Gallery: Africa's Commercial Aftermarket In 2021

Credit: EgyptAir

Africa's MRO spend in 2021 will stand at $2.4 billion, according to Aviation Week's 2021 Fleet & MRO Forecast. The smallest of the global regions by industry size, 44% of this spend will be generated from engine maintenance. The likes of EgyptAir Maintenance & Engineering, Ethiopian Airlines and South Africa Airways Technical are among the continent's prominent engine MRO providers.

Credit: Ethiopian Airlines

From 2021 through to 2030, Africa's MRO industry is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 3.3% while its fleet will deceased slightly over that period by approximately 0.6%.

Credit: Kenya Airways

1,469 are estimated to be in the African fleet in 2021, with newer narrowbody aircraft such as the Boeing 737 Max and the Airbus A320neo popular entries. Operators are also expected to remain keen on regional aircraft such as the De Havilland Canada Dash 8. The aircraft is operated by the likes of Ethiopian Airlines, Air Tanzania and Kenya Airways subsidiary Jambojet.

Credit: SAA Technical

Africa is home to a lot of legacy aircraft types and operators are set to get more years out of these older models. Aviation Week doesn't foresee a wave of retirements in Africa this year and it will be older Boeing 737 variants that are phased out in 2021.

Credit: Tunisair

Deliveries of new aircraft types are expected to slow down this year as airlines tighten their belts as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. Aviation Week data estimates that 895 aircraft are anticipated to be delivered to carriers, considerably down on the delivery numbers over the past five years.

Credit: Kenya Airways

An estimated 44% of Africa's MRO shop work will come from C Checks conducted by maintenance providers.

Credit: Air Algeria

An estimated 985 MRO events are expected to take place this year, including the C Checks anticipated to be undertaken in 2021.