Travel & Business News

Flight dispatchers were positioned as safety-critical operational control professionals at the 2026 Annual Conference of the Flight Dispatchers Association of Nigeria (FLIDAN), where regulators, industry leaders and technical experts called for full implementation of ICAO standards, competency-based training, and structural reforms to strengthen Nigeria’s aviation safety framework. Held on July 15, 2026 at the NCAA Annex Training Hall, Lagos, under the theme, "Safety and Efficiency: The Flight Dispatcher’s Role", the conference convened the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), airlines, Approved Aviation Training Organizations (AATOs), airport operators, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and other aviation stakeholders. In his welcome address, FLIDAN President, Daniel Ayuba, spoke about the elevated role of flight dispatchers and how this affects safety: "It is my great honour and priv...

The African Airlines Association (AFRAA) convened its 198th Executive Committee Meeting on Saturday, 11th July 2026, in Nairobi, Kenya, under the chairmanship of Capt. George Kamal, acting Group Chief Executive Officer of Kenya Airways. The session focused on strategic actions and policy advocacy initiatives designed to further AFRAA’s mandate and to advance the commercial and operational interests of its member airlines across the continent. The Executive Committee comprises the Chief Executive Officers of the following carriers: Tunisair, serving as 1st Vice Chairperson; RwandAir, serving as 2nd Vice Chairperson; and Ethiopian Airlines, EGYPTAIR, TAAG - Linhas Aéreas de Angola, Air Tanzania Company Limited, Royal Air Maroc, Congo Airways, ASKY Airlines, LAM Mozambique and Fly Gabon. In accordance with AFRAA’s governance framework, the primary responsibility of the Executive Committee is to oversee and direct the affairs of the Association. This includes the formulation an...

Ethiopian Airlines (ET) has inaugurated passenger operations to Mauritius, effective 12 July 2026, marking a further expansion of the carrier’s intra-African route network.  The new service will operate three times weekly, linking Port Louis to ET’s primary hub at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport. The addition provides Mauritius with direct access to the airline’s extensive global connectivity through Addis Ababa, enabling onward travel to destinations across Africa, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas. Mauritius, recognized for its established tourism sector, cultural assets and expanding economy, represents a strategic addition to the airline’s African footprint. The direct air link is projected to improve passenger convenience and to support increased trade flows, tourism activity, and bilateral engagement between Ethiopia and Mauritius. Commenting on the new service, ET's Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Mesfin Tasew, said: “Mauritius is a destin...

Air Peace Limited has taken delivery of a factory-new Embraer E175, the first of the type in the carrier’s fleet and the first brand-new E175 to enter service in Nigeria. The 88-seat regional jet, registered 5N-CGH, arrived at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at 20:32 on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, following a ferry flight from Brazil after formal handover by manufacturer Embraer. The induction represents the latest phase of Air Peace’s fleet renewal program and supports its expansion across domestic, West and Central African, as well as international markets. As West and Central Africa’s largest carrier by network and capacity, Air Peace positioned the acquisition as part of a strategy to deploy younger, more fuel-efficient airframes to improve reliability, unit economics, and passenger experience. Configured in an all-economy 2-2 layout with 88 seats, the E175 eliminates middle seating and is optimized for short-to-medium-haul sectors. Cabin specifications includ...

Delta Air Lines has commenced operations of Phase 1 of its second Delta One Lounge at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), expanding its premium ground product in a key West Coast hub. The new facility, situated on the Mezzanine level of Terminal 2, encompasses 4,000 square feet with capacity for 75 guests. A subsequent Phase 2 renovation is slated for completion in 2028. Concurrent with the lounge activation, Delta will introduce an 11,000-square-foot Delta Sky Club in Terminal 2, with an opening targeted for 2027. The additions increase the airline’s lounge portfolio to 60 locations globally, the largest network operated by a U.S.-based carrier. Megan Humphreys, Vice President of Delta Sky Club and Lounge Experience, linked the investment to the airline’s premium strategy and capacity planning: “This investment remains congruent to our strategy of elevating the premium experience both at LAX and across our global network. With demand for premium travel continuing to r...

(L - R) Mrs. Joy Ekeruche, Head Of Engineering, Bristow Helicopters; Capt. Wale Makinde, Principal Operations Inspector, NCAA; Mr. Samuel Obafemi Bajomo, SA Foreign Direct Investments & Capital Improvement Programs to the Honourable Minister Of Aviation and Aerospace Development; Engr. Suleman Akwuh, GM, AMO, NCAA; Mrs. Omeogu Esther, DGM Avsec, Head, Domestic Private Terminals & Hangars; Capt. Dapo Oyeleke, MD, Bristow Helicopters; Mrs. Claire Brugirard, Vice President & Regional Manager - MEA & APAC, Milestone; and Mr. Clement Falayi, Senior Manager, Operations & Service Delivery, Bristow Helicopters. Bristow Group has entered the Airbus H160 helicopter into commercial service in Nigeria, marking the first deployment of the medium-twin platform for offshore energy and rescue operations by the company and on the African continent. The formal induction took place on Thursday, July 2, 2026, in Lagos before regulators, energy operators, and aviation indust...