Africa's young and expanding population is looking for more travel opportunities, leading to a projected doubling of the region's commercial aircraft fleet by 2043, as per Boeing's 2024 Commercial Market Outlook. The company's long-term demand forecast for commercial aircraft and services predicts that over 800 new single-aisle jets will be delivered, accounting for most of this growth.
According to the Commercial Market Outlook, passenger air traffic in Africa is projected to increase by 6.4% annually, more than tripling the region’s air traffic by 2043. This growth rate ranks Africa third highest among the ten Boeing-tracked areas.
“As demand for air travel rises, African airlines will need more single-aisle aircraft to efficiently serve many routes in the continent’s largest aviation markets, including Europe, the Middle East and within Africa," said Shahab Matin, Boeing managing director of Commercial Marketing for Middle East and Africa. “This growth will build on Boeing’s nearly eight decades of partnership with African carriers, as more than 60 airlines currently operate around 500 Boeing aeroplanes.”
Through 2043, the Africa CMO also forecasts:
82% of deliveries will be for growth – the highest percentage of any region in the world.
Africa’s freighter fleet will triple to support the region’s export markets and growing e-commerce.
Aviation services across the continent will see 5.7% average annual growth as the fleet more than doubles.
Africa’s operators will need to hire and train 76,000 new pilots, maintenance technicians and cabin crew – tripling the region’s active personnel.
Boeing’s New Deliveries (2024-2043)
Regional 65
Single Aisle 830
Widebody 260
Freighter 15
Total 1,170
Boeing has been publishing the CMO annually since 1961. The CMO is considered the most comprehensive analysis of the commercial aviation industry, as it is the longest-running forecast of its kind.
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