SYD puts Africa in sights

SYDNEY Airport’s new ceo Geoff Culbert has highlighted rising markets in Africa that could become more accessible with the next generation of ultra-longhaul aircraft under development.

In his first address to airport shareholders ( TD Fri) the former GE executive said Sydney would become a more attractive destination as aircraft technology improved and range increased.

In addition to allowing non-stop flights to cities like London, Paris, New York and Rio, Culbert said new long-range aircraft could open opportunities in Africa and singled out the Nigerian city of Lagos as a potential option.

“You’re probaby asking ‘why would I want to go to Lagos?’,” Culbert said.

“But here’s the thing - Nigeria is one of the wealthiest countries in Africa, they have close to 200 million people living there - it’s the 7th most populous country in the world - and they all know about Sydney and want to visit.

“And once we have a direct flight, they will come.”

Culbert said GE was working on engines for Boeing’s new 777X aircraft with the aim of flying non-stop from Sydney to London or New York, similar to the goals of Airbus and its A350-900.

“Those aircraft should begin commercial operations within the next five years, and when they do the landscape of global travel will change forever,” he said.

With the introduction of the 777X and A350-900, the world’s entire population would be reachable with a single flight from Sydney, Culbert said.

“We will unlock new destinations to mega-cities and our history and experience tells us that when we put on direct flights to a new city we unlock significant latent demand.”