North African aviation is finally taking off as numerous countries embrace wide-ranging strategic plans to develop and enhance their aviation capacities and to become regional behemoths. Both countries are making massive investments in expanding their respective fleets, in implementing superior pilot training, and promoting the achievement of technological independence in order to cater to the increased demand in air travel in the region.

Algeria, Morocco, and Egypt are keen to exploit the impressive growth in demand for air traffic by enhancing regional connectivity, updating their fleets, and developing training systems that encourage compliant yet innovative airlines. Through adopting such changes, they are consolidating their places in the global aviation sector and boosting their competitive advantage across Africa.

Algeria: Growing demand and a larger fleet

Air Algérie: A national issue Algeria’s national airline, Air Algérie, is leading the initiative to revamp the country’s aviation industry. According to the newspaper, with a particular focus on developing domestic services as demand soars, Air Algérie is on track to more than double its fleet to cater for the influx of passengers. The airline has made progress with the acquisition of 16 new planes and intends to lease an additional eight aircraft, a combination of Boeing and Airbus models. The move is part of a larger government plan to grow the country’s aviation capacity and connectivity, particularly in the south.

The growth plan is being backed by the National Investment Fund, which is managing the fleet’s growth to meet aggressive forecasts. The fleet expansion is intended to bolster its presence in the North African market, with air traffic volumes estimated to grow by up to 50 percent in the upcoming years, and to be a key player in the relatively prosperous region.

The growth of Air Algérie’s fleet and the implementation of a new domestic carrier that is 100% state-owned is evidence, if any, of Algeria’s commitment to growing transport infrastructure to service both local and regional transportation interests. This would not only be for the good of the people in Algeria, but it would also make Algeria an important hub of international flights in the North African region.

Moroccan: An Investment in the Future of Pilot Instruction

Meanwhile, Morocco is working to train up a high-flying workforce to feed its burgeoning aviation industry. Morocco is meeting the demand for competent pilots with the signing of two direct training agreements by Airways Aviation in conjunction with Morocco Aviation Private Academy (MAPA). This partnership provides a best-in-class, EASA-approved modular training programme. The training scheme includes basic pilot training at Ben Slimane Airport in Morocco and the possibility for advanced specialization training in Europe, making sure the pilots are properly trained to meet international aviation standards.

In the context of the current expansion of the aviation industry in the country, MAPA is in a good position to help satisfy Morocco’s growing demand for trained pilots with its modern training facilities and extensive training materials. Here, Royal Air Maroc, the national carrier, and other domestic airlines, including Air Arabia Maroc, are adding routes and capacity, driving demand further for experienced pilots. The money spent by Morocco on its aviation training infrastructure is a declaration of intent of the country to be a regional aviation manufacturing and aviation hub, not only for passengers but for expertise as well.

The collaboration also contributes to Morocco’s overarching aviation ambitions, creating an aerospace ecosystem with a global competitive advantage. In emphasizing training, the country is working to tackle one of the industry’s biggest pain points — worries about having a qualified workforce that can keep pace with the region’s aviation growth.

Egypt: Moving towards Technological Autonomy for Competitive Advantage

In Egypt, the emphasis is to enhance the technological potential of the country to minimize dependence on foreign equipment and build up aviation training infrastructure. Egypt’s Aviation Academy has recently sealed an agreement with the Arab Organisation for Industrialisation to build cutting-edge flight simulators and smart training systems that are in accordance with global criteria. The self-sufficiency through a technology platform forms part of Egypt’s efforts to establish itself as the premier destination for aviation courses in the Middle East-Africa region.

This is in addition to one of Egypt’s main accomplishments in this regard, EgyptAir Training Academy securing EASA Level D of the Egyptian A330/340 flight simulator (the highest global standard of a simulator). This certification places Egypt at the center of the industry, earning the attractiveness for both Egyptian and International pilots to train using the latest training devices. This independence in aviation technology will also help to decrease the dependence on foreign vendors, and thus provide better supply chain efficiency and cost effectiveness.

Through the investment in flight training technology, Egypt is ensuring that the nation’s aviation is not only competitive in Africa but also on a global level. This move is in line with Egypt’s budding aviation facilities, which will help to facilitate increasing visitor numbers and cement its position as an aviation gateway between Africa, the Middle East, and Europe.

Busy skies and a blueprint for expansion in the Maghreb

What Algeria, Morocco, and Egypt are trying to do represents collective aspirations to strike a meteoric aviation surge in North Africa, where those countries can be integrated as major stakeholders of the region. By investing in fleet growth, pilot training, and advanced technology, they are emerging as regional hubs capable of handling the accelerating growth in air travel.

The growing aviation industry in this region is bound to expand even further with an influx of air traffic and enhancement of connectivity in Africa and outside. Through investment in infrastructure, nurturing of a locally trained workforce, and encouraging reliance on indigenous technological solutions, these countries have been the driving force to bring North African aviation to ever higher levels, opening up more possibilities for both sympathetic travellers and businesses in the process.

In conclusion, North Africa’s aviation future appears to be a bright one. With their competitive initiatives above, both Algeria and Morocco (as well as Egypt) are developing an interconnected group of carriers poised for growth to meet the explosive demand for air travel rising today from ambitious host and developing world governments.

(Source: Algerian Ministry of Transport, Morocco Aviation Authority, Egyptian Aviation Academy, Arab Organisation for Industrialisation)