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East Africa Frontline News

NextFrontier Africa is a media platform spotlighting Africa’s emerging opportunities in technology, tourism, aviation, agriculture, health, logistics, real estate, trade, education, and e-commerce.

January 10.2025

2 Minutes Read

African Airlines Face Cargo Demand Drop, Lagging Behind Global Growth Trends

Cargo pallets at airport highlighting African airlines cargo decline.

The Current State of Cargo Demand: A Regional Overview

While global air cargo demand surged by 8.2% in November 2024 compared to the previous year, African airlines witnessed a slight decline of 0.7%. This puts Africa at the tail end of regional performance worldwide. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), despite a modest increase in cargo capacity by 0.4%, the continent struggles to keep pace with other regions, which are benefiting from increased e-commerce and constrained ocean shipping capacity.

Comparative Regional Performance Highlights

Asia-Pacific airlines led with an impressive 13.2% jump in demand, fueled by strong intercontinental trade routes, particularly between Asia, Europe, and North America. Latin America and North America followed with 11.6% and 6.9% growth, respectively. Europe's carriers reported a steady 5.6% increase, and the Middle East noted a more moderate growth of 3.6%. Despite the global boom in air cargo, Africa's decline points to unique regional challenges, underscoring the need for strategies tailored to the continent's specific aviation infrastructure and economic dynamics.

Looking Ahead: Risks and Opportunities

As we move towards 2025, the aviation sector remains optimistic for continued growth, buoyed by prospects in trade routes and supply chain innovations. However, caution is advised as inflation, geopolitical tensions, and trade disagreements could pose risks. For African airlines, seizing opportunities in improving logistics and trade routes will be crucial to capitalize on global trends and mitigate the downside risks highlighted by IATA.

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African Airlines Face Cargo Demand Drop, Lagging Behind Global Growth Trends

The Current State of Cargo Demand: A Regional Overview

Comparative Regional Performance Highlights

Looking Ahead: Risks and Opportunities

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