UAS assisted in the journeys of a total of 133,028 Hajj pilgrims, working closely with operators, government agencies, and airport authorities to ensure every journey was managed with operational precision and spiritual sensitivity.

Operational highlights include a total of 845 sectors served; 31 origin and destination airports covered; a total of 2,516 flight permits obtained, and 2,083 dedicated handling services provided for aircraft, crew and pilgrims.

Global Reach – Pilgrims Served by Country

Indonesia: 87,567 pilgrims

Kyrgyzstan: 2,500 pilgrims

Tajikistan: 3,500 pilgrims

Uzbekistan: 5,975 pilgrims

Guinea: 7,459 pilgrims

Sierra Leone: 1,963 pilgrims

Chad: 6,708 pilgrims

Niger: 13,154 pilgrims

Netherlands: 326 pilgrims

Belgium: 2,094 pilgrims

France: 1,626 pilgrims

Germany: 156 pilgrims

UAS's Hajj services included full-spectrum trip support such as passenger handling, CIQ facilitation, ramp coordination, fuel management, FPL filing, permit acquisition, crew logistics, and more — all tailored to the unique demands of Hajj operations.

“Hajj operations are among the most complex in the aviation calendar and also require a lot of sensitivity. Our team is proud to support the sacred journey of so many pilgrims, offering operational precision while honouring the spiritual significance of the experience," said Omar Hosari, Founder and CEO of UAS. 

“This milestone reflects not only our operational capability but also our commitment to ensuring safe, dignified, and seamless experiences for travellers from across the globe,” he added.   

This new route strengthens Ethiopian Airlines' footprint in Western China.

Commenting on the launch of the new cargo service Ethiopian Airline GCEO Mesfin Tasew said: “The launch of our cargo service to Urumqi marks yet another significant step in strengthening our footprint in China and deepening air trade links between Asia and Africa. As a strategic gateway to Western China, Urumqi opens new possibilities for cross-border commerce, supply chain efficiency, and economic integration.

At Ethiopian Airlines, we remain committed to expanding our cargo network with purpose, creating reliable, fast, and seamless logistics that serve as a catalyst for growth across continents. China continues to be one of our most important markets, and this new route reaffirms our long- term partnership and vision for shared prosperity.”

•    Total demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTK), rose by 2.2% compared to May 2024 levels (+3.0% for international operations).

•    Capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometers (ACTK), increased by 2.0% compared to May 2024 (+2.6% for international operations).

“Air cargo demand globally grew 2.2% in May. That is encouraging news as a 10.7% drop in traffic on the Asia to North America trade lane illustrated the dampening effect of shifting US trade policies. Even as these policies evolve, already we can see the air cargo sector’s well-tested resilience helping shippers to accommodate supply chain needs to flexibly hold back, re-route or accelerate deliveries,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s director general.

Walsh added that several factors in the operating environment should be noted:

•    Year-on-year, world industrial production rose 2.6% in April 2025. Air cargo volumes grew 6.8% over the same period, outpacing global goods trade growth of 3.8%.

•    Jet fuel prices in May 2025 were 18.8% lower than the previous year and 4.3% below the previous month.

•    Global manufacturing contracted in May, with the PMI falling to 49.1, below the 50 mark that signals growth. New export orders also remained in negative territory at 48, reflecting pressure from recent U.S. trade policy changes.

African airlines saw a 2.1% year-on-year decrease in demand for air cargo in May. Capacity increased by 2.7% year-on-year.

Middle Eastern carriers saw 3.6% year-on-year increase in demand for air cargo in May. Capacity increased by 4.2% year-on-year.

Other Regional Performance

Asia-Pacific airlines saw 8.3% year-on-year demand growth for air cargo in May, the strongest growth of all regions. Capacity increased by 5.7% year-on-year.

North American carriers saw a -5.8% year-on-year decrease in growth for air cargo in May, the slowest growth of all regions. Capacity decreased by -3.2% year-on-year.

European carriers saw 1.6% year-on-year demand growth for air cargo in May. Capacity increased 1.5% year-on-year.

Latin American carriers saw a 3.1% year-on-year increase in demand growth for air cargo in May. Capacity increased 3.5% year-on-year.

When there is a match, airlines and suppliers can connect and take their negotiation offline to agree on specific terms including price and payment terms.

Specifically, the SAF Matchmaker addresses three critical issues:

Efficiency: The availability of a central platform will simplify SAF procurement by making it easier and faster for all parties to connect without additional fees. It will therefore facilitate further development of the voluntary market for SAF purchasing.

Connectivity: SAF producers and suppliers can post available or planned SAF volumes while airlines are able to register their interest in purchasing shown or desired SAF volumes. Subsequent trades will take place outside the platform.

Visibility: The platform carries comprehensive information regarding the available SAF, such as volumes, feedstock used, the location and technology of production, the emissions reductions, as well as compliance with the Carbon Offsetting Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) or the European Union’s Renewable Energy Directive (EU RED).

“To reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050, we need an accessible, transparent, liquid, and efficient SAF market. The SAF Matchmaker is another example of the work that IATA is putting in place to create a fully functioning market for SAF. The SAF Matchmaker platform will accelerate the uptake of SAF by reducing the costs and complexity that airlines face when searching for SAF suppliers,” said Marie Owens Thomsen, IATA’s senior vice president sustainability and chief economist.

This reinforces its commitment to operational excellence, passenger experience, and long-term economic growth.

ACSA's national maintenance programme has prioritised high-impact infrastructure, including sewerage systems, ablution facilities, and fire escapes. These efforts are complemented by enhanced safety and hygiene protocols in high-traffic and sensitive areas to improve security and user experience.

