Africa needs a proficient airline network if it is to fly
The much-discussed Africa Rising narrative has been dissected and at times derided, but one fact is without dispute: the continent’s economic destiny is inextricably linked to the viability and expansion of its air-travel networks.
Africa continues to be underserved in terms of air access and inconsistent transport infrastructure on the ground, both compounded by shortages of personnel.
Boeing’s most recent Boeing commercial outlook report reads that Africa will need 20,000 new pilots, 24,000 new technicians and 26,000 new cabin crew by 2035. It reflects a global demand for 617,000 new pilots, 679,000 new technicians and 814,000 new cabin crew for the period.
This presents an opportunity for enterprises such as Comair, which is investing heavily — and reaping returns — in diversifying beyond its two airline brands, British Airways (operated by Comair) and kulula.com.
The Comair Training Centre has a client base of more than 32 airlines from African countries, as well as the Middle East, South American, IndoAsia and the Far East, offering advanced pilot training for airline operators and private clients. It also reflects our approach towards diversification: rather than paying other companies to train our aircrew and pilots, we’ve established a facility to do so ourselves and for others.
The centre offers training for pilots, cabin crew and command preparation, which prepares a copilot for assuming command of an aircraft.
Our main focus is on the Boeing 737-type aircraft. It’s the world’s best-selling jet commercial airliner.
The centre has four simulators, for fixed-base operation and a full range of motion. They have been operational 99% of the time over the past 10 years.
Comair has also set up a retired Boeing 737 for fully immersive cabin crew training, providing a realistic environment for safety and evacuation training.
This sort of training is crucial, not only to Comair’s competitiveness as a diversified travel brand, but also for the development of SA as a travel and hospitality destination that remains robust despite a volatile and recessive economy. The centre’s international client base generates valuable forex for the economy.
Boeing’s most recent outlook report says air traffic for Africa’s carriers is forecast to grow at nearly 6% annually over the next 20 years. This is above the world average and is driven by economic growth on the continent and by increasing numbers of travellers from and within the region.
It’s also driven by rising worldwide demand for aircraft: the commercial market is forecast to double over the next 20 years to 47,000 airplanes — an average annual growth rate of 3.3%. Most of these — 70% — will be single-aisle aircraft, which continue to stimulate growth for low-cost airlines. Over the next 20 years, this will increase and by 2036, nearly three-quarters — or 33,000 aircraft — will be single-aisle craft. The number of passengers travelling annually passed 3-billion for the first time in 2013, having topped 2-billion seven years earlier.
Comair’s catering subsidiary, Food Directions, provides onboard catering to our airline brands and to other outlets such as Dis-Chem. We found we could run our own operation far more effectively than sourcing from other caterers. We’ve bought the industrial park at which Food Directions is based and we intend expanding the food business. Comair has invested R30m in bespoke kitchens in Jet Park and Cape Town, employing about 220 staff, who prepare about 10,000 airline meals a day. We also own the five Slow airport lounges, including the newly launched Slow XS lounge at Lanseria International Airport. These facilities have proved immensely popular as a way for travellers to escape the fast pace of travel and modern life, and have set a global standard for airport lounges.
Our sixth offering is Slow in the City, on the corner of Rivonia Road and West Street, Sandton. It is designed around business functionality, service excellence and ease of use.
Comair’s travel and holiday packaging service uses the most advanced technology to deliver travel and holiday packages locally and internationally, directly to consumers and to the travel trade. This has grown, through acquisitions, partnerships and organic expansion, to one of SA’s largest and broadest travel distribution networks.
Brands in this network include kulula holidays, MTBeds, African Images and African Dream Holidays.
For Africa, these are positive developments, but more progress is required: efforts must be strengthened to promote progressive aviation policies including the liberalisation of the African aviation market, improved aviation infrastructure, relaxation of visa policies, harmonisation of legislation, licensing and technical standards across the continent, and implementation of a safe, secure and sound air-traffic navigation system.
Comair has been operating profitably for seven decades on an unfairly tilted playing field and without state bail-outs. Its return on shareholder funds has increased 25% per year in the past three years.
Comair is now Africa’s fourth-largest airline by the number of customers carried, transporting about 5.5-million customers a year on 12 routes in Southern Africa.
In doing so, Comair generates much-needed forex for SA, is helping to transform the local aviation sector and driving regional economic development. You could even call it Africa Rising.