Moov Airways AG

From March 20–21, 2025, Uganda hosted a regional workshop aiming to harmonize civil aviation law across East Africa, uniting experts from eight EAC member states under one goal: a unified legal framework for aviation. Led by CASSOA, with support from McGill University, AFCAC, and the EU’s EASA, the initiative focused on aligning legal structures, regulatory standards, and institutional capacity to support the region’s fast-growing aviation market. Delegates from DRC, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi, Somalia, and South Sudan discussed best practices, the role of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), and next steps for implementation. The workshop also highlighted recent progress, including the opening of the Community Aviation Medicine Center in February, another milestone in strengthening regional safety and integration. 🔗 Source: NEWSAERO Issue 111

Based on International Air Transport Association (IATA)’s Chart of the Week, the US has implemented a universal 10% tariff on all imports — with much higher rates for select countries. Chinese goods, for example, will face tariffs of up to 54% by April 9. This brings the US average tariff rate to 20% on all imports and around 30% on dutiable imports — the highest levels seen since the 1930s. While services (67% of global GDP) are largely untouched by tariffs, any retaliatory moves targeting them could quickly magnify the economic impact. For aviation, the ripple effects are real: slower GDP growth could weigh on air travel, delay fleet investments, and reshape aircraft trade dynamics. 📉 Hypothetical impact: – US GDP: down by up to 1 percentage point – Global GDP: down by 0.5 percentage points With aviation closely tied to trade flows and economic performance, the sector may not remain immune to broader macroeconomic shifts. 🔗 Read more: https://lnkd.in/dw5e8kz3

African cargo carriers are rising above turbulence and into opportunity. In 2024, African airlines recorded an 8.5% growth in cargo volumes, with capacity increasing by 13.6%, according to #IATA. Boeing forecasts that volumes will double over the next 20 years, driven by reforms, trade liberalization, and rising demand. Carriers such as Kenya Airways Cargo and Astral Aviation are expanding their perishables capacity, betting on e-commerce, and exploring underserved routes to Asia and the Middle East. Challenges persist — protectionism, funding gaps, and an aging fleet- but Africa’s airfreight players are doubling down on network agility, market diversification, and regional resilience. 🔗 Read more: https://lnkd.in/eGdrDxiX

On March 25, 2025, Kenya Airways announced a net profit of KSh 5.4 billion ($41.86M) for FY2024 — its highest after-tax profit ever recorded in a single financial year. This milestone marks a remarkable turnaround after 11 consecutive years of losses, driven by the airline’s strategic recovery plan, Project Kifaru, which focused on operational efficiency, financial discipline, and customer service. Revenue rose 6% year-on-year, with record passenger traffic (5.23 million) and a 25% increase in cargo tonnage, as the airline expanded routes to Mogadishu, Maputo, and Eldoret. After years of mounting debt and insolvency, Kenya Airways is proving that steady discipline can pave the runway for sustainable growth. 🔗 Source: NEWSAERO Issue 111

A bold step into the future: Ethiopian Airlines has signed an agreement with Archer Aviation to introduce electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft — specifically, Archer’s Midnight model — under the Launch Edition program. The partnership will bring up to 50 aircraft to Ethiopia, supported by Archer’s training, maintenance, and operational enablement services. With an eye on urban mobility, sustainability, and next-gen tech, the move positions Ethiopian Airlines at the forefront of aviation innovation in Africa. The Midnight eVTOL is designed for 20-mile urban trips with quiet, zero-emission operations — and could redefine how African cities connect. CEO Mesfin Tasew called it “a leap toward cutting-edge aviation solutions that align with our Vision 2035.” 🔗 Full announcement: https://lnkd.in/dsJiGK_s

