The world’s largest aerospace company said Africa would be in need of 1,150 new airplanes over the next 20 years as the most recent Current Market Outlook report predicted that air traffic to and from the continent is expected to grow by about 6.1%.
Aircraft manufacturer Boeing has opened two new offices in Johannesburg and Nairobi to meet with increasing air traffic demand across the continent, the company announced on Tuesday (28 February 2017).
The Johannesburg office will be managed by Boeing International headed by J. Miguel Santos, managing director for Sub-Saharan Africa, and director for international sales, Africa, for Boeing commercial airplanes.
Chamsou Andjorin, the director for government affairs and market development, will be located in the Nairobi office.
In a statement, Santos said taking the necessary steps to establish a firm presence on the continent was an obvious choice for Boeing.
“Africa is not new territory for Boeing. Since the introduction of the jet airplane, Boeing aircraft have formed the backbone of the continent’s commercial fleet and Boeing continues to be one of the largest U.S.-based companies doing business on the continent,” said Santos.
Related;
India Govt to privatize its loss-making National Airline
Airbus delivered a record 688 commercial planes globally in 2016
“The aerospace industry needs to start paying closer attention to Africa, because this continent is clearly on the move economically and all the trends are pointing in the right direction for the expansion of the sector. Our job is to be ahead in understanding these emerging trends and opportunities,” Santos continued.
Boeing’s most recent Current Market Outlook report has predicted that air traffic to and from Africa is expected to grow by about 6.1% annually over the next 20 years, resulting in the need for 1,150 new airliners.
Related; KQ Board approves sale of two Boeing 777-200 ER Aircrafts
Sources; Boeing, Kenyan Wallstreet
