Airlines scrambling to meet demand of industry’s last frontier
Air carriers are looking to expansion in what has been called the "aviation industry’s last frontier." The latest: easy jet founder Stelios Haji-Loannou is bringing low-cost Fastjet to Africa in the next few months.
Rates will be as low as $15 for early bookings, backers say.
"That price will absolutely democratize air travel, totally changing the way people are traveling in Africa," said Ed Winter," Fastjet CEO.
Air France and other major carriers have also recently been adding flights to Africa.
Fastjet executives say they hope to tap Africa’s rather underdeveloped aviation network. They say they are offering an affordable alternative in a transport environment largely dominated by difficult terrains, long bus journeys and poor infrastructure, according to CNN.
Haji-Ioannou, who set up easyJet in the mid-1990s, has described Africa as "the aviation industry’s last frontier."
"Past experience shows by halving fares, a successful low-cost carrier can encourage those people, who have never previously traveled by air, to fly. For Africa, with its densely populated cities separated by great distances — this means a potential new market of millions," he said.
Aircraft manufacturer Airbus has forecast Africa traffic to expand by about 6.5% per year between 2011-2020 and by 4.9% between 2021-2030. That is a 20-year growth rate of 5.7%. This compares with a 4.8% increase in demand on a worldwide basis over the next 20 years.
By David Wilkening
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