The Chief Executive Officer of the Airlines Association of Southern Africa, Aaron Munetsi, has raised fresh concerns over the fragile state of Africa’s aviation industry, revealing that only seven out of the continent’s 52 scheduled airlines are fully operational, with just one currently profitable.
Munetsi disclosed this at the Nigerian Aircraft Acquisition and Investment Summit held in Lagos, where he painted a bleak picture of an industry struggling with weak financial capacity, ageing fleets, and regulatory bottlenecks.
According to him, the figures highlight a deep structural crisis in Africa’s aviation ecosystem, warning that most carriers on the continent are barely surviving.
“Out of about 52 scheduled airlines in Africa, only seven are fully operational, and just one is making profit,” he said.
The aviation expert lamented that Africa, despite its estimated population of 1.4 billion people, contributes only about two per cent to global aviation, describing the figure as grossly disproportionate to the continent’s size and potential.
He attributed the poor performance of African airlines to a combination of economic limitations and policy inconsistencies, noting that many countries lack the financial strength and regulatory stability required to sustain viable airline operations.
Munetsi further decried the slow pace of aircraft acquisition across the continent, stressing that limited access to funding continues to hinder fleet expansion and modernisation.
He also drew a stark comparison between Africa and global aviation leaders, stating that the entire fleet of African airlines—estimated at about 1,000 aircraft—falls significantly short of the approximately 1,500 aircraft operated by Delta Air Lines alone.
“This clearly shows the huge gap in capacity and investment between Africa and more developed aviation markets,” he added.
The AASA boss also expressed concern over the weak revenue base of most African carriers, revealing that some airlines generate less than $1 million in returns—an amount he described as unsustainable for the capital-intensive aviation industry.
He warned that the continued reliance on ageing aircraft across the continent further undermines operational efficiency and global competitiveness, calling for urgent reforms, increased investment, and stronger regional collaboration to revive the sector.
Munetsi urged African governments and private investors to take decisive steps to unlock the industry’s potential, insisting that a thriving aviation sector is critical to economic growth, trade, and regional integration across the continent.
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