Airlines Increase Capacity for Africa-South America Routes as Demand Surges

Airlines are responding to a resurgence in demand for connectivity between Africa and South America via Brazil by increasing capacity on these routes. South African Airways (SAA) recently resumed operations to Brazil in October, connecting Cape Town and Sao Paulo, with Johannesburg to Sao Paulo services following in November, all operated by A330-300 aircraft.

SAA’s strategic plan for these routes aims to enhance export and import opportunities, promoting stronger trade relations between South Africa and Brazil. The A330-300 passenger variant offers substantial belly cargo space, providing opportunities for palletized cargo and facilitating faster cargo movement.

In addition to these routes, SAA signed an extended codeshare agreement with Kenya Airways to Sao Paulo, with connections through Johannesburg. This partnership is expected to open up further opportunities for cargo shipments to East Africa and beyond.

SAA’s renewed focus on Brazil coincides with the expansion of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) membership. New member nations, including Argentina, Iran, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia, and Egypt, joined the founding BRICS countries on January 1. This expansion of the BRICS group may lead to increased connectivity and trade between Southern Africa and Brazil.

However, according to Aaron Munetsi, CEO at the Airlines Association of Southern Africa (AASA), the impact of BRICS on connectivity among its member states is still evolving. Different BRICS member states are at varying stages of implementing and realizing mutual objectives. Most countries do not view their affiliation with BRICS in isolation but as an additional grouping, alongside other regional collaborations.

The aviation industry seeks to foster connections between people, communities, businesses, and markets wherever opportunities arise, regardless of specific regional affiliations.

TAAG Angola Airlines has also recognized the potential in the South America market, particularly for consumer goods and e-commerce. The airline increased its frequencies between Luanda and Sao Paulo to six times a week, utilizing B777-300 aircraft with substantial cargo capacity.

Trade between Brazil and Africa has been on the rise, with data from the African Development Bank showing that Brazil-Africa trade reached $16 billion in 2021, increasing nearly 40% in 2022. Approximately 4% of all Brazilian exports are destined for Africa.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) reported that African airlines saw a 3.9% increase in air cargo volumes in November, with capacity exceeding November 2022 levels by 14%.

The growing connectivity between Africa and South America through Brazil is indicative of the expanding economic ties and trade relations between these regions. Airlines are adapting to meet the demand for cargo and passenger services, positioning themselves to capitalize on the growing opportunities for trade and connectivity.