Optimistic outlook for SA’s airfreight growth

South Africa will need some
170 new aircraft over the next
20 years to satisfy its demand
for air travel, according to the
latest Airbus Global Market
Forecast.
The country, which
has experienced 27%
growth in air traffic over
the past ten years, will
need both passenger and
freighter capacity to help
ease congestion and to
accommodate growth on
existing and new
developing routes.
According to Andrew
Gordon, Airbus director
market analysis, the cost of
these aircraft is estimated in
the region of US$23.3 billion.
“Airbus anticipates that
the South African region will
average annual passenger and
freight growth rates over the
next 20 years,” said Gordon.
He said following the
drop in traffic during 2009
due to the global recession
the aviation industry was
in full recovery with world
freight traffic up by 22% in
December alone. “This is a
very optimistic figure if one
takes into account that in
March 2009 the world freight
traffic had dropped by more than 25%."