African airlines' traffic recovery at about two thirds of pre-pandemic levels

In May 2022 African airlines' capacity deployed reached 76.6% of 2019 capacity and their traffic recovery is now at 66.3% of 2019 pre-Covid-19 levels.

This is according to the latest report from the African Airlines Association (Afraa), a trade association of airlines from the member states of the African Union (AU), headquartered in Nairobi.

It estimates that intra-African air passenger traffic have recovered to 74% of pre-pandemic levels in May, due to the easing of anti-Covid-19 restrictions in several African countries.

At the same time, the report also found that generally across Africa, air passenger traffic volumes remain low because of high ticket costs and "travel apathy". Airlines are also battling rising jet fuel prices, impacting their operating costs.

Airline revenues remained low with many operators battling with cash-flow issues. Full year revenue loss for African airlines for 2022 is estimated at US$4.1 billion, equivalent to 23.4% of the 2019 revenues. In 2021, African airlines cumulatively lost $8.6 billion in revenues due to the impact of the pandemic, representing 49.8% of 2019 revenues. 

Afraa hopes that with the continued relaxation of lockdown and Covid-19 restrictions in many countries, traffic will increase more.

Demand for African airlines is mostly for domestic flights (42.1%), followed by intra-Africa (30.2%) and inter-continental (27.7%).  

The latest report from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), based on traffic data collected during April 2022 shows African airlines had a 65.7% increase in capacity as they increased their fleets, aircraft fleet utilisation, and added routes or more frequencies on existing routes. The average passenger load factor in April was 67.3%.

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