Africa Archives - Aviation metric

Airbus forecasts 1,640 new passenger aircraft for Africa by 2045 as traffic triples

Posted on October 13, 2026 by Wole Shadare

Africa will require 1,640 new passenger aircraft over the next 20 years, according to Airbus’ latest Global Market Forecast (GMF 2026), as demographic expansion, economic growth, trade and tourism continue to drive demand for air connectivity across the continent. The forecast includes demand for 1,310 single-aisle and 330 wide-body aircraft by 2045. The outlook reflects the significant long-term potential of Africa’s aviation market. Passenger traffic to, from, and within Africa is expected to almost triple…

AASA urges immediate execution to unlock Africa’s aviation growth potential

Posted on October 13, 2026 by Wole Shadare

For decades, a frustrating paradox has shaped African aviation: endless potential held back by an unwillingness to act. Across the continent, civil aviation authorities, governments, and industry leaders have spent years attending high-level summits, commissioning costly consultancy studies, and signing ambitious blueprints. Yet, many of these strategies remain locked in file cabinets while air transport across the continent operates far below its full capacity. The Airlines Association of Southern Africa (AASA) has now issued…

SAA wins top African airline award at travel market

Posted on September 17, 2026 by Wole Shadare

South African Airways (SAA) has won the Top African Airline Award at the 22nd Akwaaba African Travel Market held at the Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, on September 13 – 15, 2026. Voted by the travel industry and members of the public, the award stood out among the Top 100 Travel Icons in Nigeria for Excellence in Travel. The award was announced by Mr Ikechi Uko, Publisher, African Travel Quarterly & Founder, Akwaaba…

The Banking Problem in African Skies

Posted on August 24, 2026 by Wole Shadare

There are industries in which money follows opportunity. Aviation is one of them. There are also industries in which the absence of appropriate financing prevents the opportunity from ever becoming a reality. African aviation belongs increasingly to the second category. The continent has people who want to travel, businesses that need to move, airports that want to expand, airlines that want to acquire aircraft, cargo operators that need equipment, maintenance companies that need facilities and…

IATA and Africa: What Have You Done for Me Lately?

Posted on August 17, 2026 by Wole Shadare

There is a particular question that every long-standing relationship eventually invites: What have you done for me lately? It is not necessarily always an accusation. Sometimes it is an invitation to take stock. Sometimes it is a demand for evidence. And sometimes it is simply the question asked by someone who has heard the promises for long enough and would now like to see the results. For African aviation, that question may reasonably be put to…

IATA Steps Up African Safety Drive With Monthly CASIP Workshops

Posted on July 24, 2026 by Wole Shadare

In a fresh bid to address the continent’s lingering aviation safety challenges, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has rolled out a series of specialised Safety Training and Capacity-Building Workshops designed to bolster operational standards across Africa. The initiative, anchored under IATA’s Focus Africa Collaborative Aviation Safety Improvement Program (CASIP), consists of monthly workshops and webinars aimed at equipping safety professionals with practical tools, regulatory guidance, and global best practices to strengthen safety management and…

Bristow Group debuts Africa’s first oil & gas Airbus H160 in Nigeria

Posted on July 5, 2026 by Wole Shadare

In a move that significantly raises the bar for offshore logistics in Africa’s aviation landscape, Bristow Helicopters has formally introduced the state-of-the-art Airbus H160 helicopter into service in Nigeria. The unveiling, which took place in Lagos on Thursday, July 2, 2026, marks the first time this next-generation, medium-twin platform has been deployed anywhere on the African continent to support the energy sector and search-and-rescue (SAR) operations. The high-profile event drew key aviation regulators, energy sector…

Africa records highest global baggage mishandling rate despite 23% drop, SITA report

Posted on June 30, 2026 by Wole Shadare

Lost, baggage manhandling cost global aviation $6.3 billion annually The global aviation industry is making significant strides in tackling baggage mishandling, but Africa continues to lag behind, recording the highest baggage mishandling rate of any region globally. According to the newly released 2026 SITA Baggage IT Insights Report—the 20th annual edition of the industry benchmark—airlines and airports worldwide slashed global mishandling rates by 23% in 2025. However, Africa remains a stark outlier, recording…

United Nigeria Airlines joins AFRAA, fuels Africa, intercontinental ambition

Posted on June 28, 2026 by Wole Shadare

In a move that underscores the shifting dynamics of West African aviation and a renewed push for continental integration, the African Airlines Association (AFRAA) has admitted United Nigeria Airlines as a full member. Beyond the corporate fanfare, this development marks a significant alignment for Nigeria’s domestic operators, positioning one of the country’s most aggressive legacy-minded carriers squarely within the cockpit of African aviation diplomacy. The admission deepens AFRAA’s footprint in Nigeria—Africa’s most populous nation…

Walsh: It’s bizarre that a lot of traffic from Africa to Africa goes over the Middle East

Posted on June 15, 2026June 15, 2026 by Wole Shadare

Willie Walsh is the outgoing Director-General of the International Air Transport Association (IATA). In this interview with WOLE SHADARE at the IATA82nd AGM in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, he speaks about issues, prospects of the global airline and aviation industry, Africa’s slow implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) and how the continent can realise its potential Willie, could you give an appraisal of your tenure as you leave your role as the…

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