The African aviation market has seen plenty of change in the past years. As South African Airways’ situation has worsened, that of Ethiopian Airlines and Kenya Airways has improved. The two have battled to become the leading hub in East Africa. Ethiopian Airlines has moved ahead now, but this was not always the case. This article looks at this battle through the story of each of the three airlines. Pin Ethiopian Airlines has risen rapidly in recent years to be the largest carrier in Africa. Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying Changes in African aviation
South African Airways stands out historically as one of the oldest airlines in Africa, and a leading international carrier. It has suffered setbacks, though, first with apartheid and later financial problems. It is currently grounded, with uncertainty over when it will get back in the air.
Meanwhile, other airlines not facing these problems have expanded much faster. Kenya Airways and Ethiopian Airlines stand out, with rapid expansion and growing international connections.
The past decade has seen something of a battle between the pair to grow as African hub-based airlines. Both these airlines launched ambitious plans after the financial crisis of 2007 to 2008 but with different levels of success. Other airlines have moved well ahead of struggling South African Airways. Photo: Getty Images Data for the year to May 2019 shows the following passenger numbers for each airline (as reported by Routesonline ). The situation has worsened, of course, since then, especially for South African Airways. Ethiopian Airlines – 13.3 million passengers (top operator in Africa)
Kenya Airways – 4.9 million passengers (sixth place in Africa)
South African Airways – 4.6 million passengers (seventh place)
Going back to 2010, however, paints a very different picture. At that time, South African Airways was flying eight million passengers, and Ethiopian Airlines just over three million.
We take a look now at each of these airlines in turn, highlighting their rises and falls to where they are now. South African Airways
South African Airways was one of the first carriers in Africa, founded in 1934. Interestingly, Egyptair can claim to beat it (it was founded in June 1932) – but the origins of South African actually go back five years earlier with Union Airways. The newly formed South African government acquired Union Airways in February 1934, and South African Airways was born. It has remained government-owned since. The Junkers F13. […]
