Africa Archives - Aviation metric

Africa’s national airlines spring up from the dead

Posted on September 23, 2025September 23, 2025 by Wole Shadare

Concerns have been raised about the nationalisation of several airlines. Many African countries are beginning to revive their dead airlines amid the springing up of national carriers across Africa under different market arrangements, writes WOLE SHADARE The wave of state-owned airlines is beginning to gain traction. It is an indication of how important aviation is to the governments in driving the economic engines of their different nations. The huge ceremony that accompanied the inaugural flight…

Africa’s empty skies aided by low propensity to fly

Posted on September 9, 2025September 9, 2025 by Wole Shadare

This basic concept of own-price elasticity of air travel in different market segments suggests that if air fares are reduced on Nigeria’s domestic routes, demand for air travel is likely to increase, since these routes are short-haul, and the prohibitive costs of air travel exclude several potential consumers of the service, writes WOLE SHADARE . The disclosure by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) last week, lamenting the high cost of flying’s disruptive impact on the…

Ethiopian Airlines Group, AfDB Ink Mandate Letter To Provide $500M For Africa’s Largest Aviation Infrastructure Project

Posted on August 12, 2025 by Wole Shadare

Following the signing of the Letter of Intent (LoI) on March 24th, 2025, Ethiopian Airlines Group (EAG) and the African Development Bank (AfDB) signed a landmark mandate letter appointing the Bank as Initial Mandated Lead Arranger (IMLA) for the financing of Ethiopian Airlines’ mega airport, a transformative aviation hub poised to redefine air connectivity across Africa. Under this Mandate Letter, AfDB will provide a loan of $500 million and lead the mobilisation of the remaining…

IATA: Cape Town, J’burg Africa’s busiest route, US biggest aviation mkt with 876 million passengers in 2024

Posted on August 4, 2025August 4, 2025 by Wole Shadare

China ranks second The United States has retained its position as the world’s biggest aviation market with 876 million passengers in 2024 on the strength of its domestic market, growing 5.2% year-on-year, while China was the second-biggest passenger market, with 741 million passengers, a growth of 18.7% compared to 2023. This is contained in the International Air Transport Association (IATA) latest edition of the World Air Transport Statistics (WATS), with comprehensive statistical data for…

IATA: Despite improvement, Africa’s air safety rating lags behind global average

Posted on July 30, 2025 by Wole Shadare

2024 runway excursions most prevalent among Africa’s 10 reported accidents High taxes, charges highest in Africa, destroy travel demands, flays $1trapped funds The International Air Transport Association (IATA) urged African governments to prioritise aviation as a catalyst for economic growth, job creation, connectivity, and social development by enhancing safety, reducing the cost burden, and resolving the issue of blocked airline funds. According to IATA, on average, the effective implementation rate for ICAO SARPS is…

Airbus expands footprint in Africa with a new Customer Support Centre in J’burg

Posted on July 23, 2025July 23, 2025 by Wole Shadare

Airbus has officially opened a new Customer Support Centre dedicated to commercial aircraft in Johannesburg, marking a major milestone in nearly five decades of partnership with Africa’s aviation sector. The facility will bring Airbus closer to airline customers across the continent, enhancing customer proximity and offering a full range of services to help operators maintain safe, efficient, and reliable fleets. The centre will provide technical assistance, engineering and maintenance solutions, fleet performance analysis, training services,…

African carriers’ low penetration creates space for foreign airlines’

Posted on July 23, 2025July 23, 2025 by Wole Shadare

Despite the presence of foreign airlines, the African market still offers substantial growth potential. This is particularly true for airlines looking to expand their reach and offer more options travelling to and from the continent, writes WOLE SHADARE Foreign airlines are increasingly viewing the African aviation market as a lucrative opportunity. While European and Middle Eastern carriers have a strong presence, airlines from around the globe are recognising the potential for growth in the region….

European, Middle East Airlines, others foray into African market with codeshare deals with continent’s airlines

Posted on July 17, 2025 by Wole Shadare

European, Middle East and American airlines have begun to see Africa as a fertile ground for airline business as they begin to ink codeshare pacts with the continent’s airlines to expand their operations in the region. The latest pact is the one involving Turkish Airlines, the flag carrier of Türkiye. The carrier has signed a comprehensive codeshare agreement with South Africa-based Airlink to strengthen its presence on the African continent. The agreement, which will take…

Qatar Airways resumes flights to Kigali, increases network in Africa to 30 destinations

Posted on June 26, 2025June 26, 2025 by Wole Shadare

Qatar Airways is increasing the number of destinations it serves in Africa to 30, with the resumption of flights between Doha and the Rwandan capital, Kigali, from Wednesday, 25 June 2025. The resumption marks the continued expansion of the airline’s African operations and its commitment to operating across the continent, providing increased connectivity and choice of destinations via its award-winning Doha hub, Hamad International Airport. The move is also expected to help boost socio-economic development…

Qatar: Aviation’s role in helping Africa become an economic superpower

Posted on June 16, 2025June 16, 2025 by Wole Shadare

At home to the world’s youngest workforce, paired with evolving legislation and massive capacity for expansion of airline services, Africa has unprecedented potential for development, writes Qatar Airways’ Chief Commercial, Thierry Antinori With the world’s youngest and fastest-growing workforce and rich natural resources, it is well documented that Africa has vast potential for socio-economic development. Much has been said and written about how to unleash that potential. Still, the continent’s people, business and political leaders…

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