African Airlines Association

Rapidly expanding Kenya Airways charts growth with plan to serve every inhabited continent by 2017

Kenya Airways plans to launch its first services to North America, South America and Australia by 2017, making it one of the few carriers to serve every inhabited continent. While these three continents will give Africa's currently fifth-largest airline by seats a global presence, its future is pegged on Asia, with the carrier over the next 10 years planning to launch seven new routes into China, six in the Indian Subcontinent and three across North and Southeast Asia as well as having a growing presence in Europe and the Middle East. It is poised to become Africa's largest carrier.

Growth will be fuelled by Africa's status as a burgeoning market, as well as reliance on partners: Kenya Airways will open routes to SkyTeam member hubs in Xiamen (Xiamen Airlines), Hanoi (Vietnam Airlines), Seoul (Korean Air), Moscow (Aeroflot) and Prague (Czech Airlines). The intercontinental focus follows Kenya's strong emphasis on regional Africa, with the carrier aiming to serve every African nation by the end of 2013. 

Kenya Airways plans further growth for Middle East, Central Asia and Indian subcontinent

In addition to Kenya Airways’ goal to serve every city on the African continent by 2014, which is running slightly behind schedule, it is also interested in expanding beyond Africa and plans to commence service to Beirut “very soon”, increase its service to India, resume service to Karachi in Pakistan, and is considering entering the Central Asian market. The carrier is keen to enter new markets and plans to use Dubai as a transit city for some of the planned new routes.

Air Mauritius to consolidate European destinations while expanding regionally and to Asia

Air Mauritius joins fellow Vanilla Islands carriers that are restructuring their operations largely as a result of decreased demand from mainstay European markets undergoing economic turmoil. The Vanilla Islands – comprising La Reunion, Madagascar, Mauritius and the Seychelles – have already seen restructures from Air Austral in La Reunion, Air Madagascar and Air Seychelles. Air Mauritius’ plan, the last outstanding expected restructure, will see its European presence consolidated while efforts are renewed to expand to the potentially stronger but still nascent Asian market.

Iberia increases African presence with services to Accra and Nouakchott

Iberia’s planned service to Accra and Nouakchott will give Spain its first routes to the West African nations of Ghana and Mauritania. The services, to be operated with A319 and A321 equipment, respectively, will provide links for business travellers into the economic centres of each country. Iberia’s presence in Africa is strongest in the north and west, so the new services continue that strategy as the African market grows.