As the Nigerian aviation industry and airline operators prepares to sign deals that will lead to aircraft leasing and acquisition, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Airlines Association of Southern Africa(AASA), Aaron Munetsi, has stated categorically that Delta Airlines has more airplanes compared to that of the entire Africa continent.
Munetsi,who was one of the speakers at the just concluded two- day Nigeria Aircraft Acquisition Investment Submit(NAAIS), organised by the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in Lagos
According to him the 1,000 aircraft in the fleet of Africa’s carriers cannot match the airplanes in the fleet of Delta Airlines with close to 1,500 aircraft.
The well attended event was organised for aviation stakeholders, airline operators, banks, investment companies and aircraft manufacturers to discuss aircraft leasing and financing.
Speaking at the event, Munetsi,said the state of airlines in Africa and their lack of capacity and expansion is worrisome, urging African airlines operators and aviation authorities to look into the matter
According to him, the challenge of lack of capacity to operates across Africa and the leasing and acquisition problem are two critical issues in Africa aviation industry.
He pointed out that despite the huge population in Nigeria in particular and Africa in general, the aviation industry in both Nigeria and Africa have not been able to harness the huge potential.
He revealed that of the 52 scheduled airlines in Africa only seven carriers are operating fully while only one of the 52 airlines is profitable.
This fact, he said shows the obvious operational gaps between Africa and other developed aviation climes.
On the continent’s contribution,Munetsi, said that it contributed 2 per cent to global aviation industry, which according to him is disproportionately low despite the huge population and other potential
Africa Airlines, he insisted has a very weak
revenue base, which according to him cannot sustain their operations.
About The Author