At O.R. Tambo International Airport (ORTIA), a phased refurbishment of ablution facilities is in progress, covering male, female, baby-change, and accessible amenities. This project, which began in December 2024, is scheduled for completion by December 2025. It will significantly enhance passenger comfort and hygiene standards.

ACSA chief executive officer Mpumi Mpofu said that many of the current projects are scheduled for completion between late 2025 and 2027. She emphasised that ACSA continues to invest in infrastructure that supports the aviation sector's long-term growth and operational resilience.

"This programme is a strong signal of ACSA's recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic," said Mpofu. "It reflects our return to financial sustainability and our ability to reinvest in critical infrastructure that will serve the aviation industry and the broader economy for years to come."

Major Refurbishment and Capacity Enhancement Projects

In addition to maintenance activities, ACSA is undertaking an ambitious programme of infrastructure upgrades across key operational areas designed to modernise infrastructure, improve operational resilience, and accommodate future growth. Highlights include:

• Jet Fuel Infrastructure at ORTIA: The installation of a new 20-inch jet fuel feeder line and the implementation of Jet Fuel Redundancy Phase 1 will boost reliability and supply continuity. These projects are complemented by the replacement of backup power generators at the airport to ensure uninterrupted critical operations.

• Passenger Loading Bridges (PLBs): Refurbishment and replacement projects at multiple sites, including structural repairs and upgrades to control systems and canopy covers. Key milestones are targeted for completion from November 2025 through 2026.
• Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS): A phased replacement of UPS units to strengthen energy resilience at critical touchpoints. Completion is scheduled for 2026.
• People Movers: Ongoing replacement and refurbishment of escalators and lifts to address long-standing operational inefficiencies, with several escalator installations already complete and the overall programme concluding in 2027.
• Instrument Landing and Weather Systems: Replacement of Instrument Landing Systems (ILS) and Automated Weather Observation Systems (AWOS), with most milestones due by the end of 2026, enhancing aviation safety and compliance.
• Terminal and Roofing Works: From HVAC upgrades and terminal roof waterproofing to replace sprinkler systems and airside enhancements, these projects contribute to a safer, more comfortable airport experience.
• Fuel Systems and Fire Infrastructure: Significant refurbishment of fuel receipt meters, hydrants, and booster pumps is underway, ensuring safety and reliability in critical systems.

These extensions will ensure continued operations of the two aircraft until January 2028 and November 2029.

“The renewal of these agreements confirms the trust our partners have in the progress Madagascar Airlines has made. This milestone, aligned with the path set by the Phénix Plan, marks a crucial step toward the stabilisation of our fleet. It strengthens our mission to connect the regions of Madagascar to the world by providing a reliable air service for tourism and the Malagasy people. Restoring this trust, especially with a leading partner such as ABELO, sends a strong message to the aviation industry: Madagascar Airlines is once again a dependable, trustworthy partner that honours its commitments," Thierry de Bailleul, CEO, Madagascar Airlines.

The 118-seater first of its type touched down at the Murtala Muhammed International airport, Lagos, on Sunday, June 22, 2025.

The airline said: “This newest addition will further expand our reach, enhance comfort, and strengthen our commitment to seamless travel across all our domestic and regional operations.”

AFCAC hired Mengistie as Air Transport Director. Mengistie served the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority for more than three years. During his tenure Mengistie worked hard to transform the Ethiopian aviation industry. He has drafted the aviation industry reform program aiming at enhancing the private sector investment in the aviation sector.

Mengsitie has a wealth of experience in the aviation industry. He was state Minister of Transport leading the aviation sector under his watch. Later he was appointed permanent representative of the Ethiopian government in the ICAO headquarters in Montreal Canada. Yohannes Abera, director of Air Traffic Management with the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority , is appointed as the new director general replacing Mengistie.  

The new seats will be fitted on FlySafair’s fleet of Boeing 737s with a planned delivery from Acro at the end of 2025. 

The Series 9 has been specifically designed to meet the rigorous demands of both low-cost and full-service carriers flying short-medium haul routes. The Acro Series 9 offers enhanced ergonomic comfort with exceptional living space at a low-density seat pitch. The Series 9 offers airlines a lightweight seating product without compromising on comfort for their passengers, with the lowest effective lifetime cost of purchase and ownership and has been in demand since its launch in 2022.

Kirby Gordon, chief marketing officer at FlySafair, said of the choice of Acro’s Series 9: “At FlySafair, we undertook a comprehensive evaluation of various seating options before selecting Acro’s Series 9. These seats stood out for their comfort, quality, and thoughtful design, while also offering the benefit of being lightweight. Beyond the product itself, the Acro team has been a pleasure to work with throughout the process, and we look forward to building on this partnership in the years ahead.”

Acro Aircraft Seating’s Commercial Director, Damian Protano, said of the deal: “It is fantastic to be working with FlySafair for the first time. It is an airline that was founded more than a decade ago by its parent company, which brings more than 60 years of aviation expertise and is one of Africa’s foremost aviation specialists. 

“We are particularly delighted that FlySafair has chosen our Series 9 Fixed Back seat for its fleet of 737s, as the seats deliver on every aspect of what FlySafair needs – a high level of comfort, lightweight design and low maintenance seats.

“I hope this is just the start of a great partnership between Acro and FlySafair and we hope to be a part of its continued success.”

The partnership aims to strengthen connectivity between Madagascar, Réunion, and other regional and international destinations, while expanding fare options and travel opportunities for customers of both airlines.