Boeing applauds African aviation’s strong traffic recovery pace in 2022
Boeing has underlined that African aviation traffic has recovered at a strong pace in 2022 with pent-up demand and economic growth driven by higher global commodity prices allowing African airlines to recover their flight operations to 80% of pre-pandemic levels.
Speaking at this year’s Aviation Africa summit, being held from 12-13 September 2022 in Kigali, Rwanda, Randy Heisey, Boeing Managing Director of Commercial Marketing for Middle East and Africa delivered Boeing’s commercial market outlook for Africa as he addressed the “great restoration of travel we’re seeing across the continent today.”
Over the next 20 years market demand in Africa is expected to drive the need for 1,010 new aircraft by 2040, valued at $176 billion.
“African carriers are well-positioned to support inter-regional traffic growth and capture market share by offering services that efficiently connect passengers and enable commerce within the continent,” said Heisey.
Boeing is forecasting an increase in the average aircraft size and seats per aircraft for the African fleet. “Mid-size, single aisles, like the Boeing 737 MAX, will be the most in demand for the continent,” Heisey declared.
Looking at how African traffic is growing as restrictions continue to relax, Heisey underlined that a 75% current load factor has exceeded the pre-pandemic figure of 72%. He also referenced that with Africa’s above world average annual economic growth of 3.1% combined with the increasing rates of urbanisation and a growing middle-class population, rising income levels in Africa will only lead to increased demand for air travel.
Through 2041, Boeing’s 2022 Africa Commercial Market Outlook anticipates airlines in Africa will grow their fleets by 3.5% per year to accommodate passenger traffic growth of 5.2% annually, above the global average growth of 3.8%. In addition, single-aisle jets are expected to account for more than 70% of commercial deliveries, with 740 new planes mainly supporting domestic and inter-regional demand.
To support long-haul routes and air-freight growth Boeing is forecasting that African airlines will require 250 new widebodies, with Heisey remarking: “With a 20%-30% reduction in fuel consumption the 777X is the ideal replacement for widebodies.”
Robust growth is also forecast in the supply chain, manufacturing, repair and overhaul (MRO) sector with Boeing valuing commercial services opportunities at $80 billion through 2041.