The industry flagship business jet set the mark on a mission departing from Bombardier’s Authorised Service Facility ACI Jet in San Luis Obispo and landing at the London Biggin Hill Airport on Feb. 28 in nine hours and 17 minutes, averaging an impressive speed of almost 1,000 km/hr. Some of the latest speed records include impressive city pairs such as Tokyo to San Francisco, London to Riyadh, Oakland to Tokyo, Hartford to Dubai and Tokyo to Toronto, among many others.

Earlier achievements on the Global 7500 include an 8,225 nautical mile flight from Sydney to Detroit, the longest flight ever recorded in business aviation as well as the industry’s first-ever non-stop mission from London City Airport to Los Angeles.

“Bombardier customers need a reliable, fast, efficient business tool that gets them to destination quickly and efficiently, and the Global 7500 aircraft sets the standard in the ultra-long-range class for its outstanding technological advancements and impressive performance capabilities. As these impressive records attest, the aircraft consistently shows it has the speed to successfully complete any type of mission,” said Jean-Christophe Gallagher, executive vice president, aircraft sales and Bombardier Defense. “And with our Global 8000 set to enter into service later this year, we can’t wait to build on this speed record momentum and take it to even higher levels across the fleet.”

The new flight will operate four times a week with the B787 Dreamliner and will include a single stop via Madrid, Spain.

Mesfin Tasew, Group chief executive officer of Ethiopian Airlines, said: "We are thrilled to expand our network to Porto, Portugal, a vibrant city with rich cultural heritage and economic significance. This new route underscores our commitment to providing our passengers with more travel options and seamless connectivity."

Lamola has been at the helm at SAA as interim CEO since May 2022.

SAA board interim chairperson, Derek Hanekom said: “The SAA Board is delighted to be able to appoint a solid and dedicated leader well versed in SAA’s fortunes and eager to continue overseeing its take-off into better skies.”

He added: “Professor Lamola can now continue growing SAA with confidence, knowing that he has the full support of the SAA Board and its shareholders. We congratulate him on his appointment and wish him well in his leadership of SAA.”

The aircraft, a Russian-built Antonov An-26, crashed as it took off from Wadi Sayidna Air Base in Northeast Sudan on a flight to an air base near Port Sudan on the Red Sea.  The aircraft was carrying senior military personnel.

It has been reported the crash was most likely due to technical reasons.

“The strong growth in demand aligns with the results of our latest passenger survey (November 2024) in which 94% of travellers indicted that they planned to travel as much or more in the coming 12 months than they did in the past year. Airlines are doing a good job of accommodating growing demand amid fleet and infrastructure constraints with satisfaction levels above 95%, and nearly 80% of travellers agreeing that air travel is good value for money. Choice is an important component of this satisfaction. Some 70% prefer to pay the lowest fare and customise the additional services they need.” said Walsh.

African airlines saw a 14.9% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity was up 11.2% year-on-year. The load factor rose to 75.9% (+2.4 ppt compared to January 2024).

Other regional international markets

Middle Eastern carriers saw an 9.6% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 4.4% year-on-year and the load factor was 83.8% (+4.0 ppt compared to January 2024). Results in this region have been underpinned by a gradual return of traffic in Israel, and strong performance of the Gulf carriers.

Asia-Pacific airlines achieved a 21.8% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 16.5% year-on-year and the load factor was 86.7% (+3.8 ppt compared to January 2024). Traffic from Northeast Asia was particularly strong.

European carriers had an 8.6% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 6.2% year-on-year, and the load factor was 79.2% (+1.8 ppt compared to January 2024).

North American carriers saw a 3.8% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 0.6% year-on-year, and the load factor was 81.8% (+2.6 ppt compared to January 2024).

Latin American airlines saw an 12.9% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity climbed 15.5% year-on-year. The load factor was 84.3% (-1.9 ppt compared to January 2024).

SANSA began tracking the spacecraft soon after launch when it entered its coverage area and will continue providing support to the Athena lander for several days after it lands on the Moon’s surface.

