Posted on :Thursday , 16th October 2014

Emirates, the world’s largest carrier by international traffic, says it would expand its operation in Africa by more than 40 percent in the next decade.

This is in line with the airline’s 10 years growth plan which includes investment expansion as well as the provision of critical links to emerging markets globally.

Dubai, Emirates base, serve as the fastest route from Africa to Asia – a major trade partner with sub-Sahara Africa. The airline has since become the biggest non-African carrier in sub-Saharan Africa.

Speaking at the Africa Global Business Forum 2014 on the theme “Connectivity and Trade – Supporting Dubai as the Hub to Africa”, President of Emirates Airline, Sir Tim Clark said the company intends to increase its investment on the African continent and expand to 10 more destinations by the end of 2030.

According to Clark, “Africa is still an underserved market and Emirates will continue to channel traffic through the Dubai hub, which has already become a key gateway for the African continent.”

Emirates currently services 22 passenger destinations in Africa with 6 freighters. Its investment in Africa is currently valued at around $7 billion with over $2 billion spent on operations.

In the last five years, the airline has carried over 1.6 million passengers between Africa and China, and by 2020 it plans to increase seating capacity to over 10 million.

According to official statistics, more than half a million Africans live in Dubai while over 800,000 visit yearly. By 2020, the number is expected to increase to over 1.5 million yearly visitors.

“Africa has been a growth story for us,” Clark said. “The Government of Dubai recognised the untapped potential of Africa early on and Emirates has been instrumental in supporting the region’s growth.”