Africa's Aircraft Fleet Set to Double by 2045 as Demand for Travel Rises
Boeing has predicted that Africa's commercial aircraft fleet will more than double by 2045, growing to 1,625 planes from the current 755. The US aeroplane maker forecasts a requirement for 1,165 plane deliveries over the next two decades, with single-aisle aircraft accounting for three-quarters of these.
The growth is driven by an increasingly urban population and rising demand for travel within Africa and to the Middle East. Passenger traffic within Africa is expected to grow at 6.5% annually until 2045, while traffic between Africa and Europe will expand at a slower rate of 3.4%. The region's cargo fleet is also set to rise, supported by growth in logistics and e-commerce.
Boeing's MD of commercial marketing for Africa and the Middle East, Shahab Matin, said that Africa's market was 'entering a period of sustained growth driven by improving connectivity, expanding intraregional travel and deeper economic ties'. The aviation services market is forecast to be worth $140bn over the 2026-2045 period.