Africa Aviation Trails: Week 9, 2024 Highlights.

In the ninth week of 2024, significant developments unfolded across Africa. Niger declared the reopening of its airspace, while ICAO provided insights into the global passenger projections. Additionally, IATA declared 2023 as the safest year in aviation history. Throughout the week, various partnerships and agreements were forged, new airline routes were announced, and some were suspended. Fleet renewals, financing agreements, and infrastructural developments also made headlines. Join us as we delve into the key highlights from Africa in the past week.

Introduction.

Let’s begin with a noteworthy update from Niger: The Republic of Niger has reopened its airspace for all national and international commercial flights, with the exception of flights involving Nigeria. This decision permits unrestricted flight operations from ground level to unlimited altitude, except for routes to or from Nigeria. However, flights passing through Nigerian airspace without landing remain unaffected. It’s important to note that adherence to safety protocols, including the activation of ads-b and/or radar transponders, is mandatory for all flights within Niger’s airspace.

African Aviation Projections And Statistics.

According to International Civil Aviation Organization projections, the first quarter of 2024 anticipates passenger air traffic levels approximately 2% higher than those of 2019, with airlines poised to maintain the operational profitability achieved in 2023. These forecasts offer promise for global aviation development, operational enhancements, and the adoption of cleaner energy sources vital for decarbonization. Therefore, the global community should expedite sustainability efforts, focusing on the production and adoption of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF).