FlySafair will operate Boeing Max jets for the first time after agreeing to lease three from AerCap. The lessor says the trio of Max 8s will be delivered in the first quarter of 2028. In addition, two 737NGs will be placed with the South African carrier. Deliveries of those are set to begin in the third quarter of 2026. The transaction was announced during the Dubai air show. AerCap commercial chief Peter Anderson notes that the deal makes FlySafair a new lessee for the lessor. Data shows that the Johannesburg-based carrier's fleet includes 35 737NGs, four 737-400s and one 737-400 combi.

Ethiopian Airlines has ordered another six Airbus A350-900s from the airframer and agreed with Air Congo the lease of two ATR 72-600 turboprops. The African carrier has 22 A350-900s and four A350-1000s today and had another 11 A350-900s on order prior to the six additional orders disclosed at the Dubai air show on 18 November, Cirium fleets data shows. Ethiopian's passenger fleet additionally includes 29 Boeing 787s, 11 777s, 23 737 Max 8s, nine 737NGs and 29 De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400 turboprops. Its cargo fleet spans 12 777 Freighters, four 767 converted freighters and four 737NG converted freighters. The group's order backlog comprises 31 Max 8s, 11 787-9s, eight 777-9s, and two Twin Otter Classic 300G turboprops "We are delighted to expand our Airbus fleet size with this order and strengthen our partnership with the Airbus company," states Ethiopian chief executive Mesfin Tasew, noting that the carrier's position as Africa's largest A350 operator. The follow-on order "further supports our vision to grow sustainably while providing a world-class travel experience to our passengers and strengthening our position as the aviation leader in Africa", he adds. ATR has disclosed that Air Congo will operate under a lease agreement two ATR 72-600s for Ethiopian from February 2026. The turboprop manufacturer highlights a previous agreement with Ethiopian to establish ATR maintenance capabilities for third-party customers at its base in Addis Ababa. Toulouse-based ATR is jointly owned by Airbus and Leonardo.

UK regional carriers Loganair and Aurigny have moved to take over routes previously operated by Blue Islands following the latter's cessation of operations. Loganair will operate rescue flights on routes from Jersey to Guernsey, Exeter, Bristol and Southampton, and also, subject to governmental approval, from Guernsey to Southampton. From Guernsey, Aurigny will operate two daily Jersey flights and up to three daily Southampton flights until 17 December. The carrier says long-term schedules for both routes will be announced in the coming days. Fleets data shows that Blue Islands operated four ATR 72-500 turboprops and one -600. Two of the ATR 72-500s were leased from Falko and one from Abelo. Jetstream Aviation Capital leased the -600 to the Channel Islands-based airline. Blue Islands is the second UK-based regional carrier to have suspended operations in recent weeks, following the collapse of Eastern Airways in late October.