Intra-regional and domestic networks across the African continent will grow at a robust compound annual growth rate of 6.1%, driving 20-year demand for 1,010 new airplanes by 2040 valued at $176 billion, Boeing's data shows. With Europe remaining the most prominent origin and destination for African carriers, overall African air traffic growth is estimated at 5.2%, the third highest among global regions, says the airframer in its 2022 commercial market outlook for Africa. The report with projections through 2041 also states that airlines in Africa will grow their fleets by 3.5% per year to accommodate passenger traffic growth of 5.2% annually, above the global average growth of 3.8%. Single-aisle jets are expected to account for more than 70% of commercial deliveries, with 740 new planes mainly supporting domestic and inter-regional demand. Additionally, African carriers are estimated to need 250 new widebodies, including passenger and cargo models, to support long-haul routes and air freight growth. More than 80% of African jet deliveries are expected to serve fleet growth with models such as the 737, 777X and 787, with nearly one in five deliveries replacing older airplanes, it adds. Boeing managing director of commercial marketing for Middle East and Africa Randy Heisey states: "African carriers are well-positioned to support inter-regional traffic growth and capture market share by offering services that efficiently connect passengers and enable commerce within the continent." "We forecast an increase in the average aircraft size and seats per aircraft for the African fleet, as mid-size, single aisles, like the Boeing 737 Max, will be the most in demand for the continent," Heisey adds. Furthermore, commercial services opportunities such as supply chain, manufacturing, repair and overhaul are valued at $80 billion. Additionally, the report states that estimated demand for aviation personnel will rise to 67,000 new professionals, including 20,000 pilots, 21,000 technicians and 26,000 cabin crew members.

Dubai-based Emirates has disclosed that it will terminate its partnership with JetBlue Airways on 30 October. Emirates says on its website that passengers who purchase flights through the codeshare on or after 30 October will no longer be able to earn miles toward the carrier's Skywards loyalty programme. New York-based JetBlue and Emirates launched their codeshare in April 2012, after having commenced an interline partnership in 2010. Emirates' website states that the codeshare currently encompasses JetBlue flights to 49 cities via New York, 50 cities via Boston, 11 cities via Orlando, 22 cities via Newark, nine cities via Los Angeles, three cities via Chicago, five cities via San Francisco, two cities via Dallas/Ft Worth, three cities via Seattle and two cities via Miami. It also covers Emirates flights between Dubai and New York, Boston, Washington DC, Amman, Bahrain, Male, Entebbe, Nairobi and Dar Es Salaam. Media reports, including a 29 August report by The Air Current which Cirium has not independently verified, have suggested that a new codeshare agreement between Emirates and US major United Airlines is imminent. Patrick Quayle, United's senior vice-president of global network planning and alliances, said on 7 September during the virtual Cowen Global Transportation and Sustainable Mobility Conference that the Chicago-based carrier would make an announcement of some type at a 14 September event in Washington DC. "I don't want to get in front of my skis and make any announcements as to what that is today," Quayle says. He adds: "All I'll say is [Emirates is] a world-class airline, they have a fantastic management team and they serve a lot of unique destinations from Dubai, which is, again, a fantastic hub. So I and all of us at United really respect them as a company and their management team, and we have fantastic partners."

Hong Kong's government will scrap its quarantine requirement for aircrew on 10 September, replacing it with a "test and hold" strategy that will enable inbound crew members to leave the airport after testing negative for Covid-19. "Under the adjusted quarantine arrangements locally based aircrew performing duties on passenger flights to/from overseas places or Taiwan are required to undergo a 'test and hold' arrangement upon their arrival at Hong Kong International airport. They may leave the airport after obtaining a negative result of the nucleic acid test," states the government. "They are subject to regular testing after their return to the local community, so as to keep their health conditions under continued monitoring." Crew members must still comply with Hong Kong's "closed-loop" requirements during overseas layovers. On their return to Hong Kong, they will "continue to be subject to medical surveillance, including the requirements to avoid mask-off activities in public places, refrain from going to crowded places and mass gatherings, and keep a log of their activities until the third day following their arrival", says the government. Cathay Pacific chairman Patrick Healy had last month called for the removal of all Covid-related restrictions for aircrew and passengers "as soon as is feasible". On 12 August, the government reduced hotel quarantines for all arrivals to three days plus four days of home or hotel medical surveillance, down from a seven-day hotel quarantine requirement.