Airbus airline marketing director for Africa Joep Ellers said Namibia and other African countries will benefit when the company manufactures a hydrogen-powered aircraft by 2025.
Ellers told the AviaDev Africa conference hosted by Namibia Airport Company in Windhoek that Airbus was looking forward to manufacturing hydrogen-powered aircraft to reduce fuel burn from 20% to 40%.
“We are planning to manufacture hydrogen-powered aircraft, a move that will benefit most African countries, including Namibia and a move aimed to reduce fuel burn from 20% to 40%,” he said.
Ellers further added that Africa uses 23% of new generational Airbus.
“Africa is using air transport more than the whole world, and the use of the new generational airbus is bringing more benefits to the aviation industries in Africa, including economic boost, employment creation and promoting tourism’’ he said.
Africa mostly uses Airbus aircraft, and between 2023 and 2042, Airbus is estimated to deliver 1180 aircraft to Africa.
“The demand for Airbus aircraft is a key enabler of socio-economic development, especially in the global trade & e-commerce, direct and indirect jobs, tourism and travel health and humanitarian”, Ellers said.
“During COVID-19, African airlines were agile and turned their planes into cargo capacity to bring freight and medical equipment where needed.
ASKY, the pan African airline, is engaged in the fight against COVID-19 by contributing to delivering medical items in the sub-region,” Ellers added.
Airbus’ latest edition for 2023-2042 offers a forward-looking view of air traffic and fleet evolutions.
“The global market forecast 2023 connects the drivers for air transport demand with existing and future measures related to decarbonisation of the sector such as sustainable aviation fuels usage,” Ellers said.
Ellers added that aircraft services accompany an aircraft throughout its entire life cycle, from before it enters into service until its dismantling and recycling.
“The global services forecast provides an in-depth overview of the global commercial aviation services market. It focuses on air transport industry’s demand to maintain assets, train and operate fleets,” he said.
Ellers also said that Airbus prioritises passenger safety to enable safe and efficient operations while keeping the experience at heart.
