Raphael Haddad

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced that 2023 exceeded initial profit expectations, and the outlook for 2024 is even more promising with projections indicating a record $964bn revenue for the airline industry in the coming year.

In fact, 2023 was a near-historic year with a surge in aircraft purchases, including during the Dubai Airshow with Emirates ordering 95 Boeing and 15 Airbus planes, Air Baltic firming 30 additional A220-300s and Turkish Airlines signing a momentous deal for 220 Airbus aircraft in December. As reported in November, these deals are part of a record -breaking 2,370 aircraft orders placed with the two manufacturers in 2023.

As this year’s activity shows, there is industry-wide confidence in the future, with travel now back to pre-pandemic levels. This trend is likely to continue, even if demand might dampen slightly in response to a recession forecast in the US in the first half of 2024.

While the confidence on display is good ne...

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It’s an exciting time for commercial aviation in Africa. Across the entire continent, there are new trends and developments to respond to. Airlines on the continent are looking for smaller aircraft to implement into their operations, particularly narrowbody types and regional turboprops and jets. In East Africa, we’ve witnessed an increase in activity and change in key players, with Addis Ababa in Ethiopia recently becoming the biggest connecting hub in Africa. There has also been a notable increase in activity in Central Africa, alongside the usual high levels across Southern Africa, which continues to be a dynamic aviation market.

Seizing the opportunities that exist in the African commercial aviation industry means being fully aware of – and being prepared to respond to – the developing trends and the challenges that exist across the regions.

Recession prompts growth in regional aircraft

It’s perhaps surprising to talk about opportunities given that the African A...

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