Capacity growth must be supplemented with non-aero revenue

At the 59th ACI Africa conference in Lagos, Nigeria, delegates were told that revenue Africa’s airports are unlikely to become profitable until new revenue streams are explored.

“Investment in soft infrastructure and non-aeronautical revenue is inextricably linked to future sustainable capacity growth,” said Dr Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu, president of the ICAO Council.

“Each new airport investment project is an opportunity to surpass our standards.”

Dr Benard Aliu outlined his three key priorities for the organisation to secure the sustainable growth of African airports:

  • To bring the economic benefits of aviation to the public
  • To mobilise more resources and capital for infrastructure development
  • To absolutely ensure that no airport in Africa is left behind

His sentiments were echoed by Angela Gittens, director general of ACI World, who noted that African airports have the lowest percentage of non-aeronautical revenue in the world.

“Africa has greater reliance on aeronautical revenue than any other region; and there is essentially no profit in this,” she said.

“With the competition between airports for air services it’s often not practical to charge airlines the full amount to cover costs, so growing other revenue streams in critical.”

Wesley Charnock

Wesley Charnock is Content Marketing Director for Aviation Week Network.