VINTAGE Aircraft - Iberia Cargo / Douglas DC-8-62(F) / EC-EMD / Serial #: 46023

Flyingphotos - Madrid

ex - Cargosur - EC-EMD
ex - Cygnus Air - EC-EMD

VINTAGE Aircraft - Cygnus Air / McDonnell Douglas DC-8-62(F) / EC-EMX / Serial #: 45921

Flyingphotos - Madrid

ex - Iberia Cargo - EC-EMX 

ex - Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) - SE-DBG

ex - Cargosur - EC-EMX

 

VINTAGE Aircraft - Agroar Cargo / CS-TMM / Convair CV-580(F)(SCD) / Serial #: 375

Flyingphotos - Lisboa

 ex - European Expedite - OO-EED 

 ex - Nolinor Aviation - C-GNRL

ex -  Summit Airlines - N533SA

 

AIRLINE HISTORY DEFUNCT - Air Afrique was a prominent pan-African airline founded in 1961 as a joint venture between Air France and 11 newly independent West/Central African nations.

Flyingphotos-TU-TAZ-Airbus A310-300-Lisboa

 It was established as the official transnational carrier for rancophone West and Central Africa, because many of these countries did not have the capability to create and maintain a national airline, and had its headquarters in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

Flyingphotos - TU-TAO-A300B4-Lisboa

Registered in September 1960 and launched on March 28, 1961, by 11 West and Central African nations (Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Senegal, Mauritania, Benin, Burkina Faso, Niger, Congo, CAR, Chad, and Gabon).

The carrier was established to connect the newly independent nations, ensuring regional transportation and operating as a pan-African, prestigious enterprise to compete with foreign airlines.

Flyingphotos - N1808E-McDonnell Douglas DC-8-62(F)-Lisboa

The airline was a consortium, with 66% of the company owned by the 11 member states, while Air France and Union Aéromaritime de Transport (UAT) held a combined 34% stake.

Operations began in August 1961 with DC-4 aircraft. The company grew rapidly, adopting jet aircraft like the DC-8 by 1962 and entering the widebody era with the DC-10 in 1973.

Headquarters: Located in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.

Decline and Bankruptcy: Through the 1980s and 1990s, the airline suffered from debt, overstaffing, and management issues, leading to its nickname "Air Maybe". Following the economic downturn post-9/11, it went bankrupt and ceased operations in 2002.

IATA - RK 

ICAO - RKA 

Call sign - AIRAFRIC

Guido Allieri - L1011-Air-Afrique-N185AT-006

Founded - 28 March 1961

Commenced - 1 August 1961

operations Ceased - January 2002

operations Hubs - Abidjan

Secondary - Dakar–Yoff

hubs Subsidiaries 

Air Burkina

Air Mali

Air Mauritani

Guido Allieri Collection - L1011-Air-Afrique-SE-DSD-195

Destinations  - 22 (at the time of closure)

Headquarters - Abidjan, Ivory Coast

Guido Allieri Collection - DC10-Swissair-HB-IHN-242-ZRH in March 1983

The Aircraft wear the classic "chocolate stripe" Swissair color scheme introduced in 1981, there are also 2 AIR AFRIQUE additional titles in fuselage.

The airline historically operated a wide variety of aircraft

Airbus A300 - 9

Airbus A300B4 - 5

Airbus A300-600 - 4

Airbus A310 - 8

Airbus A330 - 2

Boeing 737 - 13

Boeing 747 - 6

Boeing 767 - 2

Douglas DC-8 - 22

Lockheed L-1011 TriStar - 4

McDonnell Douglas DC-10 - 6

McDonnell Douglas MD-80 - 1

Photo: Lewis Grant - TU-TAL-Le Bourget-8-9-1973

 

SPECIAL COLOURS - Starlux Airsorayama Gold - A350-1000, B-58554

The GOLD that will dazzle the world
The STARLUX AIRSORAYAMA GOLD makes its debut at AIRBUS headquarters!

