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Cape Town - The growing middle class in Africa, consisting of about 200 million people, is driving the continent’s growth in air travel, according to Orhan Abbas, Emirates airline’s senior vice president of commercial operations for Latin America and Central & Southern Africa.
“At Emirates we see this in the growth of travelers from Africa and that is a good sign of future growth,” Abbas told Fin24 on Tuesday.
He was on a routine visit to Emirates’ South African operations.
“In 1991 the pundits said Africa looked gloomy, but later they said Africa is the way forward. In February 2014 our premium traffic from Africa to the Middle East had increased by 12% compared to 2013. That is an encouraging sign,” he told Fin24.
“I see our traffic from Africa growing even more in future, especially from South Africa, where we already have six flights a day. Our premium traffic from South Africa is very strong. It is a diverse market with travel to all six continents.”
He said, whereas Johannesburg has a lot of corporate, leisure and trade travel, Cape Town has more leisure travel and people visiting family. Cape Town, to which Emirates offers two direct flights from Dubai each day, also has strong traffic from Europe.
“Cape Town is doing well and by the end of the year we should be using two Boeing 777’s on that route,” said Abbas.
“Our model is to increase our frequencies and shorten connecting times at our hubs. We fly to 142 destinations.”
He also regards Emirates’ increased high profile sport sponsorships as as a successful way to connect with sport fans all over the world.
Despite many airlines battling, Abbas said Emirates’ success story proves that it is possible to grow in the industry thanks to the right commercial business model and leadership.
“We create an experience for our passengers. We are not just selling a ticket. We believe in innovation and value for money with highest quality possible. Since 2013 our revenue has increased by 43%.”
“At Emirates we see this in the growth of travelers from Africa and that is a good sign of future growth,” Abbas told Fin24 on Tuesday.
He was on a routine visit to Emirates’ South African operations.
“In 1991 the pundits said Africa looked gloomy, but later they said Africa is the way forward. In February 2014 our premium traffic from Africa to the Middle East had increased by 12% compared to 2013. That is an encouraging sign,” he told Fin24.
“I see our traffic from Africa growing even more in future, especially from South Africa, where we already have six flights a day. Our premium traffic from South Africa is very strong. It is a diverse market with travel to all six continents.”
He said, whereas Johannesburg has a lot of corporate, leisure and trade travel, Cape Town has more leisure travel and people visiting family. Cape Town, to which Emirates offers two direct flights from Dubai each day, also has strong traffic from Europe.
“Cape Town is doing well and by the end of the year we should be using two Boeing 777’s on that route,” said Abbas.
“Our model is to increase our frequencies and shorten connecting times at our hubs. We fly to 142 destinations.”
He also regards Emirates’ increased high profile sport sponsorships as as a successful way to connect with sport fans all over the world.
Despite many airlines battling, Abbas said Emirates’ success story proves that it is possible to grow in the industry thanks to the right commercial business model and leadership.
“We create an experience for our passengers. We are not just selling a ticket. We believe in innovation and value for money with highest quality possible. Since 2013 our revenue has increased by 43%.”
