Ageing Aircraft Fleet Threatens Africa’s Aviation Growth – AASA Chief

Africa’s aviation industry is being severely hampered by ageing aircraft, weak revenues, and deep structural challenges, the Chief Executive Officer of the Airlines Association of Southern Africa (AASA), Aaron Munetsi, has warned.

Speaking at the Nigeria Aircraft Acquisition and Investment Summit in Lagos, Munetsi highlighted the vast gap between Africa’s aviation capacity and that of other regions.

“The whole continent has less than 1,000 aircraft. Compare that to Delta Air Lines, which alone operates about 1,500 aircraft. That tells you the size of the gap we are dealing with,” he said.

Munetsi noted that Africa’s roughly 1.4 billion population is grossly underserved by its aviation sector. He revealed that out of 52 airlines and flag carriers across the continent, only seven are fully operational, and just one is profitable.

He further stated that Africa contributes only about two per cent to global aviation, a figure disproportionately low given the continent’s landmass and growing connectivity demand.

According to Munetsi, the crisis stems from economic limitations and regulatory inefficiencies. “Many of our economies are not structured to support the financial demands of running airlines, which require heavy capital investment and long-term planning,” he explained.

He also disclosed that some African airlines generate less than one million dollars in revenue, questioning how such carriers can build capacity or compete globally.

Munetsi warned that Africa operates some of the oldest and smallest aircraft fleets globally, eroding efficiency and competitiveness. “According to industry statistics, we have the oldest fleets globally and the smallest fleets globally,” he said.

Despite the challenges, he maintained that the continent holds enormous potential, citing its vast landmass, growing population, and rising demand for connectivity.

In contrast, the Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Chris Najomo, had earlier argued that an aircraft’s age is irrelevant if it is properly maintained.