The aviation market in Africa is undergoing a remarkable transformation, led by two giants: Royal Air Maroc (RAM) and Ethiopian Airlines. These two airlines, despite the multiple challenges, stand out for their growth, their resilience and their ambition to dominate the African skies. The Skytax 2024 report highlights the strategies, successes and prospects of these African aviation leaders.
Since its creation, Royal Air Maroc has positioned itself as a key player in aviation in North Africa and beyond. The Moroccan company has adopted an aggressive expansion strategy, opening new routes and modernizing its fleet. The Skytax report highlights several strengths of RAM:
Extensive Network: Royal Air Maroc serves more than 90 destinations around the world, with a strong presence in West Africa and Europe.
Strategic Partnerships: Member of the Oneworld alliance, RAM benefits from partnerships with global airlines, thus increasing its connectivity and attractiveness.
Fleet Modernization: The company has invested in modern, fuel-efficient aircraft, thereby improving operational efficiency and reducing carbon footprint.
Ethiopian Airlines: the Phoenix of African aviation
Ethiopian Airlines, founded in 1945, is often considered Africa’s most successful and stable airline. The Skytax 2024 report highlights the following elements:
Expansion and Connectivity: With more than 120 international destinations, Ethiopian Airlines connects major African cities to the rest of the world, notably via its hub in Addis Ababa.
Diversification of Services: In addition to passenger transport, the company excels in cargo transport, aircraft maintenance and training.
Innovation and Technology: Ethiopian Airlines has been a pioneer in adopting modern technologies, from long-range aircraft like the Boeing 787 Dreamliner to digital solutions to improve customer experience.
The Dominant Duo
Once again this year, Royal Air Maroc and Ethiopian Airlines once again confirm their domination in the African skies according to the 2024 ranking of the best airlines in the world unveiled on June 24 by the British consultancy Skytrax.
Still hegemonic in Africa, but still on the doorstep of the world’s top 30 this year, the Ethiopian carrier ranks in 36th place, down one place compared to 2023. Mesfin Tasew, CEO of the group, nevertheless welcomed to receive the title of best continental carrier for the seventh consecutive time. This result is the result of an unwavering commitment to customer-centric innovation and the perpetual pursuit of passenger satisfaction.
In the world rankings, Qatar Airways this year regains the number 1 place that Singapore Airlines took from it in 2023. This year, the Singaporean company is content with second place on the podium, ahead of Emirates. For their part, Turkish Airlines and Air France remain in the top 10, the Turkish taking 7th place despite a drop of one notch, while the French loses two places and is in 9th position.
Still strong positioning for RAM
In 55th place, Royal Air Maroc is the second best African company in the general ranking. The Moroccan pavilion comes 18 places behind the giant of the Horn of Africa. In 2023, the public company signed a program contract with the Moroccan government. This agreement, which aims to strengthen the fleet, signals the group’s desire to evolve and provide more continental services.
« This government support is essential to strengthen our leading role in air transport on the continent, in particular by supporting tourism, Morocco being a flagship destination in Africa “, recalled Abdelhamid Addou, CEO of the RAM last May.
EgyptAir raises its head
Skytrax also highlights the performance of EgyptAir. Eclipsed from the world’s top 100 in 2023, the Egyptian company reappears in 88th place, in addition to being cited among the good students of the year. The flag has reworked the quality of its services and this evolution is reflected in the second step of the podium of the airlines that have improved the most at the global level.
RAM and EgyptAir are the only representatives of North Africa in this ranking, which does not include Tunisair or Air Algérie. As for sub-Saharan airlines, apart from Ethiopian Airlines, you have to reach 69th place to find South African Airways, hidden between two low-cost airlines. The South African carrier is closely followed by Kenya Airways (77th), Rwandair (81st) and Air Mauritius (85th).
In short, Royal Air Maroc and Ethiopian Airlines represent the future of African aviation. Their successes illustrate the continent’s enormous potential and serve as a model for other airlines. The African duo, constantly evolving, is well on its way to continuing to mark the history of world aviation.
