The global airline industry’s plan to eliminate net carbon emissions by 2050 is facing a growing reality check as production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) remains far below what is needed to decarbonize air transport.

New estimates released by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) during its Annual General Meeting in Rio de Janeiro show that global SAF production will reach just 2.4 million tonnes in 2026, accounting for only 0.8 percent of total aviation fuel consumption.

While production volumes continue to rise from a low base, industry leaders say progress is far too slow for aviation to remain on track toward its net-zero target.

The figures underscore one of the biggest contradictions confronting the aviation sector today. Airlines remain committed to reducing emissions, passengers increasingly support greener travel, and governments continue to strengthen climate commitments. Yet the supply of the industry’s most important decarbonization tool remains severely constrained.

“It looks to be another disappointing year for SAF production,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.

“Five years after committing to achieve net zero by 2050, SAF production will only account for 0.8 percent of airline fuel use this year. The path to meeting 65 percent of our needs in 2050 is growing more difficult with each year of ineffectively sequenced government policies and oil companies’ manifest lack of interest.”

SAF, which can be produced from waste oils, agricultural residues, biomass and other renewable feedstocks, is widely viewed as the most practical pathway for reducing emissions from long-haul aviation where alternatives such as electric aircraft remain commercially unviable.

Industry projections suggest SAF will need to contribute roughly 65 percent of aviation’s total carbon reduction effort if airlines are to meet their 2050 climate commitments. Yet current production levels remain a fraction of what is required.

The challenge is becoming even more acute as airlines simultaneously grapple with a global fuel price shock triggered by geopolitical tensions and supply disruptions.

Ironically, the same energy crisis that has exposed the risks of dependence on conventional fossil fuels has not yet generated the investment momentum needed to accelerate SAF production.

“The current energy shock should add even more urgency to the development of renewables, including SAF,” Walsh said. “But we have yet to see either the energy shock, the need to develop energy independence and jobs, or the urgency to mitigate climate change materialize in the incentives needed to create a viable SAF market.”

For Africa, the slow pace of SAF development presents both a challenge and a potential opportunity.

The continent possesses significant renewable energy resources, agricultural feedstocks and land suitable for producing sustainable fuel inputs. As global demand for SAF rises, African countries could potentially position themselves as future producers within emerging green aviation supply chains.

However, investment remains limited, production infrastructure is largely absent, and regulatory frameworks are still evolving across much of the continent.

IATA argues that governments need to focus less on mandates and more on creating the conditions necessary for production to scale.

The association is calling for expanded renewable energy generation, open access to fuel infrastructure, stronger production incentives and the creation of a global SAF marketplace capable of connecting producers and airlines regardless of geography.

A particularly contentious issue is the push toward electro-SAF, or e-SAF, which is produced using renewable electricity, green hydrogen and captured carbon dioxide.

The European Union and United Kingdom have mandated production of around 600,000 tonnes of e-SAF by 2030. Yet global production capacity currently operating or under construction stands at just 20,000 tonnes, with only one commercial production facility currently in operation worldwide.

According to IATA, achieving the mandated targets would require roughly 20 additional commercial-scale refineries to be built within the next few years.

“The 2030 e-SAF targets by the UK and the EU are beyond unrealistic — they are utterly detached from reality,” said Marie Owens Thomsen, IATA’s Senior Vice President Sustainability and Chief Economist.

She warned that imposing mandates before sufficient production capacity exists risks driving prices higher while delivering limited emissions reductions.

Despite the supply challenges, public support for aviation decarbonization appears stronger than ever.

An IATA passenger survey conducted in April found that 89 percent of travellers believe the aviation industry should continue reducing emissions even if governments scale back climate efforts.

Two-thirds of respondents said they would be willing to pay more to offset emissions, while nearly nine in ten expect airfares to rise as airlines invest in sustainability.

Perhaps most significantly, passengers increasingly favour direct emissions reduction measures over taxes. The survey found that SAF development and emissions-reduction technologies ranked far ahead of taxation as preferred tools for making aviation more sustainable.

For airlines, the message is encouraging but also demanding. Passengers are prepared to support the transition to cleaner aviation. The question now is whether fuel producers, investors and policymakers can move quickly enough to supply the sustainable fuels needed to make that transition possible.

The post SAF production lag threatens aviation’s net-zero ambitions despite growing passenger support appeared first on 256 Business News.

