Air Belgium plans to launch flights from Johannesburg and Cape Town in South Africa to Brussels in September. The two routes, which are subject to approval by the government authorities, will mark the first direct services to the Belgian capital from South Africa, the carrier says. These new direct connection “will give a much-needed boost for the tourism sector, and facilitate business and person-to-person contacts between our two countries, as well as between South Africa and the European institutions,” the airline adds.

Boeing during March booked new 38 net orders for commercial aircraft and delivered 41 jets even as its total order backlog shrank compared with the previous month. The Chicago-based airframer reported that gross orders of 53 aircraft were placed during March, including six 777 freighters and 47 Max jets. That was partially offset by the cancellations of 12 Max jets and three 787s. Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine was a factor in Boeing's decision to cut 152 aircraft orders from its overall backlog during March under accounting standard ASC 606, which factors in uncertainty of fulfilment. The airframer that month also moved 11 aircraft back into its backlog. Overall, the airframer ended March with a backlog of 4,231 orders, down from 4,375 at the end of February. Air Lease Corporation placed the largest single order during March with its purchase agreement for 32 Max 8 and Max 9 aircraft. Orders for an additional 15 Max aircraft were also placed by unidentified customers. DHL Express also ordered six 777 freighters. Aviation Capital Group cancelled one Max order; while Avolon, Air China and CIT Aerospace each cancelled on 787 order. The remaining 11 cancelled Max orders were removed by unidentified customers. Freighter deliveries included two 767-300s shipped to FedEx Express and one 777F shipped to Taiwan-based China Airlines. Deliveries also including 37 Max jets shipped to airlines and lessors. The largest two deliveries were six Max jets shipped to Aeromexico and seven Max sent to Ryanair. Boeing reports that it delivered a total of 95 commercial aircraft during the first quarter of 2022. It plans to disclose its first quarter earnings on 27 April.

The European Commission has banned 21 Russian airlines from the European Union skies in its 39th update of the air safety list published in April. These include Aurora Airlines, Aviastar-Tu, Izhavia, Yakutia, Smartavia, Ural, Alrosa Air, NordStar, RusLine, Yamal Airlines, Pobeda, Aeroflot, Rossiya and Utair, among others, the Commission says. The EU air safety list features a list of air carriers that do not fulfill international safety standards. The carriers on the list are banned from operating to, in and from the EU (including overflight), the Commission adds.