Air traffic to, from and within Africa grew overall by 89% during the 12 years from 2000 to 2012, and European airliner manufacturer Airbus expects the continent to continue to see rapid growth over the next 20 years.

In its latest Global Market Forecast, released last week, the company predicts that, between now and 2032, total African air traffic will increase by a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.7%. In comparison, the CAGR for global air traffic over the same period is expected to be 4.7%.

Africa is expected to be the third-fastest growing region of the world over this period, after China and India. Not only has the continent already experienced strong growth in tourist traffic from the other regions since 2005, but tourism by Africans to other regions has also grown significantly. Both types of traffic are expected to see further strong growth over the next 20 years.

In order to meet this rising demand, African airlines will need to acquire 970 new airliners, Airbus stated. This number would be composed of 729 single-aisle (or narrow-body) airliners, 155 small twin-aisle, 58 inter- mediate twin-aisle and 28 very large aircraft. These acquisitions would be used to replace older aircraft and to grow fleets. In addition, 570 older aircraft would still be in service in 2032, giving a total African airliner fleet of 1 540 by then. Currently, the African airline fleet numbers 608.

For South Africa alone, Airbus predicts a total annual passenger growth rate of 5.4% from 2012 to 2032. This will be composed of annual rates of increase of 5% for domestic traffic, 6% for traffic with the rest of Africa, 8.5% for traffic with the Middle East, 4.9% with Europe, 6.6% with the countries of the former Soviet Union (including Russia), 6.6% with the Asia Pacific, 4.8% with North America and 6.5% with South America.

The result will be that more than 300 airliners will be needed to service the South African market by 2032. These will be divided into 129 single-aisle and 177 twin-aisle aircraft. Currently, the airliner fleet in South African is composed of 73 single-aisle and 57 twin-aisle aircraft.