Africa Archives - Aviation metric

Bristow Group debuts Africa’s first oil & gas Airbus H160 in Nigeria

Posted on July 5, 2026 by Wole Shadare

In a move that significantly raises the bar for offshore logistics in Africa’s aviation landscape, Bristow Helicopters has formally introduced the state-of-the-art Airbus H160 helicopter into service in Nigeria. The unveiling, which took place in Lagos on Thursday, July 2, 2026, marks the first time this next-generation, medium-twin platform has been deployed anywhere on the African continent to support the energy sector and search-and-rescue (SAR) operations. The high-profile event drew key aviation regulators, energy sector…

Africa records highest global baggage mishandling rate despite 23% drop, SITA report

Posted on June 30, 2026 by Wole Shadare

Lost, baggage manhandling cost global aviation $6.3 billion annually The global aviation industry is making significant strides in tackling baggage mishandling, but Africa continues to lag behind, recording the highest baggage mishandling rate of any region globally. According to the newly released 2026 SITA Baggage IT Insights Report—the 20th annual edition of the industry benchmark—airlines and airports worldwide slashed global mishandling rates by 23% in 2025. However, Africa remains a stark outlier, recording…

United Nigeria Airlines joins AFRAA, fuels Africa, intercontinental ambition

Posted on June 28, 2026 by Wole Shadare

In a move that underscores the shifting dynamics of West African aviation and a renewed push for continental integration, the African Airlines Association (AFRAA) has admitted United Nigeria Airlines as a full member. Beyond the corporate fanfare, this development marks a significant alignment for Nigeria’s domestic operators, positioning one of the country’s most aggressive legacy-minded carriers squarely within the cockpit of African aviation diplomacy. The admission deepens AFRAA’s footprint in Nigeria—Africa’s most populous nation…

Walsh: It’s bizarre that a lot of traffic from Africa to Africa goes over the Middle East

Posted on June 15, 2026June 15, 2026 by Wole Shadare

Willie Walsh is the outgoing Director-General of the International Air Transport Association (IATA). In this interview with WOLE SHADARE at the IATA82nd AGM in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, he speaks about issues, prospects of the global airline and aviation industry, Africa’s slow implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) and how the continent can realise its potential Willie, could you give an appraisal of your tenure as you leave your role as the…

‘Why Nigeria Is Missing Out As Africa’s Aviation Powerhouse’

Posted on June 11, 2026June 11, 2026 by Wole Shadare

…seeks unified African sky The Director-General of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Willie Walsh, said Nigeria should be a powerful aviation market, given the country’s population and underlying wealth. Walsh, who spoke to Aviation Metric on Monday on the sidelines of the 82nd International Air Transport Association (IATA) Annual General Meeting (AGM) and World Air Transport Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, said there’s no reason why it shouldn’t. Walsh Walsh disclosed that Africa…

Crisis Emptying Nigeria, Africa’s Jet Fuel Reserves

Posted on June 9, 2026June 9, 2026 by Wole Shadare

The crisis threatening to ground the continent’s aviation industry is far more visceral, and it is unfolding thousands of miles away, writes WOLE SHADARE The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has sounded a resounding alarm, warning that Africa’s jet fuel storage is rapidly drying up. For decades, the standard playbook for African airlines battling operational turbulence has relied on familiar variables: fluctuating currencies, heavy tax regimes, and regulatory gridlock. What began as a localised military flare-up…

IATA: Africa Outpaces Global Average in Air Freight Growth Despite Headwinds

Posted on May 28, 2026May 28, 2026 by Wole Shadare

Despite punishing fuel costs and network rerouting, African aviation has proven remarkably resilient, maintaining its position as a primary bright spot in the global logistics landscape. According to the latest global air cargo market data released by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the continent’s aviation sector is maintaining a strong growth streak despite a highly turbulent global operating environment. The 7.7% surge in Cargo Tonne-Kilometres (CTKs) for African carriers comfortably outpaced the global average…

Air Peace Launches Historic Lagos-Barbados Flight, Deepens Africa-Caribbean Ties

Posted on May 26, 2026May 26, 2026 by Wole Shadare

The Government of Barbados, with the support of African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), formally welcomed Air Peace at a high-level forum and media launch held at the Indigo Hotel in Barbados, following the airline’s inaugural commercial flight from Lagos to Barbados on May 24, 2026. The forum brought together senior government officials, diplomatic representatives, tourism executives, airline delegates, members of the media and key stakeholders, reflecting growing institutional support for enhanced connectivity between Africa and the…

IATA: Aviation taxes in Africa are 15% higher than the global average

Posted on April 29, 2026April 29, 2026 by Wole Shadare

Accident rate highest among all regions The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has recently intensified its advocacy for African governments to integrate aviation as a pillar of their national economic strategies. Meanwhile, the clearing house for more than 300 global airlines lamented that the cost of doing business in African aviation is high. Removing roadblocks to ease doing business, it noted, is essential for aviation to thrive. A key element of this is the taxes…

African aviation’s tech spend isn’t delivering full value – SITA report

Posted on April 15, 2026April 15, 2026 by Wole Shadare

The latest SITA Air Transport IT Insights report for 2025/2026 highlights a critical paradox in the African aviation sector: while IT spending is on the rise, the full value of these investments is being choked by systemic and structural bottlenecks. The 2025 report identifies poor data integration as the single largest barrier to ROI. Airlines and airports are spending a record $50.8 billion globally on IT. The African Reality: While 83% of airlines prioritise data-driven…

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