CAIRO – EgyptAir is making bold moves to reinforce its standing in Africa’s increasingly competitive airline market. The national carrier has signed an agreement with Airbus to acquire ten A350-900 jets, as part of a strategic plan to grow its fleet from 70 aircraft in 2024 to 97 by 2028.

The expansion is backed by the Egyptian state and aims to enhance the airline’s competitiveness, particularly against Ethiopian Airlines and Royal Air Maroc—Africa’s two other leading carriers.

The African air travel sector is poised for long-term growth, with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) forecasting a 5.2% annual increase in passenger traffic through to 2040. However, structural challenges continue to hamper the pace of development.

EgyptAir’s push comes amid mounting pressure from rivals. Ethiopian Airlines remains the continent’s leading airline, having carried 15.8 million passengers in 2024. EgyptAir followed with 9.8 million, and Royal Air Maroc carried 7.1 million. Each airline is rapidly scaling operations, adding aircraft and expanding routes to meet growing demand.

Ethiopian Airlines is executing its “Vision 2035” plan to double its fleet to 270 aircraft and expand to 207 destinations. It targets carrying 65 million passengers and 3 million tons of cargo annually within the next decade.

Meanwhile, Royal Air Maroc is pursuing a fleet expansion to 200 aircraft by 2037, with a goal of reaching 31.6 million passengers annually—up from 7.2 million today.

Other carriers like Air Algeria and Kenya Airways are also pursuing aggressive growth strategies, signalling a shift in the competitive dynamics of African aviation.

Despite EgyptAir’s prominence, it faces significant financial headwinds. In 2022, the airline recorded losses of nearly 30 billion Egyptian pounds (approximately $600 million), driven largely by the depreciation of the Egyptian pound against the US dollar. The airline has implemented cost-cutting measures, which have affected its service quality and pricing, leading to its removal from both the global top 100 airlines list and the top ten Arab world airlines ranking.

Still, with state backing and new widebody aircraft on the horizon, EgyptAir is determined to reclaim its stature and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of African aviation.