Forecast: Sub Saharan Africa requires 528 aircraft worth $65 billion

Airlines in sub Saharan Africa are predicted to require 528 new passenger aircraft by 2030, with a value of US$65billion according to the latest Airbus Global Market Forecast. This includes 350 single aisle aircraft, such as the A320 Family, 157 twin aisles such as the A350 XWB and the long range A330/A340 Family, and 21 very large aircraft such as the A380.

Overall, airlines in the Africa and Indian Ocean region are forecast to require 1,101 new aircraft valued at US$126 billion by 2030. Africa’s passenger aircraft requirement includes 790 single aisle aircraft such as the A320 Family, 273 twin aisles such as the A350 XWB and the long range A330/A340 Family, and 38 very large aircraft such as the A380.

Driven by tourism, an expanding middle class, increased urbanisation, business relationships with developing nations, and further opportunities from market liberalisation and low cost, Airbus forecasts that Africa overall will average annual passenger growth rates of 5.7 per cent. This figure is well above the 4.8 per cent world average growth rate and far outstrips more developed markets such as North America and Western Europe. Four out of the top ten fastest growing traffic flows in the world are to/from or within Africa.

“Africa used to rely on river and road transport, but today aviation is essential for development, and will increasingly become the 21st centuries answer to connect people in the region with each other and the rest of the world, ” said Andrew Gordon, Director Strategic Marketing and Analysis. “Expenditure by international tourists in Botswana is expected to more than double in the next 10 years and many of those tourists will arrive by plane. Aviation is already a strong contributor to the economy of Botswana both directly and indirectly, with the potential for an even greater contribution in the coming years.”