International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced a remarkable growth in Nigeria’s passenger traffic and seat capacity. The numbers have reached nearly 60% above the levels recorded in 2019, indicating a positive trajectory for the country’s aviation industry.
This upward trend in Nigeria’s aviation sector aligns with the encouraging results observed in the final quarter of 2022. The IATA disclosed this information during the recent Focus Africa Conference held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The event brought together over 400 aviation leaders and stakeholders to address critical issues impacting air travel and cargo transportation in Africa.
One of the key highlights from the conference is that African airlines experienced an impressive year-on-year growth of 87.1% in revenue passenger kilometers (RPKs) during the first quarter of 2023. This performance puts RPKs only 9.4% below their 2019 levels, showcasing a significant recovery from the impact of the pandemic.
In terms of specific countries, there were varying outcomes in origin-destination passenger traffic and airline seat capacity across Africa. Northern African countries, such as Egypt and Morocco, reported substantial increases of 29% and 20% respectively, in passenger traffic compared to the same period in 2019. Egypt also saw a corresponding 30% growth in airline capacity.
On the other hand, Eastern Africa, particularly Ethiopia, witnessed passenger and airline seat levels that were 19% and 14% above pre-pandemic figures respectively. This indicates a positive trend and a strong recovery for the aviation sector in the region.
However, Southern Africa continues to face challenges in terms of structural and profitability issues, which have impacted the markets in this region. Aviation activity in countries like South Africa remained 12% below 2019 levels for Q1 2023, with scheduled seats even further behind at 27% below. Nonetheless, there has been significant improvement compared to the previous quarter of 2022.
According to IATA, Africa’s impressive rebound in air traffic is accompanied by advancements in connectivity and increased competition among airlines. To fully leverage the contribution of aviation to economic development, IATA emphasizes the need for intensified efforts to liberalize aviation in Africa.
The growth witnessed in Nigeria’s aviation sector and across Africa is a positive sign of recovery and indicates the potential for continued expansion in the future. As the industry progresses, it is crucial for stakeholders to work together to address challenges, support sustainable practices, and foster a competitive environment that benefits both airlines and passengers alike.