Côte d’Ivoire and Brazil prepare for first-ever direct air link. A high-level meeting in Abidjan between Côte d’Ivoire’s Foreign Minister Léon Kacou Adom and Brazil’s Mauro Vieira has laid the groundwork for a landmark aviation agreement — opening the door to the first direct commercial flights between the two countries. If finalized, the route could be operated by a Brazilian carrier or Air Côte d’Ivoire, which is preparing for long-haul expansion with the upcoming arrival of A330neo aircraft. The agreement reflects a broader ambition to deepen economic, agricultural, and strategic ties between West Africa and Latin America — and could position Côte d’Ivoire among a select group of African countries with regular flights to Brazil. From diplomacy to connectivity, this would be a powerful step forward in South-South cooperation. 🔗 Source: NEWSAERO Issue 110

Airlines double down on #sustainability and #AI in startup investments. In 2024, airline startup investments remained rare but highly strategic, with Sustainability and Artificial Intelligence (AI) emerging as the dominant themes. · Sustainability: Over 50% of airline-backed startups focused on addressing aviation's environmental challenges, underscoring the industry's commitment to achieving net-zero emissions. · AI & Machine Learning: Approximately 22% of investments targeted AI-driven solutions aimed at optimizing operations, reducing costs, and enhancing passenger experiences. Leading the charge, airlines like JetBlue, KLM, and United Airlines have established dedicated corporate venture capital arms, actively investing in startups that align with their innovation agendas. While only 7% of airlines worldwide have engaged in startup investing, those that do are actively shaping the industry's future, placing bold bets on technologies that promise to redefine air travel. 🔗 Read more: https://lnkd.in/e8YuwuhT

Ryanair deepens its Moroccan roots with a new UK connection. Starting March 30, 2025, Ryanair will launch direct flights from Manchester to Rabat, linking the Moroccan capital to northwest England with two weekly services. This new route strengthens Rabat’s position as the fifth Moroccan city connected to Manchester, alongside Tangier, Casablanca, Marrakech, and Agadir. The move is part of Ryanair’s $200 million expansion in Morocco, which also saw Tangier become the airline’s fourth Moroccan hub in 2024. The Manchester–Rabat link reflects Morocco’s growing appeal to UK travelers, with nearly 500,000 passengers flying from Manchester in 2024 — up from 275,000 in 2023. With enhanced connectivity, affordable fares, and a boost to local tourism and jobs, Ryanair is once again positioning itself at the heart of Morocco’s aviation growth story. 🔗 Source: NEWSAERO Issue 110

On March 14, Ethiopian Airlines Group and the African Development Bank (#AfDB) signed a landmark Letter of Intent to support the $7.8B Bishoftu International Airport — a game-changing project poised to redefine aviation across the continent. With four runways, capacity for 100 aircraft, and a terminal designed for 110 million passengers, Bishoftu will become Africa’s largest airport, easing pressure on the saturated Bole International and elevating Ethiopia’s role in global connectivity. The first phase (completion by 2029) will allow 60 million passengers annually. This collaboration marks another milestone in a long-standing AfDB–Ethiopian Airlines relationship focused on regional development and transformation. 📍 Located 39km from Addis Ababa 🛫 Powered by Ethiopian Airlines’ multi-sector dominance 📈 Built to boost tourism, trade, and economic growth 🔗 More details: NEWSAERO Issue 110

Ethiopian Airlines has partnered with the African Development Bank (AfDB) to develop Bishoftu International Airport, a $7.8 billion megaproject set to transform Ethiopia’s aviation sector. The new airport, located near Bishoftu in Oromia, will increase Ethiopia’s passenger capacity to 60 million annually by 2040, up from the current 17 million. The agreement was signed by Ethiopian Airlines CEO Mesfin Tasew and AfDB Vice President Nnenna Nwabufo, marking a major step in Ethiopia’s aviation expansion. Finance Minister Ahmed Shide welcomed the deal, emphasizing AfDB’s broader $1.2 billion investment in key development initiatives. 🔗 Africa’s largest airport is coming: https://lnkd.in/dfq8nWgJ