The Chief Executive Officer of the Airlines Association of Southern Africa, Aaron Munetsi, has raised fresh concerns over the state of Africa’s aviation industry, citing ageing aircraft, low revenues, and structural inefficiencies as major obstacles to growth.

Munetsi spoke in Lagos during the Nigerian Aircraft Acquisition and Investment Summit, where he said the continent’s aviation capacity remains significantly below global standards.

He noted that Africa operates fewer than 1,000 aircraft in total, a figure he contrasted with Delta Air Lines, which alone has about 1,500 aircraft in its fleet.

According to him, the continent’s aviation output is disproportionately low compared to its population of about 1.4 billion people, describing the situation as indicative of deeper systemic issues.

Munetsi disclosed that out of 52 airlines and national carriers across Africa, only seven are fully operational, and just one of them is profitable. He added that Africa contributes only about two per cent to global aviation, despite its size and growing demand for air travel.

He attributed the sector’s struggles to a mix of economic constraints and regulatory challenges, noting that many African economies lack the financial structure needed to sustain capital-intensive airline operations.

The AASA chief further revealed that some airlines on the continent generate less than one million dollars in revenue, raising concerns about their ability to expand fleets, acquire new aircraft, or compete internationally.

He also highlighted the issue of ageing fleets, stating that Africa operates some of the oldest aircraft globally, which continues to undermine efficiency and competitiveness.

Despite the challenges, Munetsi maintained that the sector holds significant potential, driven by the continent’s large population, vast geography and increasing demand for connectivity, provided the right policies and investments are implemented.

Meanwhile, the Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Chris Najomo, had earlier stated at a separate forum that the age of an aircraft should not be a major concern if it is properly maintained, stressing that safety depends more on maintenance standards than on the aircraft’s age.