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By Chinelo Obogo
Aircraft manufacturing company, Boeing, has projected that African airlines will need 1,025 new airplanes in the next 20 years. This is also as it forecast that intra-African passenger traffic will be more than quadruple in the next 20 years. It projects African air traffic growth to be 7.4 per cent, the third highest among global regions and above the global average growth of 6.1 per cent.
Boeing’s Managing Director of Commercial Marketing for Middle East and Africa, Randy Heisey, who said this at a media briefing on the sidelines of the Aviation Africa conference which held in Abuja on Wednesday, said that African carriers are well-positioned to support intra-regional traffic growth and capture market share by offering services that efficiently connect passengers and enable commerce within the continent
Boeing included the data as part of its 2023 Commercial Market Outlook (CMO), the company’s long-term assessment of global demand for commercial airplanes and services. It said that African aviation traffic has recovered at a strong pace in 2023 led by pent-up demand and economic growth driven by higher global commodity prices.
“We forecast an increase in the average aircraft size and seats per aircraft for the African fleet, as single aisles, like the Boeing 737 MAX, will be the most in demand for the continent,” he said.
African airline flights, Boeing stated are currently eight per cent above pre-pandemic levels. According to aircraft manufacturer the economic and growth initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area and Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) are expected to further stimulate trade and intra-regional connectivity.
“The continents’ above global average, long-term annual economic growth of 3.4 per cent, combined with increasing rates of urbanisation and a growing middle-class population, will continue to drive Africa’s long-term traffic demand. With Europe remaining the most prominent origin/destination for travelers to and from Africa, airlines in the region will grow their fleets by 4.5 per cent per year to accommodate passenger traffic growth.
“Single aisle jets are expected to account for more than 70 per cent of commercial deliveries, with 730 new planes mainly supporting domestic and intra-regional demand. In addition, African carriers are estimated to need 275 new wide-bodies, including passenger and cargo models, to support long-haul routes and air freight growth.
“Approximately 90 per cent of African jet deliveries are expected to serve fleet growth with more fuel-efficient models such as the 737 MAX, 777X and 787 Dreamliner, with nearly one in five deliveries replacing older airplanes. Estimated demand for aviation personnel will rise to 69,000 new professionals, including 21,000 pilots, 22,000 technicians and 26,000 cabin crew members. Commercial services opportunities such as supply chain, manufacturing, repair and overhaul are valued at $105 billion,” Heisey said.
