Airbus has announced the inauguration of a new Customer Support Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa, marking a significant enhancement of its presence in the African aviation sector.
The new facility will bolster Airbus’ local operations and support the region’s aviation ecosystem by providing tailored support services and improving operational efficiency.
The Customer Support Centre aims to develop local capabilities by ensuring access to essential maintenance and training resources.
This initiative is expected to strengthen the aviation industry’s growth, empower airlines, and benefit the broader industry and workforce.
Laurent Negre, Vice President of Customer Services for Africa and the Middle East at Airbus emphasized the importance of this expansion.
“With the rapid expansion of the latest generation aircraft on the continent, Africa requires additional dedicated support and skills to meet the increasing demand for intra-African and international connectivity,” Negre stated.
“We are proud to open this new office to increase our proximity to customers while continuing to support the development of solutions for Africa, in Africa, and by Africa.”
Airbus’ latest Global Market Forecast projects that the African continent will need 1,460 passenger and freight aircraft by 2043, including 1,210 single-aisle and 250 widebody aircraft.
Additionally, the Global Services Forecast predicts that Africa will require 15,000 new pilots and 20,000 mechanics to address the anticipated surge in air travel demand.
