African airlines experienced a 0.7% year-on-year decline in cargo demand in November 2024, marking the weakest performance among global regions, according to the latest report from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Despite this dip, capacity for African carriers increased slightly by 0.4% year-on-year. Globally, total demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTK), rose by 8.2% in November compared to November 2023, with international operations contributing a 9.5% increase. This marked
Category: Air Freight
Emirates SkyCargo Expands Fleet to Meet Growing Global Demand
Emirates SkyCargo has started 2025 with a 15% increase in cargo capacity compared to January 2024, driven by strategic investments to accommodate surging global demand. The freight division of Emirates Airline has strengthened its operations with two wet-leased Boeing 747 freighters and the delivery of its first production-built Boeing 777 freighter. This marks a significant step in its plan to expand its fleet to 21 aircraft by December 2026. Badr
Air Congo Expands with New Aircraft, Boosting Connectivity and Economic Potential
Air Congo, the new national airline born from a partnership between the Congolese state and Ethiopian Airlines, has reached a significant milestone with the arrival of its second Boeing 737-800. This acquisition is part of a broader expansion plan that includes a total of eight aircraft, with six expected within the year. The addition of this second aircraft marks a turning point for air connectivity in the Democratic Republic of
Emirates SkyCargo Launches eQuote to Revolutionize Cargo Services
Emirates SkyCargo, the cargo division of the world’s largest international airline, has launched eQuote, a cutting-edge digital tool designed to enhance customer interactions with the airline’s cargo services. This launch marks a significant milestone in Emirates SkyCargo’s push towards digitization, aiming to improve customer experience, operational efficiency, and flexibility across global markets. Integrated into the e-SkyCargo platform, eQuote provides customers with a 24/7 self-service tool to request and manage spot
South African Airways Cargo Implements Contingency Plan Amid Pilot Strike
South African Airways Cargo (SAA Cargo) has activated a contingency plan to ensure the movement of cargo on selected routes during the pilot strike that began on Thursday. The strike, initiated by pilots affiliated with the SAA Pilots Association (SAAPA), follows a deadlock in wage negotiations. Pilots are demanding a 30% pay hike, while SAA has offered an 8.46% increase. In response to the ongoing strike, SAA Cargo issued a
Zambia to Build New Airports as Part of Aviation Infrastructure Upgrade
The Zambian government is set to begin construction on new airports in Choma and Kasaba Bay, Nsama District, following the successful rehabilitation of Mongu, Solwezi, and Chipata airports. This initiative marks a significant milestone in the country’s ongoing efforts to enhance its aviation infrastructure. Transport and Logistics Minister Frank Tayali announced the development in a speech delivered on his behalf by Nkumbu Siame, Director of Transport at the Ministry of
Heart Aerospace to Conduct First Fully Electric Flight of Heart X1 in 2025
Swedish hybrid-electric aircraft manufacturer Heart Aerospace is set to perform the first fully electric experimental flight of its Heart Experimental 1 (Heart X1) at Plattsburgh International Airport in New York in 2025. This milestone flight will make the Heart X1 the largest fully electric aircraft to ever take to the skies. The flight is part of the ongoing development of Heart Aerospace’s 30-seat hybrid-electric regional passenger aircraft, the ES-30. The
OR Tambo Airport Refueling Issues Cause Potential Flight Delays
OR Tambo International Airport is currently experiencing “refuelling challenges” that are affecting airlines’ ability to refuel aircraft as usual. The Airports Company of South Africa (ACSA) issued a statement on Monday, acknowledging that some flights may face delays due to the issue. “We understand the inconvenience this may cause, and our technicians are working diligently to resolve the situation as quickly as possible. We will continue to provide updates to
IATA Highlights Persistent Challenges with Blocked Aviation Funds
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has raised concerns over several countries preventing airlines from repatriating their earnings, a situation that significantly impacts the global aviation industry. As of October 2024, $1.7 billion in airline funds remain blocked, although this reflects a slight improvement compared to $1.8 billion in April 2024. Regional Trends in Blocked Funds IATA highlighted reductions in blocked funds in countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, Algeria, and Ethiopia
African Airlines Record Slowest Growth in Global Air Cargo Market
Data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) shows that African airlines experienced the slowest growth in the global air cargo market in October 2024. The IATA report compares global and regional air cargo traffic and capacity for October 2024 with the same period in 2023. African carriers contributed just 2% to the global air cargo market, marking a low market share. In October 2024, African airlines saw a modest