This document discusses the future of air transport in Africa based on forecasts and current trends. It notes that passenger numbers in Africa are expected to more than double by 2034, driven by factors like economic growth, an expanding middle class, and increased use of technology. While mobile internet and smartphone usage is increasing rapidly in Africa, adoption of mobile services in aviation still lags global levels. For women to play a greater role in aviation, businesses need to commit to supporting women leaders through mentorship and sponsorship programs. Doing so could provide competitive advantages and maximize an economy's growth potential by making use of all available talent.

1. A BRIGHT FUTURE?
Natasha Georgiev
Director, Marketing MEIA
SITA

2. WHY DEVELOP THE PAPER?
When the planning started for this event we wanted to look
at two areas:
• The current state of air transport in Africa
• The role that women do, and could, play
This paper looks at both, and is a starting point for our
panel sessions today.
Let’s take a look at some highlights.

3. Setting the scene
• In 2012 the Air Transport Action
Group (ATAG) published a paper
called Benefits without Borders.
• The paper showed the importance
of aviation to nations across the
world – including Africa.

4. ATAG’s aviation benefits to Africa

5. IATA’s passenger forecast for 2034
By 2034:
• Passenger numbers are expected to reach 7.3 billion
• Represents 4.1% average annual growth in demand for air
connectivity
• More than double the 3.3 billion passengers expected to travel
this year.
Africa
• Forecast passenger growth 2014-2034 rising by 4.7%
• A total market of 294m passengers.

7. What’s driving this?
• Demographic change with more working age people
• The growth of the middle class economy
– Of the 19 countries predicted to move to middle class, 15
are in Africa
• With middle classes comes travel opportunity
– flying over seven times more often each year
Resulting in a rapidly growing population having both
the means and the inclination to fly.

8. The role of technology
• Increased internet
access
– 6,839% increase in 15
years in Africa
• Growth in mobile and
smartphone use
• Predicted 518m
subscribers in sub-
Saharan Africa by 2020

9. How this benefits aviation
Aviation is reaping the benefits of mobile technology
• Flight booking
• Travel updates
• Customer engagement
By 2018:
• 67% of airlines intend to offer a highly personalized smartphone
booking experience compared to today.
Africa’s enthusiastic embrace of mobile technology makes this a fertile
area for African airlines and airports to enhance services at low cost.

10. 100% of MEIA airports are investing in mobile services (84% globally)
61% of MEIA airports offer flight information apps today (50%
globally)
MEIA airlines are much better at tracking mobile performance metrics
than the global average
A higher proportion of MEIA airlines are offering in-flight mobile
services than the global average
86% of MEIA passengers are happy to share personal or location
data (72% globally)
MEIA: AHEAD OF THE GLOBAL CURVE

11. 20% of MEIA airports will offer cashless payment via mobile by 2017
(will be 51% globally)
34% of MEIA airports will offer disruption management
communications by 2017 (will be 55% be globally)
56% of MEIA airlines sell tickets via mobile (68% globally)
12% of MEIA passenger check-ins are via website (21% globally)
22.5% of MEIA passengers use self-service check-in (37.2% globally)
MEIA: BEHIND THE GLOBAL CURVE

12. Making for an interesting future for air
transport across Africa
• Larger middle class with income and desire to spend on
travel
• Greater use of mobile technology
• Greater penetration of the Internet
• More options for routes, and more
competition between airlines
• Room for opportunity …
although not without challenges

13. What will be the role of women?
• A shift from the service roles to address the needs of the
future for air transport.
• ICAO has identified “the need for highly educated and
skilled professionals”
• South African Airways (SAA) ran a flight with an all-
female crew.
• And we have great role models here today too.

14. How do we bring about change?
BUSINESS SHOULD MAKE A TOP LEVEL
COMMITMENT TO SUPPORT WOMEN
LEADERS, DESIGN LEADERSHIP
POSITIONS TO BE MORE ATTRACTIVE,
AND INVEST IN MENTORING AND
SPONSORSHIP PROGRAMS

15. What will be the benefits?
“IF AN ECONOMY IS ONLY USING HALF OF
ITS MOST TALENTED PEOPLE THEN IT
IMMEDIATELY CUTS ITS GROWTH
POTENTIAL.”
• Businesses run by diverse boards are generating
greater returns
• Facilitating female participation at a decision-
making level within companies can bring about
competitive advantage.