Africa’s commercial airplane fleet is projected to more than double by 2043, according to Boeing’s Commercial Market Outlook (CMO). Deliveries of more than 800 new single-aisle jets will account for most of this growth, as predicted by the company’s long-term demand forecast for commercial airplanes and services.
According to the CMO, a 6.4% annual growth rate ranks Africa as the third highest among the ten regions tracked by Boeing, said a release.
“African airlines will need more single-aisle airplanes 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.
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.