Between 2009 and 2028, airlines in Africa and the Indian Ocean region are predicted to require 959 new aircraft to satisfy demand for air travel, in the continent, according to the latest Airbus Global Market Forecast.
Emerging economies, evolving airline networks, growing urbanization, the need to replace older aircraft with more eco-efficient airliners and the opportunity for more liberalisation in aviation industry are all factors driving demand, Andrew Gordon, Airbus Director for Market Analysis, said during a press conference Friday in the Ethiopian capital.
"While Asia will oust North America as the biggest aviation industry in the world, followed by Europe, Africa is predicted to be among the top 10 growing markets in the world," he said.
According to Airbus, larger aircraft in all size categories are required to help ease aircraft congestion and to accommodate growth on existing routes. Higher fuel prices and environmental concerns are also increasingly influencing airlines to consider the benefits of new more eco-efficient aircraft.
Airbus is known for manufacturing mega aircraft such the A380-800 and claims that such airplanes are fuel efficient, eco-friendly and help airlines to earn more revenue by transporting vast number of people and huge cargo in single aircraft.
Its latest product, the 555-seat, double-deck Airbus A380, is tagged the most ambitious and largest civil aircraft that entered the market in 2006.
Only 20 of these aircraft have been delivered to airlines so far. The first airline to buy the A380, Singapore Airlines, operates 10 of these aircraft while the second and third - Emirates and Australia's Qantas, respectively - operate five each.
Though no African airline has so far acquired this huge aircraft so far, with a single order from one airline in the continent, Airbus predicts that Africa's aviation industry will acquire 40 of the A380 family as well in the 20-year period.
"The region's requirement for both passenger and freighter aircraft includes 640 single aisles such the A320 Family, 279 twin aisles such as the A350 XWB and the world's best selling long range A330/A340 Family, and 40 very large aircraft such as the A380," the Airbus press release issued Friday read.
Early this week, Ethiopian Airlines ordered 12 Airbus A350 XWB aircraft, bringing total orders for that family to 505 in less than three years after the launch of the programme, according to Airbus.
With the A350-900, Ethiopian plans to operate from their hub in Addis Ababa on routes to Europe, the US and Asia, to become one of the over 300 customers for this aircraft.
Africa's fleet of passenger aircraft will more than double (+124 per cent), from the 558 passenger aircraft at the end of 2008, to 1,252 by 2028.
Of the 558 aircraft in operation at the beginning of 2009, by 2028 some 235 ageing aircraft will be replaced by newer more eco-efficient models, 275 will be recycled, and 48 will remain in service, totalling about 929 new passenger aircraft that will be delivered during the 20-year period.
Air traffic in Africa has experienced strong growth in the last 10 years with an increase of 62 per cent, mainly driven by increased traffic from inbound tourism and as business links are forged with the emerging economies, particularly from Asia.
The type of aircraft in operation has changed significantly with new generation aircraft now making up 46 per cent of the in-service fleet, compared to just 14 per cent in 1998.
Accordingly, total market for Airbus-produced aircraft in Africa has grown significantly over the past two decades with Airbus service in Africa growing from 3 per cent to 21 percent.
Globally, Airbus foresees demand for some 25,000 aircraft in the next 20 years at a cost of US$ 3.1 trillion. This will be delivered from 2009 to 2028, according to Airbus's Global Market Forecast.
Addis Ababa - 20/11/2009
Pana
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