Dutch plane manufacturer Fokker still bullish on African market despite sales remaining flat

Netherlands based Fokker Group, once a renowned plane manufacturer, is now focusing on leasing, servicing, and maintaining commercial fleets in the ever-evolving African aviation market. Despite the shift from plane manufacturing, the company remains optimistic about expanding its market share in Africa, amidst stiff competition from industry giants like Airbus and Boeing. Henk Jan de Koning, Head of Africa Region for Fokker Services Group, shed light on the company's outlook for the region and the strategies they are employing to capitalize on the continent's growing aviation industry. De Koning emphasized Africa's rich Fokker history, mentioning that an impressive 75-80% of African countries have previously flown Fokker planes. Although the Fokker fleet is aging and no new planes are in production, the company has positioned itself as an aerospace service provider for various aircraft types, leveraging their experienced engineering force and historical knowledge. With Africa's aviation sector facing unique challenges due to diverse languages, histories, and market differences across the continent's 54 countries, Fokker acknowledges that Africa lags behind in terms of business turnover. Despite this, the company sees potential in smaller regional carriers, as larger airlines are aligned with major industry players like Boeing and Airbus. While Africa's aviation growth rate trails that of other regions, such as the Middle East, Fokker recognizes the continent's potential, fueled by a burgeoning middle class and increasing interest from carriers. However, to fully unlock this potential, African leaders must prioritize key factors like visa-free travel, open borders, and improved infrastructure to enhance the competitiveness and profitability of the aviation industry. Looking ahead, Fokker acknowledges the critical need for well-trained personnel in the African aviation sector to meet the industry's projected twofold growth in the next 10-15 years. De Koning stressed the importance of motivating the continent's young population to pursue careers in aviation and called upon governments to play a pivotal role in providing training opportunities and encouraging talent development. As Fokker Group continues to navigate the dynamic African aviation landscape, the company remains committed to leveraging its expertise and history to establish a strong foothold in the evolving market, despite challenges and competition from global industry players.