JANUARY 2025

The new year is off to a good start with 15 aircraft having been registered.

- MORNÉ BOOIJ-LIEWES

Several people must have had NTCA types on their wish list for Christmas as nine new additions are seen in this category.

Leading the pack was Micro Aviation’s Bat Hawk R with four deliveries, followed by two high wing Sling HWs. Savanna Africa delivered a single Savannah S while a vintage Alouette II Lama ZU-RNL (2522) relocates to South Africa. This 1978-built Lama previously operated in Switzerland for Helog AG and later Air Glaciers SA between 1993 until its retirement and subsequent sale and export to SA where it now takes up local registry.

Turning to the Type-Certified Aircraft additions, we see three narrowbody airliners having been registered. The first is Airlink’s Embraer 175, ZS-YBD (17000342). The type finally entered service with the carrier, somewhat later than planned, with ZS-YBG operating the type’s first scheduled service on 28 January on a return flight to Gaborone from OR Tambo. These will replace Airlink’s Embraer 170 fleet in the short term.

Africa Air Charters registers another Boeing 737-4Y0SF, ZS-TJY (24917). This plane was formerly registered in the Gambia as C5-JRD and was delivered to OR Tambo on 7 December. Its sistership, Boeing 737-476SF ZS-TEY (24436) is now operating for BidAir Cargo. This plane completed a training flight on 20 January and entered commercial service on 1 February. It is assumed that ZS-TJY will also operate services for BidAir Cargo in due course.