Unveiling Airbus's fresh report on potential untapped flight paths aiming to increase air travel across Africa
Airbus, a global aerospace and aviation leader, has released an analysis of unserved African routes that could transform the continent's air transport industry. The report, which includes estimates from the company's Global Services Forecast and latest Global Market Forecast (GMF), highlights strategic recommendations to capitalize on opportunities for a more connected continent.
The analysis identifies several key unserved routes in cities such as Lagos, Cape Town, Nairobi, Dakar, and Douala. One of the top unserved routes focuses on expanding direct connectivity, particularly in Central Africa, with Emirates targeting Libreville (Gabon) as a potential new destination. This route, which would be the only Central African destination with direct Middle East and Asia connectivity, could become a significant regional gateway, facilitating trade and travel for neighboring countries like Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, and the Republic of Congo.
The potential benefits of developing these unserved routes are significant. They could unlock untapped market potential by connecting less-served African regions directly to major global hubs, stimulating economic growth and business development. For instance, airlines like Emirates are projected to operate daily flights on the Libreville-Dubai route, potentially generating over 1,800 weekly passengers and a high proportion of connecting passengers linking to a global network spanning 140 destinations.
Furthermore, these routes would enhance regional integration and international connectivity, enabling African countries to better access global markets, especially in Asia and the Middle East. This could stimulate trade and tourism, positioning certain African cities as strategic gateways, as Libreville could serve as a hub for Central Africa’s interaction with major international markets.
Geert Lemaire, Market Intelligence and Consulting Director at Airbus, stated that certain city-pairs have significant traffic but lack regularly scheduled non-stop flights. To meet the surge in air travel demand, Africa will need to hire 20,000 technicians, 24,000 cabin crew, and 15,000 more pilots. The continued growth of the aviation sector in Africa is expected to result in 3.3% real GDP growth, well above the 2.6% global average.
Airbus is committed to partnering with airlines across Africa to identify optimized fleet solutions in line with network development requirements that further stimulate the continent's air transport industry growth and improve connectivity for travellers. The anticipated need for new aircraft by 2043 is 1,180. The company's analysis aims to provide greater connectivity for travellers, drive economic growth in local economies, and boost revenue for airlines.
The growth in air traffic demand in Africa, as predicted by the Global Services Forecast, is significant enough to require a substantial workforce increase. The forecast predicts a 4.1% growth in air traffic over the next 20 years, underlining the need for strategic investments and partnerships to capitalize on this opportunity. The continued growth of the aviation sector in Africa is ratified by these data, making it a key trend identified in Airbus' Global Services Forecast.
In the context of Airbus' analysis, the development of unserved routes in cities like Libreville could provide significant improvements to travel, offering direct Middle East and Asia connectivity and positioning Libreville as a strategic gateway for neighboring countries. By unlocking untapped market potential, these routes can stimulate economic growth, business development, and regional integration, allowing African cities to better access global markets.
