Fresh concerns have emerged over the state of Africa’s aviation industry, with the Chief Executive Officer of the Airlines Association of Southern Africa, Aaron Munetsi, warning that airlines are grappling with ageing aircraft, weak revenues and deep structural challenges that continue to limit growth.
Munetsi made this observation during the second day of the Nigerian Aircraft Acquisition and Investment Summit in Lagos, where he painted the picture of an industry struggling to match other continents.
Lamenting the disparity between Africa’s population and its aviation capacity, Munetsi said the continent’s fleet size remains alarmingly low.
He said, “The whole continent has less than 1,000 aircraft. Compare that to Delta Air Lines, which alone operates about 1,500 aircraft. That tells you the size of the gap we are dealing with.”
Munetsi said Africa’s aviation output is severely inadequate relative to its roughly 1.4 billion population.
“Something is wrong somewhere,” he declared, attributing the situation to deep-rooted systemic challenges that continue to hold the sector back.
He further revealed that out of 52 airlines and flag carriers across the continent, only a few are functioning optimally.
He said, “With 52 airlines, flag carriers across the continent, only seven are fully operational, and of those seven, only one is profitable.”
Munetsi noted that Africa contributes just about two per cent to global aviation, a figure he described as disproportionately low when compared to its landmass and growing demand for connectivity.
According to him, the sector’s struggles are tied to economic and regulatory constraints that make expansion and sustainability difficult.
He explained that “the crisis is rooted in a combination of economic limitations and regulatory inefficiencies. Many of our economies are not structured to support the financial demands of running airlines, which require heavy capital investment and long-term planning.”
Hinting at the many challenges facing the industry, Munetsi disclosed that some African airlines generate extremely low revenues.
“We are getting less than one million dollars in some cases. How do you build capacity, acquire aircraft, or compete globally under such conditions?” he queried.
He also drew attention to the ageing fleets across the continent, warning that Africa operates some of the oldest aircraft globally, a development that continues to erode efficiency and competitiveness.
“According to industry statistics, we have the oldest fleets globally and the smallest fleets globally,” he said.
Despite the terrible complaints, Munetsi maintained that Africa’s aviation industry still holds immense promise if the right policies and investments are put in place.
“Yet, we are sitting on enormous potential, a vast landmass, a growing population, and increasing demand for connectivity,” he added.
Meanwhile, it will be recalled that the Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Chris Najomo, had at an earlier forum said the age of an aircraft should bother no one if it is well maintained, adding that adequate maintenance is not for an aircraft and that when that is achieved, the age of an aircraft is of no concern.
It stressed the need to preserve the safety and security of international air travel and urged Iran to halt the actions.
“The Council urgently called upon Iran to cease its unlawful activities and respect its obligations under the Chicago Convention and other relevant international civil aviation treaties,” the statement read.
