► SOUTH AFRICA: Eleven BA-Comair B737s suffer mass grounding over expired parts.

The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) on Friday, August 2, reportedly grounded eleven of British Airways-Comair's aircraft after they were found to be flying with components whose life-cycle expired in August 2012.

■ NIGERIA: NCAA grounds AeroContractors over ongoing industrial action.

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, has grounded AeroContractors (AJ) until a resolution to an ongoing strike by its staff has been found. A brief announcement appeared on the carrier's site yesterday evening claiming Aero would be back in the air today, but was quickly rescinded within an hour of publication.

► NIGERIA: Dana Air grounded as Aviation Ministry revokes its AOC.

Nigeria's Dana Air (9J), has had its Air Operator's Certificate (AOC) revoked by the Nigerian Ministry of Aviation acting through the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). The move comes only 3 months after the carrier received its revalidated AOC and resumed operations.

► ETHIOPIA: Ethiopian said to have grounded its 787 fleet following FAA directive.

Despite recently trumpeting its contentment at "the performance of their Dreamliners", labelling them "highly capable and safe aircraft", Ethiopian Airlines (ET), too, appears to have joined the growing list of Dreamliner operators to have grounded the type following recent problems with the aircraft's Lithium Ion battery.

► MAURITANIA: ANAC grounds Mauritania Airlines International 737-500 over maintenance concerns.

The Mauritanian Civil Aviation Authority - l’Agence Nationale de l’aviation civile (ANAC) -  has grounded a Mauritanian Airlines International (L6) Boeing 737-500 (MSN 28469 | 5T-CLA) at its home base, Nouakchott International Airport, following revelations the aircraft had exceeded its maximum permissible flying cycles.

■ TUNISIA: Government blocks launch of Jasmin Airways.

Tunisia's government has again moved to protect its loss-making national carrier Tunisair (TU) this time, by blocking the launch of startup Jasmin Airways, set to operate charters out Enfidha Airport using two Airbus A320 from early 2013.

► MOROCCO: Mauritanian Airlines International Boeing 737-700 suffers second technical glitch in three weeks.

A Boeing 737-700 (MSN 34263 | 5T-CLC), leased from Aviation Capital Group and operated by Mauritanian Airlines International (L6), the national airline of Mauritania, on Tuesday, suffered yet another technical glitch; its second in 3 weeks. 

► CHAD: Toumaï Air Tchad grounded by authorities after IATA audit finds serious safety shortcomings.

Chadian state carrier Toumaï Air Tchad (9D), along with two other unspecified airlines, have been grounded indefinitely by Chadian authorities in Ndjamena following a damning safety audit of the airlines by IATA, which uncovered serious safety shortcomings.