Bombardier Aerospace eyes African market with new planes
Bombardier Africa sales director Sameer Adam during the Bombardier Q400 NextGen Aircraft Demonstration at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on May 11, 2012. Photo/Diana Ngila
Canadian aircraft manufacturer Bombardier Aerospace is angling for a piece of the African market following a recent tour by one of its jets in the region — including Kenya.
Bombardier is moving in the steps of other aircraft manufacturers including Boeing, Airbus and Embraer which have set their sights on Africa’s growing aviation sector. The Canadian firm is the third largest aircraft manufacturer after Airbus and Boeing.
The aircraft manufacturer was hosted in Nairobi by Jetlink Airways Express, one of its biggest clients in East Africa, in an event that has seen its new plane, the Q400 tour the continent.
Jetlink operates seven Bombardier planes which have mainly been sourced through leasing companies.
“They are good planes, fuel-efficient and ideal as commuter planes that can access some of the lesser developed runways across the country,” said captain Elly Aluvale.
Besides Jetlink, Bombardier works with Bluebird in Kenya, Rwandair and Egyptair among other carriers in Africa.
Increased competition
Bombardier forecasts that 1,000 deliveries will be made to Middle East and Africa in the 20 to 149-seater market segment over the next 20 years.
“Our portfolio of optimised Q400, CRJ and all-new C-Series aircraft is well suited to meet the region’s requirements,” Raphael Haddad, vice president sales, Middle East and Africa, said in an earlier statement.
Though the aircraft market is dominated by Boeing and Airbus, Bombardier and Brazilian manufacturer Embraer have begun to make inroads in the region, competing to supply single isle planes ideal for domestic and regional travel.
Ethiopian Airlines already operates eight Bombardier aircrafts mainly for regional and domestic travel with five more on order to be delivered this year.
Kenya Airways, LAM Mozambique and EgyptAir Express are some of Embraer’s customers in the region.
Aircraft manufacturers have been strengthening their presence in the region as African airlines especially Kenya Airways, South African Airways, Ethiopian Airways, RwandAir and Air Uganda expand.
Though a smaller market, the order book from African airlines is expected to grow in the next decade, according to a market outlook by Boeing, for 2011 to 2030.
The outlook shows at least 800 deliveries are expected during this period in Africa.
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