Africa News

Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

Ethiopian Airlines to pick its next 25-narrowbody aircraft by August: A220-300, 737 MAX 7 or E195-E2

Ethiopian Airlines expects to decide by August which aircraft will underpin the next stage of its narrowbody fleet expansion. The carrier is evaluating the Airbus A220-300, Boeing 737 MAX 7 and Embraer E195-E2 for an order covering 25 aircraft, with the decision timing shaping near-term OEM competition in Africa-led narrowbody demand.

2 Sources

2026-07-16T07:00:33.513199-07:00

Associated Press

Amazon Leo targets South Africa rollout by 2027 via Herotel deal

12 Sources

2026-07-15T08:30:36.897441-07:00

AeroTime

Airbus, Boeing and Embraer vie for Ethiopian Airlines’ next narrowbody order; decision expected within weeks

2 Sources

2026-07-15T03:16:17.590028-07:00

ch-aviation

South Africa’s Competition Commission recommends conditional approval for Harith Aviation’s acquisition of Safair Holdings (FlyS

3 Sources

2026-07-14T08:00:56.720732-07:00

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Air Data News

2 sources

Ethiopian Airlines to pick its next 25-narrowbody aircraft by August: A220-300, 737 MAX 7 or E195-E2 Ethiopian Airlines expects to decide by August which aircraft will underpin the next stage of its narrowbody fleet expansion. The carrier is evaluating the Airbus A220-300, Boeing 737 MAX 7 and Embraer E195-E2 for an order covering 25 aircraft, with the decision timing shaping near-term OEM competition in Africa-led narrowbody demand.

2026-07-16T07:00:33.513199-07:00

Ethiopian Airlines to pick its next 25-narrowbody aircraft by August: A220-300, 737 MAX 7 or E195-E2

Associated Press

12 sources

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Amazon Leo targets South Africa rollout by 2027 via Herotel deal Amazon’s low-Earth-orbit satellite internet venture, Amazon Leo, has agreed with South Africa’s Herotel to distribute connectivity to residential customers under a new broadband offering. The service is positioned for a 2027 launch in South Africa, underscoring intensifying competition with providers such as Starlink.

2026-07-15T08:30:36.897441-07:00

Amazon Leo targets South Africa rollout by 2027 via Herotel deal

AeroTime

2 sources

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Airbus, Boeing and Embraer vie for Ethiopian Airlines’ next narrowbody order; decision expected within weeks Airbus, Boeing and Embraer are all bidding for a new narrowbody aircraft order from Ethiopian Airlines, according to the reporting. A procurement decision is expected within weeks, making the outcome a near-term test of OEM competitiveness in African airline fleet planning.

2026-07-15T03:16:17.590028-07:00

Airbus, Boeing and Embraer vie for Ethiopian Airlines’ next narrowbody order; decision expected within weeks

ch-aviation

1 source

Libya’s FLY OYA wet leases an Airbus A330-200 Libya’s FLY OYA has wet leased an Airbus A330-200, securing near-term capacity through a leased, crewed aircraft arrangement rather than using its own fleet. The move highlights how regional operators rely on aircraft leasing to scale operations quickly and manage fleet flexibility.

2026-07-14T09:00:09.830568-07:00

Libya’s FLY OYA wet leases an Airbus A330-200

ch-aviation

3 sources

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South Africa’s Competition Commission recommends conditional approval for Harith Aviation’s acquisition of Safair Holdings (FlyS South Africa’s Competition Commission has recommended the conditional approval of Harith Aviation Proprietary Limited’s acquisition of Safair Holdings, the parent of low-cost carrier FlySafair. The watchdog’s decision is subject to conditions designed to prevent anti-competitive outcomes at Lanseria International Airport.

2026-07-14T08:00:56.720732-07:00

South Africa’s Competition Commission recommends conditional approval for Harith Aviation’s acquisition of Safair Holdings (FlyS

ch-aviation

3 sources

Air Algérie takes first Boeing 737-8 (MAX 8) on lease as it renews its A-320/737-size fleet; private Sahel operator Kangala Air Air Algérie has taken delivery of the first of ten leased Boeing 737-8s, with aircraft 7T-VLQ (msn 44017) flown from Budapest to Algiers on July 9, 2026. Separately, Burkina Faso’s Kangala Air Express received its first Boeing 737 Business Jet to expand high-end charter services across the Sahel.

2026-07-14T01:30:12.614951-07:00

Air Algérie takes first Boeing 737-8 (MAX 8) on lease as it renews its A-320/737-size fleet; private Sahel operator Kangala Air

ch-aviation

5 sources

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Air Algérie takes first Boeing 737 MAX 8; Kangala Air Express delivers first 737 Business Jet to expand premium Sahel charter Air Algérie formally received its first Boeing 737 MAX 8 on July 11 as part of a phased replacement of its mid-market fleet, with the airline’s CEO highlighting the aircraft’s strengths. Separately, Sahel-focused private carrier Kangala Air Express took delivery of its first Boeing 737 Business Jet (BBJ), supporting expansion of premium charter services across the region.

2026-07-13T01:45:49.414909-07:00

Air Algérie takes first Boeing 737 MAX 8; Kangala Air Express delivers first 737 Business Jet to expand premium Sahel charter

Bloomberg

6 sources

Mali and Algeria agree to reopen airspace and restore ambassadors after months of tensions Mali and Algeria have agreed to reopen their airspace to civilian and military aircraft and to return ambassadors to their posts. The decision signals an easing of yearlong strain between the two northern African states, with potential near-term impacts on route access and overflight planning.

2026-07-10T14:44:55.295104-07:00

Mali and Algeria agree to reopen airspace and restore ambassadors after months of tensions