowing more direct routings to destinations such as Brazil, improving operational flexibility and market connectivity while supporting the airline’s aspirations to strengthen its intercontinental network.