Following the AIRSORAYAMA SILVER, the B-58554 has completed its paint job in Toulouse, France.

The flying masterpiece, designed by legendary Japanese artist Hajime Sorayama, will soon illuminate the skies.

 Photos: StarLux

SPECIAL LIVERY - Spirit Airlines is fully embracing its most famous nickname — the “banana plane”

with a new marketing campaign that transforms six of its bright yellow aircraft into special banana-themed liveries.

The yellow Airbus A319/A320/A321 fleet is frequently dubbed the "Banana Plane" by aviation enthusiasts.

Photos: Spirit Airlines
 

FLEET / NEW LIVERY - Aeroitalia added its first Boeing 737-700 to its fleet in early 2026, registered as 9H-SIL

Photo: Eros Picari | Jetspeedit

Forli (Luigi Ridolfi) - LIPK, Italy

This aircraft was chosen to debut the company’s new, updated livery designed to showcase a refreshed brand identity.
Features a new, "all-Italian" look with a "Dynamic Tricolour" (green, white, and red) on the tail and a deep blue belly.

The introduction of the 737-700 marks a continued expansion of the carrier's fleet, which has historically relied on a mix of 737-800s, 737-500s, and wet-leased ATR 72-600s.

FLEET - Medsky Airways (Libya) took delivery of one E195, on wet lease from Marathon Airlines (SX-LUX) and powered by CF34-10E5 engines.

 Photos: Eros Picari | Jetspeedit

SX-LUX / Embraer ERJ-190-200IGW

Forli (Luigi Ridolfi) - LIPK, Italy

AIRPORT - Fort Lauderdale Airport

 Ronald Vermeulen

NEW AIRLINE - Mukhtara Air (MUH) is a new Saudi Arabian full-service carrier set to begin operations in early 2026, primarily serving pilgrims and travelers between Indonesia and Saudi Arabia.

 Owned by Manazil Al Mukhtara Group, it offers dedicated routes to Madinah, Makkah, and Taif using Airbus A330 and A320 aircraft, often in partnership with Zowar for travel packages.

Operational Focus: Specializes in Hajj and Umrah travel, connecting Indonesian cities (such as Surabaya, Denpasar, and Kualanamu) to Saudi Arabia.

Launch Date: Operations were scheduled to begin in January 2026.

Fleet: Operates Airbus A330s for international routes and A320s for domestic/regional flights, with plans to expand to 10 aircraft.

Parent Company: Owned by the Madinah-based Manazil Al Mukhtara Company Holding, which specializes in hospitality and travel services.

Headquarters: Located near Soekarno-Hatta Airport in Tangerang, Indonesia.

ROUTES - Armenia's NovAir restarts domestic operations

NovAir (Armenia) (NG, Yerevan) restarted scheduled passenger operations in Armenia on March 31, 2026, with flights between Yerevan and Kapan. The airline is deploying its only aircraft, Let 410 UVP-E20, EK4117 (msn 3017), which recently returned from lengthy maintenance in Czechia. Chief executive, Karen Vardanyan, said that for now, the airline had no expansion plans, but would reconsider buying a second aircraft if the Armenian government steps in with subsidies for domestic and regional connectivity.
CH Avaition

Full Story : Armenpress agency

 

REBRANDS - South Korea’s t'way Air rebrands as Trinity Airways

Shareholders of t'way Air (TW, Daegu) approved the change of the carrier's corporate name Trinity Airways at its annual general meeting on March 31, 2026, with 99.2% support of votes cast. The rebranding will take effect following approvals from domestic and foreign authorities. Until then, the airline will retain its existing name, 'TW' IATA code, flight numbers, and reservations.

Separately, the airline faces a KRW1.2 billion won (USD793,000) fine for using unauthorised components in aircraft maintenance. The case involves seven air supply duct parts installed on five aircraft which were not included in approved maintenance capability listings.

