Aerospace

Airlines lobby group IATA has raised its forecast for airline profits this year by 10 percent and predicted passenger numbers topping 3 billion for the first time, reflecting lower jet fuel costs, improved efficiency and global economic growth.

France is deploying a sizeable number of aircraft, including transport and combat helicopters, to the Central African Republic (CAR) as part of its intervention force there, which aims to improve the fragile humanitarian situation in the country. Other nations, including the United States and United Kingdom, are also contributing aircraft to support CAR operations.

Annette Porter, producer of the documentary following Tracey Curtis-Taylor on her epic flight from Cape Town to Goodwood in England, reports that with the exception of Libya, the intrepid aviatrix has been able to faithfully follow the flight path of Mary Heath.

The mainstays of the SA Air Force’s (SAAF) airlift and multi-role maritime aircraft have been in service for 50 and 60 years plus respectively, making planning for replacements a priority.