8th October 2013
According to WINGX, registered aircrafts that facilitate business aviation in North Africa is growing at 6.3% CAGR, nearly double the global average of3.7%
The insights were part of a study commissioned by the Middle East Business Aviation Association, ahead of its first conference in Morocco under the patronage of H.E. Abdullah Bouhouche – Director General, Directorate General of Civil Aviation, which also revealed that:
- North Africa’s Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) market has grown by 30% over the past 5 years
- Despite the growth of fleet size, business aviation activity has declined by 4.8% in 2013 by comparison to 2012
- Morocco is the most active market with 50% of all North African aircraft movements year to date 2013.
The study is the first of its kind to examine the market size of business aviation in North Africa and break it down according to activity and aircraft category.
So far this year there have been 7651 departures from North Africa, which represents a 2.5% drop on 2012. The slowdown reflects a disrupted first quarter during which there was significant political instability. In Q2, activity increased by 1.2%.
Across Algeria, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Somalia and Tunisia there have been 14,832 business aviation aircraft movements YTD. On current trends, this will increase to 22,750 movements for the full year 2013.
In terms of flight operations YTD, private-filed flights have accounted for 33% of activity, charter flights for 53%. Egypt and Morocco lead the way in charter departures, with customers from these two markets on track to generate 9000 sectors in 2013. As a whole, the North African region is estimated to engender at least $200m in charter revenues this year.
The research also shed light on business aviation aircraft types being operated in and out of the region. Year to date, heavy jets and turboprops/pistons accounted for 20% and 28% of flight hours, respectively. In the charter market, over 60% of all flight hours were flown by bizliners, ultra long range and heavy jets, underlining a distinct customer preference for large cabin long range aircraft.
As ever within any maturing business aviation sector, safety is paramount to the future success of the market. As such, suppliers of Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) services have become an essential fixture in the North African business aviation sector. Figures from the WINGX study show that the regional MRO market has grown by more than 30% over the past five years. The largest markets of which are Morocco, Egypt and Algeria, comprising an 80% share.
Mr Ali Al Naqbi, Founder of MEBAA speaking ahead of MEBAC Marrakech said, “As an association which is committed to providing accurate data to the industry, North Africa has always been a region without credible fact based data, until now. MEBAC’s intelligence partner for MEBAC Marrakech, WINGX, has extrapolated sought after insights and data for North Africa. WINGX’s presentation at MEBAC will provide our members an in-depth real-time look into one of the fastest growing regions in the world.”
Richard Koe, Managing Director of WINGX went on to say, “From our research, it is clear that the North African region has grown significantly in its importance as a business aviation hub connecting burgeoning economies. We must commend MEBAA on the foresight to request such a study to be conducted on the region and we hope it provides its members and stakeholders with the insights it needs.”
About MEBAA
The Middle East Business Aviation Association (“MEBAA”) is the official representative of the business aviation industry in the Middle East and North Africa (“MENA”) region and is a member of the International Business Aviation Council (“IBAC”). MEBAA is a non-profit association established in 2006 with the mission to provide a platform for members of the business aviation industry in the MENA region to gather, understand and communicate the needs and benefits of the industry.
As part of its current growth strategy, MEBAA seeks to implement operational safety and efficiency by providing best in-practice training, lectures and conferences, establishing codes of conduct, and providing industry data. Today, MEBAA represents over 190 companies within the MENA region and provides a number of products and services to its members, including the MAIS (MEBAA Aviation Insurance Scheme) insurance scheme for operators. In addition to various networking events, MEBAA hosts the MEBA Show, which ranks as the third largest business aviation show in the world. For more information, please visit MEBAA’s website on www.mebaa.com.
About WINGX
WINGX Advance is a data research and consulting company which provides actionable market intelligence to the business aviation industry. WINGX services include Market Insight Reports, Customised Research, Strategic Consulting, Market Forecasts and Market Surveys. WINGX customers include aircraft operators, airframe, engine and avionics OEMs, airlines, maintenance providers, airports, fixed base operators, fuel providers, legal advisors, leasing companies, banks, regulators, investors and private jet users. WINGX is based in Hamburg, Germany.
