Road to recovery and sustainability of the airline industry

The airline industry’s recovery trajectory in 2023 has been positive and promising; however, African airlines are not yet out of the woods. According to AFRAA estimates, the year closes with traffic at 85.7% of the 2019 levels, while we estimate that intraAfrican connectivity has reached 94% of the pre-COVID levels as of November 2022. The revenue loss attributed to COVID-19 has reduced to US$ 3.5 billion in 2022 from the recorded US$ 8.6 billion in 2021 and US$ 10.21 in 2020.

As a matter of priority, AFRAA is preoccupied with actions for Africa’s air transport sustainability, much so that we spearheaded the first ever laboratory for the sustainability of the air transport sector in Africa. The laboratory approach was necessary to develop roadmaps for the sustainability of the air transport sector in Africa, which will be overseen by the Air Transport Sustainability Steering Committee (ATSSC). Through collaboration, AFRAA and the relevant stakeholders will work closely to achieve the Laboratory outcomes to ensure that Africa achieves survival in the short term and its sustainability in the long-term.

To pair transport industry leaders from across the globe at this year’s AFRAA Annual General Assembly (AGA) & Summit, taking place from 11-13 December 2022 in Dakar, Senegal, will deliberate on the recovery and sustainability of the air transport industry in Africa. Topics have been carefully aligned to the main conference theme:” Acing the Road map to Sustainable African Aviation.” This will better prepare stakeholders to continue to rebuild Africa’s aviation to make the travel ecosystem more resilient and viable. Therefore, the Assembly is a critical forum for us to create the much needed environment for air transport business to thrive and contribute to the continent’s development.

Alongside the drive for sustainability into 2023 and beyond, AFRAA will continue to steer actions that will catalyse the airline industry’s growth through advocacy, partnerships for development, and data & intelligence – the three pillars of our mandate.

Mr. Abdérahmane Berthé AFRAA Secretary General

SG’s interview with Hermes Insights on AFRAA’s perspective and actions on the sustainability of the aviation industry.

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AFRAA’s position on environment

Leaders are focusing on reducing the environmental impact through technological improvement.

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Airline passengers on their attitudes

Demand for air travel and enthusiasm to further embrace the mobile and touchless technologies that will make the journey as convenient and seamless as possible.

Innovative leadership

COVID-19 was a catalyst of the digital transition and a stimulator for innovative leadership.

Preparing for the future, today

We can never know what tomorrow will look like, scenario planning offers a chance to explore the possibilities.

Liberalisation of the African air transport under AfCFTA

The market is becoming steadily middle class, young, increasingly educated and by 2050 it will account for more than a quarter of the world’s working population.

The new shape of business travel

Changes brought about by the pandemic, and the new ways of working in many companies, are also creating new opportunities for business travel.

Environmental sustainability

The world is watching and waiting for major decisions that will protect our planet from the adverse effects of climate change.