The International Air Transport Association (IATA) projects that in the next 20 years, Africa will
be one of the fastest-growing aviation regions. It estimates that its growth will be an annual
expansion of about 5 percent. However, for this growth to happen, the airline industry in Africa
has been forced to undergo a major overhaul.
Following the Covid-19 pandemic, the weaknesses, and strengths of the aviation industry in the
continent were exposed. There was an unexpected demand for improved airport facilities to
handle crucial cargo such as the Covid-19 vaccines and PPEs. This encouraged investments
in the airport infrastructure. In this article, we tell you the steps that African airlines have been
embracing in modernization.
Airports are Increasing Capacity
Many airports in Africa are undergoing expansion in what could see the airports accommodate
the increasing passenger and cargo traffic volumes. The poor capacity that airports have had in
the past has led to a derailing of the growth of African airports and the revenue associated with
it. African airports can diversify and increase revenue streams with rental spaces for events,
shopping malls, hotels, and conference centers, among other businesses.
To improve its airport capacity Ethiopia has increased the capacity of Bole International Airport
from an annual capacity of seven million passengers to 22 million passengers. In 2020,
Ethiopian Airlines announced plans to build a $5 billion airport that could cover an area of 25
square kilometers and accommodates 100 million passengers.
The Blaise Diagne International Airport in Senegal was built with $560 million and can
accommodate up to 5 million passengers every year. The Kenya Airports Authority has
spearheaded the construction and expansion of cargo handling sheds at Isiolo International
Airport to facilitate the exportation of agricultural produce and miraa.
The Use of Cloud Technology
To reshape the airline industry, airports in Africa have been embracing innovation and
automation to improve customer experiences and deliver safe services. Cloud computing has
improved the airline industry moving check-in services to where the passengers are rather than
having passengers congregate in crowded check-in areas. Passengers can now be checked-in
at the place they first arrive, be it the parking area or the entrance to the terminal building.
Cloud technology also allows passengers to pay for services easily and in a more secure
manner. Cloud technology has helped to redefine the airlines’ passenger engagements airlines
can communicate with passengers at any time on mobile or social media platforms. The
passenger gets to show their travel habits and preferences and the airline can use this
information to customize its services in a better way to accommodate its customers.
Nouakchott Airport in Mauritania is one of the African airports that have fully embraced cloud
technology. The airport has experienced a 90 percent increase in the number of customers as
a result of cloud computing modernization. Cloud technology helps ground handlers to track and
manage passenger bags in a more cost-effective manner while also allowing the airport to
connect to its passengers easily. Airlines can now connect to the airport easily over the Internet.
The use of Artificial Intelligence and machine learning
Airports have embraced the use of Artificial intelligence particularly in chatbots which are often
used to engage customers and resolve queries. Chatbots engage customers and provide
answers to their questions in real time. Chatbots help travelers in booking flights, amending and
tracking their flights, and may even aid them in planning their trip.
Ethiopian Airlines has been using the Genesys Predictive Engagement platform to get real-time
statistics and improve its passenger experience. The platform has allowed the airline to get
insights into its customers’ behavior and interest based on the traffic to its website.
The use of robotics
Robots have become quite prevalent in airports helping with streamlining operations and
reducing the cost of labor. Robots in airports help in enhancing faster check-in times helping
passengers to save time. For long, passengers have been forced to get to airports hours before
their flight departure as airport check-ins are lengthy. Robots can now scan boarding passes,
and even allot seats.
Robots can also enhance airport security as they can easily detect security threats using facial
recognition technology. Robots can also be used to provide customers with a more personalized
experience, improve baggage handling, and help in cleaning and maintaining airports.
Kenya used three robots, Jasiri, Shujaa, and Tumaini to curb the spread of the covid-19
pandemic in Kenya. The robots were put at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to keep it
disinfected and to monitor arrivals into the country for signs of the virus.
Rwanda was also another African Country that deployed robots to help in combating the Covid
19 pandemic. At the Kigali International Airport Urumuri, a robot can screen at least 50 to 250
people per minute and report abnormalities to the officers.
5G Technology
The aviation industry is a time-sensitive industry that requires communication in real-time and
fast decision-making. The 5G technology has helped the airline industry to get high connection
speeds and reduced delays. An airport with 5G connectivity will enable passengers to use the
internet on their mobile devices even when on lower-altitude flights replacing the expensive in-
flight Wi-Fi services. 5G Technology has also ended the traditional requirement that mobile
phones remain turned off to prevent aviation accidents.
Ethio Telecom, Ethiopia’s telecom service provider rolled out the 5G mobile phone service at
the Bole International Airport in 2022. The use of 5G Technology in airports in Africa remains
underdeveloped even as African countries begin rolling out 5G technology in the country.
However, embracing 5G technology looks promising.
To properly grow the aviation industry in Africa, we must continue adopting new airport
technology to enhance passenger experience and explore the rising e-commerce industry.
Technology continues to play a key role in the development of a more efficient and cost-
effective aviation system in Africa.