Africa’s airlines are expected to carry more passengers than ever before in 2026, but many carriers may find themselves earning less from the boom as soaring fuel prices and geopolitical disruptions squeeze already thin profit margins.

A new financial outlook released by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) at the start of its Annual General Meeting and World Air Transport Summit in Rio de Janeiro today paints a picture of an African aviation sector caught between opportunity and vulnerability.

The region is projected to record one of the world’s fastest passenger traffic growth rates at 10 percent in 2026, outpacing global demand growth and building on the 9.8 percent expansion recorded in 2025.

Yet despite the strong demand, African airlines are expected to collectively earn just USD100 million in net profit this year, down sharply from USD300 million last year. Net profit margins are forecast to collapse from 1.6 percent to just 0.2 percent, leaving airlines with an average profit of only 40 cents per passenger.

The deterioration reflects a broader crisis facing the global airline industry, where profitability is expected to be cut in half despite continued growth in passenger demand.

“War-related disruptions in the Middle East and rising fuel costs have shifted the outlook for airlines for the worse,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General. “Globally, airlines are expected to see profitability halve compared to 2025. Profits will shrink from USD45 billion in 2025 to USD23 billion this year. And margins will shrink from 4.2pc to 2.0pc.”

Walsh said airlines worldwide are struggling to absorb a rapid 70 percent increase in jet fuel prices, with smaller carriers particularly exposed.

“All airline bottom lines are suffering from the rapid 70pc rise in jet fuel prices. Some of the additional cost is being recuperated by adjusting prices and improving efficiency, but it will not be sufficient to maintain profitability at the previous year’s level. Smaller carriers that started the year with weak balance sheets are certainly struggling,” he said.

For Africa’s airlines, many of which entered the year with limited financial buffers and constrained access to capital, the warning is especially significant. While the region’s hub carriers are benefiting from shifting traffic flows caused by disruptions in the Middle East, rising costs are eroding much of the financial upside.

The figures highlight a growing paradox confronting African aviation; traffic is growing rapidly, but profitability remains elusive.

According to IATA, part of the growth is being driven by the conflict in the Middle East, which has disrupted traditional global traffic flows and prompted airlines and passengers to seek alternative routings.

Africa’s major hub carriers are among the beneficiaries. Airlines operating through strategic hubs in cities such as Addis Ababa, Nairobi and Casablanca are attracting additional traffic connecting Europe, Asia and Africa as some travellers avoid the Middle East.

However, the gains are unlikely to be distributed evenly across the continent.

“Any gains are likely to be concentrated among the limited number of hub carriers with established connectivity linking Africa to Europe and Asia,” IATA noted in its outlook.

For many smaller African airlines, the global aviation crisis is exposing long-standing structural weaknesses rather than creating new opportunities.

The most immediate challenge is fuel. Globally, airlines are grappling with a nearly 70 percent increase in jet fuel prices, driven by war-related disruptions and tighter supply conditions. Fuel is expected to account for more than 31 percent of airline operating costs this year, up from 25 percent in 2025.

Unlike larger airlines in Europe and North America that often hedge fuel purchases or benefit from stronger balance sheets, many African operators have limited financial buffers. Several also face higher fuel procurement costs due to fragmented supply chains and smaller purchasing volumes.

As a result, rising revenues from higher passenger numbers are being offset by escalating operating expenses.

The post Africa’s airlines face growth paradox as global aviation profits tumble appeared first on 256 Business News.

Airlines operating Airbus A350 aircraft powered by the latest Rolls-Royce engine technology are reporting fuel savings significantly above initial projections, in a development that could strengthen efforts to cut operating costs and aviation emissions.

Rolls-Royce has announced that its Trent XWB-84 Enhanced Performance (EP) engine is delivering almost double the fuel savings anticipated when the upgraded powerplant entered commercial service a year ago.

The engine, which powers the Airbus A350-900, was introduced in May 2025 as part of a £1 billion investment programme aimed at improving the performance, durability and efficiency of the company’s Trent engine family.

When certified, the Trent XWB-84 EP promised a one percent reduction in fuel burn compared to the standard Trent XWB-84 engine, alongside a two-decibel reduction in noise levels. However, operational data collected from the first 34 engines flying with three major airline customers shows the engine is achieving a 1.8 percent reduction in fuel consumption.

While the percentage improvement may appear modest, the financial implications for airlines are substantial.