CH Aviation

Trinity Airways will maintain its fleet of 26 Boeing 737-800s, which will be expanded with 20 Boeing 737 MAX 8s by 2027, and we will invest in long-range aircraft such as the Airbus A330-200/300, Boeing 777-300ER and future A330-900. International expansion was facilitated by the merger between Korean Air and Asiana, securing strategic slots for Europe and North America, specifically 46 destinations from Incheon.

 

SPECIAL COLOURS / ROUTES - On Easter Monday: Lufthansa special flights will fly the routes of the inaugural flights from exactly 100 years ago

• Just like on April 6, 1926: Two flights will depart from Berlin to Zurich and Cologne
• A grand ceremony is planned at BER Airport
• Numerous guests of honor, plane spotters, and spectators are expected

On April 6, 1926, the first flights of the first “Luft Hansa” took off from Berlin. On Easter Monday, April 6, 2026 - exactly 100 years later - this special anniversary will be celebrated in multiple ways.

On Monday morning, two long-haul aircraft will take off from Lufthansa’s hubs in Frankfurt and Munich bound for the capital. A Boeing 787-9 will depart from Hesse, and an Airbus A350-900 from Bavaria. On board: more than 400 passengers, consisting of Lufthansa Group employees and their partners, who have been invited by the company. Also on board the flights: influencers and journalists. Both aircraft feature the special blue livery with a white XXL crane to mark Lufthansa’s 100th anniversary.

More than 600 guests are expected at a celebratory event at Berlin Brandenburg Willy Brandt Airport.
On April 6, 1926, a Fokker Grulich F II took off from Berlin-Tempelhof Airport bound for Zurich, and a Dornier Komet III D-580 took off for Cologne. The flight to Zurich carried a newlywed couple, while the flight to Cologne had only a single passenger.

On Easter Monday, the Boeing 787 and the Airbus A350 will reenact these historic maiden flights. Both aircraft are scheduled to take off simultaneously from Berlin at around 3:00 p.m. Numerous spectators and aviation enthusiasts are expected on the BER visitor terrace for this special parallel departure.

The Dreamliner D-ABPU will depart for Zurich, and the Airbus D-AIXL for Cologne. They will also pass over the locations where the planes made stops on April 6, 1926. LH1926 (Boeing 787) flies from Berlin via Halle, Erfurt, and Stuttgart to Zurich, while LH2026 (Airbus A350) flies from Berlin via Magdeburg to Cologne. 100 years later, however, naturally without a stopover, but only as waypoints flown over in the air. Many aviation fans are also expected in Zurich and Cologne. Tickets for the two special flights sold out within a few days.

ROUTES - Malaysia's AirAsia X targets Istanbul as new hub for Europe

AirAsia X (D7, Kuala Lumpur International) is shifting its long-haul strategy towards Türkiye as the new intercontinental hub, after geopolitical tensions disrupted its earlier Gulf plans, Capital A chief executive Tony Fernandes said at a press conference.

"We're about to do a partnership with a very large Turkish airline, which will give us a huge European network," Fernandes said, quoted by Skift. He added that network plans and operations initially intended for Bahrain International are now being trialled in Istanbul. The Gulf airport, which AirAsia X planned to turn into a fifth-freedom connecting hub for its European operations, remains closed to all commercial traffic due to the risk of Iranian strikes.

AirAsia X earlier planned to launch services to London Gatwick via Bahrain from June 26, 2026, and to base up to 100 aircraft at the Gulf airport.

The airline continues to sell tickets on the Kuala Lumpur International-Bahrain-London Gatwick fifth-freedom route.

In a LinkedIn post dated March 16, 2026, Fernandes said amid the conflict, demand had strengthened for travel to Europe via Türkiye, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan.

Fernandes said the airline would seek to offset higher fuel costs through revenue and cost control, while maintaining low fares. It expects to return most of its aircraft from storage by end-April 2026 to improve operational reliability.

