The world airline industry has maintained its trajectory of recovery during the first quarter of 2024 with a rebound in passenger demand, according to African Airlines Association (AFRAA).
- African airlines carried more international traffic during the first quarter of 2024, around 33% of the total traffic. This is a seasonal effect due to the Easter Holiday usually rise during Q1, particularly in March.
- The Intra-African traffic represented 30% whereas domestic traffic was 37% during this quarter.
- Passenger Revenue in the first quarter 2024 increased by 8% as compared to passenger Revenue in the first quarter 2023.
International traffic is dominated by the intra-African, with 44% in Q1 2024. Outside the continent, Europe is the first destination region of African airlines.
South Africa is the dominant market in terms of domestic traffic in Africa; it recorded 5 routes amongst top 10 in this first quarter 2024. Egypt, Kenya, and Nigeria also have domestic routes among the ten busiest.
The non-domestic traffic is dominating for intra-African traffic especially between Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Uganda, representing 40% of the continental traffic.
The ten busiest Intra-African routes are generally within Southern and Northern Africa. Only one Eastern (Nairobi – Entebbe) and Western African route (Accra – Lagos) appeared in the top 10 during the first quarter 2024.
Addis Ababa airport handled around 192 thousand tons of cargo during Q1 2024. Johannesburg and Nairobi followed with 121 thousand and 112 thousand tons, respectively. Two West and East African airports are part of the top 10: Lagos ,Dakar,Nairobi and Entebbe.
During the first quarter of 2024, among the 54 countries in the African continent, 7 Countries have direct flights to more than 20 African countries, an increase compared to the first quarter 2023 where 4 countries had direct flights toward other countries. Ethiopia is leading with direct services to other countries within Africa.
African Airlines Association (AFRAA) estimates that passenger traffic carried by African operators in 2024 will be about 98 million.
The African Airlines Association is a trade association of African airlines, and is headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya. The primary purpose of AFRAA is to establish and facilitate co-operation between African airlines.
50 airlines comprising of all the major intercontinental African operators and the Association’s members represent over 85% of total international traffic carried by all African airlines.
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