According to Rolls-Royce, the enhanced fuel efficiency translates into approximately US$450,000 in annual fuel savings for each aircraft equipped with the engine. For an airline operating a fleet of 20 Airbus A350-900 aircraft, that could amount to savings of around US$9 million annually.

The performance gains come at a time when airlines worldwide are grappling with volatile fuel prices, pressure to improve profitability and increasing demands from regulators and investors to reduce carbon emissions.

Fuel typically accounts for between 20 and 30 percent of an airline’s operating costs, making efficiency improvements among the most sought-after developments in commercial aviation.

The company said the engine is also demonstrating strong operational reliability, with the Trent XWB-84 EP expected to reach 100,000 flying hours within its first year of service.

Adam Davies, Director of Commercial Aviation for the Trent XWB programme at Rolls-Royce, said the results validate the company’s investment strategy and ongoing efforts to improve the performance of its engine portfolio.

“This milestone is proof that the investments we have made in our Trent family are delivering real-world results, supporting our customers’ operational efficiency and sustainability goals,” Davies said.

“We are delighted our target of at least one percent improvement in fuel burn has been comfortably surpassed. I would like to thank our customers for their ongoing trust in the Trent XWB family.”

The Trent XWB engine family has become one of the most successful widebody aircraft engine programmes in the world, serving as the exclusive powerplant for the Airbus A350 aircraft range.

For airlines, improvements in engine efficiency not only reduce fuel costs but also lower carbon emissions per flight, an increasingly important consideration as the aviation industry works toward net-zero emissions targets by 2050.

The latest performance figures also highlight how incremental advances in aerospace engineering can generate significant economic and environmental benefits when applied across large fleets operating thousands of flights annually.

Rolls-Royce said it will continue manufacturing both the standard and Enhanced Performance variants of the Trent XWB-84 to meet differing customer requirements, while positioning the EP version as a new benchmark for fuel efficiency within the long-haul aviation market.

The development is likely to be closely watched by airlines planning future fleet expansions, particularly as carriers seek technologies that can improve profitability while supporting increasingly stringent sustainability commitments.

With fuel remaining one of the industry’s largest cost drivers, even small gains in efficiency can translate into millions of dollars in savings and significant reductions in carbon emissions over the lifetime of an aircraft fleet.

The post Rolls-Royce improved engine delivers near-double fuel savings, boosting airline efficiency appeared first on 256 Business News.

TAAG Angola Airlines has confirmed June 23, 2026, as the start date for its new direct service between Luanda and Guangzhou, marking a major step in the carrier’s efforts to strengthen air links between Africa and China.

The Angolan national airline announced the launch during an official event in Luanda that brought together government officials, diplomats, business leaders and aviation stakeholders from Angola and China. The event also marked the opening of ticket sales for the new route.

The service will connect Dr. António Agostinho Neto International Airport in Luanda with Guangzhou, one of China’s largest commercial, industrial and logistics centres. Initially, flights will operate once a week, departing Angola every Tuesday aboard TAAG’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

The new route represents a strategic milestone in the airline’s international expansion plans and reflects growing economic and commercial ties between Angola and China. Officials say the service is expected to facilitate the movement of business travellers, tourists and cargo while creating new opportunities for trade and investment between the two markets.

China remains one of Angola’s most important economic partners, with strong cooperation in infrastructure, energy, manufacturing and trade. The direct air link is expected to deepen these connections by reducing travel times and improving accessibility for companies operating across both regions.

The launch also supports Angola’s ambition to position the recently opened Dr. António Agostinho Neto International Airport as a regional aviation hub linking Africa to major global destinations. As African carriers increasingly compete for long-haul traffic between the continent and Asia, TAAG is betting that stronger connectivity will help transform Angola into a key gateway for business, tourism and cargo flows.

The post TAAG sets June 23 start for direct Luanda–Guangzhou flights appeared first on 256 Business News.

The Embassy of Uganda in Addis Ababa has concluded a landmark 10-day familiarisation tour that brought Ethiopian media influencers, tour operators, travel professionals, content creators and prospective investors to Uganda, in a move aimed at deepening tourism, trade and people-to-people ties between the two countries.

The tour, which ran from May 23 to June 2, followed the delegation’s participation in the Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo (POATE) 2026 and forms part of Uganda’s broader Economic and Commercial Diplomacy strategy to market the country as a leading tourism, investment and cultural destination.