“Lunar missions like IM-2 are a unique opportunity for SANSA to showcase its capabilities and contribute meaningfully to the global space community,” said Tiaan Strydom, SANSA Space Operations Acting Executive Director. “Our preparations for this mission are designed to ensure excellence and seamless support services for the contracted duration of the mission.”

According to Intuitive Machines, “IM-2 mission represents a significant leap forward in lunar exploration, ready to demonstrate water hunting infrastructure services on the Moon’s surface. IM-2 is set to demonstrate lunar mobility, resource prospecting, and analysis of volatile substances from subsurface materials, a critical step toward uncovering water sources beyond Earth—a key component for establishing sustainable infrastructure both on the lunar surface and in space.” 

“Lunar missions are complex and costly; therefore, every phase of the mission requires precision and diligence. We are honoured that Intuitive Machines has placed trust in our capabilities to support IM-2, continuing our support from IM-1”, Strydom commented.

The IM-2 mission is part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative, helping lay the foundation for human missions and a sustainable human presence on the lunar surface. 

SANSA’s  26-metre and 12-metre diameter antennas are deployed to track the spacecraft using high-frequency radio signals in the space agency’s southern hemisphere’s coverage area, ensuring it remains on course. 

In preparation for the launch, teams from SANSA and Intuitive Machines conducted joint simulations and rigorous equipment tests at the Hartebeesthoek site. 

Strydom concluded that, “supporting missions such as IM-2 speaks to SANSA’s strategic goal to increase the generation of space-relevant knowledge and enhances South Africa’s contribution to space innovation and competitiveness.  Moreover, SANSA’s role in IM-1 and IM-2 reinforces South Africa’s commitment to fostering international partnerships and advancing humanity’s shared knowledge of space.”

The all-accident rate of 13 per million flights (one accident per 880,000 flights) was better than the five-year average of 1.25 but worse than the 1.09 recorded in 2023.

There were seven fatal accidents in 2024, among 40.6 million flights. That is higher than the single fatal accident recorded in 2023 and the five-year average of five fatal accidents.

There were 244 on-board fatalities in 2024, compared to the 72 fatalities reported in 2023 and the five-year average of 144 globally. Fatality risk remained low at 0.06, below the five-year average (0.10), although double the 0.03 reported in 2023.

“Even with recent high-profile aviation accidents, it is important to remember that accidents are extremely rare. There were 40.6 million flights in 2024 and seven fatal accidents. Moreover, the long-term story of aviation safety is one of continuous improvement. A decade ago, the five-year average (2011-2015) was one accident for every 456,000 flights. Today, the five-year average (2020-2024) is one accident for every 810,000 flights. That improvement is because we know that every fatality is one too many.  We honour the memory of every life lost in an aviation accident with our deepest sympathies and ever greater resolve to make flying even safer. And for that, the accumulation of safety data, including the 2024 safety report, is our most powerful tool,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s director general.

Africa

With 10 accidents in 2024, the all-accident rate rose from 8.36 per million sectors in 2023 to 10.59 in 2024, exceeding the five-year average of 8.46. Africa (AFI) recorded the highest accident rate, though the fatality risk remained at zero for the second year in a row. The most common accident types in 2024 were runway excursions, followed by those related to landing gear. Forty percent of all accidents involving AFI-based operators, were on turboprop aircraft.  

Middle East and North Africa

With two accidents in 2024, the all-accident rate improved from 1.12 accidents per million sectors in 2023 to 1.08 in 2024 and was also better than its five-year average of 1.09. Fatality risk has remained zero since 2019. While no accidents were related to GNSS interference, it has emerged as a critical area of concern in the region.

The continent saw an increase in tourist arrivals from both international visitors and those travelling within the continent. This makes Africa as the second fastest-growing tourist destination globally, following the Middle East.

Economic uncertainties, geopolitical risks, and inflation have been identified as factors influencing travel patterns in Africa.

Countries in North Africa experienced a significant increase in international arrivals compared to the last five years. Morocco and Egypt emerged as the primary tourist destinations in Africa, while Kenya and Tanzania saw an increase in safari holidays. Additionally, Cape Town in South Africa, Mauritius, Namibia, Zambia, Rwanda, and Botswana also saw a rise in visitors.