
Domestic Travel Boom: African airlines prepare for traffic surge
OVER the next two decades, Africa’s jet fleet is projected to more than double to 1,550 aircraft - when Africa’s population is forecast to hit 2.17 billion, surpassing those of America, India and China combined, according to data from the International Air Transport Association. The growth will come on the back of significant growth in airline passenger numbers. IATA shows major airline markets in Africa had already outperformed their 2019 levels in terms of origin-destination (O-D) air passenger traffic by Q2 of 2023, thanks largely to domestic market recovery and outperformance. Nigeria recorded the highest growth in passenger numbers, adding…