Africa growth forecast

Mombasa was at the centre of the African aviation industry last week as the city hosted the three-day Routes Africa forum with the latest IATA forecast showing the continent’s aviation market growing to more than 356m passengers by 2038.

More than 24m jobs in Africa are already supported by the travel and tourism industry and Routes Africa is the longest established aviation forum dedicated to enhancing air connectivity in the region.

The event was hosted by Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), with acting managing director and chief executive Alex Gitari pointing to expansion and improvement of capacity at Africa’s main airports as a key challenge facing the aviation sector.

He was supported by IATA vice-president Africa Raphael Kuuchi who noted Kenya was in the top three aviation markets in Africa where growth was forecast to be the strongest over the next two decades.

However, he added: “If the full potential of the industry in Africa is to be realised, airspace in the region needs to be liberalised.”

Routes Africa brought together 250 decision makers from airlines, airports, governments and tourism authorities to plan new flights and strengthen existing routes.

Routes brand director Steven Small said: “There is great excitement in the African aviation market and that has been reflected in the high-level airline attendance at the event.”

www.routesonline.com/events/206/routes-africa-2019

www.kaa.go.ke

www.iata.org

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