Airbus, a global aviation leader, has unveiled a forecast for Nigeria’s air travel landscape.
According to its Airbus Global Market Forecast, Nigeria is set to witness an impressive annual growth rate of 5.2 per cent in domestic air traffic over the next 20 years.
It noted that the country being a key player in Africa’s aviation scene, is on the brink of a remarkable transformation.
Airbus’ director of airline marketing for Africa, Joep Ellers, who disclosed this in Abuja, said over the next 20 years, the demand for over 1,180 aircraft, each with a seating capacity of over 100 passengers, is projected to surge in Africa.
Ellers said this optimistic outlook is underpinned by several key factors. Africa’s rapid economic growth, coupled with its status as the world’s fastest-growing population hub, urbanisation trends, and the burgeoning middle class, forms a robust foundation for this aviation boom. Additionally, the allure of inbound tourism, potential for outbound and intra-Africa tourism, and the impact of initiatives like the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) and
the development of low-cost carriers which are set to propel Nigeria’s aviation industry to new heights.
Within this transformative landscape, Airbus said it envisions that out of the 1,180 aircraft deliveries expected in Africa, 880 will be single-aisle aircraft, with the remaining 300 categorised as widebody aircraft.
The aerospace giant said it is determined to capture at least 50 per cent of these orders, building upon its long history of engagement in the African market, dating back to the delivery of its inaugural A310 aircraft to Nigeria Airways in 1984.
It maintains an optimistic perspective on the revival of air traffic within Africa, forecasting a return to pre-pandemic 2019 levels no later than the conclusion of the second quarter in 2024.
Ellers emphasised that the expected surge in air traffic will inevitably necessitate a significant expansion of the air transport workforce in Nigeria and across the continent.
Airbus estimates highlight this point, indicating that Africa will require an additional 14,000 pilots, 17,000 technicians, and 23,000 cabin crew members in the coming years to meet the burgeoning demand for air travel.
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