Why Nigeria misses out of Africa’s top 10 profitable routes

Category: Business | Date: 09 Sep 2019 | Posted by: john

Nigeria has missed out on the top 10 rankings of the most profitable routes in Africa operated between 2018 and March this year.

According to industry observers, this may not be unconnected with low traffic demand and flight frequencies, lack of tourism destinations, and the absence of dominant carriers on the international front.

Nigeria, with a population of over 200 million people, an airport in almost all 36 States, and opened doors to 34 foreign carriers with multiple frequencies, is often placed next to South Africa in terms of profitability; but, not any longer.

OAG, an international analysis company, shows in a new report that the Emirates and South African routes now dominate the region. The only West African route in the top 10 is Abidjan-Paris and in eighth place.

The report published recently showed that Emirates operates the most profitable routes on the continent, half of which connect South Africa to Europe or Asia.

The Dubai-based carrier was ranked four times among the most profitable route companies, with Johannesburg and Cape Town airports hosting five of the 10 routes.

At the top of this ranking, which covers the period from April 2018 to March 2019, Emirates’ Johannesburg-Dubai line generated $315.6 million. It is ahead of Johannesburg-London, operated by British Airways, with $295 million in revenue, and Cairo-Djeddah, operated by Saudi Arabian Airlines, with $242 million in revenue.

The only line in the top 10 in West Africa is Abidjan-Paris, operated by Air France, which generates $175 million. It ranked eighth, thanks to its many business customers.

According to various analysts, with three daily flights, it may even be among Air France’s most profitable routes.