The CAPA – Centre for Aviation report has revealed that in the second-last week of 2023, intra-Africa air connectivity exceeded two million seats occupied weekly for the first time since December 2019.
Intra-connectivity in seats occupied
In the last week of its report, January 15 to 22, CAPA data reflects a 0,6% decrease in intra-Africa connectivity. However, the aviation research firm found that, from December 18 to 25, 2023, the continent exceeded two million seats on flights for the first time. Previously, the record was during the four consecutive weeks between December 9, 2019 and January 6, 2020, when it reached an all-time high of 2,04 million seats during the second week of this period.
In its findings, CAPA notes that December is a peak month, often followed by a decline over the remainder of Q1. As a result, the January decline may not indicate what lies ahead for the remainder of the year. According to the report, it expects weekly seats occupied during 2024’s December peak to potentially break the record for intra-Africa connectivity, far exceeding the previous record of 2,04 million seats a week set in 2019.
Leading African airlines
During Africa’s most recent peak, Ethiopian Airlines dominated with a 14,4% share of the week’s seat capacity. This was followed by:
- FlySafair: 9%
- Air Peace: 5,4%
- Airlink: 4,9%
- EgyptAir: 4,4%
- Kenya Airways: 4,2%
- Royal Air Maroc: 3,7%
Connectivity through collaboration
“As our industry has almost recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic, it provides an opportunity for co-operation and collaboration to develop a sustainable perspective for the airline industry,” said Abdérahmane Berthé, Secretary General of AFRAA.
Berthé said he had seen a renewed determination to overcome the challenges facing Africa’s air connectivity following the pandemic, with a drive to foster a resilient interconnected aviation transport system across the continent.
