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African airlines see 20.7 per cent international traffic growth

A Kenya Airways plane. (Photo: File)

By Bashir Mohammed | 06 Apr 2024

This growth is driven by a 22.1 per cent increase in capacity for airlines such as Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Royal Air Maroc, Air Senegal, and Egypt Airlines.

African airlines are experiencing a surge in demand, with passenger traffic increasing by 20.7 per cent compared to last year, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

This growth is driven by a 22.1 per cent increase in capacity for airlines such as Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Royal Air Maroc, Air Senegal, and Egypt Airlines.

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"The positive momentum in Africa is undeniable," said Willie Walsh, IATA's Director General. "As more people look to travel, we expect growth to continue, driven by resilient passenger demand and accelerated investment in airports and airlines."

However, Walsh also cautioned that new taxes in Europe could negatively impact growth in the aviation industry, leading to increased ticket prices.

Despite this, African airlines are pushing forward, with domestic operations surpassing 13.7 per cent growth compared to pre-pandemic levels. International operations have also seen a 0.9 per cent increase compared to February 2019, with demand for travel between Africa and Asia/Pacific leading the way.

"We are committed to connecting Africa to the world," said Ethiopian Airlines' CCO Lemma Yadecha Gudeta. "We see huge potential for growth, and we're excited to add new destinations to our network."

With the continent's aviation scene booming, African airlines are poised for continued growth, driven by increasing demand and investment.

"This is an exciting time for African aviation," said Walsh. "We're confident that the industry will continue to thrive, and we're committed to supporting the growth of air travel in Africa."