Boeing’s 2024 Commercial Market Outlook (CMO) predicts that Africa’s commercial airplane fleet will more than double by 2043, driven by a growing, youthful population seeking increased travel opportunities. The region is expected to see deliveries of over 800 new single-aisle jets, contributing significantly to this expansion.
According to Boeing, African passenger air traffic will grow by 6.4% annually, tripling by 2043, making Africa the third-fastest-growing aviation market globally.
“As demand for air travel rises, 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’s Managing Director of Commercial Marketing for the Middle East and Africa.
Other key forecasts include:
- 82% of deliveries will be for fleet growth, the highest of any region globally.
- Africa’s freighter fleet is expected to triple to meet growing e-commerce and export demands.
- Aviation services will grow by 5.7% annually as the fleet expands.
- 76,000 new pilots, technicians, and cabin crew will be required, tripling the current workforce.
New deliveries between 2024 and 2043 are expected to include 65 regional, 830 single-aisle, 260 wide-body, and 15 freighter aircraft.
