NEWISSUESThe African Airlines Association (AFRAA) has released its air transport report for the first quarter of 2024, revealing that West African airlines are among the least contributors to continental traffic compared to other regions in Africa.
The report shows that despite a surge in international travel across Africa during Q1 2024, largely driven by the Easter holiday, the share held by West African airlines remains significantly low.
According to AFRAA, African airlines carried 33 per cent of international traffic in the first quarter, with intra-African flights accounting for 30 per cent, and domestic flights representing 37 per cent of the total traffic.
AFRAA further noted that intra-African routes dominated the international traffic scene, comprising 44 per cent of the total in Q1 2024. Europe was highlighted as the primary destination outside the continent, with African airlines directing 34 per cent of their international traffic to European routes, driven by the Easter travel season. Morocco stood out as the leading origin country, while France emerged as the top destination. Traffic to the Middle East accounted for 15 per cent, and traffic to Asia and America each made up around 8 per cent of the total.
“International traffic is dominated by intra-African traffic with 44 per cent Q1 2024. Outside the continent Europe is the first destination region of African airlines. Traffic carried by African airlines to Europe represented 34 per cent due to the Easter holiday seasons during this quarter. Morocco is the leading origin country, while France is the primary destination. Traffic to the Middle East is also significant, around 15 per cent. Traffic to Asia and America both represent around 8 per cent,” AFRAA explained.
Regional breakdown
Africa, a continent made up of 54 countries, is divided into five regions; West Africa, Central Africa, Northern African, Eastern Africa and Southern Africa.
According to AFRAA, Northern Africa is the region with the highest passenger traffic, representing 40.4 per cent of the total continental traffic during Q1 of 2024. In this region, the domestic traffic represented only 15 per cent during the first quarter of 2024. The intercontinental traffic is dominant with 92 per cent while intra-African traffic represents only 8 per cent. Morocco is currently is the leading contributor to the traffic from the region toward Europe. The preferred destinations are France, Italy and Germany, respectively. Middle-East the second destination region, Egypt being the leading contributor. The main destinations from the country are Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
The region with the second highest contribution is Southern Africa. Its contribution to continental traffic was 21.4 per cent during the first quarter of the year 2024. The domestic market represents more than half of the traffic in the region, around 62 per cent, while intra-African travel dominates international traffic, with a percentage of 48 per cent during the first quarter 2024. The main market pair is South Africa – Zimbabwe, followed by South Africa – Maurius. Outside the continent, Europe and Asia are the main destinations regions, accounting for 27 per cent and 10 per cent respectively during Q1 2024. America and Middle-East represented 9 per cent and 6 per cent respectively during this period as well.
Eastern Africa represented 20.5 per cent of the continental traffic during the first quarter of 2024. Domestic traffic constituted to 45 per cent in the first quarter of 2024.The non-domestic traffic is dominating for intra-African traffic especially between Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Uganda, representing 40 per cent of the continental traffic. Traffic to Europe is also significant, representing 30 per cent, then the Middle East at 15 per cent during this quarter.
While the other three regions contributed over 20 percent each to continental traffic, Central and Western Africa regions together represented 20.8 per cent of the African traffic during the first quarter 2024, with the possibility that each of the regions may have contributed 10.4 per cent each. The intra-African traffic accounted for43 per cent of the non-domestic. Outside the continent, Europe is the principal destination, representing 37 per cent.
The main destination from these regions are France and UK. The share of Middle East, America, and Asia are 7 per cent, 7 per cent, and 6 per cent respectively. The domestic market accounted for 47 per cent of the regional traffic.
