
Boeing forecasts that AFRICA’s commercial airplane fleet will more than double from 755 aircraft to 1,625 by 2045, driven by passenger traffic growth of nearly 6% annually, supported by the continent’s young and increasingly urban population, expanding middle class, improving infrastructure and stronger connectivity. According to Boeing’s 2026 Commercial Market Outlook, African airlines will require 1,165 new aircraft deliveries between 2026 and 2045, comprising 870 single-aisle jets, 240 widebodies, 40 regional jets and 15 freighters, with single-aisle aircraft accounting for roughly 75% of demand as domestic and intra-African networks expand. The continent’s freighter fleet is also projected to increase from 60 to 150 aircraft, reflecting growing logistics, e-commerce and high-value export activity, while intra-African and Africa–Middle East traffic are expected to be major drivers of network expansion. EUROPE is projected to remain AFRICA’s largest international passenger market through 2045, supported by economic, tourism, cultural and family ties. The anticipated fleet expansion is expected to generate substantial demand for aviation services, with Boeing forecasting a $140…
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