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CAPA-Centre for Aviation (CAPA), one of the world’s most trusted sources of market intelligence for the aviation and travel industry, has said Africa remains a market of huge potential but with even bigger challenges.

In the report titled, Africa aviation outlook 2019: change may be in the air, released on Tuesday, CAPA said the outlook for 2019 is mostly more of the same, but with some glimmers of hope.

With a new well-funded low-cost carrier entering the Nigerian market – Green Africa Airways – 2019 offers new hope for change.

Late last year, Lagos-based Green Africa Airways ordered 100 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, comprising of 50 firm aircraft and 50 options. The deal is valued at $11.7 billion.

“This landmark deal takes us much closer to our long-held dream of building a world-class airline that will unlock a new realm of positive possibilities for millions of customers,” Babawande Afolabi, CEO and Founder of Green Africa Airways, said last year.

According to CAPA Fleet Database, Africa’s current commercial aircraft fleet consists of 1,700 aircraft, with only 257 aircraft on order from African airlines. Ethiopian Airlines has the largest order book, while Green Africa Airways has the second-largest order book.

Ethiopian Airlines, according to the report, has stood out and continues to grow rapidly, pioneering a cross-border model. The Moroccan national carrier, Royal Air Maroc, has also emerged a standout and is preparing to become the first African member of Oneworld Airline alliance.

CAPA, however, noted that new airlines and most of the existing airlines will struggle to overcome the obstacles that have repeatedly prevented most African airlines from succeeding, while foreign airlines dominate the African market due to their competitive advantage.

Established in 1990, CAPA has developed a global network of aviation researchers and analysts located across Europe, North America, Asia and Australia. It provides analysis reports, research publications, airline and airport database and consulting and advisory services.