Infrastructure Will Need To Keep Pace With Increased Air Traffic In Africa, Middle East, Asia 

In a report published by Flight Global earlier this year, Boeing and Airbus estimate Africa will require 620-929 new aircraft over the next 20 years, more than doubling the current continental fleet of 660. With mature markets such as the US and Europe, the African aviation market will register unprecedented growth with an increasing demand for new aircraft and new routes to airports. However, to face the massive influx of new aircraft encompassing high technologies, airport technology and infrastructure will have to keep pace to enhance traffic capacity and ensure safety.

As a result of the booming African aviation development market, the scope of airport projects in Africa is wide as all services and solutions related to airport development, expansion, refurbishment and modernisation are required.

According to Airports Council International's data, the first six months of 2010 confirm the two-speed world that emerged in 2009. Airports in Europe and North America posted 1.6% and 1.3% increases respectively in passenger traffic whereas solid and even double-digit traffic increases were posted by airports in the Middle East (14.6%), Asia/Pacific (13%), Latin America/Caribbean (11.7%) and Africa (9.8%).

Vincent Bamberger, partner in charge of ADL's Aviation Practice, observes in the World Airport Report published recently by Air Transport World that "since 2001, Asia/Pacific, African and Middle Eastern intercontinental platforms grew almost twice as fast in relative terms as the European and American primary hubs."

In its annual Business Aviation Outlook released this October, Honeywell believes that the longer term outlook for business aviation is also positive. According to the report, purchase expectations from Africa-based operators of aircraft decreased from the record 2009 level, but their plans for fleet expansion and replacement over the next five years are still above North American levels.

IQPC's Airport Expansion & Development Africa 2010 (29 November to 2 December 2010, Hilton Nairobi, Kenya) will bring together governments, airport authorities, civil aviation authorities and airline operators to discuss strategies and opportunities for growth in the African airport development market. The meeting is described as "a closed-door affair reserved only for key decision-makers who are driving the development of the African airport industry and event sponsors."

38 international and regional experts from the entire value chain will share their best practices for developing world-class airports as well as present the latest airport project updates and future initiatives. Other topical issues to be discussed include the strategies and tools to achieve safety, control security and drive airport revenue.

FMI: www.iqpc.ae