Boeing: African Airlines Will Double Fleet on Travel Surge

More robust air travel demand in Africa will drive a massive surge in aircraft orders, with Boeing forecasting that 82% of new purchases will be for expansion, not replacement. Africa’s aviation industry is set to take off, with rising demand for travel on the continent driving the need for new aircraft at unprecedented rates. Boeing forecasts that 82% of new aircraft purchases on the continent will be for expansion rather than replacement, marking the highest growth rate of any region globally. In its 2024 Commercial Market Outlook (CMO), the giant plane maker notes that African demand will mark the highest growth rate of any region globally. The continent’s booming air travel market is fuelled by a young and rapidly growing population eager to explore new opportunities in Africa and abroad. Boeing anticipates that Africa’s commercial fleet will double by 2043, with over 800 new single-aisle jets expected to be delivered to meet rising demand. Air traffic across the region is also projected to grow at an annual rate of 6.4%, more than tripling over the next two decades. “As demand for air travel rises, African airlines will need more single-aisle aeroplanes to efficiently serve many routes in the continent’s largest aviation markets, including Europe, the Middle East, and within Africa,” said Shahab Matin, Boeing’s managing director of Commercial Marketing for the Middle East and Africa.<br/>