African Airlines show robust results

In a recently released report, the association of African carriers reveals that African air travel has seen a robust recovery, almost reaching pre-pandemic levels.

It notes that domestic flights accounted for 37 percent of March traffic, with intra-African flights at 31 percent and intercontinental travel at 32 percent.

The data also shows that the total number of intercontinental routes operated by African airlines has exceeded pre-Covid levels since October 2022.

The association said African airlines are on track to close their revenue gaps by 2023.

Balance

African airlines lose 3.5 billion in revenue in 2022, and 8.6 billion in 2021.

The Covid-19 pandemic has hit Africans hard as travel restrictions have led to aircraft grounding.

Some airlines, such as Air Namibia and Air Mauritius, closed completely, while others, such as South African Airways and Flag Carrier Kenya (KQ), needed massive state bailout funding to continue flying.

Others, such as Ethiopian airlines, have converted their passenger jets to freighters to compensate for reduced passenger traffic.