Officials say the initiative supports the government’s Tenfold Growth Strategy, which identifies tourism as a key driver of economic transformation, job creation, regional integration and foreign exchange earnings.

Speaking before the delegation departed Addis Ababa, Uganda’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, Rebecca Otengo Amuge, described the programme as a practical demonstration of diplomacy driven by shared experiences and economic opportunity.

“This journey is more than a tourism circuit; it is a bridge of visibility, trust, investment opportunity and African storytelling,” Amuge said.

“Through this experience, we want our Ethiopian brothers and sisters to encounter Uganda beyond brochures, to engage directly with our wildlife heritage, hospitality, business potential, culture, conservation efforts and the warmth of our people.”

During the visit, the delegation explored some of Uganda’s most celebrated tourism attractions, including the Kasubi Tombs, Namugongo Martyrs Shrine, the Source of the Nile, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Murchison Falls National Park, Kibale National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Africa Coffee Park in Ntungamo and Lake Mburo National Park.

The visitors participated in activities such as mountain gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, rhino tracking, coffee tourism experiences and community-based tourism programmes, providing firsthand exposure to Uganda’s tourism and conservation model.

Beyond tourism promotion, the mission also sought to strengthen commercial ties between Uganda and Ethiopia by exposing participants to opportunities in hospitality, aviation, destination marketing, coffee value addition and tourism investment.

Michael Wamai, Counsellor and Economic and Commercial Diplomacy Officer at the Uganda Embassy in Addis Ababa, said the initiative was designed to position Uganda as both a tourism destination and a gateway for investment opportunities.

“Our objective was not simply to market destinations. We sought to position Uganda as a gateway for African opportunity, investment confidence and authentic continental experiences,” Wamai said.

“The interactions, partnerships and visibility generated during this mission demonstrate the growing potential of tourism diplomacy as a catalyst for deeper economic cooperation.”

Members of the Ethiopian delegation said the experience had transformed their perception of Uganda and opened new possibilities for tourism and business collaboration.

Henok Tsegaye of Hibir Ethiopia Tours said the journey evolved into something far more meaningful than a conventional tourism experience.

“We leave Uganda carrying far more than photographs and souvenirs. We carry friendships, memories and a deeper understanding of this beautiful country,” he said.

Ethiopian entrepreneur and tourism advocate Ashu Z-Arada said the trip revealed a side of Uganda that many Ethiopians know little about.

“I arrived in Uganda knowing very little about the country. I leave inspired by its natural beauty, conservation achievements, investment opportunities and the extraordinary hospitality of its people,” he said.

“From the mighty Nile and Murchison Falls to mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, coffee experiences and vibrant cultural heritage, Uganda truly lives up to its reputation as the Pearl of Africa.”

Officials said several participants expressed interest in returning to Uganda for tourism and investment opportunities, while committing to promote the country within Ethiopia and other markets.

The post Uganda woos Ethiopian tourists and investors through landmark familiarisation tour appeared first on 256 Business News.

African airlines posted passenger growth in April 2026 even as the global aviation industry suffered a sharp slowdown triggered by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, according to new data released by International Air Transport Association.

The latest industry numbers showed that African carriers recorded a 2.2pc year-on-year increase in passenger demand during April, making the continent one of the few regions to maintain positive growth amid growing global volatility.

During the same period, African airlines expanded capacity by 1.2pc while average passenger load factors rose to 77.9pc, an improvement of 0.7 percentage points compared to April 2025.

Africa’s performance contrasted sharply with the broader global market, where airlines collectively reported a 3.4pc decline in passenger demand and a 2.9pc contraction in capacity as the aviation sector grappled with the fallout from the Middle East conflict and surging fuel costs.

According to IATA, the crisis in the Middle East had an especially severe impact on regional carriers, with airlines in the region suffering a dramatic 46.6pc collapse in passenger demand during April.

“The 46.6pc fall in demand for carriers in the Middle East due to war in the region was so acute that it dragged overall demand down 3.4pc,” said Willie Walsh.

“The situation for air transport remains highly volatile. The cost of jet fuel more than doubled in April, which is pushing airfares up. Forward schedule data is showing a reduced offering in the coming months, indicating that airlines are balancing high fuel costs and weaker demand,” he added.

Globally, international passenger demand fell 5.3pc year-on-year, although IATA noted that if Middle Eastern markets were excluded, international demand would have still grown by 1.9pc.

While Africa’s growth remained relatively modest compared to regions such as Latin America, which recorded an 8.9pc increase in international demand, analysts say the continent’s resilience is notable given ongoing economic pressures, currency volatility, and infrastructure limitations affecting several African markets.

The data also highlighted changing global travel patterns as airlines and passengers increasingly reroute away from conflict-affected airspace. IATA noted that direct traffic between Europe and Asia rose strongly during the period as airlines shifted away from routes transiting through the Middle East.

IATA, which represents more than 370 airlines accounting for roughly 85pc of global air traffic, said the outlook for the industry remains uncertain as carriers navigate rising operational costs, geopolitical instability, and fluctuating consumer demand.

The post Africa defies global aviation slowdown as passenger demand rises despite Middle East war — IATA appeared first on 256 Business News.

Doha — Qatar Airways has announced a significant expansion of its African network, highlighted by the launch of a new route to Port Sudan alongside flight resumptions and increased frequencies across several key destinations.

The airline’s latest move reinforces its long-term strategy of strengthening connectivity between Africa and its Doha hub, while positioning Qatar as a central global transit point linking the continent to Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

Qatar Airways will resume operations on several African routes from mid-2026. Services between Doha and Seychelles will restart on June 16, 2026, operating four times weekly, while flights to Kigali in Rwanda will also resume on the same date with two weekly services. The airline will further restore daily operations between Doha and Marrakesh in Morocco from July 1, 2026.

In addition to the resumptions, the carrier is expanding capacity on a wide range of African routes in response to growing passenger demand. Frequencies between Doha and Alexandria in Egypt will rise from three weekly flights to as many as seven, while the Cairo route will expand from 28 weekly flights to up to 35. The Doha–Cape Town service will increase from seven to as many as 10 weekly flights, and Dar es Salaam in Tanzania will grow from three to seven weekly services.

Further enhancements include the Lusaka–Harare route, which will increase from five to seven weekly flights, and the Maputo–Durban service, which will also expand from four to seven weekly flights, improving regional air links across southern Africa.

A key highlight of the expansion is the introduction of a new route between Doha and Port Sudan in Sudan, set to commence on July 2, 2026. The service will operate three times weekly on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, marking Qatar Airways’ latest entry into an emerging African market.

Aviation analysts note that the expansion reflects both strong demand recovery across African markets and Qatar Airways’ continued ambition to deepen its footprint across the continent.

The post Qatar Airways launches Doha–Port Sudan route as it expands African network with major frequency increases appeared first on 256 Business News.

The Cambodian government has issued a tough new immigration directive ordering African nationals living in the country to leave before May 31, 2026, warning of arrests, jail terms and hefty financial penalties for those who remain illegally after the deadline.

In an official notice issued by Cambodia’s General Department of Immigration under the Ministry of Interior, authorities said a waiver previously granted to affected foreign nationals would expire at the end of May.

The directive specifically mentions citizens from Uganda, Kenya, Ghana, Cameroon and other African countries currently residing in Cambodia.

According to the notice, any foreign national found in Cambodia from June 1, 2026 without complying with immigration requirements faces arrest either at airports or other locations across the country.

Cambodian authorities warned that offenders could serve up to two years in prison and pay a penalty of $8,000 before being allowed to leave the Southeast Asian nation.

The notice further states that Cambodian police will begin countrywide operations targeting foreigners hiding or overstaying in the country, with suspects to be handed over to immigration authorities for legal action.

“All concerned are hereby informed to strictly comply with this notice,” the statement reads, adding that the Royal Government of Cambodia “will not tolerate any violation of our immigration laws.”

The move is likely to trigger concern among African migrant communities, traders and informal workers operating in Cambodia, many of whom rely on short-term visas and temporary business arrangements.

The development also highlights tightening immigration enforcement across several Asian jurisdictions as governments move to crack down on undocumented migration and visa overstays following years of post-pandemic movement disruptions.

Ugandan authorities had not immediately commented on the notice by press time.

The post Cambodia gives Uganda, Kenya and other African nationals May 31 deadline to leave as immigration amnesty expires appeared first on 256 Business News.

The post Ulwazi Place expansion positions Nairobi for conference tourism growth appeared first on 256 Business News.

The post Saudia becomes first Middle East and Africa airline to operate Airbus A321XLR appeared first on 256 Business News.