Estimated US$3.2 billion being invested in Africa's airports

Africa and the Middle East are particularly optimistic, according to the upcoming AVEX International Airshow – the Africa and Middle East aviation platform. With an estimated US$ 3.2 billion worth of airport projects upcoming in Africa (Sudan , Tunisia , Egypt , Libya , Morrocco and South Africa ) and more than US$ 86 billion scheduled to be invested in airport expansions over the next 15 years in the Middle East .  

As per Airbus’ Global Market forecast for 2009-2028, in less than ten years, the number of passengers passing through the Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports has increased by more than 300 percent. This growth continues to show in other areas as well with the Middle   East fleet forecasted to treble by the end of 2028. Meanwhile, total new aircraft deliveries in Africa are expected to be 455 while those for the Middle East market will stand at 689. Boeing’s latest Current Market Outlook (CMO) forecasts the value of the airplane market in Africa to be US$ 80 billion with 710 new aircraft deliveries projected to take place to the continent by 2029, while the Middle Eastern market size is anticipated to be US$ 390 billion with 2,340 new deliveries projected to take place by 2029.

Further supporting this growth AVEX will be celebrating its 4^th edition in November this year. First held in 2005 and hosting 60 exhibiting companies, this year’s AVEX has a fresh new look and focus and is already 40 percent larger than previous years.

Global business information company, naseba, announced this new look at   a   press conference in Cairo on Sunday, 8^th August, which formally launched the air show.

Key topics discussed featured the rapid growth and development of the African and Middle Eastern aviation industries and the catalytic role played by AVEX in augmenting this growth. Habib Fekih of Airbus also announced that Airbus would be sending the A380 to this year’s AVEX.

This will be the first time that an A380 has landed on Egyptian soil and in North Africa, reaffirming Egypt ’s image as a growth leader in MENA and the world.

The restructured AVEX 2010 will feature five key visiting areas: Expo, Aircraft Showcase Park , Custom Jet Show, Aviation Unity Summit and an Entertainment pavilion. 

Nicholas Watson, AVEX Airshow’s project director said: “Thanks to the Africa and Middle East region’s unmatched growth, AVEX has become a bigger success than we expected. We are excited about Egypt providing strong sustainability in aviation on the world map. Through this strength, we have been able to identify key growth drivers in aviation including MROs, aircraft customisation, aviation training, low-cost carriers and small to mid-sized aircraft manufacturing. This is what has led to the successful launch of the new, expanded AVEX Airshow 2010”. 

AVEX, which has the patronage of Egypt ’s Minister of Civil Aviation, Ahmed Shafik, and is co-hosted by the Ministry, is taking place at Sharm El Sheikh International Airport , Egypt from November 7th – 10th 2010.