Hey there! Let’s chat about the exciting growth in Africa’s aviation sector, especially after that pesky pandemic. More and more airline companies are popping up across the continent, and it’s pretty cool to see!
You know what’s even cooler? Experts are saying that passenger traffic within Africa is gonna skyrocket over the next 20 years. We’re talking about a whopping four-fold increase! Can you believe it? Africa’s air traffic is expected to grow at a super-fast rate of 7.4%, making it the third-highest among global regions. That’s way above the global average of 6.1%!
With all this demand, airlines are scrambling to keep up. They’re introducing new routes, increasing flight frequencies, and even starting up fresh airlines to cater to this booming market. It’s like a aviation gold rush!
Now, let’s dive into the top 5 largest airlines in Africa by fleet size in 2024:
1. Ethiopian Airlines – 148
Ethiopian Airlines is the big kahuna of African aviation. Founded way back in 1945, it’s not just the largest but also the most respected airline on the continent. Check out their impressive fleet:
| Aircraft Type | Fleet Size |
|---|---|
| Airbus A350 | 20 |
| Boeing 737 | 44 |
| Boeing 767 | 3 |
| Boeing 777 | 20 |
| Boeing 787 Dreamliner | 29 |
| De Havilland Canada DHC-8 Dash 8 | 32 |
They’re one of the few airlines rocking the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which is super comfy and eco-friendly. No wonder they’ve snagged a fancy 4-star rating from Skytrax!
2. Egypt Air – 78
Egypt Air, the pride of Egypt, comes in second with a diverse fleet of 78 aircraft. Here’s what they’ve got:
| Aircraft Type | Fleet Size |
|---|---|
| Airbus A220 | 12 |
| Airbus A320 | 10 |
| Airbus A321 | 7 |
| Airbus A330 | 8 |
| Boeing 737 | 28 |
| Boeing 777 | 6 |
| Boeing 787 Dreamliner | 7 |
Did you know Egypt Air was established in May 1932, making it the seventh airline in the world? Talk about a pioneer! They fly to over 80 destinations across Africa, the Middle East, Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
3. Air Algerie – 56
Air Algérie is holding strong in third place with a fleet of 56 aircraft:
| Aircraft Type | Fleet Size |
|---|---|
| ATR 42/72 | 15 |
| Airbus A330 | 8 |
| Boeing 737 | 32 |
| Lockheed L-100-30T | 1 |
These guys are all about variety! They operate from Houari Boumedienne Airport, flying to 39 international destinations in 28 countries and 32 domestic airports. Talk about covering your bases!
4. Royal Air Maroc – 50
Royal Air Maroc (RAM) is Morocco’s pride and joy, with a fleet of 50 aircraft:
| Aircraft Type | Fleet Size |
|---|---|
| ATR 42/72 | 6 |
| Boeing 737 | 30 |
| Boeing 767 | 1 |
| Boeing 787 Dreamliner | 9 |
| Embraer ERJ-190 | 4 |
Founded in 1953, RAM has been connecting Morocco to the world for decades. They serve over 90 destinations in more than 50 countries, using Casablanca as their main hub. Pretty impressive, right?
5. Kenya Airways – 35 aircraft
Last but definitely not least, we’ve got Kenya Airways, often called the pride of East Africa. Here’s their fleet breakdown:
| Aircraft Type | Fleet Size |
|---|---|
| Boeing 737 | 11 |
| Boeing 787 Dreamliner | 9 |
| Embraer ERJ-190 | 15 |
These guys have quite a story! They started in 1977 after East African Airways called it quits. Initially, the government owned the whole shebang, but in 1995, they decided to mix things up and go for a public-private partnership. Now, the Kenyan government holds the biggest slice of the pie at 48.9%. Kenya Airways flies all over Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Europe, keeping East Africa connected to the world!