SPECIAL COLOURS - Highlight of the anniversary year: Lufthansa celebrates 100 years since its first flights in Berlin

• Special flights follow the routes from April 6, 1926, and take off for Zurich and Cologne on this special day
• 
  
• Jens Ritter, CEO of Lufthansa Airlines: “Driven by a pioneering spirit, it all began here in Berlin”
• 
  
• The anniversary Boeing 787-9 aircraft is named “Berlin”: named by Governing Mayor of Berlin, Kai Wegner

It is a special date for Lufthansa and a special day for all the employees who have shaped the airline with the crane logo: Exactly 100 years ago today - on April 6, 1926 - Lufthansa (at that time: “Luft Hansa”) took to the skies on its first flights. On that day, two aircraft took off from Berlin-Tempelhof Airport bound for Zurich and Cologne. Exactly a century later, this special date was fittingly celebrated as a chronological highlight of the anniversary year on Easter Monday - including two special flights that retraced the historic routes of the inaugural flights.

A Boeing 787-9 and an Airbus A350-900, both in blue anniversary livery featuring a white XXL crane, had taken off from Frankfurt and Munich that morning. On board: hundreds of Lufthansa employees with their partners, who, as lucky winners of an internal raffle, had been invited by the company to join the anniversary flights and be there in person in Berlin on this special day. A total of more than 600 guests, including passengers on the fully booked special flights as well as invited guests from the political and aviation sectors, celebrated the highlight of the anniversary year at a festive event in Berlin. Among them was Berlin’s Governing Mayor, Kai Wegner. A special highlight: The Boeing 787-9 in anniversary livery was officially named “Berlin” during the ceremony.

Jens Ritter, CEO of Lufthansa Airlines, emphasized in his speech: “Today, Lufthansa is celebrating its birthday! Driven by a pioneering spirit and passion, it all began here in Berlin. Exactly 100 years ago, the first flights of the original Lufthansa took off from here. Today, Berlin is one of our company’s largest locations. Around 2,000 Lufthansa employees live and work in the capital region. Lufthansa and the Group’s airlines will remain strong partners in Berlin in the future.”

Kai Wegner, Governing Mayor of Berlin, emphasized in his welcoming remarks: “100 years of Lufthansa is an impressive anniversary. On April 6, 1926, two flights departed from Berlin to Zurich and Cologne, thereby establishing Lufthansa’s long-standing connection with Berlin. To this day, Lufthansa remains an outstanding partner for Berlin - and I am delighted that, on the occasion of this special anniversary, we are naming the Boeing 787-9 ‘Berlin.’”

Routes of the inaugural flights re-enacted

Around 3:15 p.m., the Boeing 787-9, which had previously been named “Berlin,” and the Airbus A350-900 with the registration D-AIXL then departed the capital for Zurich and Cologne. On their journey, the special flights flew over the locations where stopovers were made on April 6, 1926. The Boeing 787-9 flew from Berlin via Halle, Erfurt, and Stuttgart to Zurich, while the A350-900 flew via Magdeburg to Cologne. The flight numbers of the two flights, LH1926 and LH2026, also commemorated the special anniversary.

Lufthansa will celebrate its 100th founding anniversary in 2026. Berlin plays a special role in the airline’s history: the first Lufthansa was founded here on January 6, 1926. Today, the Lufthansa Group is one of the four largest airlines worldwide and the largest airline group in Europe. In Berlin, the company is the clear market leader. Around 30 percent of all flights in the capital are operated by airlines within the group.

The ceremonial highlight of Lufthansa’s anniversary year will take place on April 15 with a ceremony in Frankfurt. On this day, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is also expected to attend at Lufthansa Group Hangar One, the new conference and visitor center at Frankfurt Airport.

Lufthansa

 

ROUTES - Kenyan Carrier 748 Air Services to Resume Scheduled Flights in May

Kenyan airline 748 Air Services will resume scheduled domestic passenger operations in May 2026 under its Fly748.com brand, more than three years after suspending due to weak demand, the company said on Thursday March 2, 2026.

AIRPORT - Miami International Airport

Ronal Vermeulen

AIRPORT - 2026.EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg

 Paul Bannwarth