Moov Airways AG

Africa's aviation industry is rapidly expanding. Passenger traffic recovered to 108% of pre-pandemic levels in 2023 and is expected to double by 2043. The air cargo sector is also expanding, showing a 16.1% year-to-date increase in demand and a 20.8% rise in capacity, driven by the entry of e-commerce giants like Amazon and local providers such as Jumia and Takealot. Regional hubs are fueling this growth. Ethiopia's Ethiopian Airlines Group reported $6 billion in income for FY 2023 and plans to increase revenue by 20% and the number of passengers by 30%. The government is investing in infrastructure, such as the expansion of Bole International Airport and a new e-commerce handling facility. Morocco has recovered strongly, with Royal Air Maroc planning to quadruple its fleet to 200 aircraft by 2037 and make significant investments in airfreight infrastructure. Rwanda aims to become the "Singapore of Africa," investing heavily in aviation projects such as the Kigali Cargo Hub and the $2 billion Bugesera International Airport, partly funded by Qatar Airways. These developments highlight Africa's potential for growth in aviation, which will be driven by strategic investments and partnerships. Despite challenges like political instability and infrastructural inadequacies, this potential exists. 🔗 Detailed overview: https://lnkd.in/d7j75Wbn

Airlines worldwide are expanding by adding more seats and flying longer routes, with seat and available seat-miles (ASM) growth outpacing departures. Asia, now the largest aviation market, is experiencing growth in departures, seats, and ASMs faster than the global average. Africa and the Middle East, though smaller markets, are also showing strong growth. Latin America and North America have minimal to no growth in departures, but they show slight increases in seats and steady ASM growth, possibly due to new regional routes. Europe, despite being a mature market, continues to see growth in capacity and miles.

Africa's aviation industry faces significant challenges, such as high operational costs and restrictive government policies, which lead to low capacity and high fares. In contrast, Southeast Asia thrives by promoting competition through initiatives like the ASEAN Single Aviation Market (ASAM), investing in infrastructure, and encouraging low-cost carriers. This results in lower fares and increased demand. By adopting similar strategies — implementing regulatory reforms like the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), focusing on regional operations, and enhancing operational efficiency — Africa can unlock its aviation potential, boosting economic growth and connectivity. 🔗 Discover details: https://lnkd.in/gV8dFGuQ

Investment in African airlines is crucial for future growth. The aviation sector is rebounding from COVID-19, with Q4 2023 traffic at 98.2% of pre-pandemic levels (IATA). Oliver Wyman projects a 2.5% annual growth rate for global commercial aircraft, which are expected to exceed 36,400 by 2034. MRO spending may reach $104 billion, though demand could hit $124 billion. In Africa, the fleet is anticipated to grow by 25% to over 1,400 aircraft by 2034. South African Airways plans to expand from 13 to 40 aircraft in the next decade. This growth aligns with a projected doubling of passenger numbers by 2035. Despite these positive trends, challenges like inflation, labor shortages, and rising costs hinder investment. However, easing inflation and lower interest rates could enable essential investments in sustainable aviation fuel and infrastructure, allowing Africa’s aviation industry to thrive. 🔗 More details: https://lnkd.in/duwxyH6y

Airbus has delivered its first A321XLR to Iberia, making it the launch operator for this new long-range, single-aisle aircraft powered by CFM Leap 1A engines. Iberia will start with regional routes, including Madrid-Paris on Nov. 6, and will launch transatlantic service from Madrid to Boston on Nov. 14. The A321XLR offers Iberia flexibility to serve U.S. cities with demand that suits smaller aircraft while increasing frequency options. Iberia CEO Marco Sansavini praised the aircraft’s efficiency, enabling new destinations and better service for business travelers. Iberia expects a total of eight A321XLRs, with the next arriving by year-end. Aer Lingus will receive IAG’s other six A321XLRs next year and plans U.S. routes to Nashville and Indianapolis from Dublin. With a range of 4,700 nm and an 182-seat layout, the A321XLR fills the growing demand for long-haul, single-aisle flights. 🔗 More information: https://lnkd.in/dTqgbNwt

Airbus and Boeing are holding off on new widebody aircraft for the next 10-20 years, risking a gap in long-haul fuel efficiency gains, according to Nico Buchholz, president and deputy CEO of BermudAir, a boutique airline. While narrowbodies like the A321XLR are efficient for shorter routes, widebodies remain essential for intercontinental travel and account for 75% of aviation fuel consumption. The Boeing 777-9 and innovations like JetZero’s blended-wing designs show potential, but major OEMs need to commit to development. Renewed collaboration between airlines and manufacturers could drive the next generation of efficient, eco-friendly widebodies crucial for meeting future environmental goals. 🔗 More details: https://lnkd.in/eGEBaF2Y

Interest in Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) is expanding across a diverse range of industries, as shown by recent order distributions. Airlines are the largest segment, representing 35% of total #AAM orders, reflecting their pursuit of innovative solutions for short-haul and urban routes. Charter and leasing companies make up 16% of orders, followed closely by corporations at 16%. This showcases the potential of AAM for executive and business travel. Cargo companies account for 13%, aiming to leverage AAM for quicker, more flexible logistics solutions. Additionally, a small portion (1%) of orders comes from government sectors, indicating potential applications in public services and emergency response. This varied interest underscores AAM's broad potential across multiple sectors.

The AAM landscape in 2024 is marked by promising advances and growing challenges. Significant progress includes Joby Aviation's regulatory milestones, strategic alliances for eVTOL deployment, and notable certification achievements by companies like Ehang. These developments underscore the sector's momentum toward commercial readiness. However, AAM faces considerable hurdles. Despite the demand for urban air mobility, the industry struggles with scalability, a lack of supporting infrastructure, regulatory variations, and unsustainable business models. A new "AAM Readiness Radar" by Lufthansa Innovation Hub identifies eight critical areas for AAM success, from technology and funding to ecosystem integration. Investment and regulatory inconsistencies, along with overestimated demand and underestimated operational costs, cast doubt on AAM's economic viability. The focus now shifts to balanced ecosystem growth and realistic financial strategies to navigate the path forward in urban air mobility. 🛫 Read more: https://lnkd.in/dXuQ6pei

Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is essential for reducing aviation’s carbon footprint, yet it currently meets less than 1% of the industry’s fuel needs. IATA's analysis of public financial aid programs shows that only 11% of global public funding for sustainable technologies is directed toward advanced biofuels, including SAF. The United States leads with around 65% of this funding, mainly through guarantees, subsidies, and grants. The European Union contributes 13%, focusing on grants and market mechanisms to drive SAF development. Other regions, despite having feedstock potential, are underfunded. Scaling up SAF is critical for environmental benefits and socio-economic gains, such as job creation, land restoration, and energy security.

A new wave of billion-dollar startups is shaping travel and mobility tech in ground mobility, hospitality, and travel finance. This shift follows a recalibration in valuations that are now more grounded in tangible performance. Key trends reveal a dominance of ground mobility unicorns, with Asia and North America leading, but Europe gaining traction. Companies like Waymo, Mews, and Blueground highlight this growth, though core travel-tech disruptions remain limited. 🔗 Read more about emerging travel-tech unicorns: https://lnkd.in/e6